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The Joy Formidable – Wolf’s Law
Not a lot goes down in Casco, Maine. In the winter months, this sequestered hamlet around 30 miles from Portland in the North Easternmost tip of the United States acquires a Siberian stillness as suffocating snow descends and carpets this eerily remote and reclusive region.
Yet it was to a forest just outside Casco that The Joy Formidable singer/guitarist Ritzy Bryan and bassist Rhydian Dafydd retired at the start of 2012 to dream up their magnificent second album, Wolf’s Law, a record that teems with imagination, yearning and a Carpe Diem restlessness.
“It was just the two of us in this isolated spot where we hardly saw anybody else all the time we were there,” says Ritzy. “It snowed every day and the surroundings and the solitude gave us a different level of intensity.
“We had no phone signal, no wi-fi – it was fucking bliss! It is Stephen King country up there and we worried that we’d turn into The Shining and cave each other’s heads in. But it was very still, very beautiful – and in a strange way it reminded us of our home area of North Wales.”
Wolf’s Law is a driven, hugely emotive record, an alluring and attitudinal follow-up to The Joy Formidable’s keenly received 2011 debut, The Big Roar. It’s an album that was recorded in very different circumstances to its predecessor, both geographically and emotionally.
“We had a very difficult period in our personal lives making The Big Roar,” says Rhydian. “Ritzy’s parents were going through a very painful, long-drawn-out divorce and also we lost both close friends and family. We made it in very tight, enclosed studio spaces and it made it a very frustrated and aggressive record.
“With Wolf’s Law, some of the difficult personal circumstances have been resolved, so while there is still aggression there, the record is a lot more harmonious and focussed. It helped that we were completely lost in nature in Maine because it is really an album about reconnecting – with yourself, with nature and with spirituality.”
Such heavyweight and profound themes run through Wolf’s Law like a pulse. The album’s audacious reach and ambition is clear in the extraordinary film that The Joy Formidable commissioned for its title track: a breathtaking sequence of monochrome images of birth, death and the natural world.
“That track (Wolf’s Law) was always meant as an art piece, we wanted to make a visual that introduced the mood of the record. It’s a song about encouragement, reawakening hope and knowing that time is precious,” says Ritzy. “It’s very aware of its own mortality and how fleeting a moment can be.”
“It encapsulates the themes of the album,” agrees Rhydian. “It’s about how beautiful and cruel life can be and how it’s always moving, and also about seizing the moment, because life is short.”
It’s evident that the stark serenity of snowbound Casco impacted on the marrow of Wolf’s Law. Themes of the raw beauty and majesty of nature are laced throughout the album. The buzzsaw, ragged yet beautifully melodic Cholla was inspired by the giant cacti of the Joshua Tree National Park, yet also details familial breakdowns; The Leopard and the Lung was written in honour of a doughty environmentalist campaigner.
“It’s about a true hero – a Kenyan female activist, Wangari Maathai who fought against an entire corrupt establishment for nature and for women’s rights,” says Ritzy. “She was so fucking brave! Her name,Wangari, means leopard in Kukuru. She told Kenyan women to plant trees because she said that trees are the lungs of the earth.”
Yet not all of the audacious, propulsive Wolf’s Law is about such extraneous matters. Although Ritzy and Rhydian have been a couple since before the making of The Big Roar, they have never previously referenced their relationship in song. On the taut Tendons, a shimmering rock reverie powered by the martial beat of Joy Formidable drummer Matt Thomas, they courageously affix their hearts firmly to their sleeves.
“Rhydian and I were making music together before we became a couple, so we have never experienced our relationship outside of the bubble of this band,” muses Ritzy. “It can be a difficult dynamic to maintain and it sometimes makes me wonder – is our relationship based on the chaos of this band and our music, and if that were to change, where would it leave us?”
“The tendons reference is because we’re so inextricably linked,” adds Rhydian. “This band and music join us so closely together; we’re soul mates, but could it destroy us as well?”
Precarious relationships. Confessionals. Catharsis. The call of the wild. Life, birth, death and all points in-between. With such vast, profound and heartfelt themes, wrapped up in some of the most visceral and voluptuous art-rock-and-roll that has exploded since the halcyon days of the Pixies, it’s no surprise that a lot of people expect Wolf’s Law to be The Joy Formidable’s quantum-leap breakthrough album, a springboard to arena-filling status, this fiercely driven band’s tipping point into rock’s A-League.
Are they ready for this? Is it even what they want?
“If we can keep our artistic integrity,” says Ritzy, “and carry on writing songs that are important to us, and keep the thrill and the excitement of doing what we do, and carry on moving forward and evolving, and still manage to connect with an arena full of people – fuck it, that would be fantastic! But it’s not the reason why we do what we do. We won’t change to get there.”
