Q&A and Guest Playlist: Big Joanie
Big Joanie are a black feminist punk band based in London, UK, who formed in July 2013 to play First Timers in November 2013, a gig where every band played their first set. Big Joanie are Chardine (drums & vocals), Steph (guitar & vocals) and Estella (bass & vocals). Big Joanie formed to make powerful music but also to create a continuum for black punks by presenting a strong, powerful vision of black womanhood and talking about black punks who came before us.
What was the first record you bought?
Steph Phillips: It was probably something very predictable like Britney Spears’ Oops I Did It Again single or All Saints’ album when I was 10.
Where in the world would you like to play that you have not already?
So many places. We want to go everywhere. It would be great to play in South Africa or Japan. We’ve had a lot of requests to go to Brazil as well so we’d love to play there too.
Who was the first band/artist you ever saw perform live?
Hmm, again I think it was the pop band B*Witched when I was about 10 years old. They descended from the roof on wires so tweenage me was very impressed.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
The black feminist socialist revolution to come.
Who are your favourite writers?
Toni Morrison, Jia Tolentino, Octavia Butler,
Who are your favourite painters?
I’m not that cultured sadly.
If you could collaborate with any other artists, living or dead, who would you choose?
Kim Deal, Stevie Nicks, or Sleater-Kinney would be top of my list.
What are you listening to at the moment?
A lot of Fleetwood Mac and Aldous Harding. Check out our guest playlist here.
Where’s your favourite place to go on holiday?
Barcelona is a beautiful city.
Best advice you can give to emerging talent?
Gig a lot, find your community, believe in your own ideas.