Jocasta Bio
The name Jocasta is a greek methodical word meaning bright star and shining moon. Jo McNab (known on the stage as Jocasta) wanted to incorporate her own name into something that shone awareness onto her personality - That is positive cheerful, optimistic and constructive.
To categorise Jocasta’s specific genre of writing would be like jumping melodic stepping stones from soul to jazz, to reggae, to ska, to easy listening, to blues, to dance, and landing in the deep end of a humungous bubbling pool of versatile talent.
Jocasta, (Born and raised in Bristol) began writing poems, and couldn’t resist following her parents footsteps into music. Her Father, Kit Morgan is a well known guitarist who’s played for the likes of LuLu, Vanessa Mae, Ian Anderson and lots more. His adaptability and also writing skills are like no other.
Most reflected in her signing and incredible knack with harmonies is Jo’s mother, Kate McNab. Jo grew up listening to her mother sing in the 3 part harmony group, ‘Sweet substitute’ as well as gigging regularly with Jo’s dad, Kit.
Jo had no choice, there was no way she couldn’t become a unique singer and songwriter.
Jocasta recorded her first song, “Supreme” at the age of 13. She became exposed to the music that was popular for girls at the time - Alicea keys, Destiny’s Child, TLC, Christina Aguilera, and began to experiment with the “fit how many notes as I can in one bar” technique. This soon wore off, and a slightly more grounded huskier and sexier Jocasta came out to play.
"I realise how I’m constantly picking things up from everywhere and my style is continuously evolving!…”
With the recent emergence of young soulful female singers, Jo likes to remember where it all stemmed from.
“Aretha Franklin, (she’s a Goddess!), Ella Fitz Gerald, Etta James, whether all these girls know it or not, we have without a doubt all branched from the greats of that era…in some way.”
Her songs. Lets start with the tranquil ‘Escape’ an ery yet twinkly piano part with caramel vocals. If her vocals on this track was an instrument it would be a cello. This song is about sinking into another world and being able to forget everything. It’s about a kind of day dream which she can go back to and imagine everything is complete and seamless on a bad day. Which I’m sure we all want!
Girls Are Evil. The title sounds a lot harsher than the song is intended to be.
“It’s true that some girls seem to want to get you down, it’s normally the ones that feel rubbish about themselves but occasionally someone has to retaliate. It’s supposed to be a bit slap stick. Luckily the person I wrote this about has no idea it’s about them!… which also makes me a little bit of a bitch… and a hypocrite. But aren’t we all! Which proves my loosened theory that girls are evil…”
Jocasta became fascinated with fun, animated ska when listening to people like the Madness. The Song Girls are evil has a full and hearty ska song with a lot of attitude, which Jocasta claims to have none off… away from the microphone!
As well as writing an enormous array of songs for both herself and dance/drum & Bass producers, she also scrubs up rather nicely and enjoys a crowd just as much as a padded studio!
Following these two, there is “Look at me”, “Walk away” and lots more. Jocasta remains obstinate than an artist should be able to produce songs of all types of genre if they enjoy it and have a feel for it.
Jocasta has been gigging since she was 15 and recently opened the WKD stage at Ashton Court Festival with a full live band, she’s played all around Bristol in places like the Croft and the Fleece with both live band and also improvised on stage with a DJ over Drum & Bass and Trip hop. (Whilst supporting local reggae band, Laid Black)
Jocasta’s acoustic gigs have also proved very successful. The covers that she does are transformed into either funkier or mellowed out versions depending on the song. “People like to hear things they reckignise and its nice to play around with these songs and have fun with them.”After a bit of travelling - From seasons in the alps, to backpacking through India, Jo returns with a refreshed outlook on her music.
“Superstardom isn’t my goal. Not that it doesn’t sound appealing. It does, but I’m happy to just want to do what I love .To be inspired, to write, to perform, to enjoy, and to be enjoyed.”
Biography written by Christopher Graham
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