Aria Johnson’s clear, beautiful voice soars as she relives memories and goes deep into emotional territory in her new album “If Your Down’, available on iTunes 1-15-09. Author Bobbi Miller-Moro sat down with this up and coming iconic singer, and got deep into what her life is really about and what this album means to her.

Bobbi: I understand you write your songs to empower young girls, what was the deciding factor that you knew you had to have this message?

Aria Johnson: I didn’t decide to have ‘this’ message per say. This message is a feeling that encompasses who I really am, and what I have always believed. I always wanted to inspire people and I have always tried to do that even as a child. I just saw so many of my friends, and other girls and women growing up, who were so insecure. The prettier they were, the more they focused on their flaws.

I always thought that it was something girls would out grow; like when you were older you would be more confident. What I found was that age didn’t solve the problem. I would hear about women who had grandchildren obsessing over their weight just like the teenagers. I thought, ‘This madness has to stop’. Someone has to tell these girls that their beauty is based on so much more than their looks. It just breaks my heart to think of all the time we lose, all the opportunities we miss, because of our insecurities.

I can’t begin to tell you how many girls won’t go to the beach and get in the water because they are feeling fat. They are missing out on the simple pleasures in life because they feel like they don’t measure up to some unrealistic, anorexic supermodel. It’s ridiculous! Most models look like 14 year old boys in person, not to mention that every picture you see in any magazine is completely airbrushed. When I was writing the lyrics for my record, “If Your Down”, I just kept thinking about what I could possibly do to encourage people. Though it’s about going through love and heartbreak it’s most importantly about overcoming and learning to love yourself. It came from very real experiences.

Bobbi: What type of influences do you think are out now for young girls?

Aria Johnson: To be honest with you, I don’t see a lot of positive ones. Sure we have “Pink” who sings about being independent, which is pretty cool and we’ve got Natalie Portman who is an actress that is involved with women’s empowerment causes. I respect that Natalie was already a celebrity “it girl” when she decided to go to College at Harvard. She showed girls that it’s okay to be smart. Then on the other end of the spectrum, you have Katy Perry who actually likes boys, singing “I Kissed a Girl”. It’s the most hypocritical thing ever. She says she’s empowering women, but all she’s doing is making girls look like attention whores. It’s sad because I actually think she’s super talented.

Of course Paris Hilton is not exactly helping the world either. She teaches girls that they have to speak like a five year old to get attention from boys. I mean, I get the whole Marilyn Monroe sex-object appeal she’s trying to emulate, but the only guys that like girls to be dumb and helpless have serious mommy complexes. I just wish that someone would come out and actually be real. No Katy, your not a lesbian and Paris, your not completely dumb, so everyone needs to cut the B.S. The odds are, if you’ve made it to the top in entertainment, your probably pretty smart and you definitely work hard; whether it was handed to you or not. I just try to keep it as real as I can. With me, what you see is what you get. I don’t claim to be perfect, but I’m not pretending to be something I’m not. Someone great once said “I would rather have them hate me for who I am, than love me for whom I am not”. I refuse to perpetuate the lies.

Bobbi: When you begin to write your music where do you go within yourself? Take us through the process.

Aria: Well sometimes I’ll just be driving and get a melody or song idea in my head. Many times I start to write the lyrics in my head and the melody comes to me at the same time. So basically it’s like I’m free styling- but with a structured format. I sing into a Dictaphone (recording device). If inspiration strikes me while I’m driving and I’m really grooving to the song, I’ll pull over somewhere and write it down, so I can adjust the lyrics. Then other times, I’ll be at home or out somewhere and a song just comes through me. I sometimes say that I “channel” the songs from the universe, but my mom thinks that sounds all “new age-ish”. What I try to explain to her is that, sometimes I write a song in like 15-20 minutes. I have no idea how it happens but it feels like it’s not even me writing it. It’s when I get done and think, ‘wow, how the heck did I just come up with that’. Then other times I’ll have to work on a song over and over again, for days or weeks to finish it. Sometimes those are the songs when I am having a hard time sharing my emotions.

I always feel like the best songs just flow through me. I have found though, that I can create inspiration, just by sitting at the beach with the intent to write, or by turning on the fireplace and lighting candles. It’s just a matter of sitting down and doing it. I find songwriting for the most part easy. Lionel Richie said, “If the melody stands on its own and makes you wanna keep humming, and the lyrics stand on their own, and you just can’t get it out of your head, that’s a hit.”

Bobbi: You started singing in church, did your religion have anything to do with your message or how you sing?

