as seen in Guitar Girl Magazine Special Issue 2022 – I Belong
New Orleans Americana Artist, Joy Clark, making a name for herself. A humble and striking musician, Joy embodies the culture she grew up in and has collaborated with several of her veteran artists. Her latest single, “Good Thing,” gives fans a glimpse into the culture that influences her sound. She is one of many female guitarists who are pushing the boundaries of the music industry.
You just released your new single “Good Thing”. congratulation! What’s the story behind this song?
Well, I’ve realized that most of my music is love songs that center around the beginning or end of a relationship. rice field. When you know you will be in this for a long time. I had to step back and think, wow, I’m just writing about when I met or broke up with this person. But what about the middle? That’s where the song came from, and understanding the middle of the relationship is a fundamental part of the job. Start learning about someone from there. Sometimes it’s hard, sometimes it’s easy. It doesn’t always feel good, but it takes a middle ground in a relationship to build trust and vulnerability.
When did you start playing guitar?
I often say that I started playing when I was 12 when my parents got their first “real” guitar from a pawn shop. I had a VHS tape and started learning folk chords, hammer-ons and primary position chords. I watched that video a lot. I dug deep into the information until it became routine. After I learned that tape, I started listening to pop songs by artists like the Backstreet Boys. I started noticing different chord progression patterns. That curiosity was the beginning for me, but it helped me explore more and more.
How did growing up in New Orleans influence your style?
First, the culture here is pretty open. When you enter the local music scene, you usually meet generous people who are supportive, especially if someone finds out you play guitar. People often invite you to live sessions where you can learn improvisation through many genres such as funk and jazz. Whatever it is, there is a door for you. And that’s how you learn. That’s how you build confidence. Jamming with other musicians is also good community building and one of the direct ways my culture and city have influenced me. Having the opportunity to learn different styles has made me a more versatile player. I have had the privilege of working on various projects and playing with artists such as Cyril Neville. Musical culture, food and people are diverse here, giving musicians the opportunity to hone their skills and explore the new.
Other than the rich musical culture of New Orleans, what genres of music have influenced you as a guitarist?
I grew up with my father, a pastor. So when my parents gave me my first guitar, my dad persuaded me to play it in church because I was shy as a kid. I was nervous about the guitar at first, so I played quietly, but he reminded me that I can sing and play as I please. Playing in church made me feel better and more at home.
You said your church band doesn’t have a bass player. How did you find the sweet spot between the bass-like chords and the lead guitar licks?
In many songs, I used bass lines by looking for patterns and locking the bass notes to create a foundation to drive the song. After that, I will add a melody that captures the heart of the listener. You can see this formula in my songs like “Here” and “Good Thing.” It’s about finding an intimate foundation, putting it back into the melody and sound, and starting from there.
what is your writing process?
I start with an acoustic guitar. There’s nothing superfluous to start with, but starting with acoustics can create more variety down the road. If you can play a song with just a guitar or piano, you know you’ve written a great song.
Playing in church helped me find a new approach to performing. What lessons have you learned and how have they improved your performance today?
I learned early on that things are not always in perfect circumstances. I started playing my own shows and quickly learned how to sustain myself. ’ and had to learn how to manage myself and make things happen.
Are there any particular artists you’ve loved working with?
Alison Russell is a phenomenal singer, songwriter and musician originally from Montreal, Canada and now based in Nashville. She had a big Americana album in 2021. outside child, which earned her three Grammy nominations. I recently had the honor of performing with her at her Grammy premiere. She’s just amazing and that’s really an understatement, she’s one of the few artists who knows how to cheer people up around her. Having her on stage with her, supporting her songs and interpreting her music gives me a sense of freedom. She’s taken stories of abuse and trauma and found ways to weave joy and hope into how others feel inspired. She shows the essence of what community means and what a strong supportive community means to many. She is prolific. She’s proud to work with her and see her shine brightly.
You had the chance to go to South Africa for Cyril Neville’s project. Please tell us about that experience.
Yeah, I toured with his project in 2017-2018. It was his first time in his homeland and the experience was surreal. There were moments when he felt he had found a missing piece in his artistry that he had yet to deliberately explore. I enjoyed the art of watching a South African guitarist find a style and match it with the next one. It felt so natural to be a part of our heritage as black people. Music means openness to a lot of people, and it’s very close to me. The whole experience left me to explore and appreciate.
Who is the mentor who inspired you to keep pushing?
Lila Lewis recently featured guitar girl magazine for her phenomenal 2021 album AmericanaShe encouraged me on my journey. It was especially nice to have a friend in my corner. This should be recorded and published. She, like many others, has helped shape my perception of my work and build my confidence as an artist.
Are you currently working with other Black Country artists?
So Rissi Palmer is a country artist who hosts a podcast called “Color Me Country Music.” It’s a popular podcast and each year she publishes a list of her notable country artists. I was part of her 2022 list and am grateful and excited to continue connecting with potential fans and other artists. She also participates in Black Opry, a community where country, soul, folk and roots artists come together to get to know each other and collaborate. Oftentimes, black artists in these genres don’t always know each other, so collaboration opportunities are missed. we don’t see each other Black Opry counters this by introducing us to each other in this space and learning how to navigate the industry together.
What keeps you grounded when the negative parts of your journey get in the way of your flow? How do you stay inspired to continually grow?
The first things that come to mind are family, partners and cats. When you get slapped in the face in real life, there’s something about coming home that keeps you grounded. I’ll be home when I get home. I also learned to heal myself through communication. If you can get back into the situation and remind yourself that nothing else matters, things will start to change. That kind of thing is what keeps me grounded and centered.
How do you feel about live performances and live band performances? How do things change for you as an artist?
I enjoy playing with a full band because it allows me to stretch out and enjoy guitar solos. It gives you space to show your range a little more.When things feel more communal I’m on stage with my friends. We do things the same way we rehearse and give them space to have fun once they hit the scene.
On stage, what kind of gear do you have on your current rig?
So, I like using MXR Pedals’ Carbon Copy Delay in my acoustic setup. Occasionally I use a Hall of Fame reverb pedal. He also loves playing with the MXR equalizer, which can add lows and mids, and you can relate to the sound (shout out to Keb Mo for recommending this pedal!). I sometimes play Breedlove Moonlight.Good thing” video. It’s a beautiful instrument.
So what’s next? What do you see yourself in the next five years?
Honestly, my goals are constantly changing, especially with COVID still on. Sometimes I don’t understand. However, I am excited because I just released “Good Thing”. We look forward to recording and releasing more music in the near future. Now that we’ve found the team, we’re looking forward to releasing a full-length album soon. My career is very organic and I enjoy it.
Do you have any advice for future artists looking to pursue a career in music?
First, I would like to say know yourself. Along the way, we get a lot of input on what to do and what not to do. But those decisions are ultimately up to you. When you are in tune with yourself, you can make better decisions for yourself. Instead of waiting for others to invest in you, you can truly invest in yourself to gain confidence.
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