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Without debate, and by all accounts, music has always
played a major part in the life of Johanna Sillanpaa.
Originally from Borås, Sweden, she carries with her a
strong and sultry voice, as she continues to make her
mark on the international music scene.
From the moment she discovered her love for singing she
knew she was in for a life long journey, one she didn’t
really choose, but rather, one that chose her.
Johanna has an extensive musical background, and by the
age of 14 she was performing in nightclubs and on cruise
ships, competing in singing competitions all over
Scandinavia as well recording with several groups and
projects.
By the age of 16, Johanna had been presented with two
different recording deals in Sweden as well as in
France.
Upon her arrival in Canada in the mid nineties she
attended and graduated the Grant MacEwan Music Program
in Edmonton, Alberta and continued to expand her
education, studying Jazz vocals workshops with the
legendary Sheila Jordan and Jay Clayton at the Banff
School of fine arts in Banff, Alberta.
“Those years truly changed me as a vocalist. I began to
discover so many different colors in my voice and
started to learn how to use it to it’s full potential”
Following her passion for music, Johanna would take on
various projects, freelancing with Jazz and R&B acts
throughout Canada and the United States. Johanna spent a
few years performing with the funk & soul band YOMOZO
and although she loved the experience and loved the
style of music, she also knew she needed to pave her own
path as an artist, to stand up and speak her mind
through writing her own music.
“I knew I wasn’t about to re-invent the wheel, but I
still wanted to make my mark somehow. My songs are about
my experiences and my observations, they may not change
the world, but I couldn’t have a career in music and
never say anything”
It was around this time that she met up with guitarist
Aaron Young, whom today is her songwriting partner in
the her “Urban acoustic” side project ‘Sillan & Young’
as well as producer of her album “Good Life”.
In the beginning days of ‘Sillan & Young’ the intension
was quite simple and modest, just to do a few gigs and
play some music they both loved. The music on the other
hand seemed to have a plan of it’s own and after a
little while the songs were writing themselves. This was
the fall of 2004 and the time their first album “Better
thing” was born. ‘Sillan & Young’ are now in the process
of recording their 2nd album, for more information on
‘Sillan & Young’ please visit the website
www.sillanyoung.com
“The Album “Good life” is my real debut and it’s very
special to me. Everything in my life has happened for a
reason and has made me who I am, this album is a
reflection of that”
The stellar and supporting cast of “Good life” features
Aaron Young on guitar as well as both co-writers Chris
Andrew and Sheldon Zandboer on Piano and keyboards.
‘Sillan & Young’ bassist Kodi Hutchinson and former
drummer Rob Vulic are heard laying the grooves, and the
soulful sounds of Shannon Couture’s Background vocals is
the icing on the cake.
These days it may be rare to hear of new talent on the
music scene who can write and perform in the tradition
of the best contemporary musicians. Johanna Sillanpaa is
one of those rare gifted singer/songwriters who has an
emotional depth beyond her years and a voice that only
comes along perhaps once in a century. The Album “Good
Life” is a sizzling indication of who Johanna is and
where she’s at, her passion for music and singing is
continuously bold and her dedication is undeniable. |
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