Aria Johnson: Absolutely, God gave me my voice and the desire and passion to share it with the world. I used to pray to God that if it wasn’t my destiny to be a professional singer, that he would take away the desire. Day after day, night after night, I would long to use my voice to be a light. To share a message, to help people learn to love themselves for who they are.

Bobbi: Do you consider yourself religious?

Aria Johnson: I would consider myself spiritual, but not religious. I believe that religion is the man made “law” that destroys people’s image of God. It’s a personal thing for me, it’s between me and God. It’s not about being perfect or never “sinning”, it’s about having that source to pray to, and knowing that you’ll get answers to those prayers and that life is bigger than just me.

Bobbi: Your mother is your manager, what made you decide that was best for you?

Aria Johnson: I always wanted my mom to be my manager, but it took some convincing. Growing up and performing for all those years, my mom would help me get ready for shows; my costumes, hair etc… and then of course drive me to the shows, but she was not your typical “stage mom”. She never babied me or buckled my shoes like the other moms. She just let me do my thing and was there if I needed her. She never even pushed me to pursue this career. It was always me begging her to let me be involved in this or that. She was, however always very supportive of me.

So, when I lived in LA and had all these crazy manager’s, and for many years was doing everything myself, I would beg her to move down here and be my manager. I thought it was so cool that Beyonce got to hang with her dad who managed her, and the same with Jessica Simpson, and a few other celebrities.

Being on the road is lonely; you go from hotel room to hotel room with the same few people who are on your team. My mom is my best friend, and who better to travel the world with and realize my dreams with? It is really because of her that I am able to be at this level. She ended up selling her house, and moving to LA. Now we work together every day. It’s like getting to see my best friend at work every day. I am so thankful for her believing in me!

Bobbi: Where do you see the music industry going now, say from the early 2000’s? What has changed?

Aria Johnson: Wow! It has changed a lot. In the early 2000’s it was all about teen pop music and boy bands. Record labels were manufacturing artists by taking good looking teenagers and giving them the right producers, and the right songs and the right hair and makeup and creating a super pop star. It was about syrupy sweet/yet provocative kids dancing around to overproduced tracks. It was all fake, and when the fans got hip to it, everything changed.

While the tracks were hot and the stars were sexy, people were bored and just plain over it. They craved something real…..real recording artists singing about their real life, real love, real pain. Kids also had more access to download the music of their choice and discover cool stuff. Suddenly you had kids downloading The Beatles albums from I-Tunes and making fun of Britney Spears. It was a movement that is still happening. Now it’s all about discovering that “cool underground artist” on the internet. Music is very stripped down from what it used to be.

Bobbi: Are you in a relationship?

Aria Johnson: I don’t like to talk about my love life.

Bobbi: Ok. You say you had an unconventional childhood, with a musician father, and ex-Hells Angeles coming over for Bible study. Did that help shape you into who you are today?

Aria Johnson: What’s funny is that I thought my childhood was normal at the time. It wasn’t until college that I realized how different it was. My parents dated in high school and then went their own ways for five years. My dad toured with his rock band which was exciting at first, but as time went on, he watched people he knew ruin their lives and even die from heroin overdoses one by one. He decided to quit the music business, go back to college, marry his high school sweetheart (my mom) and start a family and live happily ever after.

But he never could get music out of his system, so while he was being an Accountant by day, he would play in bands at night or on the weekends for fun. He even played rock music for the church. The Hells Angels part came into play because my parents were in this Christian Harley Motorcycle Club. Many of the trips were family trips where the Moms followed in the cars so the kids could come. It’s so funny to think that my parents were such bad asses.

The motorcycle group would attract a lot of Bikers; some of who had been Hells Angels who wanted to know about God. So, thus began the Bible studies with these bikers in my house. I was like five years old tap dancing for them and singing little songs in the living room. It did effect who I am because I am definitely not prissy. I can kick it with the boys, I can kick it with the bikers, and I can hold my own in any environment and have a good time doing it.

Bobbi: Your time living in Venice beach was pretty memorable; did you come out of that experience stronger?

Aria: Venice beach was crazy. I was very broke, didn’t buy new clothes for several years, and lived in this little tiny studio apartment. My window was facing a parking lot where homeless people hung out and slept at night. I could hear tourists and locals party every night. It was so loud, that I don’t think I got a good night sleep in four years. Ha! During the day, the parking lot guy would whistle like a loud canary every five seconds to attract tourists into his lot. I literally thought I was going insane at one point. I had to blast my music to tune out the noise. BUT— on the other side of my building was Muscle Beach. I literally opened my door and saw the ocean.

