If there was such a thing as sonic astrology The Big Moon are rising.
If there was such a thing as sonic astrology The Big Moon are rising, with a Mercury Prize nomination and a bird flipping NME best video award in their ascendancy.
If they appear in your sign, or on your radio, you will be blessed with the sweet release of quiet-loud-quiet indie-rock anthems and the swirling euphoria of electric guitars. Expect a big serotonin hit in the next five minutes as we Go Through The Emotions with lead singer and guitarist Juliette Jackson.
Hey Juliette, what are you working on at the moment?
We are writing our second album. Fern is also learning the trumpet.
What has been your biggest life challenge and what did you do to overcome it?
When I was younger I had a lot of trouble with anxiety and panic attacks.
I think it was a reaction to leaving home and suddenly being alone in the big city. It got worse and worse until I could barely leave the house and actually the only thing that ever successfully calmed me down was playing the guitar.
It gives you a sort of meditative concentration which stops you thinking your hearts exploded or that you’re dying or whatever.
I also had a course of counselling on the NHS which was a lifesaver. Talking about how insane I was feeling to someone who would listen changed my attitude and made me feel bold enough to get over it.
How important has music been to your mental health?
Playing music is the only thing that gets me out of my head when I feel stressed out – for me it’s a meditation. Some people like painting or yoga – I just like to have a good shred instead.
What would constitute a ‘perfect’ day for you?
Spending all day in the sun with my best friends and cans of cider in the middle of summer with no shoes on and maybe a couple of puppies.
For what in your life do you feel most grateful?
Being happy.
Complete this sentence: “Ace mental health for me means…”
Not thinking about it and being able to get on with my life.
What do you eat to stay healthy?
I don’t eat that healthily at all really. My fave food is roast dinner, but I gave up trying to control my appetite years ago. I did have a period of dieting and got totally obsessed with calories and exercise, but it just makes you soooo unhappy, and gradually I learnt that for me the best way to eat is to eat what you want and stop worrying about it.
Once you stop thinking about that kind of stuff, you can really get on with stuff, you have so much more energy to be creative and enjoy yourself.
Who was your best friend at school? What was the funniest thing they did?
My bezzie was called Hannah, we used to dress up as Pokémon and rollerblade around town barking at people and jumping in nettles.
What advice do you offer to friends when they are feeling overwhelmed?
Have a good bath then come round to my house and I’ll make you a jacket potato with cheese and beans and we can watch crap telly all night.