Joe Go Beat uses lockdown to release album exploring attitudes before and after Brexit

GoGo Loco frontman Joe Martin has released a collection of songs recorded during lockdown cross examining attitudes up to and after Brexit.
Jo Go Beat, performing at the Northampton Music Festival last year with GoGo Loco. Photo by David JacksonJo Go Beat, performing at the Northampton Music Festival last year with GoGo Loco. Photo by David Jackson
Jo Go Beat, performing at the Northampton Music Festival last year with GoGo Loco. Photo by David Jackson

It’s easy to forget, before lockdown, before the Coronavirus and before the global reaction to the death of George Floyd, people in the UK were still locking horns over the decision the leave the EU.

While the logistics of decoupling from the collective rumble on, GoGo Loco front man and former Mobbs member Joe Go Beat, AKA Joe Martin, has used his time during lockdown to record and release a collection of songs which cross examine some of the attitudes which came out the woodwork leading up to the vote to leave and in its aftermath.

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The album’s Latin title, Alea Iacta Est, translates to ‘the die is cast’ and signifies a ‘point of no return’.

The cover of Alea Iacta Est.The cover of Alea Iacta Est.
The cover of Alea Iacta Est.

“It harkens to the words of an ancient Roman battle report to Julius Caesar,” explains Joe.

“I suppose I’m likening a lot of modern political behaviour to the Roman conquerors.

“The record is really a personal, non-political, reaction to the confusion and idiocy of the whole saga.

“It became a theme, although it wasn’t really my intention.

One of Joe's illustrations which accompany Alea Iacta Est.One of Joe's illustrations which accompany Alea Iacta Est.
One of Joe's illustrations which accompany Alea Iacta Est.
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“I was attempting to piece together my feelings generally toward modern, mainly British, nationalistic behaviour.”

Like millions of others, the Northampton singer-songwriter is currently furloughed and has used his time to record and release the LP.

He admits ‘lockdown’ has been one of the “most prolifically creative times” of his life.

“Precious time to one’s self must never be wasted,” he explains.

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Alea Iacta Est has a familiar garage rock sound fans of the singer-songwriter will have become accustomed to.

Much of the album was a project Joe had been working on for some time and the current climate provided the perfect opportunity to get it finished and released.

“I’d love to have the time to play this record live but I doubt that’ll happen,” he concedes.

“GoGo Loco is my live band and I’ll be focusing my attention on new songs and how to get back to that now.”

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Each track on the record is accompanied with an illustration which are being revealed bit by bit online.

“I’ve looked at old punch cartoons and various satirical illustrators,” explains Joe – talking about the inspiration behind the illustrations.

“I’m always looking for a way to link my visual work with my sonic creations.”

Turning to the songs themselves, Dirty Old Rag laments the hard-right influence on parts of the tabloid press and the way it influences society.

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“I often seem to score a jolly dance tune with a sinister lyrical subject matter,” explains Joe.

“This isn’t always my intention, it just seems to happen.

“The Hope & The Glory attempts to remind us that the successors write the history books to white-wash all moral misdemeanours.

“I also remember reading something about the absurd notion that anyone in the remain camp during Brexit was a traitor to their country.

“Instead of defending the so called ‘traitor’, I’ve given the traitor a spotlight.

“The traitor is the hero in my opinion.”

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Talking about the title track, he adds: “This was the last song I wrote.

“It’s time to forget the whole thing and move on regardless of the outcome.”

Reflecting on the project and his decision to highlight such a seminal point in British history, Joe cites one his favourite records, Arthur (Or The Decline and Fall of The British Empire) by the Kinks and admits he was inspired by it to try something similar.

“Nothing ever ages,” he explains. “The establishment is ever present the right to satirise and criticise it remains.”

Alea Iacta Est is available now on the usual streaming platforms.

For more information, visit https://joegobeat.bandcamp.com