Introducing Melbourne-based alt pop-rock band Joan & The Giants who are fast becoming one of Australia’s most exciting breakthrough acts this year. The band release their debut UK single on Thursday 23rd April entitled ‘Mamma Don’t Cry’ via Xelon Digital.
The four piece are queer front-woman Grace Newton-Wordsworth (who grew up on an organic farm in regional Western Australia) alongside members Riley Sutton, Chris Mackenzie and Liam Olsen.
“I wrote Mamma Don’t Cry several months after leaving an abusive relationship and moving into my first share house — which quickly became my safe haven. I remember writing it on a warm WA afternoon in our rumpus room, not long after a really difficult conversation with my mum. We’d gone for coffee in Fremantle, and that’s when I finally told her what I had been through. She broke down in tears, heartbroken that I hadn’t told her while it was happening. But the truth is, when you’re in it, you don’t really tell anyone. It takes every ounce of strength just to stop excusing it—and even more to finally walk away. This song didn’t come from a place of victimhood. If anything, it came from a time when I discovered just how strong I really was—and I’m proud of that. I felt like a butterfly leaving the cocoon, slowly finding freedom, peace, and a sense of self again.” GRACE
The band have already supported global superstars P!NK at Optus Stadium, nationally with The Fray, shared bills with Everything Everything, The Vaccines, Lake Street Drive and Weyes Blood amongst many others, performed at SXSW in Austin, Texas and are due to perform their first shows at The Great Escape in May. Raw vulnerability, soaring hooks, and anthemic tune this band put their alt- rock energy into every performance.
Their Aussie breakout single ‘Born in the Wrong Time ‘ earned them Triple J Unearthed Feature Artist, topped the Metro AMRAP charts, and won Happy Mag ‘ s nationwide ‘Needle in the Hay ‘ competition, as well as Best Rock Song at the 2024 WA Song of the Year Awards and an APRA Music Awards nomination. Follow-up releases have continued to build momentum, with editorial Spotify support and national media coverage — including praise from Rolling Stone AU, who declared the band “a force to be reckoned with. “
LIVE DATES @ THE GREAT ESCAPE BRIGHTON:
MAY
Wed 13th Komedia @ 9.15pm
Thurs 14th Alternative Escape – Secret Comedy Club
Sat 16th Sounds Australia – Beach Stage @ 1.30pm
