Joyce on new single Heart in a Shell, James Joyce and the infinity of the sub-conscious

by | Interview, Music

Interview questions for Joyce – New release

indieBerlin: How did you come up with the band name Joyce?

Jody: It’s referential. We needed a simple, English-based name that could also be reminiscent of our origin. We are not Irish, but James Joyce lived in Trieste for quite a few years, during the Golden Age of our hometown. We thought it was a good compromise.

indieBerlin: For how long have you played together?

Jody: We’ve known each other for years, but we’ve been playing together for 3 years now, except Alessandro (drummer) and I, who have been playing together since we were teenagers.

indieBerlin: Would you say that your music is in particular way inspired by Berlin? If yes, how so?

Jody: “Heart in a shell” was born and bred in Berlin. I wrote that song only a few weeks after my arrival in this unique city. I felt refreshed and inspired. As to the other songs, I always picture myself playing them in one of those amazing clubs in Berlin, real strongholds of the pure underground rock scene, in our ever more self-indulgent society. If it works in my head, it might just work fine on a real stage.

Joyce-interview-Heart-in-a-shell-indierepublik-photo-MatteoProdan-
Joyce – photo by Matteo Prodan

indieBerlin: You’re releasing your first single for your upcoming EP this friday, how are you going to celebrate your release in these weird times?

Jody: Quoting Lou Reed, “This is no time for celebration / This is no time for shaking hands”. We’ll patiently wait until this nightmare’s over and hope for the best. There will be time for celebrations.

indieBerlin: What is your new single Heart in a shell about?

Jody: It’s about many things. It’s about freedom and fear, at times self-referential, sometimes the words are there just for euphony.

indieBerlin: How does your songwriting process work? In particular, how was the songwriting process for Heart in a shell?

Jody: Most of the time the songs simply pop into my head. There’s no rational process. It all comes out from the infinity of the subconscious. Then with my limited set of knowledge I try to make some sense out of it.

indieBerlin: What bands/artists inspire you the most?

Jody: The list is quite long. In short, I would say The Beatles, Oasis and Nirvana.

indieBerlin: Are there any particular songs/bands that inspired the soundscape and songwriting for Heart in a shell?

Jody: Most definitely Noel Gallagher. “Heart in a shell” is a pop rock ballad after all, despite its unconventional structure, and Noel Gallagher is a master at writing rock ballads.

Have you brought any italian gimmicks into your music?

Jody: I don’t think so, no.

indieBerlin: If you could pick anywhere in the world to play your release-concert for your upcoming EP, where would it be?

Jody: Berlin of course.

Find Joyce on Spotify | Find Joyce on Instagram

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