You will be redirected to the page you want to view in seconds.

Gearing up for DeLuna Fest, the Joy Formidable meets tremendous expectations

6:51 PM, Sep. 11, 2012

Purchase Image

The Joy Formidable is part of the main stage lineup on Saturday at DeLuna Fest. / Special to GoPensacola.com

Written by

Michael Smith

GoPensacola.com

Filed Under

“It’s not every day that we get to party on a beach in the sunshine, especially in September,” the Joy Formidable vocalist/guitarist Ritzy Bryan said during a phone interview ahead of the band’s DeLuna Fest appearance. “It’s going to be a great weekend of live music. I’m so excited.”

Can the Welsh trio of Bryan, bassist Rhydian Dafydd and drummer Matt Thomas help the save the rock ’n’ roll world? Fans and fellow artists are answering with a very loud “yes,” as the band has earned praise from musicians like Dave Grohl and Shirley Manson.

As the band finished recording the follow-up to their debut album “The Big Roar,” Bryan discussed the new album, the “old violin” and the special dynamic that is the Joy Formidable.

Q: What does the new album mean for you as an artist?

A: We’re very proud of it. It’s very intricate. It’s very bold. It feels exactly like where we are creatively. I’m excited to share it. That’s a huge a question. It’s an ambitious from the conception right on through the actual writing.

Q: The anticipation is huge. How do you follow the success of “The Big Roar” and create something as unique?

A: If you’re an original artist and you have a voice that’s your own and your songwriting comes from a very honest place, I don’t think you have to overthink it, you don’t have to try too hard. We almost couldn’t record all the craftiness; we recorded the album in the middle of nowhere. We almost couldn’t record fast enough and that’s how fruitful and inspired we were feeling, so it hasn’t been difficult at all. Originality is not something that we’ve ever had to try for. It comes from having a voice that knows, we’re never looking to anybody else to write our songs.

Listen to some of our favorite tracks from the Joy Formidable

Q: What is the coolest, most amazing aspect of the entire the Joy Formidable experience for you?

(Page 2 of 3)

A: It’s almost difficult to say. We’ve been given a job, it’s not about releasing anything or trying to fit in and successful tours, it’s about staying very true to the art. The music means everything to this band. That’s the crux of everything and that’s the most wonderful thing. We’re very inspired, we’re very creative, the output always is strong. As a band we have a good dynamic that challenges each of us, but at the same time, there is a lot of mutual respect. It’s simple really; it’s how a band should be. It’s all about the music, all about the art and being brave within that, being confident enough to (do) whatever you want to do and never ever feel restricted.

Q: What goes through your mind when you’re playing your music, especially for these large festivals?

A: Ultimately, it all boils down to the songs and the background to writing the songs. If you’ve written a song that is conceived and really true and honest knowing — and all our songs have really deep background to them; they aren’t just a collection of words that just sound nice together. They’re loaded with meaning and memories. We never lose that emotional charge, that emotional connection to those songs, so realizing them live and getting up on stage and seeing them connect with an audience, you almost learn something new about a song every time you play if it comes from a place that’s peaceful and meaningful.

Q: What is the craziest thing you’ve ever seen at one of your shows?

A: We have a great fan base; they’re very loyal, very passionate about music. We had a very eccentric bunch in front of our show at Wales and they actually made masks; masks of Ritzy, Rhydian and Matthew masks and several rows were wearing these masks. I think that’s probably the scariest thing I’ve ever seen actually was kind of yourself mortified. That sight, I won’t ever forget. They were almost caricature without trying to be. I love that, that’s more of an eccentric or comical example, but people put a lot of effort and that’s very touching when people spend time to make something like that.

(Page 3 of 3)

Q: What would a Ritzy of today tell a younger Ritzy just starting out?

A: (Laughs) Oh, man. I wouldn’t want her to change anything; never regret whatsoever. I rarely give advice to anybody, especially when it comes to music and this industry. I probably would have sent her to Canada and the violin lessons. I love my instrument, I love the guitar. I kind of wish I had kept up with the old violin as well. It’s never too late. I’m looking at it now, thinking, “That’s manageable.” I’ll probably take it out and play it now, but not the flute (laughs).