Mikolas Josef

Josef was born on 4 October 1995 in Prague into a musical family.{{cite web| publisher = ČTK| title = Mikolas Josef je novou tváří návrháře Lukáše Macháčka| date = 14 February 2016| language = cs| url = http://www.protext.cz/zprava.php?id=26474| access-date = 24 December 2017| archive-date = 1 December 2017| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171201033000/http://www.protext.cz/zprava.php?id=26474| url-status = live}} He is of Czech, Moravian, Austrian, German and Italian descent. He has a brother named Karel and an older half-sister called Martina. He has been playing guitar since he was five years old.{{cite web| last = Coufalová| first = Veronika Angelina| title = ROZHOVOR: Zpěvák Mikolas Josef, sám sobě producentem| publisher = Krásná.cz| date = 10 July 2016| url = http://krasna.nova.cz/clanek/angel-ina/zpevak-mikolas-josef-sam-sobe-producentem-rozhovor.html| language = cs| access-date = 24 December 2017| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171201032623/http://krasna.nova.cz/clanek/angel-ina/zpevak-mikolas-josef-sam-sobe-producentem-rozhovor.html| archive-date = 1 December 2017| url-status = dead}} He grew up in Znojmo and in a small village in south Bohemia.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/pg/MikolasJosef/about/?ref=page_internal|title=Bio|publisher=Mikolas Josef|access-date=24 December 2017|archive-date=4 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704004534/https://www.facebook.com/MikolasJosef/about/|url-status=live}}{{Primary source inline|date=February 2020}}

Between 2006 and 2008 he studied at an art school, majoring in playing the guitar, which he was not able to finish. He continued his studies at a grammar school where he received an E in a music class.{{Cite web|title=Jít svou cestou bylo nejlepší rozhodnutí, říká Mikolas Josef|website=Forbes|date=10 April 2019 |access-date= 27 July 2020|url=https://www.forbes.cz/jit-svou-cestou-bylo-nejlepsi-rozhodnuti-rika-muzikant-mikolas-josef/}}{{Cite web|title=Mikolas Josef: Rodiče se mnou měli svatou trpělivost|website=Youtube.com|date=14 January 2019 |publisher=Radiožurnál|access-date= 27 July 2020|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uz7pdew2V0Y&feature=youtu.be}}

In 2015 he graduated from the English College in Prague.{{Cite web|title=Watch 2015 ECP graduate, Mikulas Josef, give his first interview, on Óčko today at 15.35!|website=Facebook|access-date=2015-10-13|url=https://www.facebook.com/englishcollege/posts/10156343014000157|archive-date=13 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113165235/https://www.facebook.com/englishcollege/posts/10156343014000157|url-status=live}} At the age of 17, he was awarded a gold medal for solo acting by the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts.{{Cite web|title=Soutěžící > Mikolas Josef|publisher=Česká televize|url=https://www.ceskatelevize.cz/porady/10000000302-eurovision-song-contest-2018/11024-soutezici/53692-mikolas-josef/|access-date=27 July 2020|archive-date=27 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727100105/https://www.ceskatelevize.cz/porady/10000000302-eurovision-song-contest-2018/11024-soutezici/53692-mikolas-josef/|url-status=live}} While studying, he was involved in many fashion shows and photoshoots for major brands, including Diesel, Replay or Prada.{{Cite web|title=Mikolas Josef interview: Do školy už nikdy v životě nevlezu, leda ji podpálit|url=https://www.ireport.cz/clanky/rozhovory/mikolas-josef-interview-do-skoly-uz-nikdy-v-zivote-nevlezu-leda-ji-podpalit|access-date=2020-07-28|website=iREPORT|language=cs}} However, he later left modeling as he did not agree with its industry practices.{{Cite web|date=17 September 2015|title=Mikolas Josef: český model, který zběhl k muzice|url=https://www.idnes.cz/revue/modelky/mikolas-josef-skoncil-s-modelingem.A150916_130650_missamodelky_nh|access-date=2020-07-28|website=iDNES.cz|archive-date=28 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728084606/https://www.idnes.cz/revue/modelky/mikolas-josef-skoncil-s-modelingem.A150916_130650_missamodelky_nh|url-status=live}}

