Junipo, our one to watch in 2025 has released his debut EP. Soundspeed is the first chapter from the Sydney-based aritst, created in collaboration with producer and 10 Men Australia cover star, Nick Ward. Recorded between a bedroom in Parramatta and a cottage in Southern NSW, the result is an impressive alt-rock-pop six-track project that is as fired up and electrified as it is thoughtful and introspective. We spoke to Junipo about the creation of Soundspeed, the Explora 95 music video that just dropped and what's to come:‍

We love the EP! Soundspeed is a great name. This is the first chapter of Junipo - how do you feel now that it’s out in the world?

It is freeing! I have broken the lid off the Junipo project and I'm out here to keep the momentum up and share the world with as many people as possible.

What have you learnt about yourself as a creative and as an artist through making and releasing this project?

I’ve learned that the best thing I can offer to the world and myself is to be raw and transparent. Soundspeed has no artifice to it - every song, collaboration and world building has been done to the best of our abilities. I think that connects with people and I need to keep giving myself confidence in sharing what I create and think is good.

You worked primarily with our fav Nick Ward on the production for this EP. How has he shaped your sonic world? What have you learnt from your collaboration?

Nick is supremely talented. I think he did such a great job in pulling out the best parts of what my voice and artistry can be - delving across genres like rock, mid west emo and punk while still leaning pop and my song writing voice. I think he has great taste and the fact that he approved of these songs and put so much of himself into the production and quality of the work gives me confidence to keep on getting the catalogue of music I have written away out into the world - to share them with other producers and collaborators. Nothing will happen with these songs if they stay on my laptop.

Which song are you most proud of? Or most excited for people to hear? Why?

It changes day to day. Today, I’m feeling Donnie Darko - I always have a soft spot for ballad tracks in an artists discography and I think it fits surprisingly well in with the rest of the influences on the project.

You have a really great creative community. To other artists or people out there looking to cultivate such a passionate community, do you have any advice? It can be quite hard to find your people especially in Australia!

Thank you! I feel very blessed to have so many inspiring friends that keep pushing me to try. From my experience its always best to build relationships with people that are genuine - that come from a real place of being a fan of them as people and their work. All my friends/collaborators that I know or have helped on Junipo all started because I was genuinely passionate about what they were making. I bought their merch, went to their gigs, sent them a message of support etc - all of these things go a long way in supporting your local community and over time that community could come to support you too :)

What’s been the biggest challenge making this project?

Honestly making Soundspeed was fun and relatively smooth, the hardest part was releasing it! Being independent, running my own MGMT, PR, booking, videos etc is very time consuming and expensive. I had to save from my regular job for a year before I could start the process of releasing the first single from the project. I love being in control of my art and making what I want and releasing it how I want, but its not without its barriers and limitations. However, I am expecting huge financial returns on Soundspeed so If anyone can beem me $100,000 just for now - that would be awesome and I would pay it back ASAP - please dm @junipo70.

And what’s been the best moment on the journey of Junipo so far?‍

Releasing E.T. was a massive highlight. Bennet Coast commented “awesome vid” - which, while brief, was a nice nod of approval as I don’t know him from a bar of soap but have been a fan for a long time.

This story is accompanied by some BTS of the Explora 95 music video (below). Tell us all about the making of that video and the inspiration?

I had been wanting to make a video for Explora 95 for the longest time. I really felt that the song had a cinematic quality and would translate on screen. Six months on from shooting the first videos, I had enough time to save some money for the video and to come up with a concept that was simple but felt true to the song. Luckily Charles Buxton Leslie (director: Ruel, DMAs, Junipo) and Jack Birtles (DOP: Cub Sport, Troye Sivan, SWOP) were on board to give their time and energy and help me out again.

We decided to try and push ourselves and shoot on 35mm film - a medium which looks incredible but comes with challenges in gear and expense. We could only shoot every scene once, and ended up making a 3 minute video from a very small amount of footage. It was high pressure the whole time, the lovely people a Melbourne Music Centre let us shoot in their store but it had to be during store hours. So running interference on customers, trying to set up heavy equipment all the while getting it done in a few hours was an uphill battle - but we got there!

The video is a little Waynes World mixed with the imagination and ambition of any person who has picked up a guitar. I think there is always a little dream sequence in your mind of what it would be like to rock out on stage, to be a part of the artist who inspired you to try guitar. This is the feeling we tried to capture, and I think this feeling is relatable at any age or stage of life.

My good friend Brianna Da Silva (Photographer: Genesis Owusu, Rebecca Black) kindly came onto the shoot and took some film BTS, they look amazing and we hope you enjoy them!

You put us on to some great new music last time we spoke. Since then, what’s been inspiring you musically?

There’s so many great Australian artists releasing full length projects recently and I’m constantly inspired by their unique voices and the world they create. Platonic Sex just released their record ‘Face To The Flywire’ which I’m really enjoying. Acopia released ‘Blush Response’ which is so cohesive and has amazing production. I’m really looking forward to the Dust record coming out next month, I’ve had their single ‘Drawbacks’ on repeat since it came out. The single Headlights by Horse is awesome. I’m a little late to the party but I’ve been obsessed with Twine and their album ‘New Old Horse’ too. I want to keep going but I'm feeling this paragraph is already too long, sorry.

What’s next?

The first Junipo live shows are booked which is exciting! I’ve been building out both new and old songs with a band to really bring the best experience I can. I’m trying to make them as accessible and possible. First one is scheduled for late November - announcement coming soon so keep an eye out!

Listen to Soundspeed HERE. Photographs by Brianna Da Silva.

@junipo70