Photo credit: Kyle Powell
Out Now, celebrating Record Store Day – Get it HERE
Ft. Glenn Underground, Coflo, Jon Dixon, Kevin Reynolds, and sillygirlcarmen
‘A vinyl conversation between Detroit and Chicago’s house heritage via deep house, jazz roots, and forward-looking soul’
sillygirlcarmen aka Carmen Johnson’s Sun & Sound Detroit imprint releases its first ever vinyl, 4-track VA EP EASE, out now celebrating Record Store Day. A ‘vinyl conversation’ between Detroit and Chicago’s house heritage via deep house, jazz roots, and forward-looking soul, EASE embodies the spirit of collaboration, community, and cross-generational artistry ably represented by Glenn Underground, Coflo, Jon Dixon, Kevin Reynolds, and sillygirlcarmen herself.
DJ/producer/vocalist, sillygirlcarmen represents the new wave of Detroit creativity; raw, fearless, and deeply rooted in the city’s house lineage. She blends her emotive vocals, deep grooves, and shimmering electronic textures to connect heart, dance floor and heritage. She co-founded Sun & Sound Detroit label as a platform both to showcase her music and spotlight other artists’ soulful innovation and underground integrity.
Says Carmen, “Releasing the first vinyl on my label Sun & Sound Detroit as a compilation of profound talent from friends in the house/electronic space is a really exciting opportunity and brings much gratitude. It’s so empowering to bring creative collaborations to life. I love working with artists of all mediums to keep pushing our culture and possibilities forward. The cover art is even designed by a local Detroit muralist, Jesse Kassel. Every component has intention and vibrancy, I always want to share great music and vibrant color through the Sun & Sound imprint. I want to inspire, take risks and stay courageous in all efforts.”
EASE EP tracks:
Glenn Underground – “Dive (Into The Deep)”; the Chicago legend and Strictly Jaz Unit co-founder combines deep house, freeform jazz and soul, here in a jazz-infused, laid-back, hypnotic melange of house beat, synth chord riff, rippling arps, with a whisper of disco in the bassline and 80’s electro in the high, singing strings.
Coflo x sillygirlcarmen – “Never Forget (That Feelin’)”; East Bay CA-based Coflo combines Hawaiian and Portuguese roots with a global reach. A collaborative skipping house beat, pattering percussion and melodic jazz synth piano embrace sillygirlcarmen’s soulful voice and heartfelt lyrics… emotional storytelling, movement and connection.
Jon Dixon – “Saturday At Northland”; Detroit’s modern jazz and techno fusionist, rooted in long study and prestigious performance of classical and jazz piano both in orchestral and electronic contexts, employs his keyboard virtuosity in a thrilling wave of melodic piano improvisation and complex lively percussion, combining sheer craft with spiritual heft.
Kevin Reynolds – “I Got Music”; from an Irish/US Detroit family, producer/live artist Reynolds blends techno, jazz, soul, from influences as diverse as 90s underground techno, Kraftwerk and John Coltrane, and roles/performances in multiple prestigious venues and positions. Here, a stealthy beat and Kraftwerk-evoking robotic electro synth theme are joined by a dual vocal used as a riff, while clusters of piano chords flower into jazz motifs.
The release of EASE heralds sillygirlcarmen’s upcoming North American tour including Detroit’s iconic Movement Festival. Look out for solo releases from herself and more, as Sun & Sound Detroit gears up for a future filled with sun-shiny events and brand collaborations.
Tracklist:
- A1 – Glenn Underground – Dive (Into The Deep)
- A2 – Coflo x sillygirlcarmen – Never Forget (That Feelin’)
- B1 – Jon Dixon – Saturday At Northland
- B2 – Kevin Reynolds – I Got Music
EASE is out now on Sun & Sound Detroit. Get it HERE.
For more information about sillygirlcarmen, go to:
Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | SoundCloud
DJ • singer • producer • Detroit
A few weeks ago, I didn’t know who sillygirlcarmen was. Then EASE dropped, and everything changed.
What immediately pulled me in wasn’t just the music. It was the full picture. The branding is sharp, intentional, and memorable. Even her website URL stands out in a way that makes you stop and take notice. That kind of detail tells you something before you ever press play. It tells you this artist understands identity.
Then you dive into the music.