After his modelling experience he made a living by busking in large European cities, such as Prague, Oslo, Zurich, Hamburg, and Vienna.{{Cite web|title=Mikolas Josef je novou tváří návrháře Lukáše Macháčka|url=http://www.protext.cz/zprava.php?id=26474|access-date=2020-07-28|website=Protext|archive-date=1 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201033000/http://www.protext.cz/zprava.php?id=26474|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=Mikolas Josef vydává osmý single "Colorado" |url=https://tv.nova.cz/novinky/clanek/66205-mikolas-josef-single-colorado-cover |access-date=2020-07-28 |website=tv.nova.cz |date=25 November 2019 |language=cs}} During this period, he was also cleaning a recording studio during the week – so that he could produce his own music there once a month whenever it was empty.{{Cite web|title=Mikolas Josef mezi 18 inspirativními roku 2018|url=https://18inspirativnich.forbes.cz/www/10-mikolas-josef|access-date=2020-07-28|website=18 inspirativních – Forbes speciál|language=cs|archive-date=28 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728091316/https://18inspirativnich.forbes.cz/www/10-mikolas-josef|url-status=live}}

Josef decided to pursue music professionally. He independently released his debut single "Hands Bloody" in 2015.{{cite web| last = Herrmannová| first = Nela| title = Připadal jsem si jako hadr, říká český model, který zběhl k muzice| work = Mladá fronta DNES| date = 17 September 2015| url = https://revue.idnes.cz/mikolas-josef-skoncil-s-modelingem-dtq-/missamodelky.aspx?c=A150916_130650_missamodelky_nh| language = cs| access-date = 24 December 2017| archive-date = 1 December 2017| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171201041453/https://revue.idnes.cz/mikolas-josef-skoncil-s-modelingem-dtq-/missamodelky.aspx?c=A150916_130650_missamodelky_nh| url-status = live}} The following year, he released the single "Free", which became a top 15 hit in the Czech Republic.{{Cite web| title = Mikolas Josef na Apríla odpremiéruje nový videoklip k písničce "Free"| publisher = Musicserver.cz| date = 31 March 2016| url = http://musicserver.cz/clanek/52360/mikolas-josef-na-aprila-odpremieruje-novy-videoklip-k-pisnicce-free/| language = cs| access-date = 24 December 2017| archive-date = 17 February 2018| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180217140510/http://musicserver.cz/clanek/52360/mikolas-josef-na-aprila-odpremieruje-novy-videoklip-k-pisnicce-free/| url-status = live}}{{Cite web| title = Talentu Mikolase Josefa nelze nevěřit. Potvrzuje to i v novince "Believe"| publisher = Musicserver.cz| date = 30 September 2016| url = http://musicserver.cz/clanek/54121/talentu-mikolase-josefa-nelze-neverit-potvrzuje-to-i-v-novince-believe/| language = cs| access-date = 24 December 2017| archive-date = 1 December 2017| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171201032852/http://musicserver.cz/clanek/54121/talentu-mikolase-josefa-nelze-neverit-potvrzuje-to-i-v-novince-believe/| url-status = live}} That same year, he also released the single "Believe (Hey Hey)".{{Cite web| last = Martínek| first = Josef| title = PREMIÉRA: Mikolas Josef singlem Believe potvrzuje mezinárodní ambice. Žánrové hranice nemá| publisher = iREPORT.cz| date = 29 September 2016| url = http://www.ireport.cz/premiera-mikolas-josef-singlem-believe-potvrzuje-mezinarodni-ambice-zanrove-hranice-nema| language = cs| access-date = 24 December 2017| archive-date = 1 December 2017| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171201044712/http://www.ireport.cz/premiera-mikolas-josef-singlem-believe-potvrzuje-mezinarodni-ambice-zanrove-hranice-nema| url-status = live}}{{Cite web| last = Balušek| first = Honza| title = Mikolas Josef do "Believe" obsadil Island a krásnou holku| publisher = Musicserver.cz| date = 5 December 2016| url = http://musicserver.cz/clanek/54198/mikolas-josef-believe-hey-hey/| language = cs| access-date = 24 December 2017| archive-date = 1 December 2017| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171201035635/http://musicserver.cz/clanek/54198/mikolas-josef-believe-hey-hey/| url-status = live}}{{Cite web| title = VIDEOPREMIÉRA: Mikolas Josef, kandidát na účast v Eurovizi, natočil klip Believe (Hey Hey) na Islandu| publisher = iREPORT.cz| date = 8 November 2016| url = http://www.ireport.cz/multimedia/video/videopremiera-mikolas-josef-kandidat-na-ucast-v-eurovizi-natocil-klip-believe-hey-hey-na-islandu| language = cs| access-date = 24 December 2017| archive-date = 1 December 2017| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171201044652/http://www.ireport.cz/multimedia/video/videopremiera-mikolas-josef-kandidat-na-ucast-v-eurovizi-natocil-klip-believe-hey-hey-na-islandu| url-status = live}} After this, he moved to Vienna following an invitation by Nikodem Milewski.

