Oxford indie pop-rock outfit Jody and the Jerms have released their new single ‘Liberation’, which was produced, mixed and mastered by RIDE frontman Mark Gardener at his OX4 Sound studio near Oxford, following a collaborative tradition started with their latest album ‘Wonder’.

‘Liberation’ sees the Oxford band somewhat divert from their jangle pop roots. With vocals to the fore, buoyed by the addition of new Jerm Salma Craig on backing vocals, this 3-minute offering is awash with Wah, Hammond and shaker to get the audience moving as they continue with UK club and festival appearances.

Following their latest single ‘Intuition’, the sweet taste of ‘Liberation’ powers the band forward, recalling the killer riffs, sass and harmonies of the B-52s in the embrace of the Jerms’ own trademark twists and warm production.

An insanely upbeat and empowering song, ‘Liberation’ is about how the good times make you feel alive and free – and how you want that positivity to last forever.

“A lot of our songs from the two latest albums, ‘Flicker’ and ‘Wonder’, have been called bittersweet – but ‘Liberation’ is something completely different. It’s about how you feel when things are going well, the euphoria you feel, which can be hard to explain or even understand, and the excitement of what comes next,” says frontwoman Jody Jeger.

Niall Jeger adds, “The whole song has a different sound to previous Jerms songs. We played around with different guitar and synth sounds, and also went big on the three-part harmonies that were a lot of fun to record. We had a very productive, creative and happy day in the studio which matches the lyrical themes of ‘Liberation'”.

Championed by the late Janice Long at BBC, among others, Jody and the Jerms is a collective revolving around Jody Jeger (vocals) and Niall Jeger (guitars and vocals) with other band members coming from The Anydays, who have graced the pages of NME, played with Radiohead and Supergrass, and were featured on Mark Radcliffe at BBC Radio 2.

Jody and the Jerms create endearing jangle-pop songs that are both evocative and relatable. Formed in Oxford in 2019, they have been writing, recording and performing their blend of melodic and uplifting indie/ alt rock ever since, having enjoyed national airtime on Radio X (UK), Sirius XM (USA) and RTVE (Spain), as well as BBC 6 Music, BBC Introducing, BBC Wales and BBC Ulster.

Mark Gardener notes, “In a great way, this music and these people take me to a place and time where music and life felt easier, fresh and less complicated. There is a simple purity, real heart and soul, plus earworm catchy-as-hell tunes in all they do. Always a warm glow pleasure that never felt like hard work or ‘trying to split the atom’ when there’s absolutely no need to as soon as they start playing in the studio we’re back off to that lovely space again.”

‘Liberation’ is out now and can be found on Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp, where their latest ‘Wonder’ LP is also available on limited edition CD and pink vinyl. Jody and the Jerms are currently touring the UK in support of this release – get tickets at https://jodyandthejerms.com/live

CREDITS
Jody Jeger – vocals
Salma Craig – backing vocals
Niall Jeger – guitar
Peter James Millson – guitar and backing vocals
Robert Anwood – keys and percussion
Steve Clark – drums
Drew Atkins – bass
Music by Niall Jeger. Lyrics by Jody Jeger
Produced, mixed and mastered by Mark Gardener at OX4 Sound studio
Copyright 2023

TOUR DATES
Sept. 1 WALLINGFORD, OXON – BunkFest Fringe
Sept. 23 BIRMINGHAM – Hare and Hounds, Birmingham (supporting Frank and Walters)
Sept. 24 FARINGDON, OXFORDSHIRE – Great Barn Festival
Sept. 30 OXFORD – FoFest at Tap Social
Oct. 12 LONDON – Venue 229 (supporting The Popguns)
Nov. 26 WINCHESTER – Railway
Feb. 8, 2024 SWINDON – Swindon Arts Centre