BACKGROUNDER: INGRID D. JOHNSON
Ingrid D. Johnson is a survivor of sexual abuse. While most media material on any artist would shy away from such disclosure, Ingrid D. Johnson faces it head on. Everything this prolific musician and spoken word artist creates is to promote surviving, overcoming and eventually thriving after extreme personal adversity such as sexual abuse.
The 33-year old Winnipeg woman has also put her entertainment endeavours into enterprise. On September.12, 2009 she will launch In The Closet Productions. Her new organization’s mandate is overcoming evil with good by being a voice for the voiceless using various forms of art. “We produce socially and spiritually conscious entertainment products. We believe in helping others so our bottom line is to generate both social and financial returns by using our products to impact positive social change on pressing social challenges,” says Ingrid.
To advocate for social change, Ingrid plans to unveil a number of items from her closet in the coming months, but two are set for immediate launch in September - the first - a book: Wounded Souls. The book consists of socially conscious poems and bold song lyrics. Wounded Souls is the follow-up to the 2005 bestselling poetry collection, Little Black Butterfly in Iridescent Sunlight. Wounded Souls is slated for release in Winnipeg at McNally Robinson’s on Tuesday September 8, 2009. Click HERE for more information.
Wounded Souls is meant to be a companion to In the Closet Productions’ second advocate for social change: "WOUNDED SOUL Volume 1 & 2 " The CD compilation of candid spoken word tracks and carefully crafted pop/R&B infused songs are either written, co-written, arranged, performed and co-produced by Ingrid D. Johnson. The CD release is set for Saturday September 12, 2009 at the Winnipeg Art Gallery. Click HERE for more information.
According to Ingrid, “the spoken word tracks and songs on Wounded Soul Volume 1 & 2 embody an intimate musical and spoken word journey into the soul of someone who overcomes sexual abuse. It takes the soul of a survivor from a place of coping with the after effects of trauma ( just surviving) ... to a place of thriving and overcoming sexual abuse.”
Wounded Soul is the culmination of two-and-a-half years of hard work, learning the music business, deep soul searching and personal reflection. The CD captures various genres of music through the talent of upcoming Winnipeg vocalists, three hip-hop lyricists, the production skills of seven talented producers from Winnipeg and Australia – all while showcasing Ingrid D. Johnson's evolving songwriting, arranging, producing and vocal skills. The result: 23 songs and 5 poems delving into the chaos, pain, joy, and peace of personal, romantic, and spiritual relationships.
Many of the songs released by In The Closet productions were written, composed, and produced in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Several co-producers on the project includes Arun Chaturvedi, Darcy Ataman, Christian Devoin, Nick Gonzales, Mike "Khella" Arnone, and Gilles A. Several singers were also involved including, Flo, Cher M, Tara Castro , Iesha, Anomilie, NDU, Ismaila, Fenom, Joe Curtis, Arun Chaturvedi, Natalie Bell, and Maiko Watson.
Ingrid D. Johnson’s music has a message. “It is my genuine hope that my music entertains, inspires, transforms, and empowers people to change themselves and the world around them. Our songs tell stories filled with wisdom - submerge in waves of intriguing beats. This is how we believe great music is truly made - timeless music that survives, decade after decade.”
A portion of the proceeds from Ingrid D. Johnson’s upcoming companion compilation CD Wounded Soul, will be donated to The Laurel Centre in Winnipeg. The centre provides counseling services to women survivors of childhood sexual abuse who also suffer from addictions.
For an in-depth profile on Ingrid D. Johnson, check out this radio documentary by CBC Radio: http://www.cbc.ca/outfront/listen/2006/06-10-03.html
For more on Ingrid D. Johnson:
www.intheclosetproductions.com (Coming soon!)
www.soundstrategymusic.ca/Ingrid_D_Johnson.html
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For more information or to book an interview, please contact:
Rob Wozny
Sound Strategy Music
204.799.4641
rob@soundstrategy.ca
www.soundstrategymusic.ca
