Joyce Island

You are currently embarking on a Canadian in an exciting method. You’re being sponsored by VIA rail, which will take musicians across the country in exchange for playing for the passengers on the train. You’ve toured using this method last year as well, how’s the experience? What excites you most about this?

Performing on the train across the country has been the experience of a lifetime. I love getting to play my songs across the country and meeting a whole bunch of incredible people along the way. Showcasing the record in this way has been a fun, unique and totally memorable experience I'll never forget.

Not only has your music been compared that of Woody Guthrie’s, but this journey that you have approaching was said to be inspired by his roaming and ramblings. It’s amazing to see that his legacy continues to inspire musicians to this day. Do you remember the first time you had heard his music? How did it affect you then and how does it still continue to inspire you.

I can't remember the first time I ever heard his music because I feel like I've always kind of known it. I've been singing his songs since I was able to walk and talk, so his music has always been a part of me somehow. Coming from a musical family, we'd all sit around together and sing those old songs, so it's very nostalgic for me. As a 'sort-of' adult now, I'm deeply struck by the powerful, emotionally engaging nature of his songs and what they stand for. And that one guy and his guitar can make such a difference.

You’re music has a very cool old school country type sound to it. What are some of the influences that have led to the development of your style of music?

I was raised on the old country stuff like Townes Van Zandt, Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, Kris Kristofferson, Waylon Jennings. Later, I became obsessed with a 2 piece girl blues/garage band called Mr. Airplane Man. Me and my best friend would sit in my bedroom and listen to their records on repeat. I went down to see them play in Memphis before they split up. On the same trip, I went to Nashville and got a chance to sing a few songs at the Ryman Auditorium. That trip was like Mecca for me. The Ryman and the Grand Ole Opry were totally life changing experiences for me. I knew that singing that type of music was what I wanted to do most in the world.

You released your debut self titled EP in April of last year. The album has had great response, has won a few accolades including Roklines best all around recording of the year and has received quite a bit of airplay. When you were recording the debut EP, did you expect it to take you this far?

Haha, god no! I honestly never expected that my music would go this far. Of course I had a dream in my heart and I've definitely held on to that, but everything that's happened has been a majorly pleasant and unexpected surprise. I'm incredibly grateful to be where I am right now.

The song “Dry These Eyes” in particular has received a lot of airplay. What is it about this acoustic based song that you think attracts people the most as opposed to some of the songs on the record?

Well, I think what comes from the heart goes to the heart. That song was born out of a lot of pain and I think people can identify with those raw emotions and the honesty behind it.

It’s a great sounding record, can you tell us a few details about it? Where did you record the EP and who all is playing on it?

We recorded it at Sandbag Records in Vancouver. Mikey Manville and Chris Jaggers co-produced it. Mikey plays lead guitar on it and Jaggers plays bass. Flavio Cirillo, who's playing with Hannah Georgas now, drums on the record. It was a blast making the record with some very close friends. We laughed a LOT.

One great thing about your album is that although the touching lyrical content and your original style is always there, no two songs sound quite alike. Can you tell us a little bit about your writing process?

I feel like the songwriting process chooses me. I never know what's gonna come out. I never intentionally sit down to write anything a certain way, I just trust that whatever's meant to come out will. It's very spontaneous and unpredictable.

How and when did Joyce Island come into conception?

Me and Mikey Manville from the Manvils had a two piece going since 2007, and in 2009 I made the departure to Joyce Island. It was a major time of change in my life and the album reflects that.

Are there any shows on this tour that you’re particularly excited for?

I'm excited for all the shows across the country! Toronto will be great cuz I have lots of good friends there. I'm super pumped to play Prince Edward Island and more of the Maritimes and to really see that side of the country!

What are your plans for after the tour? What will we be seeing from Joyce Island in the rest of 2014?

After this tour, I'll start pre-production for the next record, then head out to NXNE and some other festivals then come home and finish the record. I've been writing a lot on the road, so there's lots of new tunes I'm itching to bring to life!

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