Voodoo (Alexz Johnson album)
Encyclopedia
Voodoo is the debut studio album
by Canadian singer-songwriter
Alexz Johnson
. The album was released on March 9, 2010 through Orange Lounge Recordings and inDiscover Recordings.
, but that deal shortly ended as the executives who signed Johnson to the label had been released from their contracts.
After several months of recording, Johnson announced that the album was almost complete and clips of several potential singles were posted on her official site shortly after. Johnson also worked with several musicians during the recording process. She teamed up with guitarist Tim Welch once again after previously working with him on several of the songs she had recorded for Instant Star
. As of October, video treatments began being formed and Johnson had applied for the VideoFact grant, funded by MuchMusic
, MuchMore and PromoFACT, and learned she was one of 272 other applicants to win in late 2009.
Shortly after, it was announced through AlexzJohnson.com that, due to overwhelming fan response, that "Trip Around The World" would be the first single from the record. While putting the final touches on the album, Johnson flew to New Orleans in January for the filming of the music video with music video director Michael Maxxis. After several days of filming, Johnson flew to Toronto and shot the album photoshoot with photographer Brendan Meadows and did several recorded performances and promotional radio interviews. Later, Johnson worked with Re:Form AVW, a Canadian design firm, to create the album artwork. It was then announced that the album was completely mastered and complete, and sent off to be manufactured February 22, 2010. The album cover was revealed through her official site several days later.
The album's art direction is based on old 50s-styled movies, which can be see in where the title is stylized in quotation marks on the cover, Johnson is listed as "starring" in the album, and Brendan and she are listed as "starring" on the back cover. Also, no time length is given for the tracks in the CD artwork. Instead, they are listed as scenes to further reiterate the theme of the album.
called the album "a combination of sweet pop melodies and world beats."
who she met first through Instant Star
, also made several updates through his twitter account.
Johnson also did several radio interviews, including being Virgin 95.3's 'Best of BC' the week "Trip Around The World" was shipped out to Canadian radio stations. Several performances are also planned. Johnson was a part of Canadian Music Fest 2010, with an hour long set on March 10 at a Toronto night club, The Rivoli. Johnson also recorded several interviews and performances, including an acoustic set with Orange Lounge Sessions that was released around the same time as the physical release date of the album.
"Boogie Love (Demolition Crew Remix)," also known as "Boogie Love (Reloaded Version)" was the first single from the upcoming remix album, "Voodoo: Reloaded". Music video was filmed on December 2010. Alexz stated via Twitter that the reason she was allowing the album to be remixed was due to lack of radio play, which she credited to the album's sound, which lacked a contemporary pop feel.
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by Canadian singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
Alexz Johnson
Alexz Johnson
Alexzandra Spencer "Alexz" Johnson is a Canadian singer-songwriter, record producer and actress. Her debut album Voodoo was independently released on March 30, 2010....
. The album was released on March 9, 2010 through Orange Lounge Recordings and inDiscover Recordings.
Writing and development
The recording process began in mid-2009 when Johnson revealed on her website that she was dropped from Epic Records, and that the album she recorded and planned to release with them, was now shelved due to contractual complications. Some tracks were written as far back as 2005 with intent to be released through the album she planned with Capitol-EMICapitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
, but that deal shortly ended as the executives who signed Johnson to the label had been released from their contracts.
After several months of recording, Johnson announced that the album was almost complete and clips of several potential singles were posted on her official site shortly after. Johnson also worked with several musicians during the recording process. She teamed up with guitarist Tim Welch once again after previously working with him on several of the songs she had recorded for Instant Star
Instant Star
Instant Star was a Canadian television program which aired from September 2004 to June 2008. The series starred Alexz Johnson as adolescent music competition winner Jude Harrison. The show chronicles Harrison's experience in the recording industry whilst focusing upon character development.Linda...
. As of October, video treatments began being formed and Johnson had applied for the VideoFact grant, funded by MuchMusic
MuchMusic
MuchMusic is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel owned by Bell Media. MuchMusic is dedicated to music-related programs, pop and youth culture.-History:...
, MuchMore and PromoFACT, and learned she was one of 272 other applicants to win in late 2009.
Shortly after, it was announced through AlexzJohnson.com that, due to overwhelming fan response, that "Trip Around The World" would be the first single from the record. While putting the final touches on the album, Johnson flew to New Orleans in January for the filming of the music video with music video director Michael Maxxis. After several days of filming, Johnson flew to Toronto and shot the album photoshoot with photographer Brendan Meadows and did several recorded performances and promotional radio interviews. Later, Johnson worked with Re:Form AVW, a Canadian design firm, to create the album artwork. It was then announced that the album was completely mastered and complete, and sent off to be manufactured February 22, 2010. The album cover was revealed through her official site several days later.
