HEARTWORMS
Heartworms, the South London-based post-punk project led by Jojo Orme, has released a brand new single, 'Jacked', on Speedy Wunderground. This marks the first taste of an upcoming larger project set to be announced later this year.
'Jacked' follows last year's formidable single, 'May I Comply', and is described by Heartworms as exploring "a darkness or entity which you are running away from… but it is really you that holds it." Produced by Dan Carey, the single features propulsive, motorik rhythms reminiscent of gothic stalwarts like Depeche Mode, Killing Joke, and New Order, combined with the lyrical dexterity of PJ Harvey. The result is a powerful sonic onslaught that is entirely Heartworms.
In support of the latest release, Heartworms announced three intimate headline shows in Nottingham, Blackpool, and London, which were met with great enthusiasm from fans. These shows followed her biggest headline performance to date at a sold-out Village Underground in November and her supporting slots for The Kills and St Vincent, including a sold-out show at the Royal Albert Hall earlier this year.
Heartworms' debut EP, "A Comforting Notion", received critical acclaim from The Sunday Times, Dazed, The FADER, The Quietus, Loud And Quiet, The Line Of Best Fit, and So Young Magazine. The EP's singles were added to the BBC Radio 6 Music playlist and received spot plays from Radio X’s John Kennedy and BBC Radio 1’s Jack Saunders and Gemma Bradley.
Backed by a full live band, Heartworms’ performances are a masterclass in poise and power. Jojo describes the theatrical elements of her shows, punctuated by her intense stare, as a rebellion against preconceived notions of "smallness" and fragility in female musicians. On stage, she projects an image of strength and total control, with uniformity playing a significant role in her art. Inspired by the metronomic music and meticulous fashion of bands like Interpol and Kraftwerk, and the dark humour of PJ Harvey, Jojo's music is a life-affirming exercise that expels her passions, including military history and the poetry of Pound, Thomas, and Keats.
With her biggest project yet on the horizon, 2024 is set to be a defining year for Heartworms.
