Born from the south London music scene, with roots as a post punk guitarist and keyboardist, Joanie launched her debut – Neurotica – EP in early 2023, landing her in several of the year’s “Best Of” lists.
Coined “Modern Blondie”, Joanie’s music combines underground disco and experimental electronic elements, drawing upon her experience as a Soho showgirl and go-go dancer while celebrating the artist’s take on pop culture in “kitschy ironic breadcrumbs” left for her audience to contemplate.
Joanie’s performed at Glastonbury, supported Warmduscher, Fat White Family, Sorry, Lucia and The Best Boys, Jessica Winter, Insecure Men, and PVA. She’s toured with The Black Lips, playing Wide Awake x Dazed pre party, Greenman, and Mutations.
We discovered the singer/songwriter through her videos for Kerosene and Shadenfreude and were immediately smitten. With her seductive vocals, trancelike rhythms, and striking aesthetic, we were determined to learn more – turns out Joanie was in process of dropping her new video entitled, Honeytrap.
“Creating music is a journey of embracing my feminine divinity.”
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Where do you call home?
I’m South African born but right now London is my home. I’ve been moving around since I was a child. I honestly think I’ve tallied over 20 moves. I’ve discovered a profound sense of belonging through dedicated meditation practices and personal rituals. These practices serve as anchors, enabling me to come back home to my body.
Neurotica is such a great title – please, tell us a bit about it.
The EP I wrote stemmed from a period of intense neuroticism, which, looking back, was filled with anxiety. However, I do believe in the transformative power of art and music. So, I decided to flip the narrative on its head, injecting some humour into the situation. Being a die-hard Madonna fan, I couldn’t resist paying homage to the queen herself, hence the playful nod. For me, creating music is a journey of embracing my feminine divinity, and that’s where the ‘erotic’ aspect comes into play.
There is a track on your debut entitled, ‘Schadenfreude’ – from whose misfortune are you deriving pleasure?
I was commenting on society’s inclination to find amusement in the misfortunes of women. Look at Britney — people seem to lose their humanity just for a little entertainment.
Interesting – explains all of the looks going on in the video. Apart from Britney, who else are you referencing?
The Schadenfreude video, directed by Roger Spy, explores various archetypes of women and the roles they embody in society. One of the personas I portray in the video, situated second from the right at the bottom, is inspired by Hedy Lamarr. She was a formidable woman. Not only did she grace Hollywood’s Golden Age as a film star but she also made significant contributions as a covert genius and inventor. She played a pivotal role in developing the science behind Wi-Fi, yet sadly, her mental health struggles garnered more attention from the press than her inventing fucking wi-fi!
Are you writing your music and lyrics?
Of course I write my own music and lyrics! I love to produce, too, and have been doing that a lot more over the last year. I wrote Schadenfreude, which was produced by my close friend and iconic pop star, Jessica Winter. Additionally, my friend Joseph Pancucci (White Devil Disco) contributed to the track. I feel incredibly fortunate to have such talented collaborators within my music community.
Neurotica is very well-conceived and executed – mysterious, sexy, fun, and full of energy. And, it’s clear you have a fully developed artistic persona: How long has this EP been in the works?
Thank you so much. I released the EP in March 2023 and wrote in in the previous year, I think. I’ve written and recorded a lot more since, which I’m releasing this year, beginning with Honeytrap. My journey in creativity began as a visual artist, and I’ve been performing in various capacities since childhood, from competitive figure skating to dancing and modeling. During my time at the University of the Arts London, I was invited to join a post-punk band, where I honed my skills on guitar, keyboards, and vocals. Through this experience and subsequent solo projects, I’ve been able to refine my own artistic voice and vision. The persona portrayed in my music is simply an extension of myself. I leverage the visual aspects of my music to transport listeners into the world I’ve created within each song.
You’ve certainly done that with your new track and video, Honeytrap.
The song was born from a place of heartache, and the video, approached from a retrospective angle, aimed to explore themes of rebirth and my evolving connection to my womanhood. I wanted to shine a light on the healing that can emerge from being broken open, celebrating my own strength.
There is a break in the first third of the song that is mesmerizing …
When I wrote the song I intentionally featured a distinctive break in the track where the energy drops and shifts. I hoped that this would mirror the experience of navigating my own tumultuous emotions in a push-pull dynamic, which I think is very relatable for anyone who has loved a fuck boy. I made the video with Ash Halliburton: we envisioned a witchy atmosphere!
You have succeeded. Who else is on the shoot – design, hair, mua – we especially need to know about the golden net bee headdress.
Kreszend Sackey and Isaiah Muscat did the hair. Make up by Nicki Buglewicz. Gorgeous team! I wanted to achieve a high-gloss, polished Hollywood look juxtaposed with the raw and visually powerful aesthetic inspired by Alexander McQueen’s Joan of Arc collection. I styled this video myself and chose this beautiful headdress by Erika Janavi —her design aesthetic is really unique.
All of your tracks to date are intelligent and intentional. And, you have clearly explained their relationship with your experience as a woman. What else do you hope to convey with your work?
That’s a big question. I suppose I’m conveying my human experience. My experience as a woman. It serves as my outlet and means of expressing what I often struggle to articulate verbally. My hope is for people to connect with the mood and emotion conveyed, as it’s how I experience catharsis.
Finally, would you mind sharing some of the artists you are listening to?
Recently, I’ve been drawn to a really diverse range of artists — Rosalía, John Barry, Lana Del Rey, Kendrick Lamar, Portishead, FKA Twigs, Roy Orbison, and Nancy Sinatra, each with their own unique musical landscape.
And, what is it about their work that moves you?
I tend to gravitate to really emotive, visceral, cinematic sounds.
Find Joanie on Instagram.
Featured and final images from Joanie’s video, Honeytrap.