Take One American Idol contestant and One TedX musician and what do you get? Two of Portland’s iconic singers: Kingsley and Haley Johnsen, making gorgeous music and a very funny video!
Kingsley moved to Portland after college and landed an internship at The Old Church, and after that, she began work at The Roseland Theater. She became so immersed in the industry, she decided to pursue music full-time.
When asked about the type of music she makes, she says, “’WHY AM I CRYING AT THE CLUB‘ type of vibe. Melodic, pop-as-hell, dancey. The lyrics are from deep within a hollowed soul that is in need of serious mending, but the beat is something you have to get up and shake your booty to!”
Hailed as an artist who has “crafted a sound that transcends genres and challenges expectations,” she has opened for SG Lewis at a sold-out show at Holcene, been the musical guest for Tedx, remixed “Keep Me Hangin’ On” by The Supremes on their compilation album, played at the Soul’d Out Music Festival, and more. Teaming up with a group of Black American females, she managed to produce the inspiring “I’m Fine” video. The entire cast and crew for the video, including director, choreographer, camerawomen, photographers, stylists, and dancers were Black-American women from Portland. In addition, she landed a brand partnership with black owned local makeup company, Event Cosmetics, where she released her own lipstick collection. In 2021, she released her first album, Crying On Holiday.
She partnered with Portlander, Haley Johnsen, in May 2021, to make a video of the song from that album: All Me [that video and the lyrics to the song are in this post].
Johnsen (who was an American Idol contestant) grew up in Portland. She proved to be extraordinarily prolific, writing over 200 songs in three years. The best of those songs were in her debut EP, Through the Blue (2015). Her second EP was When You Lit The Sky (2017). In 2019, she debuted her critically acclaimed 12-track album, Golden Days, where she gained much deserved recognition and ignited the interest of Allen Stone who appeared on the album. Later that year, Haley began touring with the trio sister band Joseph and with EDM/Indie pop artist Big Wild, who she currently works with as a bassist and back-up vocalist. During her first European tour in January of 2019, Haley was further granted the opportunity to record an acoustic album entitled London Sessions at the Legendary Abbey Road.
Have a listen to this dynamic Portland duo.
All Me Feat. Haley Johnsen
w/ Lyrics
Should of moved on
But you wanted to say
Should of let go
Had to go your own way
Now we’re in this mess
Bitter as can be
Are you doing well
Are you doing well
Oh, without me, out me
I drank all my feelings
And I tried to stay sober
Fuck I can’t lie, tried to move on
See I’m right where you left me
And I drank up all my money
And I tried, I’m still lonely
Baby don’t lie, say you moved on
See I’m right where you left me,
Tell me is it you
Is it me
Say it’s you
Cause it feels like it all me
All me.
Should of know better
But I lost my head
Should of had it all
I chose pride instead
Now I’m all fucked up
Rotten to my core
See I’m not doing well
I’m not doing well
Oh, when it just me, just me.
I drank all my feelings
And I tried to stay sober
Fuck I can’t lie, tried to move on
See I’m right where you left me.
And I drank up all my money
And I tried, I’m still lonely
Baby don’t lie, say you moved on
See I’m right where you left me.
Tell me is you
It is me
Say it’s you
Cause it feels like it all me
All me, all me
It is you
Is it me
Say it’s you
Damn it feels likes it’s all me
All me
Written by:
Inspired by Jem and the Holograms & The Jonas Brothers
Kryptic Films Production
Director/Editor: Kamryn Fall
Camera Operator: Sika Stanton
Production Manager: Riley Lozano
Lighting/Assistant Camera Opp: Andre Jones
Camera Dept: Makayla Caldwell
Camera Dept: Eric Macey