— by Azana Cain
Tacoma has brought us some amazing musicians throughout history. But one fresh artist you may not have heard about is Stephanie Anne Johnson. Johnson is a powerful and moving singer, songwriter, guitarist, and performer born and raised in Tacoma. They have a long history of accomplishments in music, going back to when they were just 14 years old. Their involvement in music didn’t stop there, and rather soared to even greater heights. Johnson uses music to send positive messages about self love, to be a storyteller, and to reflect on the experiences in their own life. One of their biggest ways of sharing this being through their latest album “Jewels”, released in 2023!
Johnson first started their music journey when they were 14 years old taking vocal and guitar lessons, and studying classical voice. They also grew up in church and took part in singing within their community. Growing up they also had many influences from music genres such as folk, country, gospel, jazz and soulful blues, family being one of the major parts of their early inspiration and introduction to music. Johnson recalls the different musical styles of their family sharing, “My mom was really into Willie Nelson when we were kids, so it was a lot of “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys.” My brother was very into Duke Ellington, my mother very into James Brown. My grandmother, Bobby “Blue” Bland is her favorite. And then my Grandpa Jack introduced me to ’50s rock, Del Shannon.
Johnson continued music after high school and college by singing on a cruise ship, performing live in front of audiences four hours a day. It was then when they were inspired to try out for the hit TV show/singing competition called “The Voice” after seeing their former High School classmate Vicci Martinez (another well known Tacoma born musician) on the show. It is there that they got accepted to be on the fifth season in 2013. Sadly, they did not win the competition, but they were one of the top 20 contestants.
This pushed them even further towards their career where they produced and released a number of albums and songs over the years. Some of these include “Hollatchagurl” in 2013 (an album released around the time of their appearance in “The Voice”), “Take this Love” in 2019 (an album they made with the band Hidogs) and “Ashland by Morning” in 2019. One of their latest being an album titled “Jewels”, which was released in April 2023.
In an interview with Fox 13, they share how this album was made to connect with others, as well as learning to love and value themselves and those around them. In the album they discuss some very vulnerable topics that are close to their heart. One of these topics being their struggles with self image and acceptance, as well as their connection to religion and spirituality. Learning to love and appreciate themselves was something that they have battled with over the years, and we can see this message being shared through the stories being told in this album. We can especially hear this in their songs like “The Day That You Begin” (a song based on a children’s book) and “Jewels” in the album. They even go on to talk about more vulnerable topics such as quitting drinking in their song titled “Apology”. Listening to this album, I was automatically drawn to the deep passion and emotion that is portrayed in both Johnson’s vocal abilities and lyrics, that are shared through country style beats and melodies.
But one of the songs I want to draw your attention to is called “Can’t Go Home” , a song made just last year in 2023. This song is about the battle Johnson and their family had trying to keep their grandmother’s house in Tacoma, their ancestral home. Due to financial issues they could no longer afford to save it. This song also had a music video that showed Johnson and their family moving out, charishing their last moments in their home. Not only does this song highlight the housing market and financial struggles and loss that many people are facing today, but it also tells a story about healing.
“Can’t Go Home” was a song that was 20 years in the making. For Johnson, their grandmother’s home was a place that held so many memories. “Can’t Go Home” was a way of reflecting on the good and hard times, whilst also dealing with the reality of letting go of home. When reflecting about the song, Johnson states “With “Can’t Go Home” [on Jewels], one of the things I didn’t realize until the song was out was that I’m having a conversation with my brother who died about 20 years ago. The whole song is me just talking to him. So it’s definitely the feeling that happens first.”
Their love for their family shines throughout their music, and it’s something that a lot of people can connect to. Their continued push and strive for finding peace through difficult times is something that is so inspiring for others including myself. Plus seeing the ways that Johnson uses music as an outlet to express their feelings and cherishing moments is so beautiful to see from an artist today.
There are so many heart warming songs within this album, and I would encourage others to check out their work for themselves. They have produced many works outside of this album that have been ways for Johnson to touch on many discussions on spirituality and even politics. Using art as a tool for advocacy, an example being their song American Blues. This song came out in 2020 when there was a lot of discussion about police brutality, racism, and the Black Lives Matter movement. Through powerful music Johnson is able to share work not only as an artist, but also as an advocate for change.
Today, Johnson is continuing to create and perform their music all across Washington. Not only through concerts and live performances, but also through working with kids. Showing kids the beauty in creating and playing music as a way of expression and joy. They continue to work to keep music education programs available to youth, as money becomes more scarce for programs within the arts.
For Johnson, music is a spiritual form of healing and connection. A form of art that can resonate with people all around the world and people within our own communities. Being able to see such an inspirational artist here in Tacoma Washington is something you don’t want to miss. You can follow more of their work and upcoming performances on their website and social media (@stephanieannejohnson).
About the Author
Azana Cain prepared this article as her final project for TARTS 225: Musical History of Tacoma, taught by Kim Davenport at the University of Washington, Tacoma. At the time she took the class in Spring Quarter 2024, she was a senior majoring in Arts, Media & Culture.
Tacoma Music History 
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