Meet Thomas Johnson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Thomas Johnson.

So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
It all started for me when I was a child. I think I started singing at a very young age, like around 3 or 4. and I think that’s because I come from a huge music family. I’m originally from Cleveland Ohio, that’s where I was born and raised. My father used to be in a band, my grandfather (my mom’s dad) was one of the original members of the OJ’s but then he had my mom and he decided to raise her instead of pursuing his career. I have four siblings and two of them also are pursuing a music career and they’re really talented. My sister actually inspired me to want to sing. I remember listening to her sing around the house and her voice is so pretty I just wanted to sing with her. I started singing in school choir but I didn’t really like it. It was like show choir and I couldn’t control the setlist. In high school, I signed up for theatre and I was Jafar from Aladdin.

That was the best thing I ever did. The night of the last show was when I knew that I wanted to be on stage, but I wanted to be on stage singing my own music. After high school, I went to college but dropped out because I just knew it wasn’t for me. I bought myself a MacBook and started to take it serious in Ohio. I started putting covers out on YouTube and then got responses from local producers. I cut my first record at 18 professionally and was very thankful for that. I learned so much from that process and I’m still learning. I started creating more and more music and I was like 18 and I couldn’t go anywhere to perform it. That’s when I decided to move to LA. I wanted to share my work with people and become inspired. I moved here when I was 20 and have been grinding it out ever since.

Has it been a smooth road?
Oh definitely. Navigating life at a young age while simultaneously perfecting your craft is in itself a struggle! Being able to keep the balance of being diligent and flexible. The most challenging struggle I had was staying focused while trying to keep my head on straight! I’ve learned and am learning to also not be so hard on myself and my music. Being so critical over where I am or not at. You know some people have an expectation for you and you can kind of feel like your letting them down but I had to realize that I’m right where I belong. Doing what I am supposed to be doing. That was also something I had to figure out. I’m not perfect, won’t ever be perfect and neither will my music but it is perfect in its own right and so am I.

Can you give our readers some background on your music?
My music is very urban pop! I’m releasing an EP which I’m so excited about later this summer. As a black gay artist, I’m writing a lot about life. My EP is literally about all of my struggles and perspectives of relationships. I can’t wait to share my journey with people. It’s gonna be an 80s pop-rock feel with a 90s vibe and I really just can’t wait for it.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love that our city has the outlet for talent like myself. I love being able to express myself anywhere and there’s so many people here that do what I do. This city is literally Art. The least thing I like about this city is the TRAFFIC! GOD! The traffic!!!!!! but it wouldn’t be LA without the traffic!

Contact Info:

• Website: thomasjohnsonmusic.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @welcometothomas
• Facebook: @Welcometothomas
• Twitter: @Welcometothomas

Image Credit:
@hmkfilm

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