Inspired by classic artists like Donny Hathaway and Etta James, along with contemporaries like Jacob Banks, Kwabs and The Black Keys, the 4-track EP was written and recorded in LA, produced by Grammy award winner, mixer, engineer and producer Igloo (Ludacris), and co-written with ‘Jar of Hearts’ writer Drew Lawrence.
Armed with killer hooks, immense vocals, and mature, solid song-writing, ‘Phoenix’ is a compelling slice of modern soul, infused with elements of rock and blues. “My roots are soul based, through and through but I love to experiment with that,” says 22 year old Jody. “I think soul music works with so many other genres. It’s exciting to play around with it.”
The EP opens with the addictive lead single, ‘User,’ a heartfelt and frank look into a volatile and unhealthy relationship, complete with an impressive new video, which like the song itself is dark and brooding – using simple chiaroscuro lighting to great effect. Elsewhere there’s the bluesy riffs of the electrifying former single ‘Stormy Weather’, and the timeless ‘Another Dance’ – about Jody’s relationship with his father, and co-written with Heidi Rojas (Cheryl Cole, Little Mix) and Stefan Litrownik. And finally the rocking title track ‘Phoenix,’ the EP’s most upbeat moment.
Born and raised in South West London, Jody was singing from an early age. With his musician father’s music collection to hand, he was mesmerised by the likes of David Bowie, Donny Hathaway, Etta James, James Brown and Nina Simone. “Because my dad was so involved in music it made me want to explore it even more, which is when I found my love for soul music” says Jody. “I built my foundations from the classics, but I was still just a kid so I was also influenced by albums like ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’ and ‘Stripped’ by Christina Aguilera. Most of all I just related to anything that had some form of soul and honesty to it.”
With hugely supportive parents, Jody enrolled in the BRIT School where he spent four years learning about music and the industry, alongside the likes of Ella Eyre and Rizzle Kicks. After leaving in 2011, Jody embarked on a music degree, but soon realised it wasn’t for him, knowing his real passion lay in writing and recording. Shortly after leaving he met his manager, who helped hone his sound, encouraging him to write and play live as much as he could. Fast forward to 2015, and Jody has already worked with a long list of established writers and producers in LA and London, including Dre Harris (Dre & VIdal), Drew Lawrence (Christina Perri – Jar of Hearts), Rob Kleiner (Cee-Lo Green), Andy Rose (Allen Stone, Alex Boyd), John Beck (Corinne Bailey Rae) and Utters (Maverick Sabre).
With all eyes now on his debut EP, Jody hopes to follow in the footsteps of so many other BRIT school graduates and is already planning his debut album, but for now he’s keeping grounded. “I’m not in any rush. I just want to soak it all in and hopefully have a great year just doing what I love to do. Work with some more great people and just have fun with it really.”
His debut EP ‘Phoenix’ is out March 23.
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