Issue date: 3/26/09 Section: Film & Music

Media Credit: Francesca / Flickr A cheery demeanor with a powerful voice

Something deep inside hurts a bit when Jose Vanders sings. But, you know, in a good way. A couple weeks ago, I saw her open for rising indie-pop artist Sam Isaac, for whom she currently plays piano, at London's Old Blue Last. This eighteen-year-old singer-songwriter already has a relatively large following. Perhaps most notably, she received a 'bump' last year from online phenomenon Perez Hilton and watched her Myspace plays jump numbers in the tens of thousands.

Having studied both keyboard and violin since the young age of four, Jose sends rolling waves of sound from her stage piano with skilled hands. But apart from having the technique down, there is a wonderful and haunting quality of soul evident in her song writing. I don't think I ever imagined that the words "we could do coffee" could sound so powerful. Lungs swell to support the big voice with a hint of emotion-induced vibrato that issues from her small frame. She has the striking ability to convince the listener entirely.

Having taken a gap year between finishing high school and entering university, Jose set out to do some touring. "I went on a headline tour last summer with three of my best friends," she says.

"We just piled into my Ford Fiesta with all our instruments and played some fantastic places across the UK. We pretty much spent the month playing a lot of chess, visiting cathedrals, eating, drinking, being merry and getting beaten up by chavs in Nottingham."

Jose is excited to be on tour with Sam Isaac. By the end of this week they will have traveled to Austin, Texas to participate in South By Southwest and then on to New York for a few shows. "Everyone thinks that I have mild narcolepsy," she comments, in reference to the other members of Sam Isaac's band. "I fall into a deep sleep about five times a day in the most random places. Band practice, in a bar, in the van, all the time, they all keep taking the piss!"

So far Jose has released two EPs, the first entitled Transactional Language, and the second, Red Black Blue and the Tortoise. She will be releasing a third later this year. I ask her if there are any plans for an album. "No plans for an album as yet," she replies. "I want to save that for when I have found my 'sound' or at least songs that I am really proud of." I am mildly surprised to think that she hasn't found her sound, but she goes on to explain: "So far, each EP has just documented a year in my life, both are vastly different, and the [next one] is going to be even more different!" Fair enough.

This coming September, Jose will head off to University to study English. She plans to make the most of her free time by continuing to write music. "I am almost certain that being exposed to some of the most inspirational and mind-blowingly brilliant pieces of writing will have some sort of effect on my lyrics. Hopefully a positive effect!"

As far as the future beyond university is concerned, Jose has big dreams. "I can see myself winding up as one of those people that hit their fifties and then churn out like ten massive pop tunes a day," she says. "That would be epic." All the best to her.

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