The more I listened, the more it clicked. Not just the sound, but the story. There’s a sense of momentum in everything she’s doing. When you hear how far she’s come and how quickly she’s gotten there, it becomes clear this is not accidental. This is an artist with vision, confidence, and something real to say. She makes no apology for the meaning or power behind her lyrics, and that honesty cuts through.
Her sound pulls you in and doesn’t let go. Each track feels like part of a larger journey, carrying you from one moment to the next with intention and emotion. It’s immersive in the best way.
I’ve always had a deep appreciation for underground house music. That’s where my love for dance music started. But hearing the influence and tension between Detroit and Chicago in her sound adds another layer. It deepens that appreciation and gives new life to a style that has shaped so much of the culture.
Pay attention. sillygirlcarmen is going places.
And I’m excited for you to experience EASE and this exclusive interview, because it’s a pleasure to introduce you to sillygirlcarmen.
Let’s start with the new EP. You’ve titled it EASE. What does that title represent for you, and why did it feel like the right name for this project?
I think of EASE when I imagine the feeling I want to manifest in my life. I’m manifesting EASE, I’m aligning to receive abundance with EASE, I’m arriving into my purpose with EASE. It’s a word that feels good, freeing, purposeful, and something I think we all could use a bit more of. I think the compilation and music is a reflection of that energy.
When you first started working on EASE, did you know it would be a four-track EP, or did that take shape over time?
We set out for it to be 4 tracks from the beginning, considering the best structure and time formats that would fit on the vinyl format.
At what point did you feel like the project was finished and ready to be released?
It was an ongoing collection of the work; the process is more elongated than releasing digital. Once every record was sent over it went into the mastering process. I think once I listened to the final masters, I knew it was coming to fruition and then hearing the final test press on vinyl made the project feel real. The product felt good, warm, and ready for systems.
The EP dropped on April 17 in celebration of Record Store Day. There aren’t many record stores left these days. What does Record Store Day mean to you, and are you still spinning LPs at home?
Vinyl is still highly beloved in the house music community and even found resurgence with younger generations. A physical product still excites people. To have an item as a collection piece. It is possibly more niche, and stores somewhat limited but to me it is a historical marker. An ode and inclusion to the history of music. I do have a small record collection that I am slowly building. Playing vinyl gives you a different experience and commitment to music as a full body of work, a medium that allows us to break away from the over saturation and speed of digital access.
Tell me more about Sun & Sound Detroit. What drew you to the label, and what kind of work are they doing that excites you?
Sun & Sound Detroit is my music label. I started it in 2024 to provide my collaboration EP PLAY with Delano Smith a home for release. I never saw starting a label in my cards, but this really has been such an exciting journey. Having creative control to share my work and expand it into a space for other artists really feels like a new passion. Creative marketing excites me, so this allows me to really dive into that world and find new ways to expand as an artist, collaborator and marketer.
You collaborated with some incredible names on this project, including Glenn Underground, Coflo, Jon Dixon, and Kevin Reynolds. Can you walk me through how those collaborations came together and what each artist brought to the EP?
Through history, friendship and hometown association. All of these artists are literally a phone call away and I’m so honored they answered the call. I have worked with Glenn and Coflo in the past. Both these artists have done remixes for me. Jon Dixon is a family friend, I’ve known him since I was a kid. Kevin Reynolds is highly respected in Detroit and connection thru mutual friends. This culmination really is time and chance, with a sonically blissful result.
Listening through the tracks, I’m picking up strong house influences, but also a lot of jazz and soul elements. Is that blend intentional, and how would you describe your sound to someone hearing you for the first time?
The curation of artists surely was intentional, and jazz and soul comes natural to the artists. We wanted the project to feel fresh, soulful and warm. All these artists embody those elements in their music. My personal sound is ever expanding but soulful emotive melodies are definitely a common thread in what I enjoy to create or play. My track “Never Forget (That Feelin’)” is a beautiful collaboration showcasing Coflo’s rhythmic, thoughtful production with my vocals providing dreamy melody, harmony, and emotion.
Can you break down each track on the EP for us? What’s the story behind each one, and why did you choose to present them in this particular order?
I believe each artist and each track has its own story. A lot of what went into this EP is meant to be felt rather than spelled out. The order, though, was very intentional—it’s less about individual moments and more about the overall arc. I wanted it to unfold in a way that mirrors a certain emotional progression, even if that means different things to different people.