“That’s true,” agrees Rhydian. “The point is to reach as many people as possible – but for all the right reasons.”
Their charming reticence may soon become immaterial. The Joy Formidable have made an album so colossal, so compelling that it may even put Casco, Maine on the map. If there is any justice in the world, 2013 will be the Year of the Wolf.
Ian Gittins, November 2012.
The Joy Formidable Announce intimate Fall Headline Tour in US , supporting Muse in UK & Europe
New Single “This Ladder Is Ours” at radio now and released October 9
The Joy Formidable are excited to announce that “This Ladder Is Ours,” the first US single from their upcoming album Wolf’s Law, will be released on October 9, after the song headed to radio on Wednesday, September 26. You can stream “This Ladder Is Ours” now at the link below:
http://snd.sc/VOoTeY
The Joy Formidable are ready to bring their roaring live shows back to the United States for a number of headlining dates this fall. The intimate tour, where the band will preview songs from the new record, begins on November 08 in New York City at The Bowery Hotel, followed by shows in Brooklyn and Chicago at the 100 person capacity, rarely played Top Note Theater before the band hits the West Coast for shows in Los Angeles and San Francisco. For this short tour, the band have booked much smaller venues than they normally would, some of which are non-traditional venues.. With a phenomenal and well deserved live reputation, (DO WE HAVE A QUOTE WE CAN USE HERE) these shows will be an early chance for fans to hear the new tracks prior to the release of Wolf’s Law in January of 2013. For full itinerary, please see below.
The band have also been hand-picked to open for Muse across some of their European dates beginning at the end of October, including a two-night stint at London’s O2 Arena.
The band also recently unveiled the music video for “Cholla,” another song from their upcoming full-length LP Wolf’s Law. Check out the video at the link below:
Wolf’s Law is the second album from The Joy Formidable and the follow-up to their breakthrough debut The Big Roar which saw the band praised by the likes of The New York Times, SPIN, and NME as one of the most exciting new UK bands to emerge in 2010. Mixed by Andy Wallace and recorded by the band in Maine, North Wales and London, preview track “Wolf’s Law” and the recently released “Cholla” have already re-established the trio with NME suggesting that this album ‘could well see them become the next big British guitar band’.
Upcoming Tour Dates
10/16 – Montpellier, France @ Park & Suites Arena*
10/18 – Paris, France @ Bercy*
10/20 – Madrid, Spain @ Palacio de Deportes*
10/24 – Glasgow @ SECC*
10/26 – London @ O2 Arena*
10/27 – London @ O2 Arena*
10/30 – Birmingham @ LG Arena*
11/01 – Manchester @ MEN Arena*
11/08 – New York, NY @ School Night at The Bowery Hotel
11/11 – Brooklyn, NY @ “Communion” at Littlefield
11/14 – Chicago, IL @ Top Note Theater
11/19 – Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour
11/20 – San Francisco, CA @ Preservation Hall West / The Chapel
11/25 – Toronto, ON @ Sound Academy – EDGE Jingle Bell Concert Series
11/28 – Providence, RI @ Lupo’s – WBRU 43rd BIRTHDAY BASH
12/01 – St. Petersburg, FL @ Vinoy Park – 97X Next Big Thing
12/02 – Jacksonville, FL @ Metropolitan Park – WXXJ BIG TICKET
12/06 – Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom – KNRK December to Remember
*Supporting Muse
‘WOLF’S LAW’ VIDEO PREVIEW
First track from sessions for the new album now online
The Joy Formidable have spent the first half of 2012 gearing up for the release of their second album, ‘Wolf’s Law’, due out in early 2013. As a taster for fans of the new material, today the band have uploaded a video for a track inspired by the album title. ‘Wolf’s Law’ (the track) will not be featured on the album but is a perfect pointer for the band’s second album, both musically and thematically.
To see ‘Wolf’s Law’ now go to http://atlr.ec/WolfsLaw
The Joy Formidable have always been intimately involved in all areas of their music, with Rhydian Daffyd designing the covers for their singles and their debut album, ‘The Big Roar’. With the film for ‘Wolf’s Law’ the band worked with director Cat Botibol to create a film that, in the words of Ritzy and Rhydian:
‘captures the unforgiving momentum of life, the restlessness of nature’s cycles and the parallels as well as the uniqueness of each creature’s journey. Contrasting images of the forces of nature at its most violent and destructive with nature as creator, the film poses essential questions which have been at the forefront of our minds throughout the recording process of ‘Wolf’s Law’. Recording in Wales, London, upstate New York and downtown Manhattan presented us with the extremes of existence from rural solitude to some of the busiest and most developed urban environments on our planet and those contrasts and the thoughts they provoked very much filtered into the choice of images that comprise the film’.
