Vance Joy: Bringing Folk Music to the Mainstream
Vance Joy first came onto our radar in early 2013 and have had a tremendous amount of success since then. Believe it or not, it was the video posted below of a girl hula hoop dancing to “Riptide” that first drew our attention to them. Upon first view, the video is a mesmerizing visual of the rotating hoop with the danger of one misstep landing the star of the video in the pool 3 feet behind her, mixed with the curiosity of whether the dancer will be able to maintain the hoop for the full 3:20 of the song. However, the viewer quickly realizes that they have stumbled upon something much more spectacular and lasting, that is, the music of Vance Joy.
Music:
James Keogh aka Vance Joy is an Australian folk singer songwriter who has managed to couple his musical talent and artistry with the mainstream songwriting and catchy hooks of pop music. His relatable lyrics of love, loss, and longing are delivered by emotional vocals that seem almost on the edge of cracking at times. Perhaps the most impressive elements of his songs are the intricate acoustic guitar riffs, creating a cascade of tones that transport the listener to another level while shifting between simple orchestration and
complex orchestration with fuller accompaniment. Vance Joy’s music truly is enjoyable, whether listening to the more upbeat tracks like “Riptide” or the more subdued like “Mess Is Mine.”
Future:
Vance Joy already has seen a great deal of success with over 300 million streams of “Riptide” alone, 29 Billboard chart appearances (peaking at 17 on the Billboard 200 chart), having multiple song syncs, and landing a spot as an opening act on Taylor Swift’s 1989 tour. He has earned his spot in the mainstream and is slowly becoming a household name. Having signed a five album deal with Atlantic Records, we can’t wait to hear what he has in store for his next release and look forward to seeing a lot more of him in the future.
Audience Gender Breakdown
60% Female
40% Male
