Junipo drops debut single “Tommy Gunn”

Coming out of Sydney’s music scene, Junipo is the newest alias of artist Oliver Kirby, a name already known in music circles but now reintroducing himself with a brand new endeavour. With his debut single “Tommy Gunn,” he announces his solo arrival by charging onto the scene with a full-throttle rock anthem, making an emphatic artistic entrance with a gripping first outing.

Pairing high-octane energy with pop appeal and alternative aesthetics, Junipo serves up a chaotic, exhilarating sound that feels born for both warehouse shows and off-the-wall music videos. The single arrives as a collaboration with fellow Sydney creative Nick Ward, offering the first taste of the larger body of work titled Soundspeed, a six-track project set to land this September.

Opened by the rattle of lively drums, the track erupts with jumping a guitar riff to inject instant energy before dropping back as Junipo’s slick vocals glide in. Spinning catchy vocal hooks above the punching beat and crunchy guitar backing, the chorus launches with a surge of rock vigour capped by smooth melodic leads to deliver an infectious sound.

Laying down an invigorating pop-tinged alternative rock sound in a potent two minute dose, the track nods to the jagged textures of Turnstile and the genre-blending wildness of Jean Dawson, crashing together in a track that feels unhinged in all the right ways. Junipo’s vocal performance rides the instrumental with impassioned delivery; one minute playful, the next ominously questioning, “does it make you feel good?”

Thematically, Junipo paints the picture of an otherworldly party, framing a surreal, almost hallucinogenic setting underscored by the ambiguous arrival of Tommy, the gun, with all the “party supplies.” It’s metaphorical chaos at its finest and it’s hard not to be swept up in the thrill of it all. The track is matched by an equally exciting visual counterpart directed by Charles Buxton-Leslie, who’s known for work with Ashwarya and DMA’s alongside Junipo himself.

Driven by distortion pedals and airborne nudity, the camera hurtles through a house as Junipo is swept away by the power of his own riffs and flung from room to room. It’s absurd, it’s anarchic and it’s impossible to look away. Kicking off a new artistic chapter in spectacular fashion, Junipo makes a compelling statement of intent and we can’t wait to see what he’s got lined up next.

Watch the music video for Tommy Gunn below

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