Stormy J is a Canadian artist from Winnipeg, Manitoba who has brought us a captivating mixtape with his recent release “Unwanted Thoughts.” Unwanted Thoughts consist of 10 tracks that each have a story of their own. Stormy j shows true emotion behind this mixtape, giving us an opening of his love life and how each track shares an experience of his own. This mixtape is definitely worth a listen having a romantic but yet a dreadful feel to it. It completes this whole mixtape in full.
We sat down with this uprising star to discuss his latest album “Unwanted Thoughts” and what’s has lead up to his career thus far.
What’s your name and Where are you from?
My name is Storm Johnson and I’m from Winnipeg, Manitoba.
What inspired you into making music?
What inspired me to make music was the fact that I had all these emotions bottled up Inside of me and had no way of getting them out. At the time one of my friend’s were getting into producing and I wanted to do the same. So I learn’t how to produce and then eventually started adding vocals onto them.
How did you come up with your mixtape title “Unwanted Thoughts”?
I came up with the title “Unwanted Thoughts” because I went through a breakup and I was still having thoughts of us, that were unwanted.
What was you inspiration behind the title?
The inspiration behind the title was how the breakup impacted me, all I wrote about were things I wanted and didn’t want, all the mistakes I’ve made, and all the good times.
What’s the biggest problem as a musician you’ve had to overcome?
My biggest problem as a musician was to get lyrics onto the page that actually made sense and sounded good. I eventually reached out to a friend that I call now my mentor to help me and he did.
What do you enjoy most about being a musician? What do you hate most?
The thing‘s I enjoy most of being a musician is that people relate to my music and it makes me feel like I’m not alone with how I feel. I love the interaction with the fans and overall I just love making music.
what I hate most about being a musician is really nothing. Expect the promo and finding cover art, the two things that don’t require my musical skills.
How long did it take you to finish the mixtape?
All together it probably took me about 8-9 months to get this mixtape done.
If you weren’t working as a musician, what do you think you would be doing right now?
If I wasn’t a musician I would definitely be in the acting scene as it is one of my other passions.
How did you come up with each track name for the mixtape?
My first track “Call Me” was about how I wanted my ex girlfriend so badly but knew I couldn’t because nothing good would come out of it.
My second track “Riptide” was about how my ex always had me swimming in emotions and then I thought of Riptide.
My third track “No Love” was about how I always felt like I wasn’t getting enough love or the love I deserved.
My fourth track “Let Go” was about how although we’ve been through so much together I never wanted to let her go of her but then I realized I needed to.
My fifth track “Home (Interlude)” was about me being without her. It felt like I was so far from home, so far away from myself.
My sixth track “Don’t Wanna Talk” was about me and my ex would always have arguments and then after she would never want to talk to me until the next day.
My seventh track “I’m Okay” was a track to let everyone know that i am okay.
My eighth track “Let You Down” was how I let my ex down and I regretted it so much I made a song out of it.
My ninth track “I Just Want Your Love” was about how throughout this whole mixtape you’ve heard about my mistakes and hers but after it all I still wanted her love.
My tenth track “Imisswhenwewerefriends” was about how after me and her broke up she acted like we were strangers and I missed when we were friends.
Who are your biggest inspirations?
My three biggest inspirations would have to be Trevor Daniel for his vocal performance and lyrics. Juice WRLD for not being afraid of putting your feelings out there. Nick Mira he is considered to be one of the best producers out there right now and he’s been my favorite producer for years.
Which track is your favorite from the mixtape? And why?
My favorite track off of the tape is “Riptide” because I made it in so little time and it has so much energy. I’ve never spit a flow like that before, overall I just love the sound of it.
If you had the chance to collaborate with anyone who would it be and why?
If I had the chance to collaborate with anyone it would probably be Nick Mira. For his production, it just has a whole different vibe to it for me, everything sound he uses in his beats are in the right place to make you feel what he wants you to feel.
What’s your motto or the advice you live by?
I wouldn’t say I have a motto but the advice I live by is to not waste your life trying to make money. Live your life doing something you love because if you are only trying to focus on surviving and not your happiness, its not worth it, happiness is the most important thing.
For our readers who have never heard your music, explain your sound in 5 words!
Five words that would explain my sound would be Unique, Real, Emotional, Raw, and Fearless.
What’s your favorite thing to do when you aren’t writing/ producing/ playing etc?
The time when I’m not writing goes towards acting in musicals or film productions, video games, or chilling with friends.
Any special shoutouts!
I wanna shoutout my mentor Quinn Lowery. He was the co-writer for half of the mixtape and has boosted my confidence and growth exponentially.
Make sure to follow Stormy J on Instagram and Twitter @stormyj_
Stream “Unwanted Thoughts”!