While I was living there, even though it was so loud and crazy at night, I felt blessed and used to think to myself ‘I am so lucky to live where everyone else pays to go on vacation’. I think having a good attitude is what really has helped me throughout life. It’s not where you live; it’s who you love, Family, friends, God, that’s it. Nothing else matters. If I had a mansion, it could burn down, if I had a phat car, it could be stolen, and looks will fade (we all get old right?). All that’s really important to me are the people that I love, my relationships with them and that I get to do what I love every day.

Bobbi: How many girl bands were you a part of?

Aria Johnson: The first girl group was called “Sweet’. It was a trio and we would compete in all these competitions. The first competition I entered, I will never forget. My group Sweet won 1st place and Overall Grand Champion. For my solo songs I lost big time. I got 7th place. I vowed to be a better singer and decided to practice every day for an hour until I was good enough to win this thing. So, the next year I went in to my solo competition, and got 1st place. Amen to hard work!

Anyway, I was in that group for about a year before I joined the next one, ‘Reality’. I stayed with Reality for seven years. Those girls became my best friends. We traveled all over and got to perform Motown and R&B music. These girls were the group that really made me want to work. All beautiful, all talented, all cool, it pushed me to be better.

Bobbi: Why is it important for you to surround yourself with powerful women?

Aria Johnson: At this point in my life, I realize the power that women have. Wars are fought over women; men conquer mountains and cure diseases, all for the women they love. We women need to embrace our femininity, and also understand that it’s ok to be strong. Nothing is more beautiful than a woman who knows herself, and truly accepts herself. I like to surround myself with people in general who inspire me. Not necessarily just women. I believe in a certain magic that happens when you get together with other like-minded people. It’s true that you become like the people you spend your time with. Choose wisely.

Bobbi: Where do you get your strength and power?

Aria Johnson: I get my strength from God. But other than that, I do a lot of reading of self-improvement type books. It really helps me to stay focused on the positive. I believe that whatever I focus on, will multiply, whether it’s positive or negative. Therefore I try to give my attention to what I want to happen, and not what I don’t want to happen. Power is an illusion. It is a gift that others give you. For example, no one has the power to make you feel anything.

We decide whether we care to let someone’s opinion affect us. It’s a hard concept to apply, because we are only human, but if even just 10% of the time, we don’t let our emotions control us, then we can find a happier life. Let emotions control you with a song. When I wrote this album, there was a lot of feeling involved. I let myself feel love and pain.

Bobbi: Let’s talk more about your music, do you fall into one Genre or a multitude and which ones are they?

Aria Johnson: It’s sophisticated pop with an acoustic feel. Basically this is a pop record, but with a ton of live musicians who are just amazing. I have sort of a 70’s vibe to some of the stuff, then there is this Starbucks-ish vibe to some of the tracks, then there are the club bangers, one song even has me singing the bridge in Spanish.

I didn’t try to make this album into anything particular. It was like, it just wrote itself. It was my life story just sort of rolled up into to a perfect little snack, not too light but not the kind that leaves you uncomfortably stuffed. Just the right meal that leaves you totally satisfied but wanting to come back for more. It doesn’t matter if you’re age eight or age eighty, this record crosses all those boundaries, and it’s just as classic as it is edgy.

Bobbi: Who do you aspire to sing like, like an icon?

Aria Johnson: I have a lot of influences, but I don’t really aspire to sound like any one of them in particular. I do admire the greats though, like Aretha Franklin and Etta James.

Bobbi: Is it important for girls to have role models or icons?

Aria Johnson: Well, girls are going to have people that effect them whether they realize it or not. Sometimes it’s more blatant than other times. I just feel that there aren’t enough celebrities coming out and being socially responsible. People are going to copy me whether I say I choose to be a role model or pretend that I’m not. So with that being said, responsibility means that these role model girls need to freaking put on a pair of panties when they go out at night.

I’m all for being sexy, but give me a freaking break. What’s the deal with soft porn in US Weekly Magazine? I am disgusted by the way these pop stars have chosen to get attention. In the end, I have to live with myself, and one day all the money and success and attention and false love, is not going to matter anymore. All that will matter is what I think about myself when I look in the mirror. So my whole thing is, look, you don’t have to be perfect. You can screw up all day long, but please try and learn from it, to save yourself from more pain.

Bobbi: Is singing your passion and why?

Aria Johnson: When I sing, I literally transcend into a very happy place. It’s always been hard for me to show the emotions of love or fear. I have always tried to be strong for everyone. I always tried to have it together and didn’t let myself be vulnerable. Through music, I was able to release the emotions that were so bottled up, and just be honest. The music is what makes me more in touch with how I feel. Now I can be more open about who I am and just say ‘here it is’, my heart on a platter.

