JOSIE MAN Is On The Rise
Josie Man is the 22-year old Orpington-based artist on everyone’s radar at the moment. Having only released her debut single just over a year ago, (which now has almost 2 million Spotify plays) Man is on a rapid trajectory. She’s signed to Columbia Records, supported Beabadoobee at her South London AMP show and has garnered almost 215,000 monthly Spotify listeners. We drove down to Josie’s home in Orpington to meet the wonder-woman.
From the moment she opened the front door to let us in, her calmness washed over us like a wave and we all found it infectious.
Josie LOVES love, and isn’t afraid to shout about it. Once stepping into her hallway it became clear where this focus on love and care comes from. Collages of countless family photos cover the walls, and mantelpieces and shelves are lined with even more, emphasising the closeness and importance of family to the Man’s. It’s even more clear through her strong bond she has with her sister and superb hair & make-up artist, Maya, who helped with each of Josie’s epic looks for the shoot. They’re two of four sisters (five children if you count Archie their sweet scallywag pup), and work together like a perfectly synchronised, slick machine Read on to hear Josie talking about the importance of sisterhood and her wonderful family as well as her lockdown and latest single, ‘Grow’.
PHOTOS BY EVA PENTEL // HAIR & MAKE-UP BY MAYA MAN
LB: How are you ?
JM: I’m actually okay thank you!
How’s your lockdown been?
It’s been weird… but better than the last one for sure because I know what to expect and how to deal with my emotions.
What’s the one thing you’re missing the most about normal life?
I miss going to the cinema, going to restaurants with my big family and being FREE!
I remember you saying that you had writers block during the first lockdown and found it hard to be creative, how did you overcome this?
I think the first step is to accept you have the block which releases pressure. To overcome it I just let it be and see what happens - don’t force anything! The world is scary, it’s important to be kind to yourself.
What have you been loving, listening to & watching during lockdown?
I’ve been listening to lots of healing frequencies and nostalgic tunes which take me to a joyful place! I don’t watch a lot of TV but I like watching old classic films… I also LOVE those awful dating shows like Too Hot Too Handle and Love Island…
PHOTOS BY EVA PENTEL // HAIR & MAKE-UP BY MAYA MAN
Over lockdown your IG was such a solace for so many people with your Self Love Lockdown Series. Why did you decide to make them? What is self love to you & how important is it?
I just wanted to share some love... Being locked down we are forced to spend time with ourselves, so I thought it was a good opportunity to face our fears and dive into self love in a light hearted way! What I talk about comes straight from my heart and I’m forever learning. Self love is really important to me, it’s a magical journey that I feel every single one of us is worthy of. I feel like we should have been taught it as a young child!
You’re wise beyond your years and give such wonderful advice! What do you do to shake a bad mood?
Thank you so much! People would say to my mum when I was a kid that I’ve been on this earth before…! Every day is different when it comes to shaking off a bad mood. I cry a lot, it’s a massive release for me. Somedays I dance and sing to really loud music and then other days I write things down.
When did you realise you wanted to pursue music as a career?
I think I only realised in the past year while actually doing music as career, then it hit me and felt so right! I have always loved music but never thought it’d be my career. Music used to be my escape and now it’s my job!
We read that family & friends feature in your music videos and your wonderful sister Maya did your make up for today’s shoot. How is it getting to work with your sister & how importantly is family to you?
It’s a dream that Maya can do my hair and make-up! Not many people know but I massively struggle wearing make up, its a big phobia for me as it feels like I’m covering my true self but its more of a deep rooted issue, so having my sister doing it makes it a lot easier for me and keeps me calm. My family are very important to me, I am who I am because of them and truly cherish that!
Now onto ‘Grow’ - we love it. (Listened to it non-stop on the drive to your house and had a lil car party). Was the writing process as cathartic as one would imagine? Tell us a bit about it.
Thank you so much!! Yes I love this one so much, a lot of tears and emotion went into this song and it’s even more special because I wrote it with two amazing people called Hannah Yadi and Josh Scarbrow so it’s that little bit more special! We wrote it in my garden studio late last year. It’s all about how hurt and hard times help us grow. There’s always a bright and higher meaning to the hardship. The Universe has always got our backs!
We love the message that crying is OK and helps you grow. What other advice would you give your younger self?
The message to my younger self would be to trust my own emotions. I know me better than anyone else and the emotions I feel are valid!
For those that haven’t heard your music yet, what song would you tell them to start with & why?
I think Colours or Grow! They talk massively on self love, acceptance and growth and that never hurt anyone!
What’s on your bucket list?
I would love to travel around Asia with my boyfriend.
Who do you listen to on the Last Bus home?
I’m listening to artists from Etta Bond to Yxng Bane, Disclosure, Arlo Parks and Justin Bieber. Depends how sleepy and emotional I am that day!
PHOTOS BY EVA PENTEL // HAIR & MAKE-UP BY MAYA MAN
