Josephine Ejiroghene Oniyama (born 1983 in Manchester) is an English singer-songwriter. She has released three albums and a number of singles.
Early life Living in the Manchester suburb of Hulme, Oniyama grew up in a colourful West African culture combined with the large musical heritage of Manchester, which shaped her style. She was playing gigs by the age of 15. During her college years she was further influenced by Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, and Bob Marley. She has Jamaican and Nigerian roots that are reflected in her songs, which cover genres from gospel and country to soul music.
Career In 2002 Oniyama released her debut album A Smaller Version Of The Real Thing via Storm music Ltd.Steve Long/Dewsbury. a champion of Oniyama's music sent out copies to Radio stations throughout the UK on the premise she was the 21st century Odetta, 10 years later in 2012 Oniyama released her second album Portrait which was produced by Leo Abrahams. The album also features co-writes with Jimmy Hogarth and Ed Harcourt. The album was preceded by singles "What a Day" and "Original Love" (A-listed on BBC Radio 2). The album received positive reviews from The Guardian, The Times, The Mirror, Q and Mojo. The single "Portrait" was played on Radio 2 and was released at about the same time as the album.
Oniyama appeared on 'Later with Jools Holland' and the Andrew Marr Show and more recently performed live from Glastonbury on BBC2.
In 2012 Oniyama backed up Paolo Nutini, Michael Kiwanuka, Rodrigo y Gabriella and The Noisettes in live concerts. She toured with Paloma Faith across her UK tour in early 2013 as well as undertaking her own headline tour in April 2013. Her festival appearances in 2013 include Glastonbury, T in the Park, Latitude and Electric Picnic.
The album Portrait was released in Germany, Austria and Switzerland on 5 July 2013.
In 2015 she contributed by singing on four songs on the jazz album Into Forever by Matthew Halsall & The Gondwana Orchestra.
In 2016, Oniyama appeared on Scottish band Travis' eighth album, Everything at Once. She is featured on the track "Idlewild".
In November 2022, she released her third album, Kindred.
Releases Albums Title Album details A Smaller Version of the Real ThingReleased: 2002 Label: Storm Records Formats: CD (0 684340 000878) PortraitReleased: 5 October 2012 (U.K. release) / 18 October 2013 (Expanded European edition) Label: Ark Recordings Formats: LP (ARK030LP), CD (ARK030CD), Digital download Charted at number 26 on the U.K. Independent Albums chart. Charted at number 97 on the U.K. Album Downloads chart. KindredReleased: 4 November 2022 / 29 September 2023 (Deluxe edition) Label: Sound of Solar Records Formats: CD, Digital download
Extended plays Title Details In The LabyrinthReleased: 17 November 2008 Label: Island Records Formats: CD (CLOSERCD2) I Think It Was LoveReleased: 11 July 2010 Label: Ark Recordings Formats: Promo CDr, Digital download A Freak AReleased: 5 December 2010 Label: Ark Recordings Formats: Promo CDr, Digital download HumanReleased: 22 July 2022 Label: Sound of Solar Formats: Digital download
Singles Title Details Album "Bus of Life"Released: 2001 Label: Ugly Man Records Formats: CD (UGLY30) A Smaller Version of the Real Thing "Closer"Released: 2008 Label: Island Records Formats: Promo CDr (CLOSERCD1) In the Labyrinth (EP) "What A Day"Released: 20 August 2012 Label: Ark Recordings Formats: 7-inch (ARK031), Promo CDr (ARK031P), Digital download Charted at number 76 on the U.K. Physical singles chart. Portrait "Original Love"Released: 22 October 2012 Label: Ark Recordings Formats: Promo CDr (ARK034P), Digital download "Portrait"Released: 25 February 2013 Label: Ark Recordings Formats: Promo CDr (ARK035P), Digital download "Last Minute"Released: 27 May 2013 Label: Ark Recordings Formats: Promo CDr (ARK038P), Digital download "Desert Without a Stream"Released: 8 November 2013 Label: Embassy Of Music GmbH Formats: Digital download Portrait (Expanded edition)Kindred (Deluxe edition) "Idlewild"(Travis featuring Josephine Oniyama)Released: 23 September 2016 Label: Red Telephone Box Formats: Promo CD (PHONE20PROMO), Digital download Everything at Once "'Til You"Released: 25 August 2017 Label: Sound of Solar Records Formats: Digital download Kindred "Badder Weather"(Matthew Halsall & The Gondwana Orchestra feat. Josephine Oniyama)Released: 26 June 2020 Label: Gondwana Records Formats: 7-inch (GOND07003) "Tears Will Never Be Mine"Released: 3 June 2022 Label: Sound of Solar Records Formats: Digital download Human (EP) and Kindred "Burn"Released: 9 September 2022 Label: Sound of Solar Records Formats: Digital download Kindred "Act Like You're in Love"Released: 28 October 2022 Label: Sound of Solar Records Formats: Digital download
References
External links Josephine Oniyama on Woman's Hour, 26 September 2002. "World On Your Street", BBC Radio 3.