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Who’s in fashion this month
Written and compiled by Gemma Exley
JosE VandErs
she has been described as ‘one of the I don’t dislike Kate nash, but I don’t folk stuff. obviously I’m a fan of Joni
most exciting things to happen to follow her. There’s this whole big thing Mitchell and the classics like James
British music since amy Winehouse’ about girls and keyboards, which have Taylor – I was brought up on them by
and her debut EP Transactional suddenly come back in fashion, and my dad.
Language sold out in days, but 17-year- because Kate and I both play and are Any crazy moments so far?
old Jose Vanders currently has more from London, people say: ‘oh, Jose is I went to the Underage Festival in
pressing issues – the small matter of her another Kate nash.’ I don’t mind, I’m the summer and people actually
history coursework. actually flattered but I don’t think I recognised me – they were asking me
sound a whole lot like her – I’ll often to sign their arms. It was so surreal.
How hard is it combining a budding just use a piano whereas she has a band. of course, people usually get my
music career with schoolwork? Where do you get inspiration for name wrong and call me ‘hosay’ [the
I’ve still got a few months left and your lyrics? proper pronunciation of Jose rhymes
it is difficult because all I want to There are so many people who are all: with ‘dose’], but it’s still nice to be
be doing is playing gigs and making ‘I’m depressed, look at my metaphors,’ recognised. I have to think about what
music. Instead I’ve got a load of but my songs are just about friends. I look like a bit more now, though!
history coursework on my back! It’s I’ll ask them to give me a story and Do you find all the attention
a bit depressing. I’m juggling the two I’ll base a song on that, or I’ll write nervewracking?
at the moment. something about a day we’ve had out. no, I don’t get at all nervous – I love it
Tell us how it all started? Musically, who are your inspirations? and always have! I’ve been playing the
It really took off last summer when I Polly Paulusma, who’s a singer piano ever since I can remember so it
had some time on my hands. I made songwriter – her stuff is amazing. I also seems like second nature to perform.
the
my record and self-released that – really like Fionn regan. I love acoustic and it’s not always just me – my
which was a sell out – and I also played friends Gareth, a guitarist, and Clare, a
loads of shows. cellist, sometimes join me.
Perez Hilton helped you on the way a What’s next?
bit, didn’t he? I’m just really excited about finishing
singer
That was absolutely amazing. a friend school and then getting on with more
phoned me up and said: ‘Jose, you’re gigging and recording.
on Perez Hilton.’ I thought she was www.josevanders.com
kidding. Then I got home and my
Myspace page had suddenly had
60,000 plays. apparently a girl had
emailed Perez my UrL and told him to
check out my music, so he did, liked it
and blogged about it.
An internet sensation… dare we make
a Kate Nash comparison?