A Sidewalk Farewell to Summer
Tacoma in Tune
The first thing you heard was a voice full of soul. On the sidewalk in front of Airport Tavern on South Tacoma Way, Stephanie Anne Johnson picked up their guitar and turned an ordinary afternoon and a humble sidewalk into an intimate concert.
“Are you going to play a song?” someone asked as they exited the tavern. Stephanie just laughed and invited them to stay. Those who did got a front row seat to a Tacoma-born talent at their finest.
The first tune, “Summer’s Hot,” kicked off with a catchy chorus that I couldn’t help but find myself humming hours later. The song carried a blues-rock vibe mixed with a warm acoustic grit that you could hear both in their guitar and in their voice. The timing felt perfect. Summer had just come to a close, but it was still one of those perfectly crisp, sunny days. The song felt like a tribute to Tacoma’s beautifully fleeting summers that had just ended.
What began as a playful hook unfolded into something deeper as Stephanie reflected on the meaning of the song and how it evolved over time. Originally, it was about someone being obsessed with them, but Stephanie shared how it grew into a reflection and tribute to Black art, creativity, rhythms, and a celebration of all of it.
“The song felt like a tribute to Tacoma’s beautifully fleeting summers that had just ended.”
Then came a short walk down the block to Mule Tavern, where Stephanie remarked how much they loved the tavern’s Moscow Mules (which happens to be my favorite cocktail, and with the music flowing, it was tempting to grab one before the next tune).
The second song, “Louisiana,” felt more intimate and almost confessional. It was about love, memory, and yearning. There was both fondness and mourning in Stephanie’s vocals, and their soulful lyrics carried lines like, “I will never forget you, I hope that you’ll remember me.” By the end of the first chorus, you could feel the crowd leaning in closer.
What stood out as much as the songs themselves was Stephanie’s presence: confident, joyful, and authentic. At the end of each tune, they let out a laugh that wrapped the moment in warmth and made you wish for five more songs.
Want more?
Follow @stephanieannejohnson and catch their upcoming shows at stephanieannejohnsonmusic.com/shows. Stephanie’s next big Tacoma date is October 18 at the Tacoma Armory where they will be releasing their upcoming album.
And as always, keep an ear out. Next time you’re walking South Tacoma Way at noon, you might just stumble onto a song worth stopping for.
Stay updated on @tacoma_wa for the latest happenings and join us in celebrating the best parts of our city.
Check out the full performance, here!
