The Joy Formidable are Ritzy Bryan, Rhydian Dafydd and Matt Thomas.
The beginnings of TJF began several years ago, when school friends Ritzy and Rhydian chatted on a night out in their hometown of Mold, North Wales. Both opinionated and madly into music, an instant respect was formed and they began meeting regularly at the legendary Buckley Tivoli; then a North Walian mecca for local and touring bands. It was a source of much inspiration to the musically aspiring pair; alongside Ritzy's parents enormous, exhaustive record collection. Nevertheless, in an otherwise provincial, sleepy setting, itchy feet and a fleeing were inevitable; Ritzy to Washington DC and Rhydian to Manchester, where they enjoyed separate but strangely parallel journeys as singer songwriters. It was a single phone call that reunited them, this time they would write and record together.
Back in North Wales a flurry of early recordings revealed a voice emerging; the beauty of their surroundings against the sadness of personal circumstances tugging conflictingly in their songs and selves. They decided to move, choosing London as their new home and a base for their live aspirations.
With Matt Thomas on drums, a conjoint surrealist and raw, forceful drummer The Joy Formidable have thrived on the live front. Soundscape layers are spiked by the nakedness of a 3-piece; gargantuan, clamorous bass and guitars come in waves, Ritzy seething and cooing in equal measure.
Their material still has its roots in the vast, lonely countryside of the Clwydian borders but London has roused offshoots from the TJF bough. They have become a uniquely home-grown affair with the band driving every creative aspect, visually and musically. The band’s bedroom a chrysalis, that mutates daily from sleeping quarters, to studio to workshop. It was here they recorded first singles Austere and Cradle and their 8 track CD “A Balloon called Moaning" - a defiant release of optimism against their own heavy hearts.
Hey TJF! saw you guys at Anson rooms and met you after the gig as well. Both were a privilege. I must admit, I was kind of heart broken when I found out you were married Ritzy =P. Anyway, I was thinking about it, seems such a strange thing to be so creative with a person you love you know. I mean you never see that these days, very uncommon, must be awesome though as it obviously has a positive creative effect, so if you continue to make sounds like that you have my blessing, despite my heart ache =P lol. There were a few moments there were I totally lost myself and damaged the girls in front ear drums, as I provided surround sound to your 60's soul style backing vocals. The girls didn't mind =P They, like me had an awesome time so thank you. Can't wait to see you in the future at bigger venues again, headlining possibly, hopefully =]
Yo guys! Do pop down if you're around on 6th for the LAUNCH of the MAMMOTH!
Saw that you played the Oakford the other week with our mates Tripwires, we're there supporting Chew Lips in a few weeks... sorry couldn't come down to the Garage too. Hope you had fun though!
Enjoyed the recent Leeds, Sheffield, & Manchester gigs immensely. Got stopped by security from filming you & Manchester though (miserable gits!), the back up (main, really) camera man managed it quite adequately though (well done Rob!). The great thing about only going to see the support act is that you actually manage to get home again afterwards without too much trouble which means you can travel further to see a band. Hope the upcoming Euro gigs help get you the global recognition you deserve.
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