Johanna EstHer

Johanna Esther
"La La La (Do not Sing That Song )"
JoE Records

Johanna Esther comes from Småland, but now lives in Stockholm . She is a singer , songwriter, guitarist, harmonica player, and works as a sound engineer and radio producer . Aware that it is easy to drown in the river disc , she had two release parties for this album .

What for I'm concerned she may well have more .

For this times when another song , another artist - another decade! - are only a touch away , it is easy that an album, whose outlines will be clearer with the number of listenings , is not given the chance that it deserve , whether among professional or "regular" music listeners.

And Johanna's debut album is really growing .

Too seldom Swedish singer-songwriters take the whole hog arrangement wise. It's as if it airy and stripped almost becomes an end in itself , as if to show how "real" it is . Johanna and her co-producer Alar Suurna ( who has worked with many of the country's finest ) lets sensitively some songs remain just so down to earth. But only the songs that wins on it. Other times they go for more intricate choral arrangements , expanding it afterwards from the live recording in the studio with the band, to something that in a few places actually touches the arena rock (but in a Daniel Lanois - way , with the magic intact) .

The album contains many highlights, but my favorite track is " Brake " ,which with its epic , swelling retro feel both recalls kd lang / like "Constant Craving " ) and David Bowie when he is most crooner - elegant (type " Absolute Beginners " ) . Otherwise both Aimee Mann, Lucinda Williams flits past , but all the time with Johanna's characteristic , easy endeavor voice and reflective texts like red threads .

Anders Lundquist - Obladoo - Obladoo

Johanna Esther releases one of the strongest debut albums this year

http://issuu.com/nolltvadalarnasnojestidning/docs/n2-13-9/1?e=0/4897855 - Noll Två

CONVEY HOPE


Johanna Esther is a native of Husqvarna but now she lives in Stockholm . Album " La La La ( Don't Sing That Song ) " is her debut album. The process behind the album has been long. The recording is produced together with Alar Suurna ( who has worked with some of the finest in sweden ) has taken nearly two years to complete . But about five years ago , it was not even likely that there would be an album. Johanna got a judgment by a doctor that she would not be able to sing again after her vocal cord was completely broken. But with a lot of practice and the help of a talented voice teacher got the vocal chords to work again.
The recording of the plate was done live , however, added vocals, harmonica , strings and guitars on afterwards. The result is a pop and melancholic plate mixed with some elements of americana it a bit easier battle. Music and lyrics are about life in general. The text also discusses heavy periods in life. At times the songs feel introspective , but the whole time with his sights set on something more hopeful. A right pleasant debut, where the country influenced opening track "I'm ready" belongs to the highlights.

by Mattias GUSTAVSSON - Ikon

Behind the lady with the double name (or is the last name just Esther ? ) hides the dark and melancholic Swedish Johanna Esther . La La La is her debut, a clear pop- oriented album with 10 original songs . Johanna's music has been compared to Aimee Mann and Lucinda Williams and that gives some guidance. But for example in ' Brake ' we also hear influences from Burt Bacharach / Hal David ( 'Walk on by' ) and for me the whole breathes the atmosphere of the work of Dionne Warwick from the 60s of the last century . The guidance except guitar, bass and drums also room for piano / Hammond / Wurlitzer , pedal steel / lap steel / banjo / dobro and a string quartet . Johanna self brings except vocals and guitar, even harmonica and melodica in . In the lyrics , there is - as so often - focus on relationships and all the attendant problems, such as the title song 'La La La' for example 'This time I've broken everything I ever had'. Can not go back , there's no way I can go back from where I came. And all along I heard me say do not sing that song La La La .. ' . There is a nice booklet included containing subtle pictures of Johanna .

(Independent) - Realrootscafe

En halsläkare och en sångpedagog är två viktiga personer i historien om jönköpingsbördiga Johanna EstHer. Halsläkaren sa att hon aldrig skulle kunna sjunga igen, sångpedagogen hjälpte henne att bevisa motsatsen. Nu kommer Johanna EstHers debutalbum och idag gästade hon dessutom Pettsson & Co - Swedish Broadcast comapany

Today Johanna EstHer is releasing her video for the song called *Forgotten*
The video was filmed in the beautiful and mystical woods of Småland, Sweden.

"To find an inner glow. A string of hope where there seems to be no light. That's a miracle. But they do happen. Don't forget."

Music & Lyrics by Johanna EstHer
Filmed & edited by Andreas Smitz
Grading by Andreas Wik
Produced by Johanna EstHer
Photo Layout by Ulrika Öhman -

Johanna Esther was doomed to not be able to sing more , her vocal cords would not hold it. Now she publishes her debut album . - My voice and singing have always been a little secret , says Huskvarna Born Johanna .

Johanna EstHer var dömd att inte kunna sjunga mer, hennes stämband skulle inte hålla för det. Nu ger hon ut sitt debutalbum. – Min röst och sång har alltid varit lite hemlig, säger Huskvarnabördiga Johanna. - Jönköpingsposten