Juno Knight, a rising creative in the indie music scene, has unleashed their latest single, "Vermont," and it's nothing short of an addictive, and fantastic sonic whirlwind.
Released on February 9th, 2024, this track is already turning heads and making waves.
With praises pouring in from critics and fans alike, it's time to dive deep into what makes "Vermont" so special.
Sean Calvert from Stony Radio hails Knight as "your new favourite artist," and Gabriel Stebbing, known for his work with
Christine and The Queens and Metronomy, describe their sound as "characterful indie jangle pop at breakneck speed."
From the moment you hit play on "Vermont," you're swept up in a whirlwind of energy. Knight's soulful Britpop vocals glide effortlessly over a backdrop of sparkling piano and beach-rock guitar. It's a musical journey that grabs you by the heartstrings and refuses to let go.
What truly sets Knight apart is their storytelling prowess. Drawing inspiration from the likes of Cristal Ramirez (The Aces) and Tim Rice-Oxley (Keane), Knight weaves tales of love, heartache, and vulnerability with unparalleled honesty. In "Vermont," they delve into the complexities of queer love, exploring the lingering emotions of a relationship that never quite faded away.
Knight themself describes "Vermont" as a "moment of rage" over one of the great loves of their life. It's a song filled with passion, nature, and raw emotion—a potent combination that resonates deeply with listeners.
And "Vermont" is just the beginning. This single served as a teaser for Knight's recently released debut EP, "All The Chance In Hell." With their previous releases, including the acclaimed debut single "Natalie," receiving airplay on BBC Introducing Beds, Herts, and Bucks, expectations are high for what's to come.
Behind the scenes, "Vermont" was brought to life by an all-star team of creatives. Produced by the "scouse powerhouse" Tilly Louise who is the face of Spotify UK & Ireland Fresh Finds Summer 2023, and brought together by a collective of London-based LGBTQIA* artists, this track is a testament to the power of collaboration and community.
In summary, "Vermont" is more than just a song—it's a statement. Juno Knight has firmly established themself as a force to be reckoned with in the indie music scene, and "Vermont" is her rallying cry. They are coming in hot! With much more in store for us. So crank up the volume, hit play, and let Juno Knight take you on a musical journey. You won't regret it!
Watch the music video for "Vermont". Filmed across London, Milton Keynes, and Woburn Sands, it tells the story of a young, queer romance gone wrong and boasts a cast and crew of over 80% queer-identifying creatives. The music video was created by Knight and filmmaker Graham Hughes (@grahamhcreative).
Q&A | Get To Know Juno
Q: How did it all start for you with music? Are you from a musical or artistic family? How long have you been doing this?
A: I'm a local (Milton Keynes) music and theatre kid, and I was very privileged when it came to accessing the arts. I grew up running around backstage at MK Theatre and The Stables, my parents played in bands and wrote musicals (including Milton Keynes the Musical and PULSE which both played at MK Theatre). My siblings and I formed our first band when I was 15 (my brother was 10!) and performed original music at local festivals and venues for a few years, but I kind of fell out of the music sphere for a while. My brother and sister continued, and are now both top-notch professional prog jazz musicians. So I have an incredible drummer (my brother Karl @karlosstixmusic) and keys player/vocalist (my sister Anya @anyaysabellamusic) at my beck and call - which comes in handy! This project comes off the back of a Master's in songwriting I received in 2022 from ICMP London - but the journey to that is a whole tale of its own!
Q: Do you write your music, produce, or play instruments?
A: I'm a guitarist and vocalist with a little bit of piano. I'd mainly consider myself a songwriter, and all the songs are my own, though I love to work with co-writers too. I always create a demo for the tracks - I love arranging strings especially, it's so much fun - before taking it to a producer. This single and EP have been produced by 'Scouse Powerhouse' Tilly Louise, who was the face of Spotify UK & Ireland's Fresh Finds for Summer 2023.
Q: Who musically inspires you?
A: This project is inspired particularly by noughties sounds like Avril Lavigne, McFly, Paramore, and The Kooks, as well as shimmery modern sounds like The Aces, MUNA, and The 1975. Coldplay is my favourite band in the world, I have loved watching them grow and experiment. But I think no matter who I think this project is inspired by, all the influences will creep in there somewhere, whether that's Howard Shore (composer for The Lord of the Rings), Faith Hill, Fleetwood Mac, The Corrs, or even Steps!
Q: Are you independent or signed/managed?
A: Independent baby! And it's a lot of work. But it's so worth it.
Q: How could you describe your music?
A: I usually describe it as shimmery indie-pop-rock. Genre-wise, it spans the pop space, fusing pop-rock, pop-punk, alt-pop and indie-pop. It's full of vibrancy and celebration and energy, but it's got a heart and soul to it that I think connects. I'm a wordy lyricist, and I'm not afraid of brutal honesty - so the songs are bops but bops with depth. I love to put it all out there - to lay my shame and secrets out and hope it inspires others to do the same.
Q: Is there a meaning or story behind 'Vermont'?
A: Vermont is a story about a girl I fell in love with at school. It's really about how, even as an adult, that romance permeates or 'haunts' my life sometimes. During the lockdown, I would talk to her in my room as if she was there. The song should be used as a lesson to others about why Facebook stalking your exes is only ever going to make you feel worse!
Q: Can you tell us about any upcoming music / next performance dates?
A: We're planning a launch party for the upcoming EP release in April, and aiming to do a Pride tour of the UK in 2024. Details TBC though!
Q: What are your interests outside of music?
A: I'm a family and community-driven person. I believe hugely in the fact that we are social animals, who need to live in communion with the earth and that our chaotic modern lifestyle is harming us. So, I try to spend plenty of time with my loved ones, eating good food, talking, and connecting with them, and with nature. I have too many hobbies to name - the artistic drive is never completely satisfied!
