Exploring the Sonic Landscape: Joyer’s Journey Through Noise and Emotion
Nick and shane sullivan, the dynamic duo behind the east Coast shoegaze and bedroom pop sensation Joyer, attribute their rich musical foundation to their parents. “Our folks had an eclectic taste in music, spanning from the classic rock of the ’60s and ’70s to the option sounds of the ’90s,” Shane reflects. ”We were exposed to a wide array of artists, from The Beatles to The Feelies, which laid the groundwork for our own musical explorations.”
Nick highlights influential bands such as velocity Girl, Yo La Tengo, and The Lilies as key inspirations for their sound. “We admire their ability to fuse various genres and styles,” he explains. “This versatility is crucial as we aim to push the shoegaze genre into new, unconventional territories.”
Shifting Sounds: The Evolution of Joyer
Joyer’s latest release,On the Other End of the line,showcases a transformative alt-rock sound that builds upon the pop elements introduced in their 2024 debut,Night Songs. Though, when it comes to guitar solos, the Sullivan brothers embrace a more chaotic approach.
In the track spell, shane disrupts the catchy melodies with a piercing, single-note guitar solo, while in the jangly anthem Cure, he unleashes a frenetic, fuzz-laden barrage of notes reminiscent of his idol, J Mascis. “I’ve always been captivated by how he injects tension and eccentricity into pop songs,” Shane shares. “Our goal was to infuse more grit into our guitar solos whenever we could.”
Creating Together: A Family Affair
Despite living in different cities-Nick in Philadelphia and Shane in Brooklyn-the brothers prefer to collaborate in their hometown of Nutley, New Jersey, rather than exchanging files online. “We’re blessed that our mother still resides in our childhood home,” Nick says. “we keep our amps and equipment in the basement, which serves as our creative sanctuary.It’s the perfect spot to focus and play without the worry of disturbing anyone.”
Shane adds with a chuckle,”Having our mom as our biggest supporter is a bonus. She’s the best!”
