I’d heard the name SAFF JUNO mentioned a few times around the South Hams a few weeks ago, she performed at the New Lion Brewery in Dartington and also at the Open Mic evening hosted by The Blackbird Collective at The Barrel House in Totnes. Sadly, I was tied up on both of the nights where she was performing so wasn’t able to see her, to make up for this, I thought it would be a good idea to do a Q&A feature with her, I approached her, she agreed, I sent some questions across and off we went.

Read on to find out about the early days of her songwriting career, her musical upbringing by her psych rock parents, songs that she covered in the early days, home producing, gigs, nerves, videos, editing and even what’s on her Christmas list this year….

Firstly, please introduce yourself, where are you from and what do you do?

My name is Saff Juno, I am a singer songwriter from South-West Devon. I write original songs and play with my 4-piece electric band in local venues.

If you had to pigeon-hole yourself, what genre would you say you fall under?

I would say I write indie-rock/pop music.

How long have you been performing music?

I’ve been performing music since primary school (school concerts – rock and roll!), but performing publicly since I was 14 acoustically on my own.

Do you remember the first ever song that you learned to play?

I think the first song I learnt to play was most likely T-Shirt by Birdy or Say Something by A Great Big World. I started playing them using the Ultimate Guitar website, as I taught myself guitar. The Birdy song was used for a drama project I was working with in GCSE, and I felt inspired to learn it. Say Something was a popular song at the time, so I must've kept hearing it and wanted to pick it up. I included these in my first ever live set when I was younger, but haven't played them since as I found other music that I prefer.

When did you start to write your own material?

I started song writing when I was around 17, as I wasn’t massively confident before then. I just performed covers before songwriting, and I definitely struggled to feel like I 'deserved' to play my own music. However, when I began, I really enjoyed it and ideas came easily. Of course this didn't mean they were any good! But it was a start and helped me improve as I continued writing and practising over the next few years. Chords usually piece themselves together first, and then lyrics and melody fall into place together second. I usually make a few changes to my lyrics, but mostly they are left raw in the finished product.

Would you say that you come from a musical family? If so, who plays what instruments?

My family introduced me to music from a young age and I’ve always grown up around it. Both my parents are in their own psychedelic rock band and have made albums throughout my childhood, so I have seen first-hand how much work it takes to self-release music! My dad plays electric guitar and my mum sings.

Tell me a bit about your band, are the members the same all the time or do you chop and change based on availability? Please give names and what they play

My band formed earlier last summer, a few months after the release of my debut single ‘December Daisies’. My close friend Josh Rose plays drums, and being primarily a jazz drummer, his technique adds something new to my music. My boyfriend Josh DC plays electric guitar and rips out some amazing solos! I’ve had a recent addition of Mat as a new bass player and we are super excited to play with him live in the new year!

Tell me more about your two singles ‘December Daisies’ and ‘Nightmare Nightmare’

December Daisies was my debut single and was released on 27th December 2020, I finished writing it at the beginning of that month. Myself and Josh DC arranged, recorded and mixed it in 2 weeks, so we had enough time to release it still during December!

Nightmare Nightmare was a longer process, released on 13th August 2021 as a music video on my YouTube channel. We’d been performing this song live as a band for a few months, and everything was finished for a while before I released it. Making the music video was more difficult than the others I’d done previously and I felt disheartened about the track. However, I’ve got lots of ideas to reboot the song and re-release it in other ways!

Where did you record the songs?

We recorded both songs at my boyfriend’s home studio. We used duvets and pillows to create a really effective vocal booth and played all the instruments ourselves. This had some advantages, as it didn’t cost s anything and we could work to our own time schedule, I would recommend this approach for artists who are just starting out and may not have a lot of money to spend! 

Did you use a producer or were they ‘self-produced’ by yourself and your band?

Josh DC produced both songs and used his own knowledge gained from research to mix them. Cabin Studios (based in Dawlish) mastered them and we are so pleased with the results – thank you! 

Who would you say is/are your biggest influence/influences?

I’d say my biggest influences are probably Ben Howard, AURORA, The Kooks and George Ezra. They all have a different style of writing, but I think my songs have elements from each. Had their records on repeat for the last decade or so.

Have you ever met any of your heroes?

Sadly, I’ve never met any of the popular artists I like, but I get constantly inspired by people on the local scene in Devon.

The last 18 months have been very tough on anyone in the live entertainment industry, how has it affected you?