Bobbi: Where do you see yourself in ten years?

Aria Johnson: Gosh, ten years is an awful long time away. Hmmm, well I guess I hope to have had major success under my belt. I will have moved my generation with my songs and become a truly great songwriter like Diane Warren. I want to eventually be like Tina Turner or Barbara Streisand with the ability to tour forever, but I also would like to write a self-help book, on how to follow your dreams. The most important thing to me, will be giving something meaningful to the fans.

If I can help them just feel something that they couldn’t feel, shed a tear that had been bottled up inside, learn to appreciate their life or help them know their value, then I will have succeeded. Then you throw in the awesome guy, the house, the kids and proving to women everywhere that you can have it all. I’d say that would be a pretty good life! [Laughing]

Bobbi: Do you think it is important for young girls to start young planning their dreams?

Aria Johnson: Oh definitely. Life is like a blank canvass. You paint whatever you want to happen because you are the creator of your destiny. I believe that you can have anything you want in this world if you’re willing to work for it. It takes sacrifice, planning and a majorly positive attitude, but anything and everything is possible. Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t achieve something. They are only speaking from their own limited life experiences.

I would like to tell young girls, if you don’t have a dream yet, just pick one-anything you love that you think you will stick to. Then become the best at it. Really work on your craft and keep working on your attitude. If you start to feel negative, pick up a book on how to be positive or just turn on that song that inspires you. Never let your circumstances hold you back. You are not a product of your environment; your life is a product of what you think you’re capable of, and how you feel about it. Believe in yourself, be patient with yourself, and you will achieve your dreams.

Bobbi: What are your plans for 2009?

Aria Johnson: Sell a ton of records. You can buy it January 15th on I-Tunes! Go on a National Tour opening for someone amazing. There are so many things that are just happening for me now because of the momentum. Really, I just want to stay living in my purpose and in a state of gratitude, enjoying the ride.

Bobbi: Since you are a soulful and sexy singer, how do you combine your confidence as a woman and your music to give a positive message without conveying the typical sexy singer image?

Aria Johnson: Here’s the thing. I think being sexy is fine; we are women, if it makes you feel beautiful, then great. There is nothing wrong with showing the bodies God gave us, BUT we have to be tasteful. It’s all about carrying yourself with class. We all have moments that we wish we could make ourselves disappear, but for the things that we can control- just be in control and own it. Be the woman that you want to be.

You wake up and decide what to wear every day. There are some hits and there are some misses. Sometimes I say the right thing, and sometimes I don’t. It’s really about conveying an attitude of forgiveness towards yourself, saying ‘hey, I don’t have to be perfect’. Then we are able to truly forgive everyone else.

Bobbi: What is your final message for young girls and women?

Aria Johnson: Life isn’t always easy, but its how we deal with it that determines who we become. Each time you make a good decision, or forgive yourself for a bad one, you build character. Imagine that your life is like a house. Let’s say your parents laid down the foundation. Each decision is like a brick; with it you build faith, love, courage, wisdom, confidence, happiness, servitude, security, trust and honor. We have the power to make this world, and our own lives, better or worse. Each day is a choice. Choose to rise above. Choose to fulfill your potential. Create your life in such a way that you never have to look back and wonder what you could have been. We all have the potential to be great. Find your greatness.

From here on out, it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks of you. When you look in the mirror, look beyond your reflection. Ask, who is this girl inside? Who do I wanna be? Then build it. Paint on the canvass of your life. Learn to love every part of yourself if only because you are God’s creation. Don’t look to guys to determine how you feel about yourself. They are just one more person that has to deal with making their own way in the world. Oh and one more thing. You are not fat!

Bobbi: How did you come up with the name Aria and what is its significance?

Aria Johnson: I was on the Ferris wheel at the Coney Island of Southern California, Santa Monica Pier- and the sun was beginning to set. I was feeling like a little kid since we were going on all the rides and I looked over at one of my best friends at the time, and asked him if he would give me a nickname. I was just being cute. He looked me straight in the eye, paused for about three seconds and said “Aria, because you sing all day long”. He started calling me Aria after that and it became my little endearing nickname that everyone started calling me. About 6 months later I decided to look up the definition in a name dictionary and I saw that Aria meant “Lioness of God”. I knew then the gift of this name would stay with me, forever.

Bobbi Miller-Moro is an author, filmmaker, and mother of five. Her blog, ‘Having It All’ is about empowering women.http://www.womenwithoutborders.us/