“You know what they say about books and covers, when Loren Johnson starts singing, you may be surprised by the deep, warm, rich sound that comes from her slight frame” (Earthwork Music, 2023). Steeped in Michigan’s folk traditions yet unafraid of indie-pop sweep, Johnson’s music pairs luminous finger-style guitar with songwriting that is catchy, candid, and emotionally unguarded.

With vocals both powerful and unshakably warm, Johnson carries tenderness without fragility and delivers vulnerability in a way that lands less like confession and more like strength. Her 2023 debut album How to Change is the culmination of years worth of writing, layered and woven together through the shared theme of transition - guiding the listener through an arc of uncertainty, resistance, and eventually renewal.

Even if her music is new to you, Johnson’s photography may already be familiar. Her expansive portrait work and signature surrealist live-concert images have become a steady staple within the visual landscape of Michigan’s music scene and beyond. With a focus on musicians and artists, she approaches each shoot as a collaboration rather than a session; and the results have made her a trusted name from emerging artists to established acts alike.

Whether behind the mic or behind the lens, Loren Johnson’s voice is unmistakable; and for her, music and photography are two sides of the same lifelong pursuit: giving form to feeling. And when on stage , she inspires both the comfort of a home and an invitation to grow beyond it.

 
 

LISTEN TO THE DEBUT ALBUM

How to Change

 
 
 

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