Tracy Johnson is a new singer/songwriter with sparkling blue eyes, infectious laughter, and a love of dramatic weather. Growing up in Minnesota meant there was a wide variety of weather to enjoy. “When I was a little girl, I drove my parents crazy by always wanting to be outside, during blizzards I’d want to go sledding, during thunder storms I’d want to stand in the rain. Something about the weather made me feel so alive”. The long Minnesota winters also provided plenty of time to write songs. Tracy wrote her first song at 8 years old. It was titled "Waltzing with the Turtles and Dancing with the Ducks". It was a hit with her target audience at the time, her little sister. "When she was sad, it was my challenge to get her to stop crying. I figured out early on that singing to her always made her smile"
Tracy brings a new twist to the classic singer/songwriter style; pairing sad lyrics and catchy melodies with upbeat, rocking music. As a huge fan of artists like Fall Out Boy, Jacks Mannequin, Ryan Adams, Rilo Kiley, and Natasha Bedingfield, Tracy has eclectic taste in music, but pop/rock is her true passion. Tracy has a way of using that crystal clear voice to sing everything you've ever wanted to say out loud but couldn't find the words for. Her haunting vocals and heart wrenching lyrics make you stop what you’re doing to listen, but there is something right below the surface that grabs a hold of your senses and won't let go, until you find yourself listening to the songs over and over and over again.
Tracy teamed up with Singer/Songwriter/Producer Jesse Pruett (Parker Theory) on her first EP “Oceans Under Jupiter”. “Oceans Under Jupiter” ended up getting a great reaction when it was released. "From Me To You" & "If I Had Known", two songs off the EP were featured on MTV's "The Real World Denver". XM Satellite Radio's "Radio Unsigned" program picked up "Does it Really Matter" & "From Me to You" and started giving them airplay. XM featured Tracy as one of the *Futures* defined by them as "Artists to look for in the future as they are gaining momentum every day". XM also featured her music on "The Radar Report" a special weekly radio program highlighting the "12 most notable artists in the United States" The songs also began receiving radio airplay on 91X, 102.1 & 94.9FM.
Tracy’s debut album "Dreams In Cold Weather" was also produced by Jesse Pruett. The full-length album started creating a buzz prior to its official release. "The Good Life" a single off the unreleased "Dreams in Cold Weather" was featured on a compilation CD sent out to radio stations all over Europe, The single spent 9 weeks on the Top 40 Charts on Capital Radio in Turkey (one of the two largest radio stations in Turkey). “The Good Life” charted as high as 4 on Radio ODTU (one of the largest University Radio Stations in Turkey). On both charts Tracy was the only Independent Unsigned Artist up against Rhianna, Natasha Bedingfield, James Blunt, Coldplay and Gnarls Barkley.
“She Isn’t Like Me” one of the singles was placed in MTV’s “Newport Harbor” (formerly known as “Laguna Beach”) “December” was selected for licensing placement in the upcoming Feature Film “Winter of Frozen Dreams” staring Thora Birch.
The CW used "Does It Really Matter" in a commercial promo for their new hit show Nikita"
Bunim-Murray Productions just placed three of Tracy's songs in episodes of MTV's The Real World Challenge Fresh Meat II. "When I Cry" was used in Episode 1905 Roadkill, "Every Word I Meant It" in Episode 1906 CheckMeat & "Baby I Hope You're Wrong" in Episode 1907 Trimming the Fat. Check Out the Episodes on www.MTV.com: click on "Full Episodes" to view.
The CW used two of Tracy's songs, "Every Word I Meant It" & "Does It Really Matter" for a TV commercial for the CW's show 90210
The CW also used "Baby I Hope You're Wrong" in TV & Radio Commercials for another episode of the show 90210
The CD was nominated for “Best Pop Album” at the 2007 San Diego Music Awards.
In May of 2007 Tracy signed a management deal with Inga Vainshtein of Cold War Management (the woman who helped steer the career of folk singer Jewel Kilcher from coffeehouse songstress to multi-platinum selling artist.)
In March of 2008 Tracy signed a deal with Fabtone Records/Media Factory Distribution to release "Dreams in Cold Weather" into the Japanese market, look for the CD in Tower Records & HMV stores all over Japan. "Dreams in Cold Weather" has just been nominated for an award in the category of "Best Pop Album" and "Does it Really Matter" has been nominated in the "Best Pop Song" category by Just Plain Folks, a community of over 51,500 Songwriters, Recording Artists and Music Industry Professionals — and host to the world's largest independent music awards.
Quotes from people about the music
"Working in music supervision means constantly listening to new artists. It's great to come across artists like Tracy who are enjoyable to listen to on a personal level, and also work nicely on TV.”
Amie Cole, MTV "A smash of slightly mystical cymbals and whispering drums. A little Lisa Loeb in the vocals. A "pretty, pretty, pretty" sound-and yes, you have got yourself a dream. You ask yourself how a little girl from Minnesota, who loved wild weather and the outdoors, could get the inside track on today's most current sound? When the music is that good, why ask? Get Tracy Johnson now!”
H Style Magazine
"One listen to Tracy's new CD, "Dreams In Cold Weather" and you will instantly warm to her fantastic lyrics and unbelievable voice. Don’t be late to add her to your playlist!"
Mark the Shark - Radio Express
"An arresting comment on pop and well worth an ipod upload or a soundtrack for summer cruising with the top down … Forsaking surface pop for melancholy catchiness"
San Diego Citybeat Magazine
“Tracy Johnson's album is one of the best I have heard in a very long time, from 'Does it really matter' right through to 'This Is What I Do' the album is fantastic. Tracy has an amazing voice and the lyrics are very thought provoking. Simply put: this is a great album and I can see it at the top of the charts soon.
'lil' Pete Newman - BRFM Radio presenter
“Tracy Johnson sings love songs in a way that makes you believe that she’s a girl who falls in love, hard and fast and with her whole heart. Add to the fact that Johnson supports her vocals with strong instrumentals and a variety of musical influences and you’ve got a singer who makes you want to believe in her”
Indie In-Tune Magazine.
“The world of “albums turned into singles” is a rough one in which to make a living, we can't see anyone not wanting this entire album. Just about every song has the potential to be a chart topper but it doesn't have that “made to popular” sound you might expect in artists wanting to climb the chart. It's just excellent music with crossover potential done her way. It's a must have for any collection.”
Bryan Socha - GirlsOwnRadio
"If you don't already know this buzzworthy artist, You'd better get familiar"
Bryson Paul – Kaboom! Magazine
"her voice is delicious.in that 'ice cream on a hot day' kinda way"
Rick - Fan
