ALBUM: Big Joanie – ‘Back Home’

A joyful, raucous ode to the past, present and their undoubtedly bright future, black feminist punks Big Joanie explore what it means to truly belong on their second album, Back Home. The trio have expanded on the lo-fi punk cacophonies that formed their debut album Sistahs, and have introduced bold, bright synth textures and the altruistic violin sounds of experimental art-rock artist No Home across the record. The result is still distinctively Big Joanie, but they sound bigger and better than before.

Recorded at Hermitage Works Studios and produced and mixed by Margo Broom, the songs on Back Home were influenced by everything from gothic folklore tales, a challenging essay titled Trick Mirror by Jia Tolentino, to the band’s experiences of playing larger venues with musical heroes Bikini Kill, Skunk Anansie and Sleater-Kinney. The thread that binds these elements together is Stephanie Phillips, Estella Adeyeri, and Chardine Taylor-Stone’s collective ruminations on their different ideas of what “home” means.

Whether it’s a physical place here in the UK, back in Africa or the Caribbean, or whether the notion of “home” is in fact intangible and less concrete; this search for belonging led the band to create the vibrant sounds on their second album, and in the process, they’ve shown that they truly belong in the vital, more equal punk scene that they have worked so hard to nurture, both on and off stage.

The trio fully embrace their post-punk gothic tendencies from the offset on Back Home, from the swirling guitar FX of the beguiling opener ‘Cactus Tree’, which compliments the anticipation of character Steph sings of, up until the Wicca and Orisha worship inspired sounds of closer ‘Sainted’. They balance euphoric, chant-worthy tunes like ‘In My Arms’, the defiant ‘What Are You Waiting For’ and cathartic ‘Happier Still’ with more introspective tracks across the record. The reflective nature of ‘Insecure’, the yearning ‘I Will’, the con-man inspired ‘Confident Man’, and the poignant musings on synth-soaked track ‘Your Words’ all command listeners attention in their own unique way.

Like Angelica Ellis’ altruistic artwork that adorns the cover – which is a nod to the embroidered wall hangings popular in Caribbean homes post-Windrush, and depicts Chardine’s nephew at the barbers – Big Joanie have tenderly and intricately weaved personal and political threads into Back Home. As activists and role models who formed their own musical foundations in the DIY punk scene, the band have proved themselves to be a formidable force for change, truly devoted to creating a home and a space for others who have felt displaced or ignored in the past.

Back Home is a wonderful expression of joy and defiance, by a band dedicated to spotlighting the art and experiences of black, queer women, and a rousing call to arms for their allies to do the same.

Order your copy of Back Home by Big Joanie here

Follow Big Joanie on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter, Instagram & Facebook

Photo Credit: Ajamu X

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Maria Uzor – ‘Over This’

Following last year’s EP Innocence and Worldliness, and recent spellbinding singles ‘Solitaire‘ and ‘Winner‘, GIHE fave Maria Uzor has now announced the release of her upcoming new EP, due out next month. Having wowed us with the sparkling energy of her live show at the Shacklewell Arms this summer, and with acclaim from the likes of Amy Lame and John Kennedy, we could not be more excited about this… !

Taken from the EP, new single ‘Over This‘ ripples with woozy, seductive beats before building to a fierce, cathartic cacophony pulsating with a gritty energy. Reflecting on a time of reclaiming your identity and being honest with your emotions, the track whirrs with a glitchy splendour as Maria’s distinctive honey-sweet vocals flow. Shimmering with an immersive grace and dark, captivating power, it’ll grab your ears with its ferocious allure and keep you firmly in its hold with its deep empowering drive. Yet another offering from the Norwich-based artist that showcases her ability to create utterly unique, instantly engaging, resplendent electro-pop. Of the track, Maria explains:

“Lyrically it’s about reclaiming parts of yourself after a period of silencing yourself and your experiences to keep other people safe and unchallenged in their ignorance. It can be an isolating thing to go through, and I wanted to write as though I was speaking to myself, or anyone else who may have felt silenced due to race, sexuality, or gender identity; I needed reminding that I wasn’t alone.“

‘Over This’ is accompanied by a totally DIY video, shot by Maria in her living room; perfectly portraying the song’s theme as it plays with the idea of repetition and monotony. Watch it here:

Songs For Luminous Living, the upcoming EP from Maria Uzor, is set for release on 9th December via Hey Buffalo Records.

Mari Lane
@marmindles

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Track Of The Day: LibraLibra – ‘Frenemies’

Following the release of their second EP, Modern Millenial, GIHE faves LibraLibra return with their utterly unique fusion of pop, electro and punk with an immense new single.

