The moniker of Brisbane musician Damien Vincent, Juniper Stone creates hazy, dreamy, lo-fi, chilled psych-pop that'll lull you into a deep state of reflective meditation.
After stepping away from his former band, Bonsai, to focus on his own solo endeavours last year, so far Juniper Stone has released two delightful singles: 'Ginseng' and 'Patterns'.Today, he adds 'Moonchild' – another hit of cosy indie pop featuring dewy lo-fi melodies, soothing guitars and coiling bass riffs.
"I've always enjoyed the rain and the cozy melancholy that seems to come with rainy weather, which was one of the inspirations for 'Moonchild'," Juniper Stone says.
"I wanted to capture this within the song and have each of the instruments sound like they'd been soaked in the rain.
"'Moonchild' essentially refers to the person you become whilst dreaming, when you don't have to think so much and can just let go."
Who is Juniper Stone... Juniper Stone is my solo project that started in 2020 after leaving my old band Bonsai, where I'd write songs and bring them to the band to turn into full tracks.
After a while though, I realised that I had a specific sound in my head that I wasn't getting across with the band so I decided to start learning how to produce and play other instruments so I could start up my project which ended up being Juniper Stone.
I sound like... I'd say I take inspiration from quite a few different artists in different genres, but I've had people say they can hear influences from Connan Mockasin and Homeshake in my music as well as Men I Trust with some of the new tracks coming out next year.
Our first gig was... At Hidden Lanes Festival earlier in the year; although Juniper is dominantly a recording project, over time I plan to pull together a full band and start playing more shows.
When did you settle on the group's name... It all started with my first band Bonsai, which was a name I was really fond of that then led me to Juniper, which is my personal favourite type of bonsai tree.
As I decided to use juniper in the name, I noticed I was drinking a Stone & Wood beer, which is when the name Juniper Stone came to me, haha.
In the studio I usually... Take my time with songs. I never rush anything and seem to create quite slowly focusing more so on the tones of each of the instruments and trying to create the feeling I have in my head.
If I could tour with anyone... Out of everyone I could tour with I'd probably pick Mild High Club. I'm super into the little details Alex seems to add into his music as well as the way he uses harmony, which always makes me feel super blissful but mellow at the same time.
Social media is... I feel like social media for me (Instagram in particular) is like a collage where I can share sounds, artworks and any visual works that I think align with what Juniper Stone is.
My favourite app at the moment is... I recently subscribed to the phone version of Adobe's Lightroom and Photoshop, which I've been really enjoying.
It's fun making little collages or editing photos and videos. I've never actually used the computer versions because it seemed a bit daunting, but having the app on my phone seems to make it a lot easier and more accessible.
To date, my most embarrassing moment was... Dancing while playing a gig two years ago; my friends refer to it as 'lizard dancing' where I just wobbled all my limbs and went crazy.
Life on the road can be... I've never actually been on the road if you're referring to going on tour. I guess the closest thing could maybe be playing Yonder Festival this year with Monet's Pond, which should be interesting given that it's due to thunderstorm, so I guess in short life on the road can be sludgy.
If you'll have me on your bill, all I ask is that the rider contains... FOOD! Free drinks is always nice, but when there's a burger and chips it always hits so much harder. One of the best gigs I've played had a mushroom burger on the rider and it was quite incredible.
The most scary scenario I've found myself in... Was finding out that we were playing a gig with three hours notice after the other band I play in called Kalopsia wasn't able to play as one of our members was sick. I felt pretty scared 'cause we hadn't rehearsed in awhile and I did not feel like singing that night, haha.
What celebrity/ famous person would you love to be spokesperson of the band? I think I'd pick Connan Mockasin. To be honest, he has such a mysterious and intriguing energy, and I feel like he'd do things that no one else would which I love.
If you had to live in a city abroad, where would you choose and why? Probably either Paris or Toronto. I love how romantic and classy Paris feels. I can see it being the perfect creative space for some very suave and romantic music.
I'd pick Toronto because I love how beautiful Canada is and the music scene over there seems so amazing with a lot of sounds that I'm interested in.
Three people you'd like to invite around for a dinner party? I'd probably pick Erykah Badu, Mac DeMarco and Michael Cera; they all have such unique energies and the blend of all of them in one room almost seems chaotic, but I'd love to witness it and see how they all interact.
If we were coming over to your place, what would you cook us? I'm actually a big fan of cooking and I've recently been making a pretty hectic vege tempura sushi if I do say so myself.
So I'd probably pick that, but I'd be asking you to help me wash up because the entire kitchen becomes a shimozzle afterwards.
When it comes to pets are you a lover or hater of our furry friends? I'm a big fan of animals when I was a kid.
I really wanted to be a vet so I could take care of sick animals, and at one point I had 14 pets that included guinea pigs, budgies, finches, crayfish, mice and hermit crabs. I'm definitely more tame with my pets now and just have a small puppy 'cause to be honest I don't know how I'd find the time to look after 14 pets now.
No matter the expense, send me a case of... I've really been enjoying the Little Creatures Pale Ales at the moment, which is a new refreshing taste which is always really nice.
The last time I saw the inside of a gym was... Last year in December. I was pretty into the fitness grind, cooking lots of healthy meals and working out. But this year I've kinda eased out of it, probably just 'cause I'm lazy haha!
What's the one chore you dislike the most? I really don't like doing dishes purely from previously working in hospitality. I'd be doing it for hours and really soured me on washing dishes.
Do you have any phobias... I'm pretty terrified of heights to be honest. I always get super nervous when I'm walking across a tall bridge or if I'm on a high level at the hotel. I don't think I could ever go sky diving 'cause I'd probably freak.
Would you ever partake in a reality show? I'm not gonna lie, I don't think I've ever watched a reality show intentionally, so I don't think I would partake to be honest, sorry to be a Debbie Downer.
If you could prank any of your friends, who's your target, and how are you bringing them down? Probably my band mate Henry. We play in a few different projects together, but he still doesn't own cymbals so I always have to bring them to the rehearsals and sometimes gigs.
So I guess I'd prank him by pretending I forgot them right before a soundcheck, so he'd be scrambling to find some right before I tell him.
Best local takeaway joint for a midnight feed that will leave you with a food coma? There's a solid kebab joint around the corner from my house and they make the best falafel snack pack with lettuce and tomato, and I always get BBQ, sour cream and garlic aioli. However, right after eating it I seem to fall asleep and when I wake up I always feel like I'm hungover.
Which fictional character best describes your personality? I feel like I resonate with Chicken Joe from 'Surf's Up'; he's always super chill and goofy, which I seem to relate to.
Last show you binge-watched? I've always been really into sitcoms since I was little, but I only recently started watching 'Friends', which I think is one my favourite shows for sure. I think I've watched the whole thing twice, which is a bit hectic.
