From Air Force Staff Sergeant to Gospel Neo-Soul Artist: Sean C. Johnson Speaks of His Life & Music

For Sean C. Johnson, soul music comes natural. At first glance, one might not envision this former Air Force Staff Sergeant as a soul singer - no afro blowing in the wind and no "tortured genius" look. He does, however, have his own unique vibe - an unsuspecting and compassionate demeanor that produces a sound that pulls you in.  Sean offers music that lyrically takes the listener deep into the Word, flowing hypnotically over Neo Soul ballads and Hip Hop beats.  

Some of Sean's earliest influences include Quartet lengends The Dixie Hummingbirds, The Fairfield Four, and The Canton Spirituals.  Growing up in a family of singers (Mother was a music teacher) Sean spent Sunday dinners singing along to The Winans, The Clark Sisters, and Sam Cooke.  As his musical palete grew he was introduced to artist like D'Angelo, The Roots, John Legend, and Anthony Hamilton.  Falling in love with their sound at first listen, Sean melded these genres (Quartet, Hip Hop, Soul) to form his own brand of Soul Music.

He has just released his new single "Mountains."  We are honored to catch up with him for this Hallels' exclusive interview.

Hallels:  Sean, thanks for your time.  You were an Air Force Staff Sergeant, how did you feel the Lord's calling to sing for Him?

Aside from getting saved when I was younger, joining the Air Force was probably one of the best decisions I ever made.  God was able to use me being in the Air Force to set me up for where I am now in my career.  I grew up in the Church and have always been able to sing, but it wasn't until 2006 that God started opening doors for me to pursue music as a ministry.  One of my fellow Staff Sergeants was taking an engineering class and he knew that I sang, so he invited me up to the studio to test his engineering skills.  I recorded some covers and eventually started recording some original tunes I had been playing around with.  Fast Forward a couple of months, I eventually had an entire albums worth of music professionally recorded...for free!  I let people hear it and the feedback I got really encouraged me to continue to recording music.  From there God just started opening doors and here I am three albums and two EP's later.

Hallels:  You have a passion to bring soul and neo-soul music into Gospel music, how did you start loving soul music?  Who would you say are the artists that influence you?

I grew up listening to Quartet Music and artists like Sam Cooke.  As I got older and started developing my own musical taste artist like D'Angelo and Musiq Soulchild were coming on the scene.  Once I heard their driving basslines, delayed snares, and screeching harmonies I was hooked!  From their I found out about producers like J. Dilla and Kev Brown and other artists like Jill Scott, Bilal, John Legend, Common, and Anthony Hamilton.  When I started recording my own music I naturally pulled from those influences.

Hallels:  So, how would you describe your style of music? 

I would say my style of music is a smooth blend of soul, hip-hop, jazz, and quartet music.  It's not contrived at all though.  I don't go into the studio and say, 'Alright, this song needs some soul, mixed with hip hop, and some quartet harmonies.'  It just kind of naturally comes out.  I've digested so much of those styles of music over the years that it's second nature to me now.

Hallels:  Congratulations on the release of your single "Mountains," tell us more about this song?

This song was birth from a quote I made one time (is it narcissistic to quote yourself? Lol).  I said, 'I believe God gives us mountains in order for us to go higher.'  Though some of the situations we face are brought about by our own actions and decisions, I believe that God allows certain trials and tribulations to come into our lives to help us grow.  Pulling further inspiration from James 1:2-4, where it says:

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

 So the song is a source of encouragement for fellow believers; yes it may be hard right now but keep climbing, God has a plan.

Hallels:  Are you working on a full-length album now?  If so, when the album be released?

Yes!  I am working on an album called #CIRCA1993 and I'm hoping to release it the first week of March (Mar. 3^rd).  The album essentially tells my "origin story" or how I become the person I am today.  Every song on the album is told through the lens of four events that all happened in 1993.  These four events had a profound effect on the direction my life took and each song touches on different aspects of that effect.

Hallels:  Will your new album contain mostly your own songs or will they be covers?  

The album mostly contains original music but there are two 'remixes' to other popular songs on the project.  I typically don't like doing traditional covers, so if I do one I always like to put my own spin on it.

Hallels:  For our readers who would like to find out more you or purchase your music, where can they go?

They can find me online on my website; www.SeanCJohnson.com. They can also following me on Twitter and Instagram; @SeanCJohnson.  And like my page on Facebook; www.Facebook.com/SimplyAVessel

 

 

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