Iona Zajac

There’s an unwavering resilience coursing through Iona Zajac’s music. That power is essential in striking a perfect balance of light and dark narratives drawn from stark realities and a desire to find escapism in the surreal. Zajac expands on her unique world building which is very much inspired by her poems and dreams. 'I enjoy trying to embrace discomfort.' Zajac’s motivation to be so frank in her songwriting is spurred by her desire for women to see themselves outlined in her arresting words. To have their own similar experiences illuminated and heard. We can expect a lot of this in her highly anticipated debut album, due for release this year. As much as lived experiences inform her lyrics, Zajac weaves surrealist narratives into her songs inspired by dream sequences that she has logged over the years; her humour casts a cathartic lightness in her work. Always rooted in simple chord sequences on nylon string guitar, Zajac’s music is growing into a mesmerising palette of rumbling percussion, radiant casio motifs and bursts of invigorating driving electric guitar. The strength in her voice has been honed over the last few years during which Zajac has been perfecting her craft on stage as she joined several acclaimed artists such as Alison Moyet, Arab Strap, Lankum, Anna B Savage, Cassandra Jenkins. More recently, Zajac was invited to open for, and sing with, The Pogues in Dublin and is joining their line up for upcoming tours. (Written by Zara Hedderman)