After hundreds of hours in the recording studio and after working tirelessly to achieve the fame and success that they have gained up to this point, up and coming group JOYNER is bringing their sound to a whole new level. Since their start, they have had countless opportunities to perform and have thus gained the enthusiasm and loyalty of thousands of fans who are dying to hear more from this killer group. Luckily, amidst their crazy release schedule, Joyner was able to answer some questions for us and for their fans concerning where they started, where they are and, most importantly, where they are going. Buckle up and enjoy one of the most open and honest interviews that we have had yet.
Throughout your years of performing and producing music, was there an event or circumstance that really helped you kick start your career in music?
Music has always been something we loved. We grew up singing, writing songs and performing together in musical theater. As youngins we knew it was something we wanted to do, but we weren’t sure how to take it beyond the walls of our childhood home. When Summer was 20 she was working in retail and had a customer that came in and was telling her about her cousin that was a music producer. From there the dots connected and we recorded our first songs. It hasn’t stopped since!
Out of all of your goals, what is your focus right now?
At this very moment, getting our new music out into the world is the main focus!
Although there may have been set backs, what has made it all worth it?
There have been countless set backs, but at the end of the day it comes down to the music. No matter how hard it gets, the music is always what paints a sunny sky after a gloomy day.
While you are performing, what is your number one priority?
We have two number one priorities and that’s really focusing on being in sync with each other + making sure everyone has a good time!
Is there any exciting news about upcoming releases or tour dates?
Our debut EP comes out May 18th. We’re playing The Mint on 4/29 here in LA and are hoping to hit the road soon. Follow us on our socials to keep in the loop!
After a long day in the studio or on stage, what is the number one thing that you like to eat?
Love this question! A warm comforting meal like potatoes, or some yum grub from one of our favorite vegan restaurants like Little Pine or Mohawk bend.
Has there been anyone or special figure who has helped you get to the point that you are at?
We have so many angels in our lives from our music producer, to our friends that take our photos and help us make our music videos. We are so grateful for them!!
Chicago/L.A.-based four-piece Young Jesus has just put out a brand new record, S/T. Young Jesus is made up of John Rossiter (guitar/vocals), Kern Haug on drums, Marcel Borbon on bass, and Eric Shevrin on keys and vocals. Says Rossister on the sound of Young Jesus: “the ethos is to push each other to express things that are not common– like ideas of love and trust within friendships– through being extremely vulnerable and making mistakes. Hopefully those mistakes become framed as an important and necessary part of process. It’s about communication between four people. Hopefully it is the sound of four very good friends who want to let other people into that space.” Their new album is the culmination of the honing of their sound and an exploration of what it means for Young Jesus to be an indie rock band.
Tracklist:
Green – the record starts out with a marvelous track, “Green”. From the get-go, it brings the listener into the indie-rock sound that Young Jesus makes their very own.Check out the music video for “Green” here.
River – you’ll feel like you’re down by the river when you put this one on. Slow, melodic, and composed of a soundscape filled with longing, “River” is a gem.
Eddy – a longer song that is filled with depth of feeling, “Eddy” reminds the listener of simpler times, and the cloud of bittersweet reminiscence that surrounds every memory
Under – an emotional, raw track tinged with well-placed acoustic guitar. Rossiter’s vocals hover on the edge of breaking, really bringing the listener in as the the song develops.
Desert – “every little landscape breaks my heart”, sings Rossiter. This song lends itself to the feelings one associates with places that make and break a person.
Feeling – while every artist generally strives to capture emotion in their music, Young Jesus actually paints them musically for the listener in this track.
Storm – closing out the album is the nearly 13 minute track “Storm”. Through the length of the song, Young Jesus is able to bring the listener along for a look into their nature.
Seattle-based shoegaze/dream pop collective Ephrata – comprised of Skadi Von Reis Crooks (guitar, vocals), Brady Hall (guitar, vocals), Jules Jones (bass, vocals), and Ben Bromage (drums, vocals) – released their self-titled 11 track album just last month. The vocal harmonies they have been honing since their conception in 2011 are buttery smooth, with almost a kaleidoscope of personalized instrumental layers that make each song feel like an entire experience. We were big fans of the release, so we thought we’d let you in on why.
“Odds” has a very “I Melt With You” feel to its initial lines – though delivered as though it were released in the 50s – bathing its listener in light, nostalgic feels right off the bat. “Tunguska” is characterized by whirring guitars, the beat setting in after a couple of lines and really kicking the energy into high gear. But the song feels upbeat and light, while the lyrics are actually quite terrifying as they repeat “Run, run, scream and cry / Run for your life.” (Comforting, we know.) “Breakers” makes us realize that we may have embedded ourselves in a deceivingly light – but innately melancholic – work, as first line “Don’t you know that things were better when they were bad?” throws us into an almost existential mindset. And while we aren’t entirely sure what it means to “die on a sea of straight faces,” “Sea Of Straight Faces” is a slow, 50’s doo-wop sounding track that mellows you out for a bit mid-album.
Fifth track “Fiend Folio” seems to play with dissonance early on, addressing perhaps the fact that your road through life is paved with temptation and intensity (“forked tongues and fangs showed me the way”). We might be misinterpreting the lyrics, though they are – as their predecessors – seemingly bittersweet in their delivery and intention. “1000 Things” begins with a grunge/surf bass guitar, exploding into a beachy track that hits Beach Boys status pretty quickly and effectively. And while “What Is Mine” is indie rock at its core – it feels as though it could have easily been included on the Juno soundtrack – “Consequence” rolls right back into some hard beachy nostalgia for us all.
“Pharaoh” is light and upbeat in delivery. In fact, deceivingly so, as they’re singing about being shot and “entombed,” though the overarching theme might just be found in the line “pot meet kettle,” something we have been examining intensely recently, especially regarding people in power. (But I digress.) “Evil Twin” is a track that really makes you think. Clearly, the person whose perspective we’re examining is in denial about a seemingly abusive relationship, as she is convinced she met her significant other’s “evil twin” because of the way he treats her. “But when he appears you’re always gone…” How sullen and beautiful, this perspective on unhealthy relationships. Ephrata ties their 11 track release together with “Sun Scenario”, keeping with the devastating, lugubrious theme by instructing “fill your head full of dread ’til you’re dead,” which – to their credit – when examined has the opposite effect. It’s as though they’re encouraging you to embark upon this dark path, hoping you might take it as a challenge and move, instead, into the light.
But however you tend to interpret the lyrics, move forward. Examine your world through the lens of Ephrata’s music and use it as a learning tool. It will come in handy.
Ephrata is available now. Keep up with the band here.
