“I went to my first concert when I was in third grade, I saw Avril Lavigne and Simple Plan,” recalls synth-rock artist Carissa Johnson. “The energy of being at a live show stuck with me and I knew I wanted to play music and start writing my own songs.”
The Boston native released her newest and fifth album, Blue Hour, last November, her first non-acoustic solo record since 2016’s Only Roses. “I recently learned my genre is ‘bubblegrunge’ and I laughed out loud when I heard that,” she says. “I also used to define my music as ‘trashglam.’ My influences span a wide amount of genres these days. I’d probably say something like power pop/new wave meets folk but with synths.”
She also garnered inspiration from her hometown:“I’ve always been fascinated with Boston’s history, and its music history. I grew up listening to bands from Boston. I think my desire to leave my hometown has brought inspiration, too.”
Carissa’s song “Tourist” holds special meaning. “‘Tourist’ is really personal,” Carissa tells me, “It’s a vulnerable one and makes me uncomfortable sometimes. I was finding it hard to express the kind of loneliness and nostalgia I felt during the pandemic. Not traveling or touring really affected my psyche and I started to feel foreign in familiar places.”
What does she miss most when she’s away from home? “My cat,” she says.
Here’s a day in the life of Carissa Johnson.
Date February 3, 2022
Time I woke up 9:00 a.m.
Every day starts with Laying in bed for an hour and trying hard not to fall back asleep.
Breakfast consists of Coffee and an egg and cheese sandwich on a port muffin with hot sauce, maple syrup, and butter.
To get going I always Go for an iced coffee run in the morning or make a cup of hot coffee, if I just wanna stay inside.
I don’t feel dressed without My Fitbit or socks.
Before I start working I must Drink at least one sip of coffee, one sip of water and have at least one bite of an egg sandwich.
Currently working on New music videos for the six songs off my new album, Blue Hourthat haven’t been released yet as singles!
But I’d really love to be Eating an egg sandwich.
Book I’m reading Currently in the middle of Quantum Physics and the Power of the Mind: All the Important Features of Quantum Physics and the Law of Attraction, Find Out How It Really Works to Change Your Life for the Better by Nancy Patterson and Tiny Habits: The Small Changes That Change Everything by BJ Fogg.
I don’t know how anyone ever Wouldn’t want to leave their hometown or venture far away, even just once.
If I had to play one album on repeat, it would be Future Nostalgia (moonlight edition) by Dua Lipa, and I have for months on end. It puts me in the best mood!
The perfect midday consists of An aimless drive on empty country backroads, hopefully near some sort of body of water or farmland.
To help get through the day I need Seltzer water.
Not a day goes by without speaking to My few closest friends. I can’t remember the last time I went an entire day without talking to them.
My daydreams consist of Floating in space. I think about it a lot.
In a perfect day, in a perfect world Endless tacos for everyone.
I’ll always fight for The time I need alone to sit and write.
Currently in love with Playing drums. I can’t play very well but it’s been a very nice way to get some energy out while also challenging myself.
Hoping to make time to watch That Beatles documentary I haven’t gotten around to yet. Very late to the game on this.
By my bedside I always have Water, phone charger, lavender, blue light glasses, tissues, lotion.
To help get through the night I Drink lots of water.
Bed time Oof it varies but lately around 2:00 a.m.
When I think about tomorrow, it’s always Where am I gonna drive to now? I’ve already driven everywhere.
