Deep beneath the waves off Indonesia's coast, Jaguar Jonze is choreographing her latest transformation.
Recently touching down in Bali, Deena Lynch (aka Jaguar Jonze) is already "on island time". Rain patters against her windows as she settles in for a chat.Later, she'll be out in the ocean (she might even be underwater as you're reading this), floating in the interplay of light and colour, and figuring out a way to bring that deep, quiet world into her art. "I'm going diving to just sit there and blob," she says with a laugh, "just let my brain be creative and see what happens."
It's an idea that perfectly captures her current approach to life. Recently diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), Deena has taken this glitch as an invitation to reimagine her relationship with her body.
In freediving and in music, she's building her own languages of healing: one wordless and fluid, the other humming with the neon glow of her ferocious yet gentle creative style.
"This disorder just made me go 'breaks on' and really just burn my entire forest down," she says, drifting into lyrical language, "and at the moment, it's quite difficult because all I see is this devastation of what I once knew before me, but it's actually an opportunity to grow an entire new forest and build an environment that's a lot more sustainable."
Her recent trip to Los Angeles gave her a chance to test out this new way of being. "My other trips to LA were like, 'alright, you're there for a month. How many shows can you cram in? How many songwriting sessions can you fit into one block?' This time, I was listening to my body a lot more."
Sounds simple enough – listening to your body – but for an artist in an intensely competitive industry, it's a terrifying idea. Deena feels the fear of being "left behind", but remains characteristically defiant. "If I make good art and let people connect with it, hopefully I'll be able to forge a path that's on my terms," she explains.
The beauty of Jaguar Jonze is that as she creates this safe, sustainable space for Deena, she welcomes us into it too – and as she confronts her trauma and shares her vulnerability, we get the feeling that maybe we can face ours too.
Fans shared this with the singer after her recent show with UK band Bôa, gathering around her afterward in a spontaneous meet-and-greet. "The words people gave me were so touching. I know what I felt and what I was going through when I wrote that music, but the way people interpret things and let it connect to their own individual chapters, that was really touching.
"I didn't fully realise the power of expressing yourself and making yourself vulnerable, saying how you feel and what you're going through, and how that translates to someone else going through something.
"I see it as ripple effects going out and then waves coming back. I give out, and then they give back, and then I gain something from what they've given me. It becomes community."
This sense of community is part of what inspired Deena to release her most recent Jaguar Jonze EP, 'Victim Impact Statement'. "I wrote that music without the intention of commercially releasing it.
"So it was just for me, and what you're hearing vocally is the original demo vocals. I decided not to redo them because it was true to the moment where I was feeling that pure catharsis, and I just wasn't gonna compete with that or try to change it out when it was the photograph of that moment."
Because it was so much about release, Deena describes the musical side of the EP as "actually quite effortless". What was challenging and painful was the music video. "I wanted to do a short film for this music, but without many people around because it was very much wrapped up in my trauma.
"Instead of me serving how I feel and what I'm going through on a silver platter, I wanted to put the audience in a place where they can reflect and be introspective and go, 'what is this? What am I feeling? What is this saying? And why am I feeling discomfort?'"
With every music video and every show, Deena aims to build an entire immersive world for the audience to sink into. Instead of a simple "shack in the middle of nowhere", she aims to "build a little bit more of an infrastructure for them to go and explore and connect with, not just in the music itself, but everything else around it".
From the neon-soaked energy of 2021 EP 'Antihero' to the soft-focus strangeness of 'Victim Impact Statement', this attention to detail hums through every element of her art.
One day, it could mean blending her two loves: The ocean and music. "I've already lit myself on fire on live television, so I feel like the next thing would be underwater, but don't expect an underwater music video anytime soon," she adds with a laugh.
As for Deena's latest life chapter, she says she's giving herself "permission to have fun with music". Catch her set at Woodford Folk Festival (Sunshine Coast) later this month, and you'll be treated to a whole new evolution of the Jaguar Jonze sound.
"I feel like I'd forgotten why I came into music in the first place – the freedom to have fun and express yourself, and for it to be joyful and playful; that's what I want, so that's where I'm headed."
That's what fans can expect from her New Year's Eve set at the iconic Queensland festival. With a fresh album in the works, Jaguar Jonze has some cheeky new tunes to unleash on the festival crowd.
She's looking forward to getting a big, nourishing dose of Woodford's legendary good vibes too. "It's so rare for a festival to build a culture where everyone can be themselves. When I played two years ago, I was taken aback by the community and how heartfelt things were.
