Judy Blank

• 27th Jul 2022

• Venue: Rose And Monkey
• City: Manchester
• Postcode: M4 5JZ
• Show Time: 19:30
• Ticket price: £ £11.00 (inc booking fee)

Not available

Tickets sold via Eventim

You won’t believe it, but the most played music on the record player of Utrechtse indie folk sensation Judy Blank is… Motown. Uplifting soul with a bittersweet edge, often hidden under festive blazers. Danceable sad disco. Favorite is ‘Tears of a Clown’, a banger by Smokey Robinson. The context of this song became the inspiration for Saddies, her new EP, out in April. Because life isn’t always a party.

After an unexpected mental breakdown last summer, it seemed to be over with Blanks’ endless wild plans and big dreams. Nothing seemed more rewarding when her optimism melted away and gave way to the principles of burnout. The zest for life was hard to find and the lack of perspective turned gray every day. But help came from an unexpected source. After the first turbulent period, fragments of songs arose again. Sentences and ideas flashed along when she sat dizzy at her piano, trying not to hold back, and admitted: “I’m not okay.” It turned out to be free therapy. Slowly she collected a pile of new ones songs with dark themes: mental pressure, anxiety, FOMO. She produced herself, under watchful eye of producer Roy van Rosendaal (Figgie, Le Motat, Nonchelange) in his studio, who ironically, is located in a former mental health care institution. Despite the loaded themes the shiny folk tunes don’t sound heavy, but playful, light and dreamy. Recognizable troubles is sung about with a good dose of self-mockery. And with success: the sarcastic first single, Karaoke exploded on Dutch radio while she was in Mexico herself. This spring the rest appears, on a pastel colored cassette tape. Including blazers.

“Life is far from perfect. The world is not always easy to understand. It’s okay to sometimes
to be sad. I think I’m almost there, although I don’t always believe it myself.”

Judy Blank

Saddies, inspired by crybabies like Nick Drake, Christian Lee Hutson and Julia Jacklin, is coming
out on April 22 through V2 Records.

The sad shows are played by a brand new band: a bunch of well-dressed guys who
don’t be averse to a little dirty sixties rock. So don’t just cry. Also pass hits like
‘Mary Jane’ and ‘Tangled Up In You’ from the American-recorded breakthrough album Morning Sun
the revue, but in a new jacket. Get ready for a tasteful collection of quirky
synthesizers, drum machines, clattering electric guitars and classy harmonies wherever you
says to.

@judyblankmusic

Event info provided by Eventim.