Josephine Oniyama
Not many artists make their debut at Manchester’s legendary Night & Day Café a few days after turning 16, but that’s exactly what Josephine Oniyama did several years ago, accompanied only by nerves and an acoustic guitar. The four songs she sang completely captivated the audience and since then she has continued writing, recording and performing her own unique brand of haunting, soul-folk.
Josephine has had many musical influences, from her mother’s vast soul collection to the guitar bands she heard as a schoolgirl to her older brother’s old school hip-hop. All of these combined with her unforgettable voice and fluid guitar playing have made her a truly spellbinding performer.
Since the release of her 2002 album ‘A Smaller Version of the Real Thing’ she has toured with the likes of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Roger McGuinn, Josh Ritter, Cara Dillon and Kelly Joe Phelps, amongst others, inspiring Time Out to name her a ‘precious new song writing talent’, while Uncut magazine wrote: ‘Make a note of the name. We are going to be hearing a lot more from her’.
Josephine is currently putting the finishing touches to her second album and if the response to her first album is anything to go by, then this will definitely be a record to shout about.
>> Website: http://www.joniyama.com
>> MP3 audio file: closer
>> MP3 audio file: ritual to the grave
>> MP3 audio file: one princess