"They've got a little postbox there, where people can write to artists, and as I was about to walk on stage, someone handed me a bunch of letters. . . The words I was reading just before I went out were heartbreaking but in a positive way. It just made me feel like these big arms wrapped around me and hugged me.
"We did two shows that year, and the crowd was just phenomenal. It was magical. So I'm really excited to go back and celebrate the end of this very tough year with the best."
This will be her first festival since her FND diagnosis, and though she's going in with some new restrictions, she's also freeing herself from the burden of expectations. "Instead of 2024 being a weight that I've just been trudging with and carrying through the mud, I think I'm gonna treat it a bit more like helium balloons that I'm just acknowledging and letting go of so I can go into 2025 lighter."
Woodford Folk Festival takes place at Woodfordia (Sunshine Coast) from 27 December, 2024, until 1 January, 2025. Jaguar Jonze performs at the Amphigrande on 31 December.
Woodford Folk Festival 2024-2025 Line-up
23 Skidoo & the Secret AgencyA Good Catch
a hop and a skip
Adam Spencer
Aerborn
Alan Kelly
Alana Rain
Alex The Astronaut
Alieta Belle
Allie Ng-Lee
Allora
Ally Palmer
Aly de Groot
Amaidí
Amanda Rheaume
Amazing Fun for Kids
Amelie Ecology
Amiria-Jade Art
Ampe-Kenhe Ahelhe Band
Andrea Kirwin and The Yama-Nui Social Club
Andrew Hull
Andy Copeman Medicine Man Music feat. Laurel Bay Tree
Angela Peita
Angeline Wynter
Angkana Whiley
Angus Hamill
Anisa Nandaula
Anousha Victoire
Anya Anastasia
Anya and Stef of West End Yoga
arís
Arna Baartz
Artfolk
Arzu Ünel-Cleary
Ash Grunwald
Ash Morse
Asleep at the Reel
Auburn in Love
Aura The Fairy and Friends
AURUS
Auslan For Everyone
Ayesha Blanco
Aysanabee
Backbone Youth Arts
Bailey Judd
Baker Boy
Ball Mania
Ball Park Music
Bare Knees
Batbox Super Hero
Beach Volleyball
Beccy Cole
Begonia
Belinda Chellingworth
Belinda Tucker
Ben Hunter
Bethany Woodman
Bhangra Dance
Bianca Bond
Biannka Brannigan
Bic Runga
Billie Weston - JUNGLE JUICE
Birren
Blues Arcadia
BOOF
BOOM Shanko
Breandán an Píobaire
Breathe with Bansuri
Brenna Quinlan
Brisbane AcroYoga
Broken Creek
Bromham
Brotherhood of the Wordless
Bunky and Grandma
Caliko
Calypso Cora
Caravãna Sun
Cardboard Creations
Carol Wilmot
Caroline Cowley
Cate McQuillen
Catherine Conaty
Centre for Disability Research and Policy, The University of Sydney
Charlotte Connell
Children Of Yoga
Chloe Matharu
Chris 'Sese' Cobb
Chris Ah Gee
Church of the Clitori
Circus in the Clouds
Cirque Hot Club
CJ Shaw
Claire Evelynn
Claudio Rabe
Clermont's Clinic
Cocoloco
Conspiracy of One
Corner Pocket Swing
Costa Georgiadis
Cracked Anvil Forge
Craig Madden
Craig Walsh
Cuban Dance Company
Damian Callinan
Dan Sultan
Dande and The Lion
Darren Hanlon
David Hallett
Deejaye Katch
Dennis Comino
Diana Z Diaz "Mexicanera"
Dianne Conroy
Digging Roots
Dillion James
dirtgirlworld
Djuelu The Village Scribe
Dream Collectors
DUB ZOO
Duckie Darling
East of West
Echoes of Cirque
Eils & The Drip
Elana Stone
Elemental Journeys
Elephant Sessions
Elischa Swan
Elissa Farrow
Elliot Leach
Em Niwa
Embellysh Photography
Emily Loe
Emma Wilson and Seamus Kirkpatrick
Erin Lee & Shivam Rath
Eumundi School of Music
Fairytale Flow
Felicity Dowd
Flame and Pickle
Flamenco House
Folkaphonic Youth Orchestra
FOOLS
Formidable Vegetable
Forro Brisbane
Forrobodoz
Forward Kwenda and Velvet Pesu
Francesca Carpenter
Frank Yamma
From The Flame Trees
Future Destin
Gallivanting Gastropod
Geoff Wood
Geoffrey Le Goaziou
Geordie Williamson
Gina Chick
Good Guy Hank
Good Tunes
Grigoryan Brothers
Gubbi Gubbi Dance
Gypsy Cats
Hannaka Zakachard
Happy Bears
Harding's House
Harley Breen
Hayden Hack
He Huang
Headphones Jones
Heart Breath Awakening
Heather Price
Helen Schwencke
High School Folk n Roll
Homebru
HOTMESS- In the Flesh
Humarimba
Husky
Ian Lowe
Imogen Kelly
Ingrid Johnson
Iontach
Isabella Ferroni
Isobel Knight
J-MILLA
Jack Raymond
Jaga Band
Jaguar Jonze
Jane Michele & The Consortium
Jane Richens
Janty Blair
Jason Murphy
Jason Roweth
Jay Wymarra
JaZZella
Jeff Hansen
Jen Mize & The Rough n Tumble
Jennifer Andrews
Jenny Newell
Jeremy Staples
Jessie Carson
JFDR
Jinibara Dance Group
Jinibara Speaks
Joe H Henry
Joe Hallenstein
Jordie Lane
Josh Pyke
Kankawa Nagarra
Karma Dance Inc.
