aaamusic | On 22, Nov 2010

A Freak A is the new EP by the hugely talented JOSEPHINE and is the follow up to her successful summer EP ‘I Think It Was Love’. The tracks are set for release through Ark Recordings on November 29th.

Josephine’s music is inspired by the musicians of the Manchester area coupled with the musical heritage of her West African family. House parties invariably centred on her mother’s collection of vinyl: Hi-Life, Congolese music and Soul. Stacked in the front room was King Sunny Ade, The Isley Brothers, The Supremes, Ali Farka Toure & Johnny Cash.

Josephine explains – “I had this musical history being a Mancunian but there was also the heritage I belonged to coming from a West African family. At school it was all about indie but when I went home it was African. The rhythms and subjects were totally different to the Manchester sounds. I never try to cram all these influences in, hopefully they just come out in a natural way. Lots of the guitar riffs I use have an element of Hi-Life in there.”

A FREAK A was written and produced with Leo Abrahams (Brian Eno, Grace Jones) following the glowing reception she received for I Think It Was Love. With A FREAK A they have managed to create a song that is upbeat & rhythmic with an intelligent arrangement that builds into a uplifting bright tune. The second track is the beautifully rhythmic ballad Davey followed by the third and last track Salt Lake which is a pacey, Americana tinged tune.

Josephine explains the lyrical story behind the lead track:  ‘A Freak A is really one thing. It sums up, I guess how I’ve felt growing up and throughout-out my life. It sums up being from a different background to all your friends. It’s also about feeling like a freak ‘cause you’re not really into the things everybody else is into. I suppose it’s a bit angsty really. Feeling like an odd ball musically as well as you don’t really fit into the usual boxes. A Freak A…can also mean AfricA…’.

The reviews of her debut release were amazing (see quotes), with the likes of 6 Music’s Lauren Laverne, The Sunday Times, Music Week and Jazz Fm, all hailing Josephine as a massive British talent and a true artist to watch out for. Her hotly anticipated debut album is set for release next year.

“The album isn’t finished yet but it will be a mix of upbeat songs like A Freak A and some more down tempo ballads. I like to keep things simple in terms of lyrics with strong messages.”

‘A Freak A’ EP is set for release on ARK Recordings.

Track-listing:

1. A Freak A
2. Davey
3. Salt Lake

http://soundcloud.com/theopr/josephine-a-freak-a

Josephine will also play two shows in London at the Slaughtered Lamb :

1^st December –7.30pm

8^th December –7pm