Piewatch meets Joy Walshe

Recently we caught up with Slicethepie showcase songstress Joy Walshe. Joy is quickly rising through the top 5 financing list and at the moment looks unstoppable!!  Keep reading for over enthusiastic fans, why the first thing Joy Walshe buys with the 15k could be champagne and our resident ninjas first name!

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Piewatch – You’ve fired out of the showcase at some pace and are now sitting over £3000, how does the meteoric rise in investment feel?

Thanks Steve, it’s great to be in the showcase. I’m thrilled that STP investors have been so supportive of my music. It’s only been a month since I’ve been in the showcase so to get that investment and interest for my new album is brilliant news. I’m so excited about making another album and have been getting lots of material ready so I hope I go on to make the £15K! A big thank you to all who have been so generous and supportive already!

Piewatch - How have you motivated your fan base to invest so far?

I have a mailing list that fans can join at my website www.joywalshe.com to keep up to date with news and releases so I’m sending out an email to these fans with news about the potential to invest in my new album via STP.

I have detailed the STP news on my website, and myspace page (www.myspace.com/joywalshe) and I’m going to get some banners for my websites done too. If anyone has any fresh motivation ideas do feel free to let me know. Just email me at contact@joywalshe.com. Feedback from fans would be great!

Piewatch - If you received the £15,000 tomorrow what would be the first thing you spent it on?

Champagne!? haha! Joking. Well if I was lucky enough to get to the £15K target, I’m sure STP would guide me through the process and I’d really be grateful for their insight. I would probably be itching to get into the studio and start recording. I find the studio truly addictive; I just love the whole creative process of bringing an idea to life, so that would be the first expense.

Piewatch - How did your musical journey begin?

Like most musicians, there was always music from Kate Bush to Abba playing in the house when I was young. My Dad is musical with his Irish roots so he always encouraged me. I’ve been playing the piano since I was five and play by ear, so writing was the next step. My first composition was a carol so when the school choir chose to perform it that was a great feeling so it went from there really! I didn’t experience the studio process until studying in Strasbourg where I got to be a vocalist for a French dance label. I co-wrote a couple of tracks with one of the label producers and I got hooked on the studio experience of returning in the evening with a song as it was so much fun. Spending the day in the studio is still one of my absolute favourite things!

Piewatch - “Smoke” is our favourite out of your tracks currently on Slicethepie, what’s the story behind it?

I wrote “Smoke” literally the day after the relationship with my ‘first love’ ended. It was very raw. I used the image of a flame being blown out in one moment as the metaphor for the relationship ending so suddenly. I thought the image of the flame conveyed both the power and vulnerability of love, while the smoke that lingers is the metaphor for all you are left with. It struck me at the time how instantaneously your life can forever change by the power of a few words from someone you love and it can just be an ordinary day…

Piewatch – Do you have material planned/ready for the next album? How do you feel it will differ to “Saint for a Sinner”?

I have so much material that I’ve written that is ready to record so it’s really exciting. I’ve had a lot of valuable life experiences since the time I recorded “Saint for a Sinner”. I lived abroad in the South Pacific last year for a start.

Writing songs for me is like keeping a diary of my own life experiences and day-to-day observations so the songs will still tend to be semi-autobiographical. I think the new album will differ slightly in production style to reflect the current trends but I haven’t decided on which direction yet. My voice has developed too so it will be interesting!

Piewatch – Who are your biggest musical influences and why? Any unexpected ones?

Kate Bush – she still exerts such an influence in today’s market. Tori Amos for her poetry and raw talent as a pianist. Damien Rice’s honesty in his songwriting craft. Coldplay for their energy, melodies and radio appeal. Sarah McLachlan, for her soaring, ethereal vocals. Joni Mitchell for inspiring a generation of songwriters. Keane for their gorgeous chord progressions and passion. Feist for her beautiful songs and voice. Regina Spektor for her originality and Corinne Bailey-Rae for intelligent radio friendly songs. Unexpected? Perhaps Abba for their command of the perfect melody!

Piewatch – If you could work with any producer/artist in the world who would it be?

Frank Sinatra would have been incredible to work with and of course, Kate Bush. Producers I would love to work with include Quincy Jones, Brian Eno and Mark Ronson.

Piewatch - Who do you currently like in the charts?

I love Ellie Goulding’s sound, the vocals of Florence and the Machine and Marina and the Diamonds. I like Corinne Bailey-Rae’s album too and admire her strength of character after her recent tragedy. There is so much British talent out there at the moment. I’ve also recently discovered Tina Dico who is just an incredible singer-songwriter but she is not chart focused.

Piewatch – Describe your music in three terms..

Honest, melodic, radio-friendly

Piewatch – What is your biggest musical achievement to date?

I’d say that being Unsigned Download Artist of the Year on We7.com was pretty special. I liked that! I’m also really proud of the special gigs I have done with my wonderful band over the years – we’ve had some great times!

Piewatch - Any comical gig moments?

Haha, yes, just a guy who was a bit enthusiastic climbing up on stage to join me and the band one time but that was quite funny and you just have to laugh and keep singing! However, it’s quite hard to laugh and sing – I don’t recommend it!

Piewatch – Any irrational fears?

Not that I can think of…I think as a musician in this industry you have to be pretty fearless!

Piewatch - If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

To be able to read people’s minds – that would be intriguing!

Piewatch – Any last comments, plugs, or shout out’s to the fans?

Just a massive thank you for your wonderful support so far. I can’t wait to record my second album with all your names on it! Here’s hoping!

I hear you ask, “Where can I become a fan of Joy?!?” Here’s the answer!