Karma Dives
Karul Projects
Karungkarni Art and Culture
Katy Steele
Kerri Gill
Kerryn Fields
Kevin Kropinyeri
Kids Are Great
King Stingray
Kinship
Kirsty Bishop-Fox
Kristal West
Kristin Kelly
Kundalini Yoga Spirit Journeys
Laura Cortese & the Dance Cards
Laureen & Friends
Lee Hardisty
Lenka
Lettering House
LightnUp Inc
Like a Photon
Lilliahna Rogers
Lindy Edwards
Linsey Pollak
Liquorice Bufo
Lisa Iselin - Sundog Craft
Lisa Johnson
Lisa Raquel Cowan
Little Quirks
Little Wing Puppets
Liz Skitch
Lonely Boot Creations
Lucy Wise
Luke Wright
Mad Dance House
Mad Scrabblers
Malo'
Mandala House - The Architecture of Awakening
Manoa
Manoeuvre - Roving Stilt Performers
Maria Almonacid
Mary Frances
Matt Sier
Matt The Electrician
Meg Washington
Melbourne Céilí Band
Melbourne Ska Orchestra
Memetica
Merpire
Merryn Penington - Structural Energetics
Michelle Freeman
Mickey & Michelle
Middar
Midnight Chicken
Mike McClellan
Milk Crate Circus
Mimi O'Bonsawin
Minou Duval
Miss Bubbles
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Miss Radida
Monique Clare
Monks of Tibet
Montz Matsumoto and Voicestrings
Moran Wiesel
Morrigan & Wilding
Mt Ninderry Art House
Mundy-Turner
Mz Mally Moo's Music 4 Minis
Nathan Beretta Band
Nathan Cavaleri
Natureweavers
Nearly Normal Norman
New Earth Metta Breathwork
Newbury Fog
Ngaiire and Paul Grabowsky
Nick Grivas
Nicola Ossher
Niki Roy
Nikki Britton
Nikolaine Martin
Niq Reefman
Noel Gardner & The Party Faithful
Ocean in Motion
Oh My Goat
Oliver Roweth
Olivia Rosebery
Oscar Serrallach
Pan & Boo
PanAlchemy
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Paris Martine
Parnian Zanganeh
Pendragon Shoes
Penny Davies
Peter Gresshoff
Peter Vadiveloo
Phil Barlow
Phil Smart
Pipin
Pixie
Play with Clay
Potters of Woodfordia
Queensland XR Hub
Queensland Youth Folk Orchestra
QUT Digital Media Research Centre
Rachele Wilson
Rainbow Endz
Rhoda Roberts
Richie LeStrange
Richie Merzian
Riley Catherall
Rising Waves
Rizal Hadi & Folk
Rob Carlton
Robin Clayfield and The Sacred Union Labyrinth
Robyn Martin
Rory Kelly
Rosie Waters
Round Mountain Girls
Rubatuba
Ruby Stone
Rutherford Jazz Trio
Sacred Union Labyrinth Band
Sai Galaxy
Sam Lee
Sampology
Sandpoppy Weaving
Sarah Howells
Sarah Pye
Sex On Toast
Shmoné
Silli-Mulli Cultural Group from Enga Province
SING
Skillz FJ
Slowmango
SOLUA
Sophie Banister
Soraya Fewquandie
Soula
Sounds of India
Spaghetti Circus
Spencer Hitchen
Splash Mob Theatre
Stay Cool - Play Chess
Strike and String
String Beings
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