Fresh off a super triumphant year that saw them sharing stages with P!NK and Tones & I, racking up a whole bundle of awards, and giving us the opportunity to catch one of Australia’s most compelling indie acts, Joan & The Giants are now setting their sights beyond home soil. March will see them make their international debut at SXSW Austin, bringing their hearty indie-rock sound to new audiences. Excitedly, they’re also kicking it all off with a brand new single, ‘Still Breathing’, out today.
A band that’s built its reputation on evocative storytelling, Joan & The Giants are no strangers to pouring their hearts into their music. ‘Still Breathing’ is perhaps their most emotionally charged release yet, born from a jam session but carrying the weight of real-life heartbreak. The track marks the end of frontwoman Grace Newton-Wordsworth’s nine-year relationship with bandmate and songwriter Aaron Birch, making it a farewell as much as a catharsis. Grace’s voice, full of ache and resilience, guides the track through a delicate balance of wistful pop and driving indie rock.
“The lyrics really speak about an inner war, trying to fight for the people you once were but knowing you have to let it all go – ‘But some things are best kept in the past, and I know we weren’t built to last’”, Grace shares.
The past year has been a whirlwind for Joan & The Giants. They took home Best Rock Song and were runners-up for Song of the Year at the 2024 WA Song of the Year Awards, earned a feature artist spot on Triple J Unearthed, and played some of the country’s biggest stages. Now, SXSW Austin marks their next big leap.
For any American readers, their showcase schedule includes three sets across the festival:
March 11 – Zilker Brewing (8:40pm)
March 13 – The Creek And Cave (Outdoor Stage)
March 15 – The Velveeta Room (Sounds Australia Present)
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