Singer-songwriter Juno Lee’s brand of queer indie-rock comes with a side of radical honesty. Think catchy choruses and feminism, all filtered through the chaos of her everyday existence. Lee’s heartfelt approach to storytelling through music has her 2024 debut EP Laundry Days swinging from ‘Dump Him’ to ‘I’m Fine, Thank You’ without missing a beat. Born and raised in Berlin, Lee has a fast-growing following in the city. With a recent support slot with Hinds at a sold-out show in Paris, she’s started to spread her wings internationally.
I hope we reach a point where being a FLINTA* band isn’t treated like being exceptional.
When did you start your project, and why?
I started out in 2022. Making music has always been part of who I am, so starting a solo project wasn’t a calculated decision. It just had to happen. It sounds like a cliché, but it was the first time I stopped overthinking, stopped waiting for approval from anyone else and just followed my gut. I didn’t have a big vision; it was just me and the songs I was writing. And then everything started to fall into place when I met my band.
How would you describe your music?
Barbie meets riot grrrl. Julia Jacklin also had a huge influence on me, but the real turning point was seeing Kate Nash live when I was 13, during her Girl Talk era. She was on bass, screaming unapologetically. I remember thinking, “That’s who I want to be.”
What are some of the topics you deal with in your music?
On my debut EP I talk about queerness, challenging the status quo, mental health and feminism.
How would you describe Berlin’s music scene?
Equally exhausting and inspiring. I’ve lived here all my life and I wouldn’t trade the access to live music for anything. At the same time, there is an oversaturation of mediocre white indie boys in this town. It’s 2025. Why do six-member boy bands still have to exist? There are so many brilliant FLINTA* and BIPOC musicians in this city. I hope we reach a point where being a FLINTA* band isn’t treated like being exceptional, but even here in Berlin we were welcomed by a sound engineer saying, ‘It’s going to be a nice girls’ night.’
What are your favourite venues?
SchwuZ, Schokoladen and Tennis Bar.
What has been your most memorable gig to date?
Playing to a sold-out show in Paris with Hinds recently. It was my first show there and I didn’t know what to expect. The crowd was so sweet and welcoming and actually sang along and jumped around with us. I also really loved my first headline show in Berlin celebrating the release of my debut EP in November 2024. The room was filled with my friends, my sisters and my mum, and I invited a lot of friends on stage to play a song with us.
Who are your favourite Berlin artists and who would you like to collaborate with?
I absolutely love and would love to collaborate with Meagre Martin, Güner Kunier, Andreya Casablanca, Aka Kelzz and Albertine Sarges.
What are you working on next?
My debut album, or if that feels too big, my second EP.
- Keep up to date with Juno Lee on Instagram.
