London quintet Junodream have emerged as ones to watch, with early tracks such as ‘To The Moon’ and their debut EP ‘Terrible Things That Could Happen’ and most recent track ‘Limiter’ -they have collected over 3 million streams as well as praise from Wonderland, Phil Taggart on Radio 1, BBC Introducing, Radio X, The Line of Best Fit and Clash. Constantly evolving, the band now take a bold step forward with their second track ‘Nobody Wants You’ from their new EP which follows on 29th November.
‘Nobody Wants You’ continues the theme of the EP that ‘Limiter’ introduced, focusing on crippling self-doubt and addressing contemporary concerns: the balance between insecurity and living up to the social norms and identity that comes with modern masculinity.
“Nobody Wants You” is the tug-of-war with the voice in your head that’s telling you you’re shit. Like a struggle for control of the steering wheel, before you jump the bridge” explains Dougal. “ The song had been in the tank for a while, but we could never find the right middle section. We were in Bristol, angrily thrashing around trying to find something, and then it all came together with that one extra beat. We will forever know this song as ‘Beats’.
Collectively, the EP presents a collection of vignettes of the experiences of an ordinary young man – experiences each of the band have been through. Reminiscent of the character Gregor Samsa, they’re told from the perspective of a regular person: someone who doesn’t complain about his struggles in life, but who nonetheless suffers with the emotions that come with them.
Other highlights on the EP are ‘Isn’t It Lovely (To Be Alone)’ which captures the self-defeating power of overwhelming social anxiety, and then there’s simmering humiliation and anger in ‘As Far as I See’. They’re songs in which Junodream share the concerns of their generation – like many people in their early twenties, the band also battle with the grind of their day jobs and the overwhelming cost of living.
“These songs are all related to anxiety, which is something we all struggle with,” says Vyvyan. “When I look back at the past year, there’s a feeling of dissatisfaction, of wanting to break away from being suffocated by debt, relationships and rent. Most people we know are in the same situation. Maybe they’re stuck in jobs they don’t want to do, or are confused, depressed and feel inferior, or who feel that they have no control over their lives.”
Junodream are Ed Vyvyan (lead vocalist), Dougal Gray (guitar), Tom Rea (guitar), Will Ryder (bass) and Jake Gidley (drums) – five old school friends who formed the band on the back of a shared passion for ‘90s alt-rock greats such as Radiohead, The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Beck, Pavement and Slowdive After leaving university, the five-piece spent six months in small flat in Andover, their music and their bond both strengthened by their close living arrangements, relative isolation and the fresh air that comes with being away from the city.
Now based in London, Junodream have recently played a sold-out Unit 12 Brixton gig, the Neverworld and Jigsaw Festivals, and have also supported The Magic Gang. They’re now preparing to go on tour with Lazy Day and play the Wild Paths Festival in October ahead of Live At Leeds’ Ones To Watch showcase on November 23rd.
Tickets are now on sale for their own headline date in London at Bermondsey Social club on 14th November – and can be purchased HERE.