Big Joanie Reveal Animated Video For New Track Confident Man
Tuesday, 20 September 2022
Written by Jon Stickler
Photo: Ajamu X
Big Joanie have released a new track, Confident Man.
Dealing in sparse guitars and fuzzy, grooving synths, the soulful jam will appear on the London-based band's upcoming second album, 'Back Home', which is due out on November 4 via Daydream Library Series.
Following Happier Still and In My Arms, the song comes with a colourful animated video from director Rachel Amy Winton. Guitarist Stephanie Philips commented:
"This song came from a rare Big Joanie jam session when we were messing about with the synths in Margo's studio. The song was inspired by Jia Tolentino’s book Trick Mirror and an essay in it about scam culture and how everyone's obsessed with con men and their stories. As the impact of capitalist culture becomes harder to avoid, it feels like many people would rather give in and admire those who work within the system and become the epitome of privileged, confident, white male arrogance. When you’re in that mindset, no one considers rebelling against that and tearing down everything the confident white male represents."
Winton added: "After hearing from the band about the themes that led them to create this track, I became interested in the idea of positive representations of masculinity, both young and old. Trawling through a bunch of archival footage, including old home videos and photos from the 50's ’til the present, I enjoyed catching little glimpses of sincerity, playfulness and kindness that showed men and boys engaging in a non-arrogant form of manliness. I like the way this stands in contrast to the conmen and scam culture that the song so powerfully tears down.
"I was also interested in the themes that sit across the bands new album: a homeland, feelings of nostalgia, family and the weaving together of cultures. When the band sent over some visual references, included in the mix was the quilt-work of American textile artist, Rosie Lee Tomkins. This inspired me to make the craft like animation style and patchwork/mural piece that the video draws symbols and motifs from (it can be seen in full at the end). The flowers, fruit and foliage of a different place stood out to me as well the capacity for animation to really highlight the changing rhythms and tempo on this synth-heavy track."
The trio will support the record with UK tour dates in January, but before that will play a gig in Coventry on October 22, ahead of two dates supporting Courtney Barnett.
They've also contributed to a star-studded 'Dig Me Out' covers album celebrating the 25th anniversary of Sleater-Kinney's seminal 1997 record. It'll also include covers by St Vincent, The Linda Lindas, Low, Tunde Adebimpe, Wilco, Self Esteem, and more.
Big Joanie Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows
Sat October 22 2022 - COVENTRY Coventry Central Library
Fri January 06 2023 - BRISTOL Bristol Strange Brew
Sun January 08 2023 - SOUTHAMPTON Joiners
Tue January 10 2023 - OXFORD Bullingdon
Wed January 11 2023 - LONDON Garage
Thu January 12 2023 - BIRMINGHAM Hare And Hounds
Fri January 13 2023 - LEEDS Belgrave Music Hall
Sat January 14 2023 - GLASGOW Mono - Kings Court
Sun January 15 2023 - NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE Cluny
Tue January 17 2023 - MANCHESTER Deaf Institute
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