Peaness

British band

Peaness

Background information
Origin| Chester, England
Genres| Indie pop, pop punk
Years active| 2013 (2013)–present
Labels| Totally Snick, Alcopop! Records, Odd Box Records, Kingfisher Bluez
Members|

* Carleia "Balla" Balbenta
* Jess Branney
* Rach Williams

Website| www.peanessband.com

Peaness are a band from Chester, England[1][2] formed in 2013.[3] Their all-female line-up is Balla (guitar and vocals), Jess (bass and vocals) and Rach (drums).[3] Their sound has been described as "melodic indie pop",[1] "DIY punk"[4] and "shiny shiny pop with an infectious energy and tunes as sharp as their fringes".[5]

## Formation and early releases

[edit]

The band met at University of Chester and formed in 2013.[3] Their name was chosen as a joke. Jess said: "It was a joke name when we started off, and it just stuck because we couldn’t think of anything better or worse. For us, it’s just funny, but for others it’s not, which makes it even funnier.”[3]

Their first release, in 2015, was a four-track EP entitled No Fun. In a positive review, Bearded Magazine said, "An excellent short story done and dusted in an ultra-compact 13 minutes, the set more than sates the appetite before the arrival of full length novel."[1] This was followed in 2016 by the 7-inch single "I'm Not Your Problem"/"Fortune Favours the Bold" on the Canadian label Kingfisher Bluez.[6]

## "Are You Sure?"

[edit]

In 2017, Peaness released the 10-track EP Are You Sure? on Alcopop! Records, with two of the tracks, "Same Place" and "Seafoam Islands", also featuring on a 7-inch single on Odd Box Records.[7] Are You Sure? Received mostly positive reviews. Invicta Magazine called it "the perfect collection of tracks to soundtrack a summer",[8] while VultureHound said it was "a delightful introduction to one of the UK’s most exciting new bands."[9]

## Marc Riley sessions, "Breakfast" and "Kaizen"

[edit]

In May 2019, Peaness recorded a session for Marc Riley's show on BBC Radio 6 Music.[10] The following month, they released a new song, "Breakfast", on their Bandcamp page. The lyrics are described as "a light-hearted take on Brexit".[11] The video for the song premiered on the UK music website The 405.[11]

In January 2020, the band recorded a second Marc Riley session and announced the release of a new song, "Kaizen", which was available digitally and as a limited edition 7" vinyl single, with "Breakfast" on the b-side.[12]

## "World Full Of Worry"

[edit]

In May 2022 Peaness released their long-awaited debut album, "World Full Of Worry" (WFOW) on their own label, Totally Snick Records.

It was well reviewed gaining 4/5 from Kerrang, saying: "This is an album that meets us where we are, offers a hand. It’ll also be a treat at a live show. This is the sound of the summer."[4] and making it onto Time magazine's mid-year list of the Best Albums of 2022 So Far saying: "hooky, terse guitar pop, balancing existential malaise with an ebullient chorus [and] sugar-sweet vocal harmonies..."[13]

The album reached number 16 in the UK independent album charts[14] and number 21 in the UK vinyl album charts.[15]

## Other Initiatives

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During the 2020 UK covid-19 lockdown, Peaness started a podcast: "Happeaness". It features the band catching up, talking about life and (occasionally) special guests including members of The Orielles and We Are Scientists.[16]

## Jessica Bonbon

[edit]

Jess released a 5-track EP, The Lights Are Out Another Week in December 2024 under the name Jessica Bonbon. The collaboration (with Joel Anthony Patchett) began in 2020 but was only completed in 2024. It includes contributions from members of The Orielles and BC Camplight. It has received radio play from several BBC stations.

## Discography

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Peaness at Rough Trade Bristol in May 2022

### Singles and EPs

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* No Fun \- cassette EP (Winter Mute, 2015)
* I'm Not Your Problem / Fortune Favours the Bold \- 7" single (Kingfisher Bluez, 2016)
* Same Place / Seafoam Islands - 7" single (Odd Box Records, 2017)
* Breakfast \- digital single (2019)
* Kaizen \- digital single (2020)
* Kaizen / Breakfast - limited edition 7" single (self released, 2020)
* Kiss Me Sweet Pea \- digital and 7" single (2023)

### Albums

[edit]

* Are You Sure? (Alcopop! Records, 2017)
* World Full Of Worry (2022), Self released CD; limited edition 12" blue vinyl, 12" standard black vinyl
* Are You Sure? (2023, Record Store Day re-issue)

### Compilation appearances

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* Piccadilly Records Sampler (Piccadilly Records, 2022) - "IRL"
* Music Against Misogyny (Two-Piers Records, 2023) - "How I’m Feeling"

## References

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1. ^ a b c Lewis, Richard (19 August 2015). "Peaness: No Fun (Self Released)". Bearded. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
2. ^ "Review: Peaness – Are You Sure? EP". 8 May 2017. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
3. ^ a b c d "Peaness". Archived from the original on 7 November 2019. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
4. ^ a b "Album review: Peaness – World Full Of Worry". Kerrang. 20 May 2022. "it's made for hugging your mates in the pit. Punks out there: this is the sound of the summer."
5. ^ "Live Review - Peaness @ The Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham – 24/4/2018". Words For Music. May 2018. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
6. ^ Hughes, Josiah (6 July 2016). "Peaness "I'm Not Your Problem" / "Fortune Favours the Bold"". Exclaim!. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
7. ^ Murray, Robin (24 January 2017). "Listen: Peaness - 'Same Place'". Clash. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
8. ^ "REVIEW: Peaness - Are You Sure? (EP)". Retrieved 7 November 2019.
9. ^ Adsett, Ben (22 May 2017). "Peaness – Are You Sure? (EP Review)". VultureHound. Archived from the original on 7 November 2019. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
10. ^ "BBC Radio 6 Music: Marc Riley". Retrieved 7 November 2019.
11. ^ a b "Peaness share the visual accompaniment to their effortlessly charming single 'Breakfast' [405 Premiere]". Archived from the original on 18 June 2019. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
12. ^ "Peaness Reveal Video For New Single 'Kaizen'". Original Rock. 10 January 2020. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
13. ^ "The Best Albums of 2022 So Far". Time. 3 June 2022.
14. ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart". Official Charts Company.
15. ^ "Official Vinyl Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
16. ^ "HAPPEANESS - A Peaness Podcast".

## External links

[edit]

* Official website
* Bandcamp