Critically Acclaimed Jillette Johnson Releases Album, Powerful Single About Struggles Of Being Transgender, On Tour Now

23-year-old New York City singer/songwriter Jillette Johnson will release her Wind-up Records debut album, Water In a Whale (track listing below), on June 25, 2013. Written by Jillette Johnson and produced by Peter Zizzo (Celine Dion, Avril Lavigne, Vanessa Carlton) and Michael Mangini (David Byrne, Joss Stone), Water In A Whale is the follow up to her 2012 critically acclaimed EP, Whiskey & Frosting, which is available now on iTunes here (complete your album for a reduced cost on June 25th). Exclusive pre-orders of Water In a Whale are available now on her website.

Johnson garnered numerous accolades for Whisky & Frosting with her depth and maturity in her songwriting, her soaring vocals and lyrics that prove to be everything from controversial to comforting to spiritually arousing. CMJ called it, “…one of those rare debuts where you experience a young songwriter with a highly mature sense of artistic self…It’s an emotional five-song collection of stately pop from an unflinchingly honest artist” while Baeblemusic proclaimed, “…it really takes something special to get our attention in this over saturated scene. Jillette Johnson is one of those remarkable talents who rose above to create one of the most exciting piano-driven EPs in recent memory…Her genuine voice and expressiveness is only exceeded by her ability to craft magnificent songs.”

As a teen, Johnson left her small town of Pound Ridge, New York, population 4,000 to move to NYC’s vibrantly creative LES neighborhood. In the years that followed, Johnson auditioned for and ultimately turned down a slot on The Voice to focus on songwriting then sign with Wind-up Records. All of Johnson’s songs tell a compelling story that draws the listener in. From her first single, the bravely vulnerable “Cameron,” a song which ultimately got her signed to Wind-up, Johnson explores the struggle of being transgender and gives an inspiring voice about staying true to your authentic self to “Pauvre Coeur” (poor heart), a confessional song about love gone wrong that Paste Magazine calls “…melancholic sound from the piano and the true angst in Johnson’s voice make this a beautifully depressing song and video” and Nylon Magazine exclaims, “Her VOICE. Jillette can sing and she’s not afraid to let everyone know about it. She rips through this song like a rock opera. It’s a little La Boheme meets Carol King in her prime,” Johnson is an artist that will draw you in with each story she tells.

Wind-up Records and Jillette Johnson have teamed up with PledgeMusic to offer a unique pre-order campaign. Fans can pledge for any of the exclusive items and experiences listed on Johnson’s PledgeMusic page including a private house show, a day in the studio with Johnson and even a personal song written just for them along with much more. Those who do so will also hear streams of new songs, see videos and pictures of Johnson on tour, receive a digital download of Water In a Whale and more. Johnson will donate a portion of the pledged proceeds to Hey U.G.L.Y. – Unique Gifted Lovable You, a bullying prevention nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth to be their true selves and part of the solution to bullying. Utilizing peer-to-peer learning, world class speakers and the Choose To Change radio show, Hey U.G.L.Y. helps schools and youth-serving organizations co-create an environment of respect, acceptance and inclusion.

Johnson will be on tour with Kris Allen through May.