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Who is Joesef? His first gig sold out before he released any music

12 March 2019

A new singer-songwriter is quietly making waves in the UK music scene. Known only as , he’s already been compared to Amy Winehouse.

Is Joesef the next Amy Winehouse?

His music was so hotly anticipated that his first gig sold out before he had even released a single track.

The elusive, soulful musician comes from Glasgow and records his music in his bedroom.

He spoke to Janice Forsyth on The Afternoon Show about this extraordinary start to his career in music.

Singer Joesef on his East End influences...

Glaswegian singer/songwriter Joesef talks to Janice about his debut single Limbo

Was he expecting to sell out his first gig?

“It was mental,” he said. “I wasn't expecting that reaction.

“We posted a couple of wee clips on Instagram... I think everyone was just keen to see if I was gonna be really bad or no.”

Joesef plays everything on the record himself, but enlisted a group of musicians to help him recreate the sound for the stage.

“I kind of like every type of music. My mum loved Al Green and soul music, and the east end [of Glasgow] has a big dance culture. There were a lot of jazz samples.”

It was a horrible situation to be in — I was still in love.
Joesef on the real-life feelings behind Limbo

His debut single, Limbo

Described as “a rather startling track” by the Independent, has “Motown grooves, hip hop beats and jazz guitar.”

“Limbo is part of a collection of tunes I wrote in the midst of my first break-up,” Joesef explained. “I split up with my ex; we were still sleeping together. It was like that grey area — it was a horrible situation to be in. I was still in love.”

Can this young Glaswegian can match the stellar rise of another Scot, , who also sold out King Tut’s before releasing his music?

That’s the same venue at which Oasis were originally signed. No pressure, lads!

Joesef at his debut gig, King Tut’s, Glasgow 2019

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