Josef was approached to represent the Czech Republic in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 with the song "My Turn", but rejected the offer as he did not believe the song suited him.{{cite web|url=http://wiwibloggs.com/2018/01/14/mikolas-josef-lie-to-me-is-about-not-getting-swallowed-by-negativity/208750/|title=Mikolas Josef: "Lie to Me" is about not getting swallowed by negativity during tough times|date=14 January 2018|last=Adams|first=William Lee|publisher=Wiwibloggs|access-date=14 January 2018|archive-date=30 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130013304/http://wiwibloggs.com/2018/01/14/mikolas-josef-lie-to-me-is-about-not-getting-swallowed-by-negativity/208750/|url-status=live}} In November 2017, Josef released the single "Lie to Me",{{Cite web|date=12 March 2018|title=Mikolas Josef v Kompotu: o Eurovizi, budoucnosti v Los Angeles a španělských fanoušcích|url=https://wave.rozhlas.cz/mikolas-josef-v-kompotu-o-eurovizi-budoucnosti-v-los-angeles-a-spanelskych-6937652|access-date=2020-07-28|website=Radio Wave|language=cs|archive-date=28 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728123712/https://wave.rozhlas.cz/mikolas-josef-v-kompotu-o-eurovizi-budoucnosti-v-los-angeles-a-spanelskych-6937652|url-status=live}} and later confirmed that the song would be competing in the Czech national final for the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 in Lisbon.{{cite web|url=http://wiwibloggs.com/2017/12/07/czech-republic-reveals-eurovision-2018-national-selection-will-include-six-acts/203604/|title=CZECH REPUBLIC: SIX ACTS TO CONTEST EUROVISION 2018 NATIONAL SELECTION|date=7 December 2017|website=wiwibloggs.com|access-date=24 December 2017|archive-date=7 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171207173726/http://wiwibloggs.com/2017/12/07/czech-republic-reveals-eurovision-2018-national-selection-will-include-six-acts/203604/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://wiwibloggs.com/2017/12/09/czech-republic-jakub-ondra-mikolas-josef-set-six-act-national-final/203742/|title=CZECH REPUBLIC: JAKUB ONDRA AND MIKOLAS JOSEF SET FOR SIX-ACT NATIONAL FINAL|date=9 December 2017|website=wiwibloggs.com|access-date=24 December 2017|archive-date=12 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212003701/http://wiwibloggs.com/2017/12/09/czech-republic-jakub-ondra-mikolas-josef-set-six-act-national-final/203742/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://wiwibloggs.com/2017/12/15/czech-republic-six-finalists-photos/204369/|title=CZECH REPUBLIC: CT REVEALS PHOTOS OF THE SIX FINALISTS… BUT ONLY SHOWS THEIR LEGS|date=15 December 2017|website=wiwibloggs.com|access-date=24 December 2017|archive-date=19 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180119223406/http://wiwibloggs.com/2017/12/15/czech-republic-six-finalists-photos/204369/|url-status=live}} "Lie to Me" later won the national selection, and represented the Czech Republic in the 2018 contest. It finished in sixth place with 66 points from the juries and 215 points from the audience, giving the Czech Republic its best result so far in the competition.{{cite web|url=http://wiwibloggs.com/2018/01/29/czech-republic-mikolas-josef-wins-eurovision-song-cz-lie/213518/|title=Czech Republic: Mikolas Josef wins Eurovision Song CZ with "Lie to Me"|date=29 January 2018|publisher=Wiwibloggs|last=Halpin|first=Chris|access-date=29 January 2018|archive-date=30 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130013839/http://wiwibloggs.com/2018/01/29/czech-republic-mikolas-josef-wins-eurovision-song-cz-lie/213518/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://esctoday.com/157992/czech-republic-mikolas-josef-lisbon-lie/|title=Czech Republic: Mikolas Josef to Lisbon with Lie To Me!|last=Weaver|first=Jessica|date=29 January 2018|publisher=ESCToday|access-date=29 January 2018|archive-date=31 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180131015718/http://esctoday.com/157992/czech-republic-mikolas-josef-lisbon-lie/|url-status=live}} In May 2020, "Lie to Me" reached 30 million streams on Spotify, becoming the most-streamed Czech song on the platform.{{Citation|title=Lie to Me|date=6 April 2018|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/5EeLrqlSbR0pa6J7hglLG5|language=en|access-date=2020-07-28}}

