JoanOvArc Talk New Single, Video And More

JoanOvArc return with their hugely engulfing new single, ‘Mechanical Overlords’ and video out now. We caught up the band:

 

Who is in JOANOvARC, how did you meet and what do you play?

The band formed in 2011 by sisters Shelley and Sam Walker, we were heavily influenced by our musical family and grew up next to knebworth park where we heard Metallica from in our back garden and attended many iconic concerts including the famous Oasis concert in the 90’s. The band has evolved over the years with various members and sounds. We now have this solid line up below.

Emma Hodgson – Vocals / Rhythm Guitar

Shelley Walker – Lead Guitar

Chloe Whitworth – Drums

Immy Cliff – Bass Guitar

 

What is your earliest musical memory?

Our earliest musical memory is Jamming with my dad when I was 7 years old. We had a very musical family and spent a lot of weekends jamming with various musicians. 



 

When did you begin songwriting?

Me and my sister started writing music from a very young age. I wrote my first song when I was 7 years old and performed this at school. 



 

You have your new single ‘Mechanical Overlords’ which is out now. What was the story/inspiration behind the track?

The subject is very real, AI is now part of our lives and it is slowly but surely taking over. It’s quite scary that this technology can clone voices and imitate real people. Many pop tracks are now AI generated and people, the media and social media are buying into this. Radio stations have recently played AI music which has caused major controversy. It’s a subject that people don’t write about but this is already affecting our lives. This gave us the inspiration to write about it. 



 

Where did you record the track and who produced it?

Dan Lambert – Boston Sound

Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the recording sessions?

We once recorded at the prestigious Rockfield studios with producer Gil Norton, a real life fire started in the studio, we had to evacuate and the fire brigade had to come and put this fire out. This experience was certainly memorable. We did complete the album.

The other funny story was when the studio cat deleted some of our takes in the studio with his paw, he loved to lay on the analog desk as this was nice and warm. Unfortunately we did need to re-record our individual parts again.

 

Did you use any particular instruments, microphones, recording equipment to help you get a particular sound/tone for the record?

We used a few keyboard samples on ‘Mechanical Overlords’. If you listen carefully you can hear a sample in the intro and chorus. It sounds like an old computer loading up, it’s a digital effect. It’s very discrete. Plus there’s plenty of distortion on the bass. 



 

Which of your tracks hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most reflective?

Happiest – Isolation

Angriest – Nothing left to say

Most reflective – Time 



Was it a difficult song to write?

Yes, as we changed the arrangement a lot before we were happy. Once we wrote the outro it all came together. The lyrics made the song work. 



The single is accompanied by a video. What was the thought process behind the video and who directed it?

We wanted to give the audience a sci-fi dystopian futuristic animation video. This is what AI will do, this could be our future, us against the machines. It’s not fiction.

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?

Our home town is all over the UK as we all come from the – North, South, South-east and East.

How do you look after your voices?

We are not good at this, in fact we are very old school. We know that honey and lemon, no alcohol and no dairy are all good for the voice. The most you will see us do is take the odd Vocal Zone. We generally sound like Bonner Tyler after a few shows. 



 

Do you have any live dates planned in the UK/Europe in 2026?

NO MORE MASTERS TOUR

21ST MARCH – GIFFARD ARMS, WOLVERHAMPTON

29TH MARCH – SIX SIX CAMBRIDGE

3RD MAY – THE PIPELINE, BRIGHTON

16TH MAY – JUST PUSH PLAY, BURY ST EDMUNDS

30TH – 31ST – CALL OF THE WILD FEST

20TH JUNE – CORPORATION, SHEFFIELD

26TH JUNE – N FEST – CAMBRIDGESHIRE

12TH SEPTEMBER – DESTINATION FORGE SHEFFIELD





What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?

Pleasing the audience and putting on a damn good show. 



Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?

Yes, the metallic purple PRS, Boss effects unit, Blackstar amplifiers, Ampeg bass rig and good old SM58 microphones! 


 

You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?

The Handmaid’s tale by Margaret Atwood. It’s very dramatic, with a dystopian feel and it is very dark.

Do you have any further music releases planned for 2026?

Yes singles throughout the year and a new album out at the end of the year.

Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?

Muse, Foo Fighters, Halestorm and Rush. All these bands have worked their arses off and have been around for years playing to very small crowds, then eventually playing big stadiums. They come across as hardworking humble people.

Bands that we recommend are Planet Fatale and Electric Black.

What makes JoanOvArc happy and what makes you unhappy?

We are most happy when we do a great show and most unhappy when we can’t perform or have a bad sound on stage. It’s very important that we are comfortable on stage. It helps us put on a great show.

Feature Image Photo Credit: Supplied By San PR

JoanOvArc’s new single ‘Mechanical Overlords’  is out now.

Listen Here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3TPVC5t1sLsLYqoa2w7iwu

March 2026 UK Tour:

21 – The Giffard Arms, Wolverhampton

28 – Aatma, Manchester

29 – Six Six Bar, Cambridge

For more information:
https://www.tiktok.com/@joanovarc1/
https://www.instagram.com/joanovarc
https://www.facebook.com/JOANovARCofficial