Andreas Johnson

Born in Bjarred, Sweden, on March 22, 1970, Swedish singer/songwriter Andreas Johnson grew up immersed in sophisticated sounds. His parents worked as professional jazz musicians, exposing him early to late-night performances and the demands of constant touring as he frequently accompanied them on the road. Under the guidance of his parents and older brother, he honed his abilities on guitar and piano through extended periods of focused practice and study. His initial group, Planet Waves, achieved local recognition by performing on notable stages and issuing the album Brutal Awakenings prior to its dissolution. Two years after the band's end, he issued his solo debut, Cottonfish Tales. Although it earned strong critical notice, commercial results remained modest, rendering his second album a considerable gamble. The lead single from his new Warner Music Sweden deal, "Glorious," swiftly ascended to the summit of the charts and transformed Johnson into an overnight sensation across Sweden and the U.K. Liebling moved an impressive 500,000 copies and prompted widespread touring that coincided with the start of work on his third solo project. Deadly Happy could not match the elevated expectations established by its predecessor, leaving Johnson discouraged and disheartened. A prolonged hiatus from public obligations allowed a return to a more instinctive and organic approach to songwriting, which proved fruitful on 2005's Mr. Johnson Your Room Is on Fire through well-received singles such as "Show Me XXXX" and "Sunshine of Mine." Reestablishing momentum toward pop prominence, he delivered his fourth Warner album, The Collector, in 2007. This release became his strongest performer to date by reaching Billboard's European Top 100.