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JOESEF
returns with brand new
single + video
FIRE
+
performing as special guest for
ARLO PARKS
+
touring UK and IRELAND
this OCTOBER

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Photo credit: Alexandra Waespi

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“…a word of warning. You won’t be able to get Joesef out of your head.” – RUSSH

“Pop’s most versatile theme – heartbreak – is pulled apart and examined in dazzling new ways by Glasgow’s new romantic.”  – NME

“..the soulful heartthrob cements his potential as one of our most exciting new talents as he subtly and intoxicatingly fleshes his tender lovelorn laments out into glorious pieces of pop perfection.” – DORK

“An otherworldly feast..” – CLASH

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Joesef moved from the East End of Glasgow to the East End of London after lockdown 2.0 and struggled with being in a new room, in a new house, in a new city. Writing shit down when “I’m feeling shite” has always been part of the BBC Sound of 2020 rising star’s process, and last year Joesef found himself in a rut. From pulling pints to being catapulted into the public arena in 2019 with his immaculate, critically acclaimed debut EP Play Me Something Nice, and being lauded by Sam Smith to Mark Ronson for his “sad boy bangers”, the 25-year-old was lonely and heartbroken. Trying to understand the “screaming in my head” Joesef started work on Fire, which would become the remarkable new single released today via AWAL and premiered on Clara Amfo’s BBC Radio 1 show.

The soul Joesef evokes in Fire shows the astounding development of a self-taught artist exploring new realms with production, but always centred on the vast emotional weight of his lyricism. “I always write shit down when I’m feeling shite. It’s just something I’ve always done to try and see what it is that I’m screaming in my head. This song stemmed from something I’d written about wanting to burn all my stuff and move away.  I always have this image in my head that if bad things happen in one space it stays there and covers everything surrounding it. Fire is about trying to escape the emotional weight that places and people sometimes carry after too much has happened, but realising nothing ever really leaves you in the end anyway,” says Joesef of the track.

The stunning official video, directed by Greg Hackett (Loyal Carner, Rag’n’Bone Man), captures a morbid recurring dream of Joesef’s where he buries himself and gets into his own grave, while the cinematography is inspired by the greats including Taxi Driver and Goodfellas.

Selling out venues across the UK and Europe, Joesef spent much of 2019 touring, including headline shows at London’s Oslo and Glasgow’s famous SWG3. This year, Joesef sold-out Glasgow’s cult, right-of-passage venue Barrowland Ballroom, and will play there to 2,000 fans, as part of his biggest UK tour with three sold-out headlines at Hoxton Hall. Joesef was also invited to join Mercury Prize and Brit Award winning star Arlo Parks on her extensive UK tour in October, and will play Shepherds Bush Empire.

Joesef gained critical recognition in 2019, despite only having played one show. His manager thought it would be hilarious to sell-out Glasgow venue King Tut’s for his first gig, and he did. Joesef’s wicked sense of humour enmeshed with his poignant catchy hooks stole the audience’s minds and hearts. “Music has the power to make or break me. Listening to one good song can make my entire day and make me happy for a long time,” a statement Joesef has carried to his own music making.

Not coming from a musical family, but owing his musical references to his mum’s kitchen radio, with Al Green, The Cure, and The Mamas and the Papas playing all day in the background, Joesef grew up surrounded by the community in the East End of Glasgow, where everyone knew everyone’s business. Understanding he was queer from an early age, but “the kids made fun of my trainers more than my sexuality,” he was raised to celebrate his identity and understand it. This exploration is apparent in his songwriting, having released his critically acclaimed second EP Does it Make You Feel Good? in 2020, an observation of the universal feeling of heartbreak, featuring the lauded single I Wonder Why with Loyal Carner. Garnering over 30 million global streams, Joesef released a cover of Sister Sledge’s iconic I’m Thinking Of You, showing the breadth of his soul, and stylistic influence of Northern Soul ballrooms.

Now back with Fire, Joesef is ready to take to the Barrowland Ballroom, and find his footing in London.

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JOESEF
2021 TOUR DATES

HEADLINE TOUR

Friday 8 October | Leeds Headrow House
Sunday 10 October | Edinburgh La Belle Angele SOLD OUT
Monday 11 October | Manchester Yes
Tuesday 12 October |Newcastle The Cluny
Thursday 14 October | Bristol The Louisiana SOLD OUT
Friday 15 October | Liverpool Arts Club
Saturday 16 October | Birmingham The O2 SOLD OUT
Monday 18 October | London Hoxton Hall SOLD OUT
Tuesday 19 October | London Hoxton Hall SOLD OUT
Wednesday 20 October | London Hoxton Hall SOLD OUT
Friday 22 October | Glasgow Barrowlands SOLD OUT
Saturday 6 November | Belfast Voodoo
Sunday 7 November | Dublin Workmans Club

ARLO PARKS SUPPORT TOUR

Monday 1 November | Bristol SWX
Wednesday 3 November | London Shepherds Bush Empire
Thursday 4 November | London Shepherds Bush Empire
Tuesday 9 November | Manchester Academy 2

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AMNPLIFY – DB