In April 2018, in Munich, Josef signed an international deal with Sony Music and RCA Records.{{cite web|url=https://eurovoix.com/2018/04/04/czech-republic-mikolas-josef-signs-worldwide-record-deal/|title=Czech Republic: Mikolas Josef Signs Worldwide Record Deal|date=4 April 2018|publisher=Eurovoix|last=Granger|first=Anthony|access-date=4 April 2018|archive-date=5 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405120649/https://eurovoix.com/2018/04/04/czech-republic-mikolas-josef-signs-worldwide-record-deal/|url-status=live}} In October 2018, he released the single "Me Gusta".{{Cite web|last=Witek|first=Jan|title=Nový song Mikolase Josefa je venku: "Je to zatím má nejlepší práce, tak doufám, že se bude líbit"|url=https://www.lui.cz/co-se-deje/14623-novy-song-mikolase-josefa-je-venku-je-to-zatim-ma-nejlepsi-prace-tak-doufam-ze-se-bude-libit|access-date=2020-07-28|website=lui.cz|language=cs|archive-date=28 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728083940/https://www.lui.cz/co-se-deje/14623-novy-song-mikolase-josefa-je-venku-je-to-zatim-ma-nejlepsi-prace-tak-doufam-ze-se-bude-libit|url-status=live}} He later appeared in the selection of "18 inspiring people of 2018" for Forbes. "Abu Dhabi", released in February 2019, was his final release for Sony Music. He was featured in an advertisement campaign for Tezenis underwear and Huawei in the same month.{{Cite web |date=25 February 2019 |title=Tezenis: Mikolas Josef ve spodním prádle (2019) |url=http://www.tvspoty.cz/tezenis-mikolas-josef-ve-spodnim-pradle/ |access-date=2020-07-28 |website=TVspoty.cz |language=cs-CZ}} In April 2019, Josef performed his first headlining show, My Name Is Mikolas, in a sold-out Forum Karlin in Prague, where alongside his released songs, he performed a range of unreleased singles accompanied by six African vocalists.{{Cite web |title=NAžIVO: Mikolas Josef ve Foru Karlín – ambiciózní koncertní debut s výpravou z říše snů |url=https://musicserver.cz/clanek/60836/mikolas-josef-forum-karlin-praha-3-4-2019/)./ |access-date=2020-07-28 |website=musicserver.cz}}

