"STARS & FIREFLIES" EP OUT NOW ON NAPSTER, I-Tunes, Tunetribe :
There are some artists that have a certain, something, a tone of vocal, an inflection that makes them distinct from those around them. Often they do not have the best voices, but there is something about the flaws that give them something lots of other artists don't have. Benita Johnson is just such an artist. She carries emotion on her voice so well. She could make turning twenty seem like the end of the world, similarly she could bring hope to the hopeless. She keeps it simple, but by doing so makes sure it matters.
(Fatea Records)
"'What is truly regrettable is how, as a musician, you tend to lose people as you go along. They want you to keep playing music that made them feel something once, something they think your old music will help them recapture. But really, if you are at all alive as an artist, you are somewhere else, other than where you were, almost constantly.'"
Arveyda - quote from The Temple of My Familiar by ALICE WALKER
BENITA JOHNSON lives in Bristol, south-west England. She has been performing solo and in bands / duos at venues around the UK, and small festivals, for 10 years, playing alongside local legends Hazel Winter and Rita Lynch, as well as well-known singer-songwriters Boo Hewerdine, Patrick Duff (Strangelove) and Hugh Cornwell (The Stranglers). In 2006 she released acoustic EP "Stars & Fireflies" via Emu Bands online and received some very positive reviews including one from David Kidman, reviewer for Folk Roundabout, who called her "an extraordinary talent". Stars & Fireflies has also received airplay on local / regional Radio stations. In 2008 she launched the first incarnation of her official website www.benitajohnson.co.uk where much of her recorded work to-date can be heard or ordered for download. At the same time, Benita began work, with local studios AudioShelter, on an album which she hopes to have completed by the end of this year. It is hoped that, with the launch of this album, Benita can reach out to wider UK audiences and even touch the shores of America... Both writing and performing feature heavily in Benita Johnson's long-term goals.
Thought we’d let you know that we’re playing your track "We're OK" on Bristol Uncovered this Sunday morning on BBC Radio Bristol between 1-3am. Hear it live or anytime in the 7 days after broadcast using the on line "Listen Live/Again" feature on the BBC i-Player, there's a link to it from our profile.
Happy Dynamic Living!
Richard Pitt & Gary Smith Bristol Uncovered on BBC Radio Bristol
Hey! How's the weather over there? I just want to let you know that i'm coming to the UK in late May/early June to play bass with Kevin Montgomery and Tommy Allsup. Tommy played guitar with Buddy Holly, and is THE guy that flipped the coin with Ritchie Valens. I figured that with you being a musician that you would really be able to appreciate this show. Kevin made a little video at my studio last week while we were recording....check it out http://myspacetv. com/index. cfm?fuseaction=vids. individual&videoid=34589518
There are a series of shows in England and Scotland....dates are on my myspace.
We won't be doing my material, but it is a really special show, and Tommy is a true rock'n'roll legend.
Anyway, take care and hope to see you there.
DW
Hey, awesome stuff for u! well, 'cept maybe the sorting finances part. Never a fav activity for a muso. Hope you keep selling stacks and stacks of your cd's!! xx
Hey Benita, All these gigs of yours I keep missing. Won't make it on Sunday :-) Still thinking a gig combining our music and Crafters would be cool someday! Keep resonatin'! x Lynette
Hey Benita hope all is well. Just dropping you a note to let you know I may be hopping the pond in August. Landing in Widnes - not far from Bristol by American standards. Maybe I could drop by and say HI!
Thanks for posting "29th May" so quick and signing it. This is a brilliant EP Benita, you never cease to amaze me with the quality of your songs, I am getting really excited at the thought of a full album. I am sitting here listening to it with a big smile, you really do light up my day, fantastic.
Some more brilliant tracks from My Space's resident superstar in waiting. Please take time to ask Benita about her EP's, I think you will be really surprised at how good they are. Cant wait for the album.
"Today a new sun rises for me; everything lives, everything is animated, everything seems to speak to me of my passion, everything invites me to cherish it." -- Anne De Lenclos
"Every new day begins with possibilities. It's up to us to fill it with things that move us toward progress and peace." -- Ronald Reagan
"Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us." --Hal Borland
Hey BJ, Wishing you much musical inspiration and awesome moments in the coming year! xoLynette
Hows the biggest undiscovered Superstar in the UK? Just thought I would pop by and send you loads of good wishes and hope 2008 will be THE year your career takes of, long over due. Cheers Benita for all the superb music, hope to get something new from you soon, all the best, Martin.
