finetune artist: Joseph Arthur

b. 28 September 1971, Akron, Ohio, USA. This highly literate singer-songwriter, who also works as an artist and a poet, was the first non-world music artist to be signed to Peter Gabriel's Real World Records. After graduating from Firestone high school in 1990 Arthur worked on his songs for several years before his music came to the attention of Gabriel. His debut album, 1997's Big City Secrets, found particular favour in France. Produced by Markus Dravs and featuring musicians of the calibre of Ashley Slater (trombone), Simon Edwards (bass/guitar), Martyn Barker (drums/percussion), and Nigel Eaton (hurdy gurdy), the album drew on an eclectic range of musical styles and instruments to augment Arthur's raspy vocals and guitar. His mentor Gabriel contributed backing vocals with Brian Eno to the downbeat "Mercedes", a stand-out track alongside the slyly humorous "Daddy's On Prozac".

Listen to Joseph Arthur at Finetune.

Honey And The Moon
In The Sun
A Smile That Explodes
You're So True
Can't Exist