A Quietus Interview || A New Era: Big Joanie Interviewed
On the release of their new album Back Home, Big Joanie speak to Laviea Thomas about the diversity of punk music, and redefining their sound
Big Joanie are an esteemed punk trio, praised for their distinguished sound, unapologetic political outlook and vigorous work on projects outside of this outfit. Consisting of frontwoman Stephanie Phillips, bassist Estella Adeyeri and drummer Chardine Taylor-Stone, this month saw them share their highly anticipated second album Back Home. A genre-fluid project consistent in its punk ethos whilst also incorporating vivid indie and electronica, Back Home sees the band both re-defining their sound and solidifying the punk roots that were always at the foundation of their work.
After their album Sistahs back in 2018, the band quickly made it clear that they were an emerging outfit to watch. In my 2019 interview with Big Joanie we discussed the path the band were taking as a Black feminist trio making an unapologetic amount of noise in the punk scene. Since then, they have featured on huge festival bills such as Glastonbury, Grace Jones’ Meltdown Festival, opened for St. Vincent on her UK tour, supported Skunk Anansie and are soon to support Courtney Barnett.
Three years on, I’m speaking with the band again in the lead up to their second studio album, Back Home, was recorded in North London’s Hermitage Works Studios. Drawing influence from a number of sources, throughout the album the band also welcome beautiful string work from esteemed violinist Charlotte Valentine and sees frontwoman Phillips incorporate the omnichord (an instrument she picked up inspired by Sharon Van Etten’s album Are We There).