Josef and his family later established their own independent record label, Vivienne Records.{{Cite news |last=Lukeš |first=Filip |date=3 May 2020 |title=Zpěvák Mikolas Josef: Fanynky někdy reagují dost drsně, píší o sebevraždě |language=cs |work=Deník.cz |url=https://www.denik.cz/spolecnost/mikolas-josef-rozhovor2020.html |access-date=2020-07-28}} "Acapella", released in May 2019, was his first release under this label, which achieved success in Czech Republic (his first chart-topper in the country) and in Poland, where it was certified gold in February 2021.{{cite web|url=http://bestsellery.zpav.pl/wyroznienia/zloteplyty/cd/archiwum.php?year=2021#title|title=Albums and singles certified Gold in 2021|language=Polish|publisher=Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry|accessdate=24 February 2021|archive-date=10 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210172543/http://bestsellery.zpav.pl/wyroznienia/zloteplyty/cd/archiwum.php?year=2021#title|url-status=live}} In November 2019, he released "Colorado".{{cite web|website=Netky.sk|access-date= 23 July 2020|url=http://www.netky.sk/clanok/reportaz-najpocuvanejsi-spevak-v-cechach-a-na-slovensku-mikolas-josef-v-cechach-mnohi-netusia-ze-som-cech|title=REPORTÁŽ: Najpočúvanejší spevák v Čechách a na Slovensku Mikolas Josef: V Čechách mnohí netušia, že som Čech|date= 16 June 2020}} In December 2019, he embarked on his Closer to You Tour in the Czech Republic.{{Cite web|title=Mikolas Josef: vánoční turné Closer To You – Ostrava|url=https://www.informuji.cz/akce/msz/133386-mikolas-josef-vanocni-turne-closer-to-you/|access-date=2020-07-28|website=Informuji.cz|language=cs-CZ|archive-date=28 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728083943/https://www.informuji.cz/akce/msz/133386-mikolas-josef-vanocni-turne-closer-to-you/|url-status=live}} In October 2020, he released "Lalalalalalalalalala".{{Cite web |title=Zkrvavený Mikolas Josef se po roce ticha vrací se silným prohlášením a singlem "Lalalalalalalalalala" |url=https://musicserver.cz/clanek/64336/zkrvaveny-mikolas-josef-se-po-roce-ticha-vraci-se-silnym-prohlasenim-a-singlem-lalalalalalalalalala/ |access-date=22 February 2021 |archive-date=25 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225023743/https://musicserver.cz/clanek/64336/zkrvaveny-mikolas-josef-se-po-roce-ticha-vraci-se-silnym-prohlasenim-a-singlem-lalalalalalalalalala/ |url-status=live }} In March 2023, he released "Boys Don't Cry".{{Cite web |title=VIDEO: Mikolas Josef se vrací. Klip ke světově znějícímu singlu "Boys Don't Cry" láká na dlouho očekávané album |url=https://musicserver.cz/clanek/70531/mikolas-josef-boys-don-t-cry/ |access-date=2023-03-26 |website=musicserver.cz |language=cs}}

In 2024, Josef announced his first studio album, "One", would be released on 22 March 2024.{{cite web | url=https://www.culturefix.co.uk/?p=29029 | title=Czech Star Mikolas Josef Readies Debut Album 'ONE' for March 22nd – Culture Fix }}

• Closer to You{{Cite web|url=https://musicserver.cz/clanek/62567/mikolas-josef-v-utery-vyrazi-na-kratke-predvanocni-turne/|title=Mikolas Josef v úterý vyráží na krátké předvánoční turné|publisher=Musicserver.cz|language=cs|date=10 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201217184028/https://musicserver.cz/clanek/62567/mikolas-josef-v-utery-vyrazi-na-kratke-predvanocni-turne/|archive-date=17 December 2020}} (2019)

{{Reflist}}

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• {{official|https://www.mikolas.com/}}
• [https://www.facebook.com/MikolasJosef/ Facebook]
• [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk2hEZKtNbKRzdDDimNcPZQ YouTube]

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{{Succession box|

|before=Martina Bárta
with "My Turn"

|title=Czech Republic in the Eurovision Song Contest

|years=2018

|after=Lake Malawi
with "Friend of a Friend"

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{{Mikolas Josef|state=expanded}}

{{Czech Republic in the Eurovision Song Contest}}

{{Eurovision Song Contest 2018}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Josef, Mikolas}}

Category:1995 births

Category:Living people

Category:Alumni of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art

Category:Czech male models

Category:21st-century Czech male singers

Category:Czech people of Austrian descent

Category:Czech people of German descent

Category:Czech people of Italian descent

Category:Czech pop singers

Category:Czech songwriters

Category:Musicians from Prague

Category:Models from Prague

Category:RCA Records artists

Category:English-language singers from the Czech Republic

Category:Eurovision Song Contest entrants