Following a whirlwind few months of high-profile touring, hotly tipped artist Iona Zajac has released her vibrant second single of the year, “Bang.” The new track marks a distinct shift from the haunting, spectral folk of her previous single, “Summer,” offering instead a powerful burst of sexually liberated joy.
The release comes after a significant period on the road for Zajac. Since her last single, she has performed to the biggest crowds of her career, completing a 25-date sold-out academy tour as the main support for Alison Moyet. This included prestigious venues like London’s Palladium and Dublin’s 3Olympia.
Her rising star led to an invitation to support The Pogues at their 40th-anniversary show in Dublin. Zajac’s role evolved as she joined the iconic band on stage, and she has since become a key part of their new touring lineup, sharing vocal duties with artists like Lankum’s Daragh Lynch, John Francis Flynn, Lisa O’Neill, and Nadine Shah. This new chapter for The Pogues was solidified when original member Spider Stacy and the new lineup each got matching “Pogue” tattoos. Zajac will continue this journey, performing with the band in the USA this September.
Her new track, “Bang,” channels this new-found energy. Rooted in raw honesty, the song is a testament to her musical evolution, blending rich folk textures with vibrant indie-rock. “A good bang at the end of a boring day won’t fix your life, but it might help,” says Zajac.
She explains the personal journey behind the track’s confident and celebratory tone. “I wrote bang when I realised sex could be good. While that feels like something that should be taken for granted, it wasn’t for me as a young woman growing up. I think that’s the case for a lot of people. Confusing clashing bodies, often shadowed by the evil teenage world of slut shaming. I hated my body and I couldn’t figure out how to enjoy it. Then suddenly it was bliss, the shame was gone and I wanted to shout about it.”
Directed by Jonny Blair and produced by Laura Williams, the accompanying brilliantly fun video mirrors this theme. “For the video, we wanted to keep it simple,” Zajac adds. “It’s a celebration of female pleasure and presents a day in the life of a bored woman who loves to bang!”
Stream: https://ffm.to/izbang
Video Credits:
Directed by Jonny Blair
Produced by Laura Williams
DOP Adam Barnett
Edited by Ian Robertson
Iona returns to the stages from July 4th, supporting three dates at the Pavilion Theatre with fellow The Pogues vocalist Lisa O’Neill, followed by a one-off show at London’s Kew Gardens with former tourmate Alison Moyet, finally continuing her run with The Pogues playing across the USA and Canada.
Iona Zajac tour dates
July 4th – Pavilion Theatre, Dun Laoghaire w/ Lisa O’Neill
July 5th – Pavilion Theatre, Dun Laoghaire w/ Lisa O’Neill
July 6th – Pavilion Theatre, Dun Laoghaire w/ Lisa O’Neill
July 12th – Kew Gardens w/ Alison Moyet
August 1st – Belladrum Festival, Invernes
Sept 5th – Lincoln Centre, Washington (As part of The Pogues)
Sept 7th – Seasun Festival, Boston (As part of The Pogues)
Sept 8th – Franklin Music Hall, Philadelphia (As part of The Pogues)
Sept 10th – History, Toronto (As part of The Pogues)
Sept 12th – Mtelus, Montreal (As part of The Pogues)
Sept 13th – CityFolk Festival, Ottowa (As part of The Pogues)
Sept 16th – Terminal 5, New York (As part of The Pogues)
Sept 17th – Terminal 5, New York (As part of The Pogues)
Sept 19th – Riot Fest, Chicago (As part of The Pogues)