In four short years, Josie Field has come to occupy that space in the music scene reserved for artists whose radio and commercial success is almost accidental to the pursuit of their own artistic vision. Starting with her captivating debut, 2006’s ‘Mercury’, and continuing two years later with her intimately personal second album ‘Leyland’, Field has straddled the barrier between popularity and critical acclaim; as at ease playing support for UK Adult Contemporary artist James Blunt as singing...
In four short years, Josie Field has come to occupy that space in the music scene reserved for artists whose radio and commercial success is almost accidental to the pursuit of their own artistic vision.
Starting with her captivating debut, 2006’s ‘Mercury’, and continuing two years later with her intimately personal second album ‘Leyland’, Field has straddled the barrier between popularity and critical acclaim; as at ease playing support for UK Adult Contemporary artist James Blunt as singing her songs in small, hip clubs throughout the country; as adept at songs that climb up radio charts as enticing those music fans with a liking for music that’s defiantly outside the mainstream.
Much of this has to do with Field’s sonic versatility: her singer-songwriter roots are undeniably in folk, but multiple genres inhabit each of her two albums, with rock, country and even jazz making itself felt on songs like radio hits ‘Every Now And Then’ and ‘10 Years’ (off ‘Mercury) and ‘Hey Man’ and ‘Law Of Attraction’ (off ‘Leyland’). And, as she prepares to record her third album mid-2010, Field hints at the expansive Gospel and electronica that is likely to suffuse the new material to be recorded with longtime producer, Kevin Leicher.
Field is the first to admit being a solo woman singer-songwriter in a musical landscape littered with straight-up commercial acts hasn’t been easy – but it’s never stopped the critical acclaim that has come from multiple nominations including two nods at the 15th Annual MTN South African Music Awards in 2009 (one in the fiercely competitive and highly-coveted Best Female Artist category), and a recent nomination in the 2010 MK Awards for her video for ‘Law of Attraction’.
Field’s also planning on upping the ante on her songs, her career and especially her live show in 2010, demonstrating yet again the ballsy, focused and infectious belief in her talent. So alongside her solo shows or the duo performances with Leicher, Field will elevate her already critically acclaimed band performances as she heads into the year. She’s also eager to expand her musical boundaries by more collaborative work, be it with a choir or another artist capable of meeting her match.
It all makes for a fully-formed and powerful package - suitable for an artist like Field who may have her roots in South Africa but is perfectly poised to move onto the world stage.
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