Junodream are five friends who formed a band at school, but reunited after university. They spent an early year together in near isolation, which somehow foreshadowed what would follow in 2020. Their name is a mash-up of two musical influences: the Juno vintage synth and the Pink Floyd b-side Julia Dream.
Over the course of three independently released EPs, jthe band have earned airplay at Radio 1 and Radio X plus a BBC Introducing Hot List for their previous single easy life. The quintet add to their tally of 5 million streams by sharing the new single Eden Burns, which was premiered by Jack Saunders on BBC Radio 1 earlier this week.
Junodream wrote Eden Burns last year at the time of the Australian bushfires. The title refers to the “depressing irony” of seeing the coastal town of Eden ablaze.
Here, drummer, Jake Gidley reveals his music inspirations to Andy Howells.
What was the first song that made an impact on you?
My earliest musical memory is listening to my mum play Do It Again by Steely Dan in the car, so that…. I guess?
What was the first single you bought?
I Believe I Can Fly by R Kelly as I bloody loved Space Jam. Hasn’t aged well.
What was the first album you owned?
Tourist by St. Germain. Still have the CD and all.
What’s your constant go to track?
Inner Smile by Texas. Try listening to it and not feeling good about life. I dare you.
What’s your constant go to album?
Psychic by Darkside. For me it’s one of the best examples of the integration of electronic and analogue sounds. Jaar is a freaky dude.
Who’s your latest music discovery?
Sea shanties apparently. Our bassist has been banging on about them for years.
What’s your own track that best defines you as an artist?
Weirdly it’s one of early ones, Other Side. Our sound has morphed a fair bit during the time we’ve been together as a band, but it feels like it’s now come full circle back to this and we’ve found something that’s truly ours.