Biography

Contact:
Stacey Joy
staceyjoy@staceyjoymusic.com
Number: 541-408-6627

Stacey Joy - The Journey Unfolds

What to expect from THE JOURNEY UNFOLDS:

Release Date: July 11, 2016

Smooth, sultry, and uplifting, Stacey Joy's breakthrough album The Journey Unfolds is a blend of soul, folk, blues, Americana and world groves that feels both timely and timeless. It’s the perfect soundtrack for a road trip; a rainy day by the fire; a party out in the sun. It’s an album that invites you to discover its magic and pass it on. Simply put, it’s too good not to share.

Nominated in four categories at the prestigious New Mexico Music Awards in 2017, including Best of the Year, Best Singer/Songwriter and Best Recording Engineer, it went on to win the award for Best Americana (for the song Breathing Light).

Stacey Joy’s vocal delivery is sensual, soulful and spellbinding. Her songs are immaculately crafted, and the quality of the musicianship and production is excellent. Along with Stacey Joy on piano, Rhodes organ, guitar and Native flute, the album also features beautifully nuanced performances by Daniel Ward, John Bartlit, David Francis, Matheu DeSilva, Ken Markowitz, William Basso and Chris Francis.

From the searing, soaring flamenco-folk of the opening track Wanderer, to the soulful down-to-earth blues of My Father, through the Brazilian-funk inspired Do What You Do and the otherworldly gypsy mash-up of Circus Ego, each song is a unique voyage in itself, and an integral part of this very complete and accomplished album.

Production:
Recorded at Third Eye Studios, Tijeras New Mexico
Engineer: David McRae
Procuders: Stacey Joy, David McRae, Matheu DeSilva

Vocals, Piano, Acoustic Guitar, Native American Flute: Stacey Joy
Acoustic Bass, Cajon, Percussion, Harmonica: Matheu DeSilva
Flamenco/Lead Guitar: Daniel Ward
Electric Guitar: William Basso
Percussion, Drums: John Bartlit
Drums: Chris Francis
Horns and Woodwind: David Francis
Harmonica, Electric Bass: Kenny Markowitz
Percussion: David McRae


1. Wanderer (5:22)

Songwriter: Stacey Joy
Publishing & PRO: NA/ASCAP

Nominated for Best Singer/Songwriter in the 2017 NMMA, Wanderer is a folk song about embracing the nomadic life.

“As a little girl, I dreamed of being a gypsy and traveling the world. As an adult, the realization of that dream has had a huge impact on my music and life. I met my partner on the road, and now our children have become part of that journey, too, so it wasn’t really such a surprise when I finished the song and discovered it is just as much about the feeling of being ‘home’ as anything else. Home is where your heart is, and for me the comfort, security and belonging of home has been found, at least for now, in a life in motion.

“Musically, I wanted to capture that feeling of movement, along with the sense of constant unpredictability and awe life on the road often brings. This is why the arrangement is so simple and spacious - picked acoustic guitar, maraca, flamenco flourishes, a light, airy bassline. It also explains the inspiration behind the unusual vocal melody in the chorus.”


2. Breathing Light (5:15)

Songwriter: Stacey Joy
Publishing & PRO: NA/ASCAP

Breathing Light won the 2017 NMMA award for Best Americana Song.

“I wrote Breathing Light from a place of heartbreak and hope. It’s about letting go and embracing whatever the future might bring, no matter how hard that might seem in the moment.”

Emotionally raw and soulful, with lush instrumentation and a rolling railroad beat, it’s the kind of song that makes you want to ride a boxcar into the sunrise.


3. Right On Time (4:09)

Songwriter: Stacey Joy
Publishing & PRO: NA/ASCAP

Right on Time, is a sassy song with thought-provoking lyrics and jazzy piano, saxophone and box-drum interplay.

“Wherever we’re at in life, it’s up to us to decide what we do with it. We can make the best of things, or not; but in the end, how we feel is often more a matter of choice than we realize. In this song, I wanted to have some fun with that idea.”


4. Holy Land (4:37)

Songwriter: Stacey Joy
Publishing & PRO: NA/ASCAP

Holy Land is a haunting folk ballad, with a sweet groove, poignant vocals and melancholy Native flute work.

“This is a song about awakening and remembering. It’s about slowing down and listening to our mama!”


5. My Father (4:33)

Songwriter: Stacey Joy
Publishing & PRO: NA/ASCAP

Provocative and down-to-earth blues that builds in layers, both lyrically and musically, My Father is an open letter of love and appreciation.

“I wrote this song for my dad. I wasn’t as appreciative or understanding of him as I could have been while growing up. This is me trying to put that right.”


6. Elephants (4:03)

Songwriter: Stacey Joy
Publishing & PRO: NA/ASCAP

Elephants is lyrical world-folk music at its finest; delicate vocals juxtaposed with driving rhythms and intricate melodic string work.

“After hearing so many stories from my partner about the wild elephants of Sri Lanka, I wanted to capture something of the essence of these amazing animals and their way of life. It’s a folk song from a very different kind of ‘folk’!”


7. Break Away (4:36)

Songwriter: Stacey Joy
Publishing & PRO: NA/ASCAP

Break Away is soulful pop-rock with a solid beat, catchy chorus and a compelling appeal.

“Who doesn’t dream of breaking away sometimes?! I wrote Break Away when I was feeling stagnant and stuck in a rut. The song is actually me giving myself a damn good talking to!”


8. Circus Ego (5:26)

Songwriter: Stacey Joy
Publishing & PRO: NA/ASCAP

Circus Ego is a seductive and otherworldly gypsy-style folk song.

“I wrote this song about one of the favorite pass-times of our age: fooling ourselves! It’s hard to walk the tightrope when all around is this big, distracting, circus of fellow performers, all vying for attention and approval, while desperately pretending they’re not. Just ask anyone who lives in San Francisco!”


9. Here (4:40)

Songwriter: Stacey Joy
Publishing & PRO: NA/ASCAP

Here is a mellow, foot-tapping country-style folk song, driven by breathy vocals and a shuffling beat.

“The message in this song is simple yet potent, and it helped me embrace life as a singer and songwriter. If we want our dreams to survive and thrive, no matter what they are, like anything else we want to keep alive, we have to keep feeding them.”


10. Do What You Do (5:53)

Songwriter: Stacey Joy
Publishing & PRO: NA/ASCAP

Do What You Do is a dramatic, joyful and compelling blend of soulful swing and Brazilian-infused pop-rock.

“This is such a fun song to perform live, so we had to make sure we captured that same energy in the recording. It’s one of those songs that builds and swells and makes you smile and dance!”


11. Blessed (4:48)

Songwriter: Stacey Joy
Publishing & PRO: NA/ASCAP

Blessed is pure Acoustic Soul; stripped back, raw and real.

“I wrote Blessed after the birth of my son. It’s a reminder to not take anything for granted and to really feel each and every blessing that comes our way.”