THE JOY FORMIDABLE
LIVE at JBTV Music Television
Saturday 11/3/18

On the release of their new album “AAARTH”, The Joy Formidable (well, at least two of them) performed an acoustic set at our intimate studio at JBTV Music Television.
Unfortunately, drummer Matt Thomas couldn’t make the trip from the Twin Cities: he was the one getting the rest of the crew en route to the main gig later on the same night at Lincoln Hall.
Still, it was a splendid and wonderful acoustic set, courtesy of Ritzy Bryan (lead vocals and acoustic guitar), and Rhydian Dafydd (on acoustic guitar, and assorted enabled percussion). The assorted enabled percussion you asked? Rhydian rigged some hand bells and such in his pant leg, along with the use of his right foot on his guitar case for extra low end thump. Have to say it sounded like a real tabla drummer at times throughout the set.
Such a multi tasker and multi instrumentalist – that’s clearly Rhydian.
The Joy Formidable’s new album “AAARTH”, follows 2016’s album “Hitch”, which was critically acclaimed virtually by everyone: Pitchfork, The Guardian, Rolling Stone, Stereogum, Brooklyn Vegan, etc…you get the picture.
It’s clearly a transformative, near psychedelic rebirth that channels long held anger, soundtracking a chaotic global period of unrest and division, added with personal experiences and genuine healing.
Suffice it say that The Joy Formidable are a fearless bunch: a band comprised of fiercely independent minded individuals, who are unapologetic when it comes to music direction, and a definite tour de force when it comes down to live performance.
It doesn’t matter that they’re short one band member, and a key one in that in drummer Matt Thomas.
Their main goal: “How can we make this work?”
So before soundcheck, and after soundcheck for a bit, Ritzy and Rhydian were still working out arrangements and last minute add ons and tweaks.
It also helps that on a Saturday morning we also had a packed house for the taping at JBTV.
This is my third time photographing The Joy Formidable at JBTV, and I have to say that each performance has been uniquely different, uniquely brilliant.
Such boundless passion, such boundless energy.
A total delight and pleasant surprise, that is always in the spirit and presence of Ritzy and Rydian of The Joy Formidable.
Cheers- Bobby Talamine- Music Photographer