‘Down Here’ by Josie – Premiere

Rising star Josie got her education in country music crossing the Territory in her dad’s Western Star road train, immersed in the sounds of Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks and The Chicks. 

She’s now set to release her debut single – Down Here – tomorrow, and we have your first listen and look at the accompanying music video, which is sure to be your new favourite track of the season.

Composed by Brooke Roberts, Michael Paynter, Michael Delorenzis and Ben Penna, and produced by Msquared, Josie’s ties to rural life run deep through Down Here. With catchy hooks and lyrics, it’s not just an ode to the way she was raised, but also a clever quip about the authenticity of contemporary country tunes.

“In creating my debut single, Down Here, I took to streaming services to have a geez at what the top country artists are singing about,” reveals the QLD native. “I noticed a trend amongst them. They all seemed to have an insatiable thirst for singing about American places and themes."

"I wanted to show the world that I'm more than just a mimic. I'm a genuine storyteller who can achieve that coveted mainstream sound without having to pretend I've got a deep-rooted connection to every nook and cranny of the good ol' U.S. of A.”

For the accompanying music video, which premieres today exclusively on Countrytown, she spared no expense. It was filmed, directed and edited by Jack Ryder and Dale Arthur from DigiRyder and filmed at the North Queensland Elite Rodeo Grounds in Townsville.

Across six different scenes shot over two days, Josie goes from strumming an acoustic guitar on a flatbed to downing an ice-cold beer in a bar with friends.  

“Filming the music video was a much bigger process than I think I had imagined,” she says. “The barn, the cruiser, the bar scene – all filmed at the North Queensland Elite Rodeo grounds. Which, fun fact, was where I had my first date with my now partner of five years, so it really was an incredible experience to record the video in a place that felt so special.” 

Watch the video below or via the link here.

Discovering her passion for songwriting at the tender age of seven, Josie’s debut release has been a long time coming. She’s attended the junior academy of country music in the nation’s country music capital, Tamworth; was a finalist in the 2019 Gympie Music Muster talent search; and reached the Top 10 of the 2022 Groundwater KIX Start competition. 

As a vocalist she’s a force to be reckoned with. She’s opened for Troy Cassar-Daley and The McClymonts and joined Travis Collins on his Weekend Throwdown tour in 2022. In just a month’s time she’ll warm up the stage for Collins and Brad Cox at Gone Country in Townsville. 

Keep up to date with Josie via her Facebook page here.