Band Of The Week #276 - The Joy Hotel
This week’s Band Of The Week is Glasgow septet The Joy Hotel – who have just released their debut album ‘Ceremony’ via SO Recordings.
Newly signed to SO Recordings and with a debut album proper in hand, The Joy Hotel have become a word-of-mouth success story in the Scottish DIY scene, and have since taken their live show across the UK and Europe, playing festivals including Hidden Door, Doune the Rabbit Hole, Connect, TRNSMT, Twisterella, Latitude, Sound City and The Great Escape.
The band spent eleven days at Rockfield, the legendary studio in Monmouth, Wales, recording live-to-tape. When they left, they had a sound. It is often contradictory, in that it combines the songwriting sensibilities of pop and country with arrangements reminiscent of the psychedelic scene of the 60s, six-part vocal harmonies with elements of noise rock, beautiful balladry with a sense of humour, and a cinematic quality. The result of those eleven days is debut album Ceremony, a record that searches for the profound in the seemingly routine, and reaches out with arms wide open to wring celebration out of each moment.
‘Ceremony’ will be accompanied by a short film documenting the creation of the album called ‘Come The Ringing Bell’.
They took a moment to talk to us about how the album came together.
Hey there The Joy Hotel, how are you? So your album is out now – how does it feel to have it out there?.
It feels good, and a bit of a relief in all honesty. It’s been a long time coming for us but we’re glad we waited for the right time to put it out. Ever since we finished the album we’ve been looking forward to letting it loose and people living with the songs.
It is called ‘Ceremony’ – what is the meaning behind that?
We wanted a title that encapsulates the rituals and routines that we adopt to give our life meaning. The album is an exploration of the pursuit of faith, love, hope and how we spend our time while we’re alive. ‘Ceremony’ is about finding the grand in the mundane.
Where was it recorded? Any behind the scenes stories you are willing to share with us?
We recorded it at Rockfield Studios in Wales which is an incredible and historic studio. It was a total privilege to be able to track the album there. On the first night after setup our producer Chris woke up to the ghost of a little blonde girl at the foot of his bed. He described it as morphing in to a biblically accurate angel before he got the lights on. That really set the tone for the rest of the session.
What are the key influences behind the album?
We had a really broad range of influences on all sides. Everything from old country artists like Jim Ed Brown and Tammy Wynette to 90’s grunge and rock like Nirvana, Soundgarden and Alanis Morrisette. We also got a lot of inspiration from artists like St Vincent, Weyes Blood and Father John Misty. We wanted exist in the space between the artists we love rather than emulate their styles entirely.
If the album could be a soundtrack to any film – which one and why?
It’s hard to say because the mood of the album changes quite frequently but maybe something like The Royal Tenenbaums. The contrast of humour and darkness suits the album quite well.
Do you have a favourite lyric on the album? If so, which one and why?
On the last track of the album, ‘Small Mercy’, there’s a line that goes ‘Saturday’s joy was a fool’s pursuit as expected, now I’m planning my funeral over Sunday’s cold breakfast’. It’s basically just about being so wrecked after a night out that you think you might be dying.
Now the album is out there – what next for you?
We’re going to keep letting the songs adapt and find new life on stage. We’ve got a bunch of shows before the end of 2024 and we’re focused on that. Beyond that we’re going to be looking at the next album. We’re in no rush though, we want to make sure each album that goes out can stand on its own two legs.
We’re buzzing for it all.
