**Interview: Heartworms - From Beginning to End**
Jojo Orme, known for her intense gaze and military-style attire, reveals that there is much more to Heartworms than what first appears. With her debut album ‘Glutton For Punishment’, she sheds her defenses and delves into her true self beyond the uniform.
Jojo reflects on the contrast between a hospital and a graveyard: one vibrant and full of life, the other serene and marking the end. While we stroll through West Norwood Cemetery post-photoshoot, the winter sun casts a warm glow on the grey gravestones as we search for our names. The atmosphere, rather than being grim, feels soothing, with the graves’ inscriptions poignantly highlighting the importance of memory in both death and life. Jojo, who identifies as sentimental, shares her thoughts over hot drinks in a nearby café. She asks for the opportunity to have some quotes at the ready and places beautifully bound notebooks along with a well-worn copy of The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde between us. “I find significance in anything tied to a memory or emotion,” she shares. “I’m fascinated by my youth and my past.” Given her initial artistic persona was established through Glengarry attire and an affection for Spitfire aircraft (she even has a tattoo of one), it’s unsurprising that she has a keen interest in history. Her Heartworms project, which serves as both her stage name and an alter ego, made an impactful debut in 2023 and quickly gathered a dedicated fanbase. Now, she is preparing for her full album release—a deep and broad exploration of shared remembrance and personal specters.
“Heartworms was a world I could sculpt with my own hands, untouched by anyone else.”
Last June, Jojo released ‘Jacked’, the first song from ‘Glutton For Punishment’. In the cinematic video (created with her close collaborator Gilbert Trejo), she appears as a captive revealing her solitude: “As long as I can remember, I’ve been alone. Initially, there were people… but I was still lonely. Then I realized the loneliness was them. So I fled. No matter where I looked, they were there, consumed by my loneliness.”
This powerful introduction prompts a small smile from her. “Since childhood, I’ve had numerous people around, yet I couldn’t truly connect with them, often ending up feeling isolated. I was frequently blamed; even at school, peers distanced themselves from me. I struggled to find meaning or understanding through others, worsening my loneliness.” Heartworms emerged from this sense of isolation—partly as a self-extension and partly as an independent persona representing a stronger, darker aspect of herself. “Becoming Heartworms was an escape; I wasn't happy with who I was and needed the boost of confidence. It was a realm I could create alone, untouched.” Now, as she matures and embraces “who [she] is as Josephine,” Jojo sees Heartworms as less of an aspiration and more like a companion. “I see her evolving into something unique,” she nods. “It’s like I’m holding her hand.” We observe echoes of Stevenson’s Jekyll and Hyde in her narrative. “I’m not sure what the conclusion will be,” she laughs, “but I enjoy the concept of swapping identities; sometimes I want to escape it, and then I realize that I find pleasure in it.” Jojo seems attracted to this intricate darkness both as an artist and a consumer of art. Alongside Stevenson, she mentions Patti Smith and Edgar Allan Poe; her work examines themes of international conflict and personal struggles. This inclination might explain Heartworms’ resonance with listeners, akin to our morbid curiosity with true crime—her art allows for exploration of humanity’s darker facets without necessitating self-reflection. “[Art] provides a veil that isn’t too revealing,” she emphasizes. “The painting, poem, or song acts as a screen concealing the complete monsters lurking behind the artwork or within the audience.” She chuckles, “And I’m not implying ‘monster’ as in EVIL, but everyone houses one within.”
This notion is vividly illustrated when she discusses the experience of war. “War can be incredibly primal… yet on the exterior, it’s all about order and policy. People outside the situation often remain unaware of the severity within.” Regarding society's interaction with warfare, there seems to be a similar detachment—much like art, historical, geographical, or privileged distance provides a layer that enables us to gauge others’ actions in relation to our moral compass.
She believes this underlines the importance of remembrance. “I was invited to the archives at RAF Hendon,” she recounts, “and was struck by all those letters, many memories lost to time. Working there serves as a reminder of what transpired and who those individuals were.” By focusing on these overlooked details—forgotten moments
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Although she initially earned a reputation for her intense gaze and military-style clothing, Jojo Orme of Heartworms reveals she is much more than her exterior suggests. In her debut album ‘Glutton For Punishment’, she lowers her defenses and explores the individual behind the uniform.