Modern Woman

Modern Woman, the London art-rock outfit fronted by primary songwriter Sophie Harris, are set to release their debut album 'Johnny's Dreamworld' on May 1, 2026 via One Little Independent Records. 'Johnny's Dreamworld' represents the culmination of Modern Woman's journey from Harris's early, intimate songwriting project into a band folding post-punk, avant-garde and folk traditions into a live sound marked by contrasts. At its heart, the record explores the poetry buried within the ordinary. Harris's lyrics, steeped in literary detail and filmic atmosphere, draw from a fascination with the underbelly of the everyday and the contradictions of womanhood.

Harris explains, "A vital theme I've always wanted in Modern Woman is the idea of conflicting things, of the tender/harsh, loud/quiet and scrappy/polished. The style of everybody's playing, drawing from a melting pot of influences, coming together to form something new."

Modern Woman's sound emerged from years of creative refinement. The band coalesced when Harris met violinist and composer David Denyer, who brought a background in experimental composition and textural sound work. Joined by Juan Brint-Gutiérrez on bass and saxophone and Adam Blackhurst on drums, the group forged a style that values the contrasting edges of folk lyricism and noise colliding with melody. Working with producer Joel Burton (Naima Bock, Katy J Pearson, Vanishing Twin), they focused on a live immediacy that channels their performances into a sound that is direct and varied. Modern Woman will perform at Hyde Park Book Club on 27 October 2026 at 7:30 pm.