The Joys “Unfold”: SXSW, the Mid-West and a peanut butter sandwich


 Hey everyone,

It’s Dani from www.makeaquick.com here, reporting a really cool band that are really stirring up the scene. The Joys have recently embarked on a tour to promote their new CD “Unfold”, which started in late February, consisting of an appearance on A Channel morning show in London, hitting SXSW among Canadian heavy-hitters, a gig at the legendary Cat Club in Los Angeles and forward on to the Midwest. Do they ever take time to breathe?Clearly not, the band has recently signed with Koch Entertainment to help promote the new album, a whole new facet to their team. What does the album sound like? The Joys signature classic rock sound, full of great classic riffs and the occasional ballad with vocals that will kick you in the teeth. A lot of the songs have that catchy, timeless structure that The Joys are so well known for. The difference between The Joys and most other bands out there? Their live show is absolutely phenomenal and I mean it is truly a rock ‘n’ roll performance that can rival some of the legendary bands in their genre. Lead singer Sara Smith is indefinitely dynamic, vocally and emotionally; with the ability to connect with everyone from your mom, the big dudes at the biker bar and the tween music lover.

With an endless list of accolades, among them a TIMA 2007 nomination for “Best Female-Fronted” , and extensive press coverage, it was inevitable that The Joys were to hit Gold record status with their single “Storm”. The experience has boosted them into the spot light and have made them push even harder to gain cross-national appeal.

On a stop in Los Angeles at Cat Club in West Hollywood, guitarist Mike McKyes took some time to answer a quick Q & A with us:

Q. The Joys were recently picked up by Koch Entertainment, how has the label helped? Has it become easier to manage the various components, Booking, Touring, Writing, Publishing, Management, etc?

A. Koch has a been a great door opener for us, and a great addition to our growing team. They have definitely made it easier by helping us with their expertise, efforts and contacts and put our album in stores nationwide.

Q. You were selected among some great company to represent Canada at SXSW, Bedouin Soundclash, Magneta Lane, Arkells etc. What was your experience like?

A. Aside from the fact that we were surrounded by thousands of people in downtown Austin and all the streets were closed off, I really felt like we treated it as another show… I mean, we were accepted to participate because of who we are just like all the other great acts that performed with us. I’m honoured that we got to experience SXSW, thank you!

Q. You released a brand new video for “Storm” off your latest album nationally in February, what have the responses been like?

A. Our fans love it, and it’s funny how perceptions change when it was released. I still wake up in the morning and brush my teeth the same way and people think that we’re famous now! I like it, because it makes me smile.

Q. The Joys have been touring since February, do you have any funny stories from the road?

A. Yes, Kevin made a homeless guy a peanut butter sandwich at a rest stop somewhere between El Paso and Hollywood yesterday. I don’t know why that’s funny… it just is to me.

Q.It doesn’t look like you guys are stopping anytime soon, especially with the release of your recent CD, what’s next? Will you be coming back to California anytime soon?

A. It’s a never ending process of playing live and promoting our music, and trying to balance that with writing new material, recording it and introducing it into our live musical repertoire. Oh ya, and finding some time to sleep in there.

Want to see how their tour is going? Check out their tour blog on http://www.thejoys.ca and keep up with the latest videos, reviews and pics from along the way!

Check out their new music video for their single, “Storm”:



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Makeaquick.com is at SXSW the Hottest Ticket TONIGHT!




Hey! It’s Dani from www.makeaquick.com, so we promised to bring you updates from SXSW in Austin, Texas. GEZ! Everyone is buzzing, twittering and so on about all of the bands performing. Other people are throwing “SXSW can Suck It!” parties in LA, mostly because they are jealous they can’t be in Texas, which I swear is the only time anyone will ever be jealous that they aren’t in Texas… Last night we split up and got to check out the legendary Roky Erickson w/ The Black Angels at Austin Music Hall. Others went to go check out the awesomeness that is Camera Obscura and The Bronx at Red 7 Patio. We Looooveeee The Bronx, especially “White Tar”.

The final group went to go show support for the HUGE night of Canadian Acts at the Last Gang/Paper Bag Showcase @ The Habana Calle 6 Patio featuring Lindie Ortega, Winter Gloves, Magneta Lane, Wood Hands and Mother Mother. All very good, Mother Mother was the hot ticket at CMW as well.

In addition, TIMA 2008 “Best Pop” Nominee Emma Lee performed at St. David’s Church at midnight.

The hottest ticket tonight? According to our friend Eric Alper of Koch Entertainment, Metallica’s Secret Show - but otherwise, there are some pretty amazing acts performing…so many we don’t know where to start, really - there is sooo much! If you dig urban music check out K’naan, who you may have heard most recently on MTV protesting the economic status of the US between your weekly dose of The Real World. He is performing today as part of an “AfroPunk” showcase with London Soud, Janelle Monae, Dallas Austin & Big Boi of Outkast @ Austin Music Hall.

If you’re feelin’ somethin Canadian: Sam Robert’s Band and Arkells are playing tonight at Cedar Street Courtyard in succession starting at 8:30pm. Six Shooter has a showcase tonight at The Velveeta Room with Jenn Grant, Elliott Brood, Melissa McClelland, Luke Doucet and NQ Arbuckle, starting at 9pm.

Emo’s Main Room: Cut Off Your Hands 11pm and Peter Bjorn and John @ 1am.

But I think we are alllll planning to check out the Sub Pop Showcase at Radio Room Patio!!!! YAY!

Other Canadian’s at SXSW:

Ruby Coast, Po’ Girl, Aun, Human Highway, The Perpetrators, The Rural Alberta Advantage, mostly new ones for us! Google them!

And of Course: DD/MM/YY, Shout Out Out Out, Ohbijou, Priestess

PHHHHHEWWW, I can’t even absorb Fri yet, but we will let you know what’s goin on if we get there! Cheers!!!

SCHEDULES ALL ONLINE AT: http://www.sxsw.com

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