Nancy Carey Johnson new EP, Shine Your Light, is a heartfelt collection of songs that celebrates the shared experiences that connect us all. Created almost unexpectedly after a burst of inspiration and encouragement from her producer, Matt Smith of 6 String Ranch Studio in Austin, the project quickly became something deeply meaningful both personally and creatively.
For Nancy, the title is a reminder to let go of fear, self-doubt, and comparison, and to embrace the unique light that every person carries within. That message runs throughout the EP, which explores love, resilience, reflection, and the many emotions that shape the human experience. From the playful energy of Guano Loco to the emotional journey of She Let Him Go and the fresh musical direction found in Take Me to the River, each song offers a different perspective while remaining connected by a common thread of humanity.
Since releasing her debut album, Chaos & Grace, in 2023, Nancy has continued to expand her Americana roots by embracing blues, soul, and even Dixieland riverboat jazz influences. A storyteller at heart, both as a songwriter and an author, she creates music that is honest, relatable, and full of warmth, inviting listeners to reflect on their own stories and, ultimately, to let their own light shine.
Listen to Shine Your Light
https://open.spotify.com/album/7qJGwUVUgqxHDdIRmQRytP?si=PUA4GyzyQSKOa83PZA2D_A&nd=1&dlsi=4132fd2d0d6444bd
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“Congratulations on the release of Shine Your Light. What inspired this new EP, and what does the title represent for you both personally and creatively?
NCJ: Thank you for your good wishes. Shine Your Light happened almost by accident. I had been doing some writing and became excited about the songs, so I called my producer (Matt Smith of 6 String Ranch Studio in Austin) and told him about them. He said, "Why don't you come down in a couple of weeks and let's get those recorded!" So I did.
Regrettably, I think most of us spend a lot of time doubting ourselves and comparing our lives and our gifts to others. For me, Shine Your Light is a reminder to let go of fear and self-doubt and allow our inner light, a light that every one of us possesses, to shine brightly and make a difference in the world.
The EP features a diverse collection of songs, including Guano Loco, Shine Your Light, She Let Him Go, and Take Me to the River. How do these tracks come together to tell a larger story or reflect a common theme?
NCJ: When it's all said and done, I would say the common theme on this EP is people and our collective experiences. For example, we've all experienced love, whether unrequited or fulfilled. And who hasn't known, in one capacity or another, obnoxiously self-absorbed, almost bat-shit crazy people? At various times in our lives, we all experience self-doubt, some of it crippling. In the end, it's a collection of songs about different phases of the human experience.
Your music blends Americana, folk, and classic singer-songwriter influences. How do you feel your sound has evolved since the release of your debut album, Chaos & Grace in 2023?
NCJ: At its core, my music will probably always fall under the Americana umbrella (which is, thankfully, very wide). I like being fluid, so I've added some blue-eyed soul, some deeper blues, and with Take Me to the River, even a bit of Dixieland riverboat jazz, which is a fun, albeit completely new direction for me.
my music will probably always fall under the Americana umbrella
Resilience, reflection, and human connection are recurring themes in your songwriting. Why are these subjects so important to you as an artist?
NCJ: Honestly, those subjects are important to me because they're real and they're things people can relate to. And in the end, isn't life all about resilience, reflection, and connection with others?
In 2025, your song “Birthday Cake For Breakfast” received national recognition through American Songwriter Magazine. How did that achievement impact your confidence and approach to songwriting?
NCJ: When I first got that news, I was in shock! As a songwriter, you write songs to the best of your ability, though truth be told, no matter how hard we try, there are times when our abilities are less than stellar. So the feedback from winning the ASM heartbreak competition showed me that I was definitely on the right path. It's also given me the courage to try my hand in other genres, which is kind of fun!
Storytelling is at the heart of both your music and your writing career. How does your experience as an author influence the way you craft songs and connect with listeners?
NCJ: Great question. My books are collections of short stories, all of them 100% true. At its core, songwriting is also writing short stories. You've got three verses, a chorus, and sometimes a bridge to tell a complete story, so every single word counts. It seems I am wired to write short, complete stories, whether in book form or in song. Though who knows, maybe one day I'll write a novel or a screenplay!
Living in Vermont as a homesteader and mother of four provides a unique perspective on life. In what ways do your daily experiences shape the stories and emotions found throughout Shine Your Light?
NCJ: I think it would be more accurate to say that it's not so much that my homesteading experiences have shaped the stories and emotions throughout Shine Your Light. It's more that when I have quiet time and I'm doing various chores by rote, when my hands are busy but I don't have to concentrate on the tasks at hand, that's when I realize things have been percolating in my head.
All of a sudden, my brain makes all kinds of interesting connections. When that happens, I stop what I'm doing and either pull out a pen and paper or grab my phone to get my thoughts down, which is the beginning of the writing process.
https://open.spotify.com/artist/738VZKrEYr4yUWYQzDY7eQ?si=xsWnm7dvQlyzGpa55xy3sg
Your live performances are known for their warmth, honesty, and personal stories. How do you approach creating that intimate connection with audiences when performing these new songs?
NCJ: I. Love. An. Audience. Seriously. Especially an audience that wants to be entertained! More than that, I love having a connection with my audience. I treat them as friends, talk to them, give them backstories, and sing them my songs. I try to make it fun and entertaining for them in hopes that they have as good a time as I'm having!
Looking at the individual tracks on the EP, was there one song that challenged you the most creatively or emotionally during the writing and recording process?
NCJ: Oh heck yeah! On this project, She Let Him Go is the song I struggled with. I had the first and second verse for years, but for some unknown reason I couldn't go any further with it. To be clear, it was that specific song where I hit a brick wall because during that time I wrote a lot of other songs. Then a friend said, "Have you looked at it from this perspective..." and that was all it took. After that, everything (thankfully) fell into place. Go figure...
As listeners spend time with Shine Your Light, what do you hope they take away from the EP, and what message would you like to leave with them after hearing the final song?
NCJ: I hope they take away a deep sense of catharsis. And the message I hope they take to heart is that they too have a light to shine and I hope they'll step out of their fear and allow it to shine brightly!
