He has been described as everything from “A Summer Sad Boy” to “a supremely talented musician”, while Elton John said that he was “in love” with his voice; Joesef has certainly had an interesting few years. 

Having released clips of his music online, the twentysomething songwriter - who was born and raised in the town of Garthamlock, a suburb of Glasgow - played his first gig in 2019 and released his debut album ‘Permanent Damage’ earlier this month.

He plays Dublin venue Opium on March 11th, so we caught up with him to find out more.

1. What’s the music that you listened to growing up, that you still listen to today?
I was raised on a lot of amazing old Al Green records, and The Mamas and Papas too. There was always a lot of music playing in the house growing up. I feel like I've been listening to the same songs since I was still a nappy.

2. In three words, describe the minute before you walk on stage.
Really shitting myself.

3. How do you wind down after a gig?
I always find it really difficult, it feels like your brain is pulsing for a few hours after it. I find reading helps bring me back to earth a bit, in complete silence.

4. What’s the one song (by another artist) you wish you’d written or recorded first?
Carole King - ‘It's Too Late’. I love everything about that song.  it perfectly describes a few situations I've been in myself; that slow burn of fading love and knowing it's over. Devastating.

5. What is your pet peeve?
Loud eaters.

6. Name one record, one book and one film that everyone should hear / read / see.
Carole King - ‘Tapestry’, Douglas Stuart - ‘Shuggie Bain’, and ‘Aftersun’.

7. Pick the director and lead actor(s) for a biopic about your life.
Young Robert Carlyle, Greg Arraki.

8. You’re ordering take-away, what do you get?
Probably Chinese, from a place in Glasgow. There's such a specific type of Chinese takeaway in Glasgow, it's hard to find anywhere else.

9. Describe your perfect day off.
Doing nothing, maybe having a few pints with people I love, nothing major.

10. Tell us, in one sentence, why we should come to your next gig (whenever it may be.)
They are so fucking hectic, it surprises me - because a lot of the music is quite gentle. It’s such a fucking laugh.

BONUS QUESTION: Recommend a podcast and tell us why we should subscribe to it.  
I love Song Exploder. If you love music and enjoy hearing about how songs are constructed and the stories behind them, it's such an incredible insight with so many amazing artists.

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'Permanent Damage' is out now. Joesef plays Dublin's Opium on March 11th.