Júníus Meyvant | Josh Island
Deluxe Sessions
This deluxe session promises singer-songwriter pop at its best: on stage are Icelandic Júníus Meyvant and Josh Island, a Dutchman living in Luxembourg. These two extraordinary artists tell stories with their songs and transport their audience into their musical world.
Westman Islands raised and born musician Unnar Gísli Sigurmundsson has been releasing music under the Júníus Meyvant moniker for few years. In his early twenties Unnar stumbled upon a beat-up guitar at his parents’ house and started noodling around. By playing the guitar he managed to tame his inner beast and his sense for songs and melodies burst like rockets. The uncontrollable urge for writing music and constant flow of ideas kept him tossing and turning every night and day forever and a day.
Júníus Meyvant’s afflicted, concise, melodic and rich take on freaky folk pop has a highly familiar and soulful feel to it and a hint of attitude. Júníus’ wide sound pallet is all embracing and made up with his sultry voice, sizzling guitars, pummeling rhythms topped with washes of horns, synths and mellotron. Drawing comparisons to Sam Cooke, Charles Bradley, The Rolling Stones and Devendra Banhart the thirty something musician has a few singles, one EP and one LP under his sleeve.
After successful tours in Europe and the US (including performances at Roskilde Festival in Denmark and Bumbershoot in Seattle) Júníus released his debut full length, Floating Harmonies, in 2016. In the year 2018 Júníus finished the making of his sophomore album, “Across the Borders”, with musician and engineer Guðmundur Kristinn Jónsson (Erlend Oye, Ásgeir, Hjálmar) in Hljóðriti Studio. The eleventrack album was released in early 2019.
Josh Island is a true European. Born in the British roundabout town of Milton Keynes to a Dutch family, he moved to Germany and the Netherlands before eventually settling in Luxembourg. This natural curiosity for cultures and people reflects in his music, with the ability to go beyond geographical boundaries.
As a vocal powerhouse, soulful songwriter and engaging live performer, Josh Island has been steadily growing a loyal fan base across Europe. He draws inspirations from the likes of Sting, Jamie Cullum or John Mayer, a dynamic blend of catchy singer-songwriter pop with strong influences of soul and folk. At its core lies Josh's unique ability to connect with the crowd - his interactive shows break down invisible barriers between audience and artist.
Since starting out playing local bars in Luxembourg at the age of 15, he has gone on to open for James Morrison, Passenger and Clueso, toured the Benelux and Germany, released two EPs and his debut album In My Head. He has worked with Guy Chambers (Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue), sold out club shows in Luxembourg, played Fengaros Festival on Cyprus, and showcased at Liverpool Sound City, Sonic Visions and had three slots at Reeperbahn. In 2023 he was awarded the Kultur:LX Global Project Grant (export prize).
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His full length debut In My Head was released on 15 September 2023, recorded by Portuguese producer Nelson Canoa (Sara Tavares, Carminho, Mariza) at his studio in Torres Vedras, the winegrowing region north of Lisbon. Members of The Black Mamba (Eurovision 2021) were his studio band.
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The album’s singles, 'Make It', 'Pennies From Heaven', 'Rewind', 'Patio Blues' and ‘How Does It Feel’ received international radio attention and showcase Josh's love for catchy earworm melodies, funky pop grooves and intimate ballads that pull on your heartstrings.
Following a 20-date European tour in the fall of 2023, he celebrated his album release party with a full concert video filmed at Opderschmelz, Dudelange.