I realised over lockdown that I wanted to do music seriously as a career, so it was very hard to feel like I was making progress when everything was online. My track December Daisies was received well and helped me gain an audience. It’s been hard booking gigs because of restrictions constantly changing, but I’m hoping that the ones we have in place next year will stay! 

Did you manage to perform any ‘live stream’ events?

I didn’t do any live stream events, but made a collection of self-filmed and edited music videos on my YouTube channel. Before releasing my own music, I recorded myself doing acoustic covers and they can still be found online. I also posted some live acoustic clips on social media, which helped reach a wider audience too. I get inspired a lot with visual projects, so usually as I'm practising the song before recording, I already have lots of images and concepts floating around in my head. So translating this into a music video is usually a relatively seamless process, although a lot of my ideas are weather dependent as they are filmed in nature (good old Britain!).

I bought a really unstable phone tripod from eBay in the summer of 2020, and just went out by myself with my phone to film in my ideal location. I'd choose an outfit I thought suited the scene and music before going off, and then I'd typically be gone 2-3 hours just filming as much as I could. I'd get home (usually freezing) and put the videos on my laptop. Editing the videos on the free version of iMovie is how I piece them together, and this is usually my favourite part of the process!

I saw your name on a poster for a ‘Sunday Sessions’ at the New Lion Brewery in Dartington a while ago, how was the show?

I loved playing the Sunday Sessions at The New Lion Brewery! It was very well attended; the staff and organiser of the event were wonderful and it was a lovely atmosphere. I have since managed to arrange 2 further gigs off the back of that one, so I highly recommend it for artists looking to network.

How does it feel to be out playing in front of an audience again?

There is nothing like playing out to an audience, and every gig feels better and better. My confidence has improved over the past months and I can’t wait to be back out in 2022!

Any more shows planned for the near future?

We have got several shows planned for 2022, including Exeter Cavern and The Barrel House Ballroom in Totnes, which we are extremely excited for. For updates follow my Instagram or Facebook page.

If you had to nominate 3 acts to perform at your very own music festival, who would you choose and why? (can be dead/alive)

I would choose AURORA to play at my own festival, as her live shows are incredibly atmospheric, her songs are very special to me, and I’d love to chat with her over a tea backstage.

The Kooks would bring the party and be a laugh to hang out with after their show, and I could ask if they have any new music coming out (I’m dying for it!).

The final act I would like would be George Harrison – I can imagine sobbing in the middle of the field as he plays ‘All Things Must Pass’ live, as well as ‘Here Comes the Sun’! He also seemed like a kind and interesting person, so I’d love to meet him.

What about new music, anything in the pipeline?

Currently, we are working on a slightly bigger project, but thoroughly enjoying the process. We have a new space to record in so it’s very inspiring to work at the moment. Hopefully will be on the way late winter/spring next year.

There are LOADS of great bands and artists in the Devon area, tell me a few that you are a fan of

I haven’t been able to get out to many live shows, but Wes Chamberlain is awesome live, brilliant guitar! Bramwell band did their debut gig supporting me in Teignmouth last Friday and were amazing, their song writing was so unique and captivating. Last One Home are also great and I want to get out to watch them for sure next year.

What advice would you offer to anyone interested in starting out on their own musical journey?

My advice is just to practice writing songs and do as many gigs as you can to begin with!

Not every song you write has to be recorded, and each one will most likely be better than the last - but it's okay if it's not, you will be making progress. Go to open mic events, it's very inspiring - I recommend The Barrel House in Totnes on Tuesdays. Even if you have bad gigs, it's good to remember that there is a lesson to be learned. Did you advertise it well enough? How was your setlist? Had you rehearsed enough beforehand? All things to consider, and good luck!

It can be scary and vulnerable, but I believe there is power in that and respect anyone who gets up on stage. Nerves are natural, embrace them and use the adrenaline to fuel your performance with whatever emotion you need for the song. I still get anxious a few days before the gig, so it's completely normal!

It’s nearly Christmas, how will you be spending it this year?

I spend winter solstice with my family, and then Christmas with my boyfriend’s family. It’s nice, because we get to celebrate twice. Looking forward to attempting gingerbread Bag End once again this year.

Lastly, assuming you’ve been good this year, what’s on your Christmas list?

I haven’t given thought to what I’d like this year, but maybe some Beatles albums or better hearing protection for gigs!

I’d like to thank Saff for taking the time to chat to me, we learned a lot about this young singer-songwriter and will certainly be keeping our eyes on her socials for news of gigs in the new year, I suggest you do the same.

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Interview by Steve Muscutt