[Cover photo credit to Rhianna Hajduch]

Chicago-based Indie songwriter Josephine Luhman performs music as Josephine and recently released her debut EP Leaning featuring the singles “How I Love You,” and “Normal”.

Leaning “follows an emotional and personal arc” after Luhman experienced a harsh breakup, and she hopes listeners will “find the universal” in her songwriting.

She says of the EP and of her songwriting process:

I began writing these songs with my acoustic, as I do with mostly all my songs. I then turn to Logic and create the demo with electric guitar, drum loops, bass on guitar, synths, etc. Finally, I bring my songs to my talented bandmates to practice live and they add their smart interpretations to each part. When the songs feel more stitched together, I get in the studio with Alex Burns. Lastly are vocals that I recorded on a Sennheiser MD-441(the kind of mic Stevie Nicks used) at home. Recording vocals at home is special because I like to do a bunch of takes and experiment. I don’t feel like I’m taking up anyone’s time or getting it ‘right’ for anyone but me.

Since going solo, Josephine enlisted an all-star team with her engineer and live band. She’s been working with producer Alex Burns at Palisade Studios (Angel Olsen, Big Thief, Whitney).

Her band consists of Emma McCall (Tasha, Ulna, The Edwards) on guitar, Stuart MacFadyen (Strange Foliage, The Edwards) on bass, Kyle Mursiak (The Edwards) on keys/guitar, and then drums by either Sarah Weddle (Bnny, Waltzer), Chris Deporter (The Edwards), or Ricardo Herrera. The EP also includes additional guitar work by Kristyn Chapman (Waltzer, Liska).