Detroit has such a rich musical legacy, especially when it comes to house and electronic music. There are also some iconic nightclubs in the city. Where are some of your favorite places to play, and where do you like to go to experience music as a fan?
My favorite place to play is TV Lounge, especially on a summer night when the patio is in full swing. Other venues I enjoy playing or visiting just to enjoy a night on the dance floor: Spot Lite, SPKRBOX Detroit, and Big Pink Detroit.
For those who haven’t seen you perform live yet, what can they expect from a sillygirlcarmen set?
Energy, playfulness, soul, adventure, blissful spontaneity. I love the feeling of classic house, but I also love taking risks and traveling into deeper emotions through music. No matter what, I want people to feel good on the dance floor, and hopefully leave inspired.
You’re also working with LA Talent. What does that partnership look like, and how is it helping you grow at this stage of your career?
LA Talent is my commercial and TV agency, I have been with them for 10+ years as an actress and model. Before I got into music, I was in front of the camera. I’ve had the opportunity to work on TV and in film. This is another medium of how I like to express myself as a creative, being comfortable in front of the camera is very similar to the fearlessness it takes to perform in front of a crowd.
What inspired the Heartbreak Summer Reimagined (Remixes) project, and how does it reflect where you are creatively right now? And if you had to choose, do you have a favorite remix from the collection?
I really was inspired and connected to the original song I created on a whim. I knew I wanted to pursue the possibility of a remix or remixes to reimagine it more for a club/DJ set perspective. I didn’t know what I was going for at first but I contacted a few producers I was fond of and they luckily were down! At first it started with just one remix and then more producers responded so I just rounded it out to be a remix EP. Each remix has its own feeling for a particular type of set, so I really love them all equally in different moments.
From your background, you’ve had such an interesting journey into music. What originally drew you into this space, and how has your sound evolved along the way?
I always grew up singing and performing as a kid, the creativity and draw toward music was always there. I started pursuing music solely as a singer, in a more pop, R&B format. Becoming a DJ and leaning more into my love for house was a full circle moment back in 2019, because this is the culture and sound that I grew up on in Detroit. I found more freedom in my artistry when I became a DJ. My sound and voice grow more soulful and authentic with every new creation.
You’ve also built a strong identity around your artistry. How do you stay authentic to yourself while continuing to grow and experiment?
I’m always just following my intuition. When I feel called to create I give each facet of that vision my all. I think the common denominator will always be, I’m going to take risks and own it. I’m going to give you more than just music, and oftentimes it will be colorful, honest, and possibly unexpected.
What have been some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned so far as an artist navigating this industry?
Don’t wait for anyone or anything to validate your artistry. Create your opportunities. Pursue your vision like you are already living in the peak career or journey you see for yourself. Every action in the universe ripples into the next, so lead with pure intention, authenticity, and 100% effort.
Let’s talk about the Itty Bitty Shop. What is it, and what kind of products are you offering there?
Itty Bitty Shop offers a few branded clothing items as a promo for my song “Itty Bitty Squad.” Cute merch for those who want to represent the Itty Bitty Squad.
You’ve been getting a lot of press lately, including features from DJ Mag and Mixmag. Are you actively pursuing that kind of exposure, or is it happening organically as a result of the work you’re putting out?
I’m grateful for some great features as a result of the work I’ve put in. I think consistency has been the biggest component of my path’s momentum. I have not stopped or taken a break since I began and I have no plans to slow down. People have noticed my efforts and reflect their belief in my work.
Looking ahead, what’s next for you after EASE? What should fans be paying attention to?
Always more music coming down the line. Tons of new collaborations, even some releases coming up on other imprints than my own. And my vision is always to expand my reach around the world. I’m looking forward to all the new places I will travel as a DJ. Stay tuned!
Where is the best place to learn more about you, your music, and your next release?
I post all my updates most frequently on my Instagram. New shows, music or just creative updates.
We’ve talked about a lot today. Thanks for doing this. Is there anything else you’d like to share with me before we wrap up?
Thank you for the thoughtful questions, and to the potential readers that made it this far, thanks for being curious to know more! I’m elated for what the future holds and I hope to meet everyone on the dance floor.
In all of the interviews I do, I always give the artist the last word. Go.
May you continue to find wellness and purpose in the things that light up your soul.
Great article about a great artist.