biographical info
Hailing from Winnipeg, Philippine-born Johsa Manzanilla first taught herself how to play guitar after receiving a Yamaha acoustic from her parents in her first year of university. She has since recorded 4 independently-produced albums ('The Johsa Coffeehouse,' 'Post-Vacuum Recordings,' 'The Sanseric Experience,' 'Hiatus') and is currently working on a fifth, 'On Habibi.' Her songs incorporate and showcase her musical prowess with both the guitar as well as the piano, her primary instrument. Often likened to singer/songwriter Ani DiFranco, Manzanilla started writing songs in her early teens and performing her folk-rock material at coffeehouses and high school rock shows. Over the years, she has gained a reputation for creating original pieces that uniquely combine feminist passion and intensity with soft, relaxed melodies, relaying a sense of beauty above the pain and frustration of her music's subtext.
influences
Ani DiFranco
Rilo Kiley
Chantal Kreviazuk
Rachael Yamagata
Tegan and Sara
Alanis Morissette
Adele