A Wigan artist hopes a music competition will provide a kickstart to his career
A Wigan artist is hoping to win a prize package worth more than £5,000 in a music competition.
A Wigan-based artist, songwriter and producer is in the running in a competition which could provide a real boost to his career.
Jo Jaleel is a quarter-finalist in the HOT VOX Future Icon contest, which aims to discover and support the next breakout solo or duo artist.
He will perform at Gullivers in Manchester on Thursday, August 6, representing Wigan in the live quarter-final.
Future Icon is designed to support emerging artists with more than just a live performance opportunity.
It looks for artists with the vision, sound and drive to develop into something lasting, with the winner receiving a prize package worth more than £5,000, including £1,000 cash, professional PR and artist development support, studio recording time, a Spotify growth campaign, a live showcase opportunity and one year of premium music distribution.
Every artist who reaches the live heats receives a personalised digital and social audit.
Jo said: “Being chosen as a quarter-finalist means a lot. I’ve spent a long time building this project piece by piece - the songs, the visuals, the live set and the world around it - so to have that recognised in a competition focused on artist development feels like a real step forward.”
In June, he released Saturn, an uplifting alternative pop, R&B and funk track about holding onto belief when life feels uncertain.
The song was recorded in a makeshift studio at Trencherfield Mill, with much of the production shaped in ordinary surroundings before growing into something expansive.
That was followed in July by Alignment, a sun-drenched funk-pop, alt-R&B and hip- hop single about chasing freedom and realising that a change of scenery does not always change what you carry with you.
Jo’s recent live shows include supporting SPACE at Pier 4 in Wigan, plus performances at Hidden Talents Fest, Essence at Red Arch in Manchester and Cymatics FM at The Camden in London.
Jo said: “A lot of what I make comes from that tension between real life and the part of you that still wants something more. Wigan is a big part of that for me - ordinary places, working environments, rehearsal rooms, makeshift studios. I like the idea of building something imaginative from those surroundings rather than pretending they don’t exist.”