Jo Harman on Soul, Emotion and Why She Won’t Let Praise Define Her

Some singers perform songs. Others seem to live inside them. 

In the latest episode of The MarshyCast, I sat down with English blues and soul artist Jo Harman ahead of her show at Portsmouth Guildhall to talk about music, emotion and staying grounded in an industry full of noise. 

Jo’s story is shaped by experience. Born in Luton and raised in the Devon village of Lustleigh, her path eventually took her to London to study Theatre Arts before travelling through India following the death of her father. It’s a journey that clearly left its mark on both her music and perspective. 

We also discussed her latest single, Don’t Give Up On Me, a song packed with the kind of emotional honesty that has become a hallmark of her work. 

One of the most fascinating moments in our conversation came when I mentioned the extraordinary praise she’s received over the years, including being described by some as the greatest vocalist on the planet. Jo’s reaction was refreshingly grounded. Rather than letting compliments define her, she focuses on the work itself and the connection with audiences. 

That emotional connection, though, comes with its own challenge. Night after night, performing deeply personal music could easily become overwhelming. Jo shared some of the techniques she uses to stay composed on stage and avoid becoming too emotional during performances. 

It’s a thoughtful, warm and deeply human conversation with an artist whose voice carries far more than just melody. 

🎧 You can hear the full conversation now on The MarshyCast, available on Apple, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts. 

Find me on all social media @paulswampymarsh