Release and artwork
The album was originally set to be released on March 30, in stores and online, but several problems have occurred in terms of the electronic shipments of the album. CD Baby accidentally sold several digital copies of the album weeks before the intended release date, and due to the accidental release, the electronic release date was pushed forward to March 9, but the physical release date stayed the same.The album's art direction is based on old 50s-styled movies, which can be see in where the title is stylized in quotation marks on the cover, Johnson is listed as "starring" in the album, and Brendan and she are listed as "starring" on the back cover. Also, no time length is given for the tracks in the CD artwork. Instead, they are listed as scenes to further reiterate the theme of the album.
Critical reception
CD BabyCD Baby
CD Baby is an online music store specializing in the sale of CDs and digital music downloads from independent musicians to consumers. The company is also a digital aggregator of independent music recordings, distributing content to several online digital music retailers.CD Baby has achieved recent...
called the album "a combination of sweet pop melodies and world beats."
Promotion
Through her twitter, Johnson corresponded with her fans on several updates of the album. Alexz's manager, Stephen StohnStephen Stohn
John Stephen Stohn is a Canadian-based, American-born entertainment lawyer and television producer. He is the president of Epitome Pictures Inc., and is executive producer of the teen drama series Degrassi: The Next Generation and Instant Star , and most recently the television movie Degrassi Goes...
who she met first through Instant Star
Instant Star
Instant Star was a Canadian television program which aired from September 2004 to June 2008. The series starred Alexz Johnson as adolescent music competition winner Jude Harrison. The show chronicles Harrison's experience in the recording industry whilst focusing upon character development.Linda...
, also made several updates through his twitter account.
Johnson also did several radio interviews, including being Virgin 95.3's 'Best of BC' the week "Trip Around The World" was shipped out to Canadian radio stations. Several performances are also planned. Johnson was a part of Canadian Music Fest 2010, with an hour long set on March 10 at a Toronto night club, The Rivoli. Johnson also recorded several interviews and performances, including an acoustic set with Orange Lounge Sessions that was released around the same time as the physical release date of the album.
Singles
"Trip Around the World" was the first single from the album. It was released on February 2, 2010. The song was chosen by fans on her official website. The music video was posted on MuchMusic as well as Johnson's official website on February 18, 2010."Boogie Love (Demolition Crew Remix)," also known as "Boogie Love (Reloaded Version)" was the first single from the upcoming remix album, "Voodoo: Reloaded". Music video was filmed on December 2010. Alexz stated via Twitter that the reason she was allowing the album to be remixed was due to lack of radio play, which she credited to the album's sound, which lacked a contemporary pop feel.
Track listing
All songs written by Alexz Johnson and Brendan James Johnson.- "Voodoo" – 4:35
- "Gonna Get It" – 3:50
- "Look at Those Eyes" - 5:10
- "L.A. Made Me" - 4:14
- "A Little Bit" - 3:50
- "Mr.Jones" - 3:46
- "Superstition" - 4:14
- "Trip Around the World" - 3:26
- "Hurricane Girl" - 4:18
- "Taker" - 4:00
- "Boogie Love" - 3:42
Personnel
- Alexz JohnsonAlexz JohnsonAlexzandra Spencer "Alexz" Johnson is a Canadian singer-songwriter, record producer and actress. Her debut album Voodoo was independently released on March 30, 2010....
- lead, background vocals and art direction - Brendan James Johnson - producer, keyboards/synths, guitars, drum programming background vocals and bass
- Brendan Meadows - photography
- Darren Gilmore - management
- Deanna Heggie - background vocals
- Garnet and Jo - art design
- Jay Van Poederooyen - engineering
- Joao Carvalho - mastering
- Katie Johnson - background vocals
- Liliana McInerney - background vocals
- Rob McInerney - background vocals
- Steve Heggie - background vocals
- Stephen StohnStephen StohnJohn Stephen Stohn is a Canadian-based, American-born entertainment lawyer and television producer. He is the president of Epitome Pictures Inc., and is executive producer of the teen drama series Degrassi: The Next Generation and Instant Star , and most recently the television movie Degrassi Goes...
- executive producer - Tim Welch - guitar, bass and all acoustics