10 Questions with ... Joy Williams

NAME:Joy Williams TITLE:Singer/Songwriter WEB:www.sensibilitymusic.com & www.joywilliams.com

Label:
sensibility music

Discography:
One of Those Days EP (sensibility music, 2009)
Every Moment: The Best of Joy Williams (Reunion/PLG/Sony BMG, 2006)
Genesis (Reunion/PLG/Sony BMG, 2005)
By Surprise (Reunion/PLG/Sony BMG, 2002)
Joy Williams (Reunion/PLG/Jive, 2001)

1) Can you give us a brief recap of your musical journey and how you found yourself starting sensibility music with Nate?

After I moved on from my record deal with Reunion in 2006, I took a year or so to recalibrate and reassess where I was heading with my life. I just needed some space to breathe and change! I looked into going back to college, worked as a shop girl at a friend's boutique and was even an advertising assistant for a national magazine during that year.

I was surprised when my desire to create welled up again after several months (I was pretty adamant in thinking it would never return). So I began songwriting on friends' projects, once a month, then twice a month, then a couple times a week. That process pressed me to grow musically and was ultimately what opened the door for me to work on pop and TV/film projects with a publishing company in L.A. called Warner/Chappell Music the last two years.

As I learned to draw stories out of other artists in co-writing sessions, inklings to create for myself again began emerging gradually, too. But I was, honestly, hesitant when it came to actually getting back in the studio again. The sheer logistics often kept me from stepping into the adventure of it all, on top of all my questions about diving into making my own music for the first time as an independent artist.

Enter: Nate. My husband has always been a keen supporter of who I am and the passions I've had. He has also worked in the industry for years. His experience ranges from live production to marketing, radio and A&R, and his resume has nationally recognized artists attached to it. Beyond his experience in business, his heart for artists has been something I have always had deep respect for. Nate has consistently striven to fight for the artist, to create tailor-made opportunities that showcase their unique talent and to capitalize on their individual audience.

Why we didn't put our heads together sooner still makes me grin, but the timing of us starting our own music company has been more than coincidental. Nate's innovative skill and desire to capitalize on the changing tides within the industry has made opportunities come to life for my artistic inclinations. Together we've been able to cover a lot of ground very quickly and I'm thankful for it.

2) Tell us what we can hear on the 4-song EP that you released in January.

You'll hear a progression of change, growth and the unexpected, I hope. There is more of me in this EP than in anything I've done before. You'll also hear a very different sound that harkens back to more of my musical influences. And beyond that, I think you'll notice conversational lyrics that possess more nuance and less overt language. Not so much a spelling out of things.

3) What's the story behind the song "Lose Myself" available on ReverbNation?

The free download? I find it curious that a song written nebulously in an afternoon can somehow mean more to me retroactively over time. This is one of those tunes. I wrote this cathartically over the summer, not really seeing the outline I'd drawn in the dark. Looking at it now, I see a confession about both fear that traps me and also strength that calls from The Deep, as an acknowledgement of my past and as a declaration to keep learning to live without fear in the future.

4) You recently had a song, "Waiting for Yesterday," release on the iTunes deluxe edition of David Archuleta's album. What are some thoughts that cross your mind when you think about working on that song?

I had a great couple days co-writing "Waiting for Yesterday" with my friends, David (Hodges) and Steve (McMorran). I have taken writing trips out to L.A. consistently since writing for Warner/Chappell and I've never been able to predict what songs will ever come out of those whirlwind weeks. "Waiting for Yesterday" was one of those creative surprises that we worked hard on with Archuleta in mind. So the guys and I were stoked when David Archuleta told us he loved it and wanted it on his record.

5) What have you been learning about the songwriting process over the last couple years?

That it is perpetually about the art of story, about honesty, connection, about the power of nuance, about pushing myself to fight for the best melody/lyric possible each day. It's the small, ordinary moments in life that make great songs, I think.

6) What does 2009 hold for you, if you could venture any educated guesses?

The 4-song "One of Those Days" EP released digitally on January 27, worldwide, at iTunes, AmazonMP3, eMusic, Napster, Rhapsody, etc. The physical CD will release on March 3, exclusively at sensibilitymusic.com and at my live gigs. The goal is also to hit the road again, to make a dent in TV/film/ad placements if possible, and to continue to make more music. I'm already planning to record again soon, and more new music will be released this year. One other thing: I've started a new band with a friend. More on that later. [Smile]

7) As you were in the studio working on this EP, did you have any "ah-ha" moments when you thought, "Now we have something - and this is good!"?

Neither Jeremy (Bose) nor I ever set out to work on an EP for me six months ago. We were originally working on "One of Those Days" with a particular TV commercial in mind to be pitched by our publishers. But as we continued to build the song together I kept thinking, "If I was ever going to make a record again, I'd want this song on it." And it was like that with the next few songs we wrote. We practically stumbled into this EP and I love that it happened so organically.

8) Which do you enjoy the more: the process or the performance? The studio or the stage?

The answer depends on what day you ask me this question, honestly. I am an introvert at heart, so I love the uninterrupted attention to detail that the cocoon of a studio allows. But I also love the kinetic connection that happens between musician and audience when it's all happening in the moment. They are two totally different animals.

9) If you could have any job outside music, what would it be and why?

Beyond making music, being a mother would be the most challenging, rich and rewarding occupation I can think of.

10) If you could take your favorite aspects of northern California and your favorite aspects about Middle Tennessee, mash them together, what would your new home look, smell and feel like?

Our little home would be on the Pacific Coast, with the sounds and smells of the ocean coming through our open windows like a constant soundtrack to our days. Friends from Nashville would play music in our open living room and my surfing friends from CA would come over for some grilled goodness on the back patio. Redwood trees would cast a shadow on our tin roof, but so would the sugar maples of the South that change color in the fall. Our Nashville community would be neighbors, my CA parents would drop in often for hugs and the southern hospitality (and cost of living) would be epic!

1) Who would be your dream artist to record with (any genre)?

In the past? Billie Holiday, Ray Charles and Stan Getz. And present day? Yann Tierson, Thom York and Feist.

2) Favorite city to visit?

London. We go there as much as we can. Nate and I would love to live there eventually.

3) Favorite or best meal while on the road?

A meal prepared by a world-renowned chef in historic Amberly Castle in the south of England.

4) Any musical guilty pleasures?

West Coast rap from the '90s, Vivaldi, The Carpenters