Botibol was also thrilled with the final film, saying that:
“The band really wanted the film to translate the idea of a re-awakening and rebirth. We worked together to select a series of stills and moving imagery that showed the Real and the truth of nature. Through rhythmical editing we created a real symbiosis of imagery and music to evoke the powerful kinetic energy of life in all forms.”
Full details on ‘Wolf’s Law’ will follow soon.
The Joy Formidable Announce Additional US Tour Dates To Spring Tour
The Joy Formidable are extending their recently announced headline tour to include additional stops along the east coast and southern US.. The band have also confirmed performances at a number of festivals, including the Norman Music Festival in Norman, OK; the Beale Street Festival in Memphis, TN; and the Shaky Knees Fest in Atlanta, GA. The tour begins on March 18 in Santa Ana, CA before hitting up major cities on the west coast, including a March 21 show at the Fonda Theater in Los Angeles. The band are also playing shows in Chicago, Minneapolis, Canada, and others before shows on April 17 at Brooklyn’s Music Hall of Williamsburg and April 18 at New York City’s Webster Hall. For a full itinerary, please see below.
The Joy Formidable are touring in support of their latest album,Wolf’s Law, which was released in January via Canvasback Music / Atlantic Records. Wolf’s Law is the second album from The Joy Formidable and the follow-up to their breakthrough debut The Big Roar which saw the band praised by the likes of The New York Times, SPIN, and NME as one of the most exciting new UK bands to emerge in 2011. Wolf’s Law was mixed by the legendary Andy Wallace (Jeff Buckley, Sonic Youth, Nirvana).
The album has already had heaps of praise foisted upon it. Rolling Stone hailed the songs as “wickedly bracing and Himalaya-huge.” Magnet proclaimed that “[Wolf's Law] is a sonic step forward, with more emphasis on orchestration (both Bryan and Dafydd have classical backgrounds) and dynamics.” NPR noted that “the power and intensity of The Joy Formidable never ceases to amaze.” Alternative Press praised the album, saying “Thanks to such marked songwriting growth, Wolf’s Law cements the Joy Formidable as a ferocious rock act and as a band with plenty to say.” The Guardian hailed the album for its diversity in their 4 star review noting of the song “Silent Treatment” that “…it’s the velvet glove that softens the blows of the iron fists on either side.”
Upcoming Tour Dates (New Dates in Bold)
3/18 Santa Ana, CA @ The Conservatory &
3/19 San Diego, CA @ Belly Up Tavern &
3/21 Los Angeles, CA @ Henry Fonda ^ &
3/22 San Francisco, CA @ The Filmmore ^ &
3/23 Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades ^ &
3/25 Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom ^ &
3/26 Vancouver, BC @ Venue Nightclub ^ &
3/27 Seattle, WA @ Neptune ^ &
3/29 Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge ^ &
3/30 Denver, CO @ Gothic Theatre ^ &
4/01 Sauget, IL @ Pop’s Nightclub ^ *
4/02 Chicago, IL @ Vic Theater ^ *
4/03 Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue ^ *
4/05 Kansas City, MO @ Middle of The Map Festival
4/06 Columbus, OH @ LC Pavilion – SOLD OUT ^ *
4/07 Indianapolis, IN @ Vogue Theater ^ *
4/08 Lansing, MI @ The Loft * %
4/09 Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall Ballroom * %
4/12 Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Concert Theater # %
4/13 Montreal, QC @ Corona Theater # %
4/14 Albany, NY @ Upstate Music Hall # %
4/17 Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg – SOLD OUT $
4/18 New York, NY @ Webster Hall $ ~
4/19 Boston, MA @ House of Blues $ ~
4/20 Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer $ ~
4/21 Washington, DC @ 930 Club $ ~
4/23 Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar
4/24 Pittsburgh, PA @ Stage AE
4/26 Tulsa, OK @ The Vanguard Hall +
4/27 Norman, OK @ Norman Music Festival
4/29 Dallas, TX @ Tree’s +
4/30 Austin, TX @ Emo’s East +
5/01 Houston, TX @ Fitzgerald’s +
5/03 Memphis, TN @ Beale Street Music Fest
5/04 Atlanta, GA @ Shaky Knees Festival
5/05 Tampa, FL @ State Theater +
5/06 Orlando, FL @ The Social +
5/07 Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Culture Room +
5/09 Charlotte, NC @ Visulite Theatre +
5/10 Wilmington, NC @ Brooklyn Art Center +
5/11 Richmond, VA @ The National +
6/8 Snowmass, CO @ Snowmass Mammoth Fest
6/9 Detroit, MI @ Orion Music Festival
6/21 Dover, DE @ Firefly Festival
7/7 Ottawa, ON @ Ottawa Blues Fest
