Every week, Entertainment South Wales regular feature – My Music DNA will shine a light on musicians, singers and people connected with the music industry and discover the songs that have inspired them on their musical journey. This week, we chat to Dougal Gray of Junodream who were named in The Independent’s list of 15 bands you should listen to in 2020. Junodream’s latest single is ‘Easy Life’.
Junodream were formed at school by five friends who shared a mutual admiration for the likes of Radiohead, The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Pavement and Slowdive. After leaving university they reunited, they moved to a small village in Hampshire to fully focus on their music. With little in the way of local distractions and almost no respite from each other, their collective claustrophobia paid off, emerging as a band with near limitless potential.
Junodream’s recent projects include a Pink Floyd cover, Gorillaz cover and ‘Isolation Mixtape’ giving a further flavour of their influences. The band also recently released their new Podcast series, dream cast talking about various topics including the charts, Glastonbury and more.
Ahead of live dates scheduled for later this year (visit junodreamband.com) Andy Howells chats to Dougal Gray of Junodream about his Music DNA.
What was the first song that made an impact on you?
Vivid memories of five-year-old me going absolutely berserk over Bon Jovi, It’s My Life. That’s probably it. Bon Jovi.
What was the first single /download you bought?
Numb / Encore (by Linkin Park & Jay Z). Pure magic.
What was the first album you owned?
Swing When You’re Winning, Robbie Williams. An album full of belters.
What is your constant go to track?
Air – La Femme D’Argent. Always makes us feel like we’re up to something ingenious or sneaky.
What is your constant go to album?
We are going to cheat because one is too hard to pick. Air, Moon Safari/Boards of Canada, Music Has the Right to Children//Sigur Ros, Agaetis Byrjun
Who is your latest music discovery?
We very much enjoy Drug Store Romeos.
What’s your own track that best defines you as an artist?
To The Moon/Galactica/Easy Life. That’s definitely cheating but they capture best what we’re trying to achieve.