The LAist Interview: Jennifer Johns

You've probably heard the distinctive voice of Jennifer Johns coming through your radio but just didn't know it. The sometime Los Angeles resident has done voiceover work for LA Weekly, Pacific Bell, and Macy's. Her deep, throaty voice is captivating, even more so when she's singing.

Her debut album, Heavyelectromagneticsoularpoeticjunglehop, is, as the title suggests, at the crossroads between neo-soul, spoken word, hip hop and just out and out melody for melody's sake. We here at LAist love genre-defying artistry so we're so glad that Ms. Johns took a moment to chat with us. She performs at Little Temple (4519 Santa Monica Blvd.) in Silverlake this Saturday. Tickets are $10. Doors open at 9pm.

1. Age and Occupation?

25, Singer/Spoken Word Artist/Emcee

2. Where are you from?

Oakland, California

3. When you come to LA, what part of town do you usually stay in?

Pico/Robertson and Silverlake

4. What is the city's greatest secret?

Well if I tell you its not a secret!!!!!

5. Describe your best LA dining experience.

Ummmm, the best place I've been to lately was The Gulf Stream but if you want something cheap on the eastside of town, El 7 Mares, the best burritos and they are huge!!!

6. Are you a Bay Area supremacist? Is there beef between No.Cal and
So.Cal?

No. The Bay is the truth and we know that the truth shall set you free but I have big love for LA I lived here for 4 years.

7. Do you find the threat of earthquakes preferable to the threat of hurricanes and long winters?

I am down with an earthquake more than a hurricane, places with such natural disasters dedicate whole seasons to this type of thing, we have earthquakes every once in a while that do any real damage.

8. Where do you want to be when the Big One hits?

Some place other than where the Big One is hitting :)

9. What is the best thing about performing in Los Angeles?

There are lots or artists here so you get to share with your peers plus I have a lot of friends here.

10. What's the worst thing about performing in Los Angeles?

There are a lot of artists here and are often too cool for school, and don't know how to properly get wild at a show. I am a hip hop kid. We body rock ya know!!!!

11. What's in your iPod, CD player, or radio right now?

"Jay-Z Volume 1," Sade, Groove Theory, and Mos Def "Black On Both Sides." "The Sizzla Best Of" CD.

12. How would you describe your music?

Heavyelectromagneticsoularpoeticjunglehop.

13. Who are your influences?

My creative friends and poet homies, Oakland Youth Chorus, Sade, Jill Scott, Mos Def, KRS-1, Sweet Honey in the Rock, Bob Marley.

14. What should people expect at your show?

To have a good ass time!!!!