For The Record: Jess Branney, Peaness, "Real live people come to our shows"

Phallicly-named, sunshine indie-pop three piece, Peaness, have been conquering audiences across the UK since their inception back in 2014.

Upon completing their time at university in the North West of England, the band, made up of members Balla (guitar and vocals), Rach (drums) and Jess (bass and vocals), promptly formed and began creating their own signature brand of lighthearted, self-proclaimed pea-pop (hence the name, Pea-ness).

A combination of lively guitar riffs, foot stomping drum beats and tender vocal harmonies contribute to the band's instantly recognisable, warm and inviting sound. A sound which has drawn the attention of music fans and noteworthy industry names including BBC Radio 6 host's Steve Lamacq and Mark Radcliffe, and Radio 1's Huw Stephens, all of whom have championed the trio.

Signing to esteemed indie label Alcopop Records in 2017 (Kagoule, Tigercub, Cheerbleederz), Peaness wasted no time in releasing five track EP Are You Sure? to widespread acclaim. Since then, they've been out on the road, touring extensively across the UK including performances at Manchester's now defunct A Carefully Planned Festival, to Truck Festival, 2000 Trees and Focus Wales, to name a few.

Bass player and co-vocalist Jess took time out of her increasingly busy schedule to talk to Skiddle about her time in the band, her limited record collection, and the bands collective love for Avril Lavigne.

Jess says, “Peaness formed after we graduated from Chester Uni. Life before the band, for me, consisted of dossing around in Oxfordshire doing what most teenagers do, going to gigs, messing around in HMV and spending far too long in local supermarkets for no real reason.

"Now that I'm officially an adult, our collective weekends as Peaness aren't as sporadic, but they usually involve live music and supermarkets.

“Right now, we're busy and getting paid for gigs. People, real live people come to our shows and buy our merchandise! We've just finished our first headline tour across the country and have announced a string of new dates.”

(This embedded post has since been removed)

Is there a record you can't stop playing right now?

J: “It's been Big Thief for a while now with their most recent record ‘Two Hands’.”

How many records do you personally own?

J: “After a recent major break up, not as many as I thought I owned. Looking over to the shelf now, I would say about 20 LPs and 15 7".” 

What’s the weirdest record you own?

J: “I have a first press of Spice by Spice Girls, which my dad let me have from his collection. It skips a bit though because my mum and I made him play it constantly in the house when I was a kid.”

If you could only play one record for the rest of your life, what would it be?

J: “In Rainbows by Radiohead. This record has given me so much over the years that I probably haven't gone more than a couple months without playing it. As I've gotten older I understand so much more of its subject matters than I did.” 

Give us your top 3 recent releases:

J: “‘The Neon Skyline’ by Andy Shauf, ‘Good At Falling’ by The Japanese House and ‘Atlanta Millionaires Club’ by Faye Webster.” 

Which new artist/band/DJ should we be listening to right now?

J: “Men I Trust.”

Do you have a musical guilty pleasure?

J: “Avril Lavigne. Honestly, if it wasn't for her debut album ‘Let Go’, none of us would have wanted to make music.”

If you could collaborate with any artist who would it be?

J: “The Beatles. 3 minute pop songs. Perfect.”

You can catch Peaness live at one of the following dates (subject to cancellations/postponements). Click on the links below for more details and to purchase tickets...

Liverpool Sound City 2020, Friday 1st - Sunday 3rd May 2020, Baltic Triangle in Liverpool

Dream Wife + Working Mens Club + Peaness, Friday 1st May 2020, Constellations in Liverpool

Buy tickets:

Manchester Psych Fest 2020, Saturday 5th September 2020, Various Venues Around Manchester

Headline image credit: Derek Bremner