7/13 Louisville, KY @ Forecastle Festival
w/
Guards ^
Fort Lean &
Kitten *
Team Spirit #
RIBS %
Blood Red Shoes $
You Won’t ~
IO Echo +
The Joy Formidable Release “Little Blimp” Music Video
Filmed on Go Pro Camera Attached To Ritzy Bryan’s Guitar,
Taking Footage From A Number of Live Performances
Following Acclaimed Shows at SXSW, Band Begins US Tour Today
The Joy Formidable are excited to share their new music video for “Little Blimp” today. The video was shot over the last few weeks using a Go Pro camera attached to the headstock of lead-singer Ritzy Bryan’s guitar during performances in London, Brighton, and at Stubb’s during SXSW. Stereogum already raved about the video, saying “…this turns out to be a pretty visceral way to make a live video. Also of note: This song rules.” To watch this special POV-style video, click the link below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NWypO7QwUE
Following their acclaimed shows at SXSW last week, the band are hitting the road in the US starting today, with a show tonight at The Conservatory in Santa Ana, CA. The band will be playing in Los Angeles at the Henry Fonda this week on Mar 21, followed by a show at San Francisco’s Fillmore the following night. They will be heading up the West Coast and then crossing the US throughout April, making their way to the East Coast for a number of dates including April 18 at Webster Hall in New York. For a full list of tour dates, please see below.
The Joy Formidable are touring in support of their latest album, Wolf’s Law, which was released in January via Canvasback Music / Atlantic Records. Wolf’s Lawis the second album from The Joy Formidable and the follow-up to their breakthrough debut The Big Roar which saw the band praised by the likes of The New York Times, SPIN, and NME as one of the most exciting new UK bands to emerge in 2011. Wolf’s Law was mixed by the legendary Andy Wallace (Jeff Buckley, Sonic Youth, Nirvana).
The album has already had heaps of praise foisted upon it. Rolling Stone hailed the songs as “wickedly bracing and Himalaya-huge.” Magnet proclaimed that “[Wolf's Law] is a sonic step forward, with more emphasis on orchestration (both Bryan and Dafydd have classical backgrounds) and dynamics.” NPR noted that “the power and intensity of The Joy Formidable never ceases to amaze.” Alternative Press praised the album, saying “Thanks to such marked songwriting growth, Wolf’s Law cements the Joy Formidable as a ferocious rock act and as a band with plenty to say.” The Guardian hailed the album for its diversity in their 4 star review noting of the song “Silent Treatment” that “…it’s the velvet glove that softens the blows of the iron fists on either side.”
The Joy Formidable Tour Dates
3/18 – Santa Ana, CA @ The Conservatory
3/19 – San Diego, CA @ Belly Up Tavern
3/21 – Los Angeles, CA @ Henry Fonda
3/22 – San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
3/23 – Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades
3/25 – Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
3/26 – Vancouver, BC @ The Venue
3/27 – Seattle, WA @ Neptune
3/29 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge
3/30 – Denver, CO @ Gothic Theater
4/1 – Sauget, IL @ Pops
4/2 – Chicago, IL @ Vic Theater
4/3 – Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
4/6 – Columbus, OH @ CD102.5 Day
4/7 – Indianapolis, IN @ The Vogue
4/8 – Lansing, MI @ The Loft
4/9 – Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall Ballroom
4/12 – Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Concert Theater
4/13 – Montreal, QC @ Corona Theater
4/14 – Clifton Park, NY @ Upstate Concert Hall
4/17 – Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
4/18 – New York, NY @ Webster Hall
4/19 – Boston, MA @ House of Blues
4/20 – Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
4/21 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
4/23 Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar
4/24 Pittsburgh, PA @ Stage AE
4/26 Tulsa, OK @ The Vanguard Hall
4/27 Norman, OK @ Norman Music Festival
4/29 Dallas, TX @ Tree’s
4/30 Austin, TX @ Emo’s East
5/01 Houston, TX @ Fitzgerald’s
5/03 Memphis, TN @ Beale Street Music Fest
5/04 Atlanta, GA @ Shaky Knees Festival
5/05 Tampa, FL @ State Theater
5/06 Orlando, FL @ The Social
5/07 Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Culture Room
5/09 Charlotte, NC @ Visulite Theatre
5/10 Wilmington, NC @ Brooklyn Art Center
5/11 Richmond, VA @ The National
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The Joy Formidable - Wolf's Law Album Cover