Introducing Josephine
aaamusic | On 01, Sep 2010
JOSEPHINE is a new folktropic voice forged in the heart of the North of England. ‘I Think It Was Love’ EP is set for release on Ark Recordings.
An patchwork of influences from West African high life to her local heroes Morrissey & Marr… from the inspirational activist/guitarist/songwriter Odetta to modern US weird folk music.
Such a richness of influences came partly thanks to her Liberian Mother’s vast collection of vinyl albums. Stacked in the front room when she was growing up there was Fela Kuti, King Sunny Ade, The Isley Brothers, Johnny Cash and The Supremes. Then there were her Mum’s house parties; “she used to play a lot of high life and congo – her parties were madness really. High life to her is pop music.”
Growing up in the late 80s – ‘Manchester is a music city and it’s easy to get involved. An amazing album like ‘Hatful of Hollow’ does spur you on. In the videos they ride past a sign saying Cheetham Hill – where I grew up – and you think ‘it’s possible to be from a place like this and come out with something that brilliant’.
JOSEPHINE has been forging her sound and distinctive voice with live performances since she was 15, inspired by great storytellers – ” I put the guitar down and free write in my notebook, trying to get to the centre of the idea – I like to have strong melodies but lyrics that leave some suggestion for you to come back to on a second and third listen.’
‘I Think It Was Love’ EP is set for release on ARK Recordings.
Track-listing:
- I Think It Was Love
- One Princess of Cheetham Hill
- One Song
For live dates and further info check: www.myspace.com/thisisjosephine
Or her Facebook page : www.facebook.com/thisisjosephine
