- Words Bliss Zhawi
- Photography Mollie Rose
- Photography Assistant Sasha Vanner
- Retouching Sam Trenouth
- Hair & Makeup Maya Man
- Production Studio Notion
- Location JunkYard Golf Shoreditch
Enter the mesmerising, playful and other-worldly universe of Josie Man. A rising star challenging societies do’s and don’ts and reinforcing the message of love in trying times.
Hailing from South London and Hong Kong, is our latest girl crush Josie Man who also goes by ‘A Groovy Boo Thang’, an alias which perfectly describes the 21-year old singers’ vibrant and contagious energy.
The young star whose EP ‘aLOVINGboothang’ which was just released last Friday blessed us and is a ticket to discovering the core values and driving forces behind her sound. Josie’s music is ‘Identity Pop’, her mesmerising, lullaby-esque voice is a conduit for channelling messages of love, honesty and positivity in a narcissistic and cruel world. The rising star’s quest for change comes from a childhood of shyness and insecurity which she has now overcome through using music as a form of therapy and crafting a path which alienates conformity.
“When I was little and surrounded by both my Cantonese-speaking and South East London family, I invented my own language and my own universe of colours and symbols,” Man explains. “I learnt that there is more than one way to be. Rules of being can be blurred, you know, like – it’s okay to eat baked beans with chopsticks – and it’s okay to love Hawaiian ukelele music just as much as you love Bill Withers.”
There are so many takeaways from the singers Instagram feed; her style is distinctive – it’s a combination of luxe urban chic to bubble gum pop princess with staple pieces including Louis Vuitton prints and chunky platform shoes. The innocent singer has an effortlessly cool aesthetic which makes her unforgettable.
Family and friendship are dear to Josie, her love song ‘4 in a row’ dedicated to her mother and father heralds them for raising her and sisters in a loving and family-oriented environment. As one of four girls, her sisters are her tribe, their inseparable bond can be seen in the form of playful dance videos and holiday snaps and we hope to see more of their sister union in her future content.
We asked Josie some introspective questions on her musical journey. Take a look below!
- Dress Katie Ann McGuigan
- Jacket Daniel W Fletcher
- Top Le Kilt
- Trousers Paula N
- Shoes Artist's Own
What are you most looking forward to in 2020?
Having new experiences and being able to write about them!
Did you always know you wanted to be a singer when you were growing up?
- Dress Katie Ann McGuigan
- Top Holland & Holland
- Shoes Artist's Own
- Shorts Roberta Einer
- Jacket Daniel W Fletcher
- Top Le Kilt
If you weren’t pursuing music, what would you be doing?
I think I’d be a yoga teacher or something to do with fashion because I LOVE clothes!
Describe your sound using three words?
Uplifting, genuine and colourful.
What is a common misconception about you?
People think I’m intimidating and maybe I look different but that’s the last thing I am and want to be seen as!
- Dress Katie Ann McGuigan
- Shoes Naked Wolfe
- Dress Katie Ann McGuigan
- Top Holland & Holland
- Shoes Artist's Own
- Shorts Roberta Einer
Who influenced your music taste when you were growing up?
I guess my parents’ music taste influenced mine when I was really young because I listened to what they played in the car or around the house. They used to listen to artists like The BeeGees, Marvin Gaye, Fleetwood Mac, so I think that had a hand in my love of songwriting – rather than just genres.
What kind of artists were you listening to when you were growing up?
Anything and everything that made me feel something! Artists whose songs made me dance, like Amerie, or artists whose songs made me want to cry if I was sad, like Frank Ocean.
If you could say something to your younger self what would it be?
Everything will be fine and things happen when they need to.
- Jacket Daniel W Fletcher
- Top Le Kilt
- Trousers Paula N
- Shoes Artist's Own
- Dress Katie Ann McGuigan
- Top Holland & Holland
- Shoes Artist's Own
- Shorts Roberta Einer
Where is your favourite place to write music?
I love writing in places that I feel safe and comfortable. I have a little studio in my garden which is where we wrote my songs Colours and Baby Pink & Blue.
What vibe do you want to give off when you perform live?
I want everyone to feel loved and not lonely or alone when they leave my shows. I want them to feel like they can be who they want to be. So I guess I want the vibe at my shows to feel comforting!