The Daily Gamecock

Grace Joyner discusses lyrical evolution, new music, potential collaboration

The Charleston native will perform at New Brookland Tavern Thursday.

After the release of her debut EP in 2014 and subsequent full length album two years later, Grace Joyner has made a name for herself as an independent artist throughout South Carolina.

The Charleston native started pursuing music seriously as a sophomore in college, but her mother, who was also a musician, introduced her to music at an early age.

“She always sang to us growing up and we always just had music as a part of our daily lives,” Joyner said.

Joyner performed as a harmony singer for a few local bands before ultimately focusing on a solo career. “Young Fools,” the EP that marked the singer’s transition to creating individual content, is full of ‘80s synthesizer melodies and languid love ballads. On the EP, Joyner explores many familiar themes of youth: religion, love and desire.

However, with her most recent release, “Maybe Sometimes — in C,” there is a noticeable shift. The album still contains Joyner’s classic gossamer vocals and upbeat piano refrains, but the lyrical content has evolved. “Young Fools” tells a story of innocence and the perils of love, while “Maybe Sometimes — in C” is a defiant ode to self-discovery and understanding.

“I think that [on] the first EP there’s definitely a couple songs on there that are really valid that I still play live, and there are others that I don’t regret because they were part of the process, but they don’t necessarily mesh with what I am trying to go for now,” Joyner said. “I think, just like with any artist, I’ve grown and changed and become more comfortable as a songwriter and more comfortable as a musician, so that has influenced the way the music has shifted in the two projects that we did.”

When Joyner first started the process of recording her album, the first few songs she brought to producer Ryan Zimmerman were in the key of C major. It eventually became a running joke and ultimately part of the album’s title. “Maybe Sometimes” is a favorite phrase of Joyner’s due to its whimsical and noncommittal nature.

Joyner moved to Asheville, North Carolina, a few years ago as she continued to pursue music, but will return to her native city of Charleston in the next few weeks.

“I think I left Charleston at a time where I felt like it was really good personally to take a step away and work more on my individual songwriting and finishing up the album. Charleston is an amazing place but it can kinda get to you after a while sometimes," Joyner said. "I just wanted a little bit of a break, a breather. I feel like after that time that I spent away I think that now is a perfect time for me to come back. I feel really rejuvenated and I feel like I’m a stronger person than I was when I left, at least I hope so."

Part of the decision to return to Charleston was based on a desire to collaborate with other bands or projects.

“There’s just so many good things going on in Charleston right now, and I would be regretful if I didn’t get to be a part of them,” Joyner said. “The group of friends and the community of people that are creative and play music that I can bounce off of, that is something that is super valuable to me.”

In addition to the prospect of collaboration with popular Charleston-based bands including SUSTO and Brave Baby, Joyner recognized the importance of feedback when writing new music.

“Having a second set of ears can really help push something along,” she said.

She further explained that it is also difficult, if not impossible, for her to create a song that simply isn’t working.

“If something is not happening, it doesn’t mean that it has to happen now. It could be years from now that it ends up making sense,” Joyner said.

Joyner’s band consists of Nic Jenkins on drums, Camille Rhoden on piano and a rotating cast of bassists; currently the position is filled by Brett Nash.

“They are super integral to everything that happens ...  Not necessarily the EP because that was just me but with the last album and the album we are recording now — the way that we perform the songs live, Nic and Camille and Brett or Dan whoever is with me on bass, they have all been such an important part of how a song comes to life, I couldn't do it without them. It’s not just about the songs. I hope to shift the concept of what this project is more to the group of us instead of just me as an individual,” Joyner said.

Joyner and the band are currently in the midst of production of a new album, which is projected for release around May 2018.

Grace Joyner and the band are performing at New Brookland Tavern Thursday along with Those Lavender Whales and Valley Maker. The show starts at 7:30 pm and tickets can be purchased online or at the door.

 

 

   


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