Educate Your Ears: Junodef


Swedish-born, London based three-piece Junodef share their new single ‘She Wants To Win’, out everywhere from 26 April. Having moved from Sweden to London in 2016, Junodef have made a name for themselves on the London live circuit with their genre defying sound. Comprised of three best friends Karin Grönkvist (guitar and vocals), Norea Persson (drums and electronics) and Tyra Örnberg (Bass and vocals), they create dark dreamscapes and haunting harmonies which sits somewhere between doomsday pop and art rock. With Shoegaze and new wave influences, it’s dark, melancholic and beautiful; the perfect blend between electronic and organic, vulnerable and edgy.

Naming artists like PJ Harvey, Warpaint and Slowdive as their main influences, Junodef thrive on the ability to experiment with their sound. Working with legendary metal producer Russ Russell (Napalm Death, At The Gates), ‘She Wants To Win’ features a captivating combination of vocal distortion, haunting melodies and driving beats. Originally written by Karin years ago in a cabin in the Swedish woods, the track once again showcases the band’s talent for telling compelling yet relatable stories through their lyrics.

The track explores the importance of setting boundaries within friendships and relationships. Speaking of the track, Karin says, “The track was written in the wake of some turbulent times where I was forced to reevaluate some friendships and relationships. The song is basically about people who feel entitled to you, your time and your energy, and who will try to “keep you” rather than respect you as your own person with your own wishes and priorities. I think a lot of people have been in situations where they feel like they have some unreasonable expectations put on them by someone who is not quite accepting of the fact that a friendship or relationship is a two-way dynamic. Fulfilling expectations that I’m not interested in fulfilling has never been my thing, so when a person is trying so hard to keep you in their grip, and you’re simply not that bothered it becomes quite a weird and almost ridiculous dynamic – which I tried to capture in the song.”

Listen to your body when it’s telling you that you’re putting up with too much shit. Rethink relationships and situations where pressure rather than joy is the prevalent feeling. Do you feel free and respected in your relationships? If not, then byyyeeeee!

Originally formed by Karin and Tyra when they met in high school in Lund, Sweden, Norea joined the band after they put a call out for a last minute drummer to join them for a show. Since then, Junodef have been honing their sound as a trio. “We started as punk musicians with strong connection in the DIY-scene. We would put on gigs ourselves, press CD’s and record in various basements just to learn as much as we could on a zero budget!” Having made a name for themselves in Sweden, the band decided to relocate to London to push themselves to new heights with their music. Since then, Junodef have toured with Editors in Europe and supported bands like Blonde Redhead, Emma Ruth Rundle and Goat Girl.

‘She Wants To Win’ is the first of more new music from Junodef this year. With a string of live shows also to be announced, 2023 shows no signs of slowing down for the captivating trio, so watch this space.

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She Wants To Win is out now via Physical Education Recordings.: https://orcd.co/shewantstowin