The Joy Formidable In-depth Biography
After spending several years with the post-punk band Sidecar Kisses, vocalist/guitarist Ritzy Bryan and bassist Rhydian Dafydd left to launch their own group, the Joy Formidable, in 2007. Formed in North Wales, the band later resettled in London, where original drummer Justin Stahley was replaced by Matt Thomas. The Joy Formidable began building a buzz in 2008, making appearances at several British festivals and earning high marks from publications like The Guardian, which recommended the band’s "darkly joyous soft-loud racket."
After releasing several singles, the group made its full-length debut in early 2009 with A Balloon Called Moaning. Tours with the Editors and Passion Pit followed, and the Joy Formidable issued a live album, First You Have to Get Mad, before signing with Black Bell Records, an independent label run by Passion Pit member Ayad Al Adhamy. With Black Bell’s support, A Balloon Called Moaning was released stateside in 2010. ~ Andrew Leahey, Rovi
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