Artist Spotlight: better joy

You’ve had a whirlwind last couple of years, releasing some wonderful music and supporting some really great artists - how does it feel to now be heading out on a headline tour of your own?

A bit wild, to be honest! I feel really lucky to be going on tour, it has been a while in the making and even though it's taken time to get here, I still feel like we're really just at the start. I've learnt so much from supporting some amazing bands, like Hard Fi and Crystal Tides, and it feels like the right time to be heading out on a headline tour and meeting better joy fans! I'm really excited, we're gonna put on a good show and I can't wait to play songs from the upcoming EP live as well as some new stuff. There are definitely going to be lots of pinch-me moments from the start of the tour to the end! 

Your debut EP ‘heading into blue’ comes out on the 28th March and you’ve spoken about how this is your favourite music you’ve created to date. What is it about the new releases that make them so special?

That's a good question! It feels like this EP was the first moment in my songwriting life where I started to be brave and believe in myself as a songwriter. Songwriting is a vulnerable process and it's taken time for me to get into the swing of it. It's not always easy to back yourself, but I recorded these songs with a producer called Mike Hedges and he and my band were so positive about the music and that increased my confidence. I see this EP as the first stage of me starting to understand myself as a songwriter. The EP's called 'heading into blue' cause the blue represents calmness and peace, and that's where I'm heading in terms of me as a songwriter and performer. I feel really proud of these releases and am excited for more to come. 

Talking of new music, are there any artists in particular that you’ve been drawing a lot of influence from recently?

Quite a few! I've been getting lost down a Wunderhorse rabbit hole recently, I love their style of songwriting and the guitar tones they use, they're definitely influencing a lot of what I'm writing right now. Been listening to a lot of Clairo, Divorce and Cardinals recently too. There's so much good music out there at the moment! 

We can’t wait for your tour to kick off in Glasgow at The Garage (Attic Bar) on Thursday 27th March. Are you looking forward to playing to a Scottish crowd? What can fans expect from the show?

I'm so excited! We last played in Glasgow for Hard Fi and the Glasgow fans were so much fun, they really get behind new acts - from my experience as the support act, anyway! Fans can expect some music they'll know and some they won't, and we might throw a cover we've been working on in there too...it's gonna be a good show, I can't wait! 

TICKETS FOR THE BETTER JOY SHOW WITH SUPPORTS SARA RAE + MARF. ARE AVAILABLE HERE.