INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY — JOSIE MAN
Introducing South Londoner ABISHA, after a widely successful year in 2020 with the release of debut EP, Scorpio. This singer is here to be seen and heard, being honest and transparent in everything she does through her music. She is proud to use her platform to ensure more black, queer voices are amplified, supported, and empowered.
Interview by SOPHIE EMMETT
Photographs by EVA PENTEL
Special thanks Clarks Originals
“For women’s international day 2021, I choose to challenge - small-minded people”
— JOSIE MAN
HI JOSIE, WE ACTUALLY MET ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO NOW AND CONGRATULATIONS IT WOULD APPEAR SINCE THEN YOU HAVE DROPPING HIT AFTER HIT! HOW ARE YOU FEELING TODAY?
Thank you so much!!! I’m good thank you!!!
TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR INSPIRATION JOURNEY THROUGHOUT LOCKDOWN, HAS IT BEEN HARD TO FIND INSPIRATION?
I go through phases. Sometimes I get an urge to create something and sometimes I don’t feel like doing anything and I’ve learned that both are okay!! I’m only human and forcing things doesn’t work at all for me.
JOSIE WEARS, DRESS, SISTER JANE, SCARF, HEART AND DART, EARRINGS, MAISON DE JEWELS, RINGS, IVIES, RINGS, YAA YAA LONDON, SOCKS, TOPSHOP, SHOES, CLARKS ORIGINALS Wallabee Cup White Nubuck
YOUR MOST RECENT RELEASE ‘GROW’, FEELS VERY SELF–REFLECTIVE, AS YOUR VENERABLE LYRICS REVOLVE AROUND LEARNING LESSONS, WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR WRITING PROCESS AS A FORM OF THERAPY?
Yes, 100%, music is such a safe release for me and that’s what I want my music to portray- a safe place.
ALL YOUR VIDEOS THIS FAR FEEL SO AUTHENTIC TO YOU, LIKE WE THE AUDIENCE ARE BEING GIVEN AN ALL-ACCESS PASS INTO YOUR WORLD. ONE OF MY FAVOURITES IS 4 IN THE ROW. I FEEL LIKE ‘GIRL POWER” IS A STRONG MOOD IN YOUR HOME. CAN YOU SHARE A CHILDHOOD STORY THAT SUMS UP THE MAN SISTERS?
Thank you!! Yeah, I’ve grown up around a lot of girls, there are 5 ladies in my house (+my dad) and 11 girl cousins so I’m used to having ALOT of female energy around me. My favourite childhood memories with my sisters were when we’d make up dance routines in the swimming pool on holiday and playing shops with all our dressing-up clothes.
COULD YOU TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR FAVOURITE VIDEO YOU’VE FILMED SO FAR?
My favourite one is the most recent one I’ve done, I’m VERY excited to share it with everyone. It’s called “Cuts and Bruises”.
YOU’VE GOT A FEW TATTOOS, WHICH ONE WAS FIRST? MOST RANDOM ONE & WHAT’S NEXT?
My first tattoo was a heart on my arm, I started off with an easy one that my parents wouldn’t notice (they did straight away)! The most random one is my name on my leg but I still love it and my next one will be a back piece.
“SPENDING MONEY, THAT THEY DON’T HAVE, TO BE SOMEBODY” I FEEL LIKE, AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE, YOU ALREADY HAVE SUCH A STRONG SENSE OF WHO YOU ARE AS A PERFORMER AND AS A WOMAN. HAVE YOU ALWAYS BEEN CONFIDENT IN EMBRACING YOURSELF?
I think from a young age I knew that people weren’t always going to be nice and that there wasn’t a point in trying to fit in all the time so I quickly learned that I don’t need to be a certain person to be loved. I had (and still have) my small group of besties that made me feel safe and made me feel like it was okay to be me.
YOU HAVE SUCH GREAT STYLE, WHAT IS YOUR KEY PIECE IN YOUR WARDROBE IF YOU CAN NAME JUST ONE?
Thank you! Deffo my red chunky kickers, they just make everything look like I’m a little dolly and I just love that so much!
PHOTOS ABOVE: JACKET, TROUSERS, THE RAGGED PRIEST, BRALET, RECLAIMED VINTAGE, SOCKS, PRETTY LITTLE THING, NECKLACE, NECK ON THE LINE, EARRINGS, TOPSHOP, SHOES, CLARKS ORIGINALS Desert Boot White + Black
WITH LIVE MUSIC & PERFORMANCE UP IN THE AIR, WHAT ELSE WOULD YOU LIKE TO ACHIEVE IN 2021, OTHER THAN BEING ABLE TO LEAVE THE HOUSE FOR MORE THAN EXERCISE AND WORK?
I’d like to create more visuals with my music that’s coming out and just to keep spreading love with my music. I want to learn how to make my own clothes too!
WOMEN THAT INSPIRE YOU IN MUSIC AND IN LIFE?
I get inspired by women that bring love and safety into my life, when I feel loved, I feel safe and when I feel safe I feel inspired, creative and like I can take on anything. So my mum, my sisters, and my best friends inspire my music and my life massively. I can’t explain how much love impacts my life. It motivates me in so many ways and makes me feel confident to do what I wanna do!!
DRESS, CARDIGAN, MADDIE SELLER, EARRINGS, MAISON DE JEWELS, NECKLACE, OLIVE JUICE, RINGS, IVIES, RINGS, YAA YAA LONDON, ANKLET, NECK ON THE LINE, SOCKS, PRETTY LITTLE THING, SHOES, CLARKS ORIGINALS Wallacraft Lo Off White Camo
FOLLOW JOSIE MAN
CREATIVE TEAM
CREATIVE DIRECTION — SOPHIE EMMETT
PHOTOGRAPHER — EVA PENTEL
VIDEOGRAPHER — COREE VAJON
FASHION STYLIST — JEN ELETO
FASHION STYLIST — BIANCA NICOLE
MAKEUP — MAYA MAN
SPECIAL THANKS CLARKS ORIGINALS
Thanks to @lethally for gifting all of the team and talent!
Big ups to @nanadosuk & @wrayandnephew + @cakesbydaisy for supplying all the beverages on the day.