Five Minutes with Fuzzy – DIVA Magazine

HERE’S a little interview I did for DIVA magazine, about my forthcoming gig with Sisterhood at DIVA Music Festival.

Thanks lovely DIVA peeps!

Five minutes with Fuzzy Jones ☕

We catch up with the Leeds-based alt folk musician ahead of the DIVA Music Festival in Great Yarmouth this November

BY DANIELLE MUSTARDE
Having had spots in both DIVA magazine and on Radio DIVA, Leeds-based, alt folk musician Fuzzy Jones is another artist who sprung straight to mind as DIVA Music Festival was on the drawing board.

Putting #womeninmusic at the forefront, DIVA Music Fest is set to become the biggest new music festival for lez/bi women in the UK and, as the event fast approaches, we check in with our performers while they prepare for the BIG queer gig of the year.

This week, it’s Leeds lovely Fuzzy and her women’s music collective, Sisterhood.

DIVA: Hello Fuzzy, first off thanks for chatting to us. What does this week have in store for you? 

No problem! I’ve just come back from the Head South tour with my women’s music collective, Sisterhood, so this week has mainly involved a lot of sleeping and watching Netflix! We’ll be back in the swing of things with rehearsals and a bit of writing before the end of the week though.

You’re based in Leeds, what’s the music scene like in the city?

It’s ace! Really buzzy. Loads of DIY artists, events and independent stuff.

Sounds bloody fantastic. Tell us a little more about your project, Sisterhood Music Collective?

We’re four solo artists who joined forces to collaborate, not compete. We play on each other’s songs and perform as a band – think the Spice Girls, but in an alt folk style and who actually play instruments! (Sorry Ginger Spice and co.) We also discuss inequalities for women and nonbinary folk in the music industry, mental health issues, politics and sexuality on stage and sing in four part harmonies.

Do you ever face challenges being an openly queer woman in music?

I haven’t faced any challenges being openly queer, but I have faced challenges being a woman – I also experience overt ageism. That’s one of the reasons we set up the Sisterhood, as all four of us have encountered this throughout our music careers.

I’ve been blanked and not listened to in music studios when co-producing records with previous bands and I was once turned down by a major record label because they said I was “too old” – I was 30.

I’ve never knowingly faced any challenges being openly gay and my lyrics are very honest and open, and I want them to be. I’ve always put across the message that being queer is perfectly normal. That’s something I’m very passionate about – holding the torch for other people so that they’re able to be themselves.

And that is why events like DIVA Music Festival are still so important. How are you feeling about performing there?

I cannot wait. The Sisters – who I’m bringing as my band – are literally wetting themselves with excitement. It’s gonna’ ROCK.

Any words for your queer fan base?

Thanks peeps! Love ya! Oh, and we’ve got a new badass tune for you about equality that we’ll be rocking at DIVA Music Fest. See you there?