The music of Josie Arthur’s indie-folk project, JOBIE, exists in a transitory space; one rife with constant questioning and heart-wrenching truths. This independent singer-songwriter’s discography turns a mirror inward, with JOBIE acting as a reflection of all of Arthur’s experiences; a musical vessel for processing an ongoing life.

Since releasing her debut single, “Half Way,” in April of 2021, JOBIE has spent much of her time as a rising artist alternating between her hometown of Richmond Virginia, and Boston, where she graduated from Emerson College in 2023. While studying at Emerson, JOBIE pursued many creative endeavors, producing a handful of  music videos with her friends and earning an Evvy award for her track, “All for One.” JOBIE has also received recognition outside of Emerson, being featured in a profile for the Boston Globe, as well as opening for artists such as Ezra Furman and Sidney Gish.

JOBIE is an unflinchingly honest representation of all of Arthur’s experiences on this earth; she wears her heart on her sleeve, as every song in her discography could easily be mistaken as a private diary entry written in confidence between the pages of her worn Moleskine notebook.  

Sonically sorting through her psyche, JOBIE masterfully elucidates upon these confounding concepts and emotions, demystifying the human experience for all that come across her music. 

Though, songwriting is more than just an auditory sensation for the singer-songwriter — because of her synesthesia, the act of creating music is quite literally like painting a blank canvas. A brilliant array of colors accompany every note she writes, happily lending their hues to her artistry. 

With JOBIE’s debut record, Grendel (independently released Jan. 6), the musician reintroduces herself to the world, chipping away at the façade that she once tried so hard to maintain. Produced by Russell Lacy, Grendel is a cathartic excavation of thoughts that have been swirling around JOBIE’s mind since early adolescence. Looking at her inner child through a refracted mirror, she pieces the jagged shards together to create a new reflection. Rife with glowy slide guitar licks, rosy vocals, and snappy musical hooks, she provides the perfect soundtrack for meditative inner-reckoning. With the release of Grendel, JOBIE finally stops asking herself, “Who should I be?” instead opting to ponder, “Who do I want to be?” — accepting that the so-called ‘monster’ within was always worthy of love after all. 

No longer the odd one out, JOBIE’s artistry exists to shed light on the human experiences that we all believe we are experiencing alone. Hoping to bend the rules of what art is, and can be, it goes without saying that JOBIE will continue to be a guiding light in the darkness of life; illuminating the way with her stark authenticity and refreshing humility. 

Written by Sophie Severs

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