Peony – Man Il Uomo
Release Date: 2nd February 2024
The time of the duo is back in full force these days. There was a bit of a fad almost a decade ago but it now feels like it’s becoming a scene. A scene that Peony are firmly establishing themselves in with their latest and third single ‘Man Il Uomo’. Whilst the overriding feel of the track is a heavy fuzz, the song moves between high energy and deep atmosphere. There’s a sleazy feel to the vocals that’s backed up with drums that match the pace perfectly.
Give ‘Man Il Uomo’ a listen and then read our interview with Will from the band below:
Heya, thanks for taking the time to talk to us today! For those living under a rock, can you tell us a bit about yourselves as a band?
We are Peony, named after the flower. We’re a North East and Scotland-based alternative Duo, consisting of Ryan on Drums and Will on Guitar and Vocals. Our music ranges from noisy art rock (think Pixies, PJ Harvey and QOTSA) to soft lullabies (think John Martyn). We began as a duo in late 2022 and from then have loved writing and playing together.
My vocal work is influenced by my time as a jazz vocalist and my interest in experimental vocal technique and poetry. Ryan’s drumming is shaped by the rhythmic layering that occurs in electronic music, and he also integrates more free elements from jazz and alternative.
Our music is quite emotional. And as a duo, we hope that by sharing our vulnerability and sincerity we can make others feel supported, and create an inclusive space in which challenging subjects can be explored.
You’ve just released new music, can you tell us a little about it and what it means to you?
Our new release is a track called Man il Uomo, which means “the man” in Italian, is an exploration of traditional ideas around masculinity in the context of the family. Lyrically it’s a mix of deep sincerity and acerbic cynicism. The subject feels quite big and overwhelming so it felt like a single approach wouldn’t have been very honest. We’ve set the words to music which ranges from galloping cowboy funk to slamming blues. There was something about bringing together the tropes of those very masculine spheres. We are exploring what can be compelling and at the same time deeply destructive, and how we as individuals operate within a very dismal super-entity.
Do you have a favourite track on there or is it like picking your favourite dog breed?
Of the two tracks we’ve released so far it’s hard to choose a favourite. We love playing Man il Uomo live because it’s so raucous and high energy. But we experiment with the songs each time we play them so that they feel relevant to how we are in that moment.
Can you give us an insight into how you write tracks and has this changed as you’ve become more comfortable working together?
We write using improvisation. And that’s pretty much how it was from the very beginning. We started with a jam and recording it on a phone. From that the songs emerged, some of them fully formed which felt serendipitous! When we play we always improvise, it’s such an exciting feeling to realise something whole is emerging from two separate musicians and we are greater than the sum of our parts. I think that is why the music is very precious to us because it represents our friendship and the space we have created for each of us to express our truest selves.
What was the original inspiration for you wanting to get into music and is the current style where you thought you would head?
I’m not sure we had an external inspiration in a way, more that the feeling of playing was just so compelling that we knew we wanted to continue. When we decided to record an album – Vast Animals – which we plan to release later this year, we were just doing it as a fun thing. We thought it would be a nice adventure for us to have make own album. As it continued we just became so engaged with it and couldn’t stop and I hope and sort of expect that we never will now!
Stylistically I don’t think we ever thought about it either really. Ryan has an immensely varied taste in music and it feels like he has a great understanding of all the elements that go to make a piece. When we play he always surprises me and we go somewhere I don’t think either of us expect to. We love being able to explore whatever we want musically and so like to keep the variety, from soft jazzy stuff to thick grunge. I think it’s in the changes and dynamics that the emotion sits for us.
Do you have any upcoming plans you’re excited about?
Haha releasing the album I suppose is exciting. Some more single releases. And gigging more. We are planning our first headline show to be in 2024! Playing live has been a joy and a leap. It feels as though we have gotten to know our music and ourselves better from sharing it with others. It’s really moving when people connect to what we make.
What’s the ultimate goal for the band? Headlining major festivals, playing a certain venue or just having as much fun as you can?
We’d both like to go wherever it takes us. Not to sound cheesy but it’s been an important journey for both of us and so our inclination is to trust in the music and whatever comes of it. If there is an ultimate goal it’s to make something sustainable as a creative space. A project we can enjoy for the whole of our lives really. Everyone has the capacity to create beautiful things and we feel very lucky to be able to nurture one another in that creativity. And of course if we ever end up supporting Cher or playing at Eurovision that would also be incredible!!
Outside of the day-to-day band life, what gets you up in the morning?
Ryan is doing a PhD in Neuroscience (I know right!?) studying the impact of music on the brain. So that keeps him pretty busy! I work in mental health with adults and children. I’m reminded of the preciousness of creativity every day!
Finally, are there any bands that you’d like to give a shout-out to?
Ponyland – an incredible Newcastle-based band, the most rowdy gigs I’ve ever been to. So wonderful!
Pit Pony – another Newcastle-based band, they make such cool brooding, fuzzy songs.
(All the Newcastle bands are pony based haha!)
Thanks for your time! Is there anything you’d like to say or promote while you’re here?
Just a huge thanks to everyone who has supported us and come to gigs and taken an interest in the music. It means a lot!!