Lulling us into a false sense of security with a sweeping orchestral intro, ‘Frenemies‘ soon builds with a haunting majesty into an epic frenzied cacophony. Reflecting on the comfort we may find in fake or damaging ‘friendships’, the track fizzes with a chaotic energy that’ll blast into the ears with a fierce sense of urgency. As it rages with a colossal magnificence, front woman Beth’s vocals simmer with a sultry allure before exploding into a riotous anthem seething with dark undertones. Of the track, Beth explains:

“‘Frenemies’ is for all the fake friendships out there. Those friendships bound together through getting f**ked up, losing yourselves, your keys, your phone, blacking out and ending up a shell of your former self in a random kitchen at 4am with no way to get home. Your frenemy is your ride or die, you both should and could be each other’s saviors, but instead the chaos is calling and annihilation feels really good.“

‘Frenemies’ is accompanied by a brand new video. Directed by kink photographer Sorry Jonny Died, it offers an eerie insight into the wonderfully sordid underbelly of LibraLibra’s world.

LibraLibra are heading out on a UK tour in March 2023 (you do not want to miss them live!) – details here. And if you can’t wait that long, they’ll be supporting other GIHE faves ARXX at The Social on 23rd November – tickets here.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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Five Favourites: Hannah Schneider

Having been big fans of Danish artist Hannah Schneider (also of duo AyOwA) for some time now, we were super excited to welcome the release of her latest album (her first solo release in seven years), Ocean Letters. A collection of immersive, celestial soundscapes, it perfectly showcases Schneider’s ability to bathe your ears in a euphoric, soothing grace as her rich, crystalline vocals ripple with a dreamy ethereal haze. A blissful sonic accompaniment to calm the senses as the temperatures drop and the darkness draws in.

We think one of the best ways to get to know an artist is by asking what music inspires them. So, to celebrate the release of Ocean Letters, we caught up with Hannah Schneider to ask about the music that has inspired her the most. See below for her choice of her five favourite albums.

Beach House – Teen Dream
As a surprise to no-one, Beach House is a huge inspiration for me, and this is one of my favourite albums ever. The songwriting is off the charts amazing – wild, advanced and still it seems you can hum along to every one of the tunes. Many of the texts and titles have such a suspense in them, and they each create a scene or a story that catches your attention. And then of course, the sound. I have always been extremely inspired by their hazy dream pop sound with significant guitar lines, drum machines and beautiful vocals, and on my album Ocean Letters in particular I go all the way on a few songs in my Beach House tribute. The demo for ‘The World’s Gone Still Now’ from my album was even called “beach house vibes” before it got its real title after my friend and magic guitar player Anna had come and laid down the guitar parts on it! 

Hania Rani – Esja
For me, Hania Rani is a fairly new acquaintance, but I have been very inspired by her in my work with this album. From the sound of the piano, to the simple and yet complex compositions, and the sparse layers that still create such a full sound and beautiful cinematic scenes. This music gives such space for imagination, and that’s what I have been trying to create with my album as well. 

Portishead – Portishead 
I don’t think there’s a time in my life where I haven’t listened to Portishead. It’s a constant source of inspiration, how they make such intense music without shouting at the listener. Such slow paces, such minimalist productions, simple chord structures, and yet the melody and Beth Gibbons’ voice is so wild – complex and completely vulnerable, and unnerving, at the same time. I am forever inspired by their way of orchestrating music and making suspense and drama, and the way they dare to combine musical genres in their music has been a big inspiration for my album as well.

Emilie Nicholas- Tranquille Emile
Norway is the country with the most happening right now music wise in Scandinavia I think. One of the first in this new wave of interesting artists is Emile Nicholas, and I love her way of creating new R’n’B/soul with such a distinct Nordic flavour. Interesting melodies, beautiful instrumentation and Emilie’s million dollar vocals on top – wow, how she can create lines that amazes! I just gave in to this album, and have enjoyed it very much while creating my own album. I think I have also let myself be inspired by the gospel-ish chord changes in some of her songs, and in my song ‘It’s The Season’ I have let myself dive in to the slow more soulful chords and musical phrasings.

Agnes Obel – Myopia
This album is a true masterpiece of orchestration and melodies – such beautiful compositions, and Agnes Obel’s magical voice on top. There is such a cinematic quality to all her albums, and this has been a great inspiration to my album, Ocean Letters. Her albums also seem very conceptual thematically and sound wise, and this is something I have also approached in my work with Ocean Letters.


Massive thanks to Hannah Schneider for sharing her Five Favourites with us!

Ocean Letters, the new album from Hannah Schneider, is out now via Midnight Confessions.

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