We chat to Better Joy about her EP, embracing vulnerability and touring the UK

Hi Bria! Your debut EP, heading into blue, is set for release on 28th March 28th. What themes tie the songs together, and what do you hope listeners take from the body of work?

I would say it’s all about love and facing fears. There’s a lightness to them even though they’re from a vulnerable place; the music feels uplifting even yet some of the themes aren’t. I love that juxtaposition within songs. I live for those contrasts so there’s a lot of that. I hope people feel empowered when listening to the songs - there’s a hopefulness to them which I adore.

You released the single waiting on time when you first announced the EP. What inspired you to
write this song?

This was one of those songs that had melodies and nonsense freestyle lyrics for a long time before the entire song was written. The lyric “waiting on time” was there from the get-go as a sort of interim/freestyle lyric. It never truly made sense to me until it dawned on me that it was me who I was waiting on, the me who gets burnt down and hides away in the shadows. This one is for those low moments, to remind ourselves that we can return to ourselves, it’s just going to take a little time!

You’ve described your more recent single, quiet thing as an ode to the quiet moments in relationships. How did the song evolve from its original concept?

It’s massively evolved, it was always called quiet thing but the lyrics, melodies and sound are all completely different! I always loved the lyrical idea but I wrote very differently back then! It’s been one big journey to get here so I knew the original version would never have a place in the music I write now, so I parked it until I had the perfect melody for it. That’s why I love holding onto ideas I did when I first started writing because amongst the rubbish, there are always some nuggets of gold that can be rewritten and re-homed.

You’ve worked with producer Mike Hedges on this EP. What was that experience like, and how did it shape the final sound of the record?

It was mega! What an incredible man he is. Just working with someone who has had so much experience with some iconic bands and artists was one thing, but he really made it so collaborative and we just had a right laugh. One thing that really shaped the record was the six-string bass that we used right after he had been telling us about the Fender 6 used all over The Cure records - that was a very cool moment.

You’re embarking on your first headline UK tour this year. How are you feeling about stepping into
this new chapter, and what can fans expect from your live shows?

Beyond excited. It’s going to be so different! After being lucky enough to support some incredible bands, the fact that people are buying tickets just to come and see us makes it a whole new ball game. There will be lots of unreleased songs, some chin wagging and so much dancing. I want people to come and feel like they get to know me a little more and connect with the music of course.

The tour features a date in Nottingham, at The Bodega on 30th March. How are you feeling about performing in the city and do you have any stand-out memories of previous appearances in Nottingham at all?

Nottingham has a special place in my heart because my parents met in Nottingham. Although I've been there a handful of times, I can't help but feel like I kind of owe my existence to this city!

The band and I came to The Bodega in October supporting Crystal Tides and it was a definite stand out for me - it was one of those shows that I really felt so connected to the audience and present in the moment. Those kinds of shows when you are starting out are so important for your growth as a performer and I remember overcoming little things within my performance and feeling proud!

You’ve played various festivals and supported other artists on tour. How have these experiences influenced your growth as a performer?

Hugely! Experience is everything. I feel so lucky to have had so many fab opportunities with support tours towards the end of last year. You start to just get used to it and start believing in yourself more and more - there’s a comfortability that comes with doing it over and over again. Another thing is learning the signs quickly with an audience that isn’t necessarily there for you, you learn to read the room and make decisions in the moment.

As an artist from Manchester, how has the city’s music scene influenced your sound and artistic journey?

I think it's impossible to be from the north of England and not be inspired by how many iconic bands and artists have come out of here! I’d say my sound’s influenced by Johnny Marr guitar riffs - maybe not quite as complicated but those riffs that really support and guide your melodies. And I mean, a lot of the time when I’m writing a chorus I think “what would Oasis do?”, but what follows is always far from it - their choruses are something special and hard to replicate. Maybe one day!

Looking ahead, what are your hopes and goals beyond this EP and tour? What's next for you, as
you look ahead to the rest of 2025?

Release more music and ideally land some more support tours. On a personal level I just really want to carry on learning and growing. Write, absorb, create, perform is the plan!

heading into blue is released on 28th March and Better Joy will be performing at The Bodega on 30th March.

@betterjoymusic