The new Joely June has arrived

Joely June has undergone a transformation; a rebrand and relaunch.

Fusing fresh folk with indie pop, the singer decided to separate her two selves – the artist and the person.

“Before the rebrand my artist name was ‘Joely’, which is my real name, and I think I struggled sometimes feeling like there was no differentiation from myself as a person and my artist brand,” she tells Bristol24/7.

“Although everything I do is still very much true to myself, which is why I kept Joely and added June, I think having the new name has given me such a fresh wind of confidence and feeling of a fresh start, especially as after the break I think my songwriting has matured a lot.”

Oxford born but now based in Clifton after graduating Commercial Music and Bath Spa University, Joely will be releasing her first single under the new monniker on September 15.

The single, Time & Space, will be the singer’s first release since 2021; did she find the break beneficial?

“Taking a step back from releasing was the best thing because it allowed me just to write with no agenda, try different things, and work out what kind of artist I wanted to be,” Joely explains.

“I’ve also learnt so much about the industry in that time so I feel more prepared for putting myself out there again.”

The singer-songwriter has been performing from a young age, learning to play the guitar at 10 and then playing pub gigs from the age of 15.

This subsquently led to Joely pursuing in and out of school: “My school dropped music A-Level so I left and did a music college course instead, which is where I found my band and started recording my music.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJUjwoesYlU

Melodically, Time & Space is an upbeat track, leaning heavily into the soft folk sounds the artist is known for.

However, the lyrics give way to a deeper meaning, a discovery of self-worth alongside a personal look at the experience of the desperation of just wanting to be seen and heard by someone you love.

Joely’s influences of Crosby Stills Nash & Young and Carole King can be heard in the guitar sounds underlying the track while the contrasting lyrics, undercut with a sense of introspection, is drawn from her more modern influences such as Gabrielle Aplin and Taylor Swift.

Of the track, the musician tells us: “Time & Space is definitely more on the fun, dancey side of my new music but I’m excited for people to hear where else I’m going with this new era.”

Joely June will be embarking on tour, kicking things off in her hometown of Oxford on September 15 but visiting Bristol, London and Brighton.

Is she excited to share her new music with some new faces?

“I can’t wait – it’s my first tour so I’m definitely nervous but the response so far has been so encouraging. Plus I get to play in Brighton for the first time, which is a city I love!

Tickets for the tour can be found at https://www.joelymusic.com/live?fbclid=IwAR3_TGMimsEpDIQYsRE5jzzZLqdH8jzzpS6sIEmmmtFv4IUjR795hETRBhM

Main photo: Lydia Cashmore (@photos.by.Lyds)

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