News overnight that Joy Kills Sorrow have joined the list of bands on indefinite hiatus which seems to have become the new “broken up”. They were rare visitors to Europe and didn’t make it past the small clubs which is a shame because they were a lot of fun to watch and listen to. They’ll be missed but hopefully the component parts will re-surface soon on stages near by.
From their website:
To our dear friends and our faithful followers,
We’re just back from a great run of super fun shows with our good friends, New Country Rehab, but we write to you today for another reason, with some big news. After 8 years as a band, 5 years with the line-up mostly as you know it, tens of thousands of miles on the road, 3 full-length records and a new EP that we’re super proud of, we’ve decided to take a break and try new things. As of our last few gigs in April, Joy Kills Sorrow will be on indefinite hiatus.
This is a sad email to write, in many ways. We’ve grown together – personally, musically, and emotionally – traveled all over the world together, played some of the best music we’ve ever played, and had so many incredible opportunities we will never forget. From our first tours doing house concerts together and squeezing with a full-size bass into a minivan, to our initial 6-week trip to Europe together, tasting all the beers of Europe and exploring territory previously uncharted by Joy Kills Sorrow, to our latest appearances on A Prairie Home Companion, Mountain Stage and Music City Roots, and playing to some of the biggest, best audiences we’ve ever had the honor to play in front of, we have loved our time in Joy Kills Sorrow and all the amazing experiences that have come with it. We are so, so proud of what we’ve done, where we’ve been, and feel so lucky and honored to have friends and fans like you that have supported us so readily for so long.
As much as anything, we are so very proud of each other. This band has seen us all creep out of our comfort zones, musically and otherwise. We’ve celebrated multiple 21st birthdays, college graduations, National Championship-winnings, and all the life that happens in between together. The friendships that have sprouted from this band will be everlasting, not just within the band, but with all the great musicians we’ve met and collaborated with, friends that have hosted us, audience members we’ve had beers with after the shows, and everybody in between that we had the pleasure to have a laugh with.
All in all, this chapter of our lives has been the best so far, but we are excited to see what the next chapter brings. As life has charged on, we’ve now realized we’re ready to try out some things we’d forgotten about along the way. We are excited about everything we’ve accomplished, but we’re also super excited to move forward and grow in new ways. With other plans and ideas all brewing away, the future of Joy Kills Sorrow as individuals will be just as bright and exhilarating as the history of the band has been.
Without further ado, here are a few messages from us individually:
From Jake:
“I joined Joy Kills Sorrow back in 2008 when I was a sophomore in college. I had no idea at that point what I was getting myself into and how much class this meant I was going to miss. A thrilling amount. I also had no idea what an immeasurable effect the decision to join would have on my life. The opportunities that I’ve had through the band I could never have imagined. Working with these four people and our former bass player, Bridget, has been such a pleasure. They’re all brilliant and talented people and playing in a band with them has changed me for good. Some of my very best memories from the last few years are just the shenanigans we would get up to, trying to pass a few more hours in the tour van. I’m really going to miss getting to hang out with them as much, and count myself lucky to call them all great friends. Thanks so much to anyone who has come to a show, bought a record, or supported us in any other way.
“From Emma:
“I remember getting a call from Matt about playing some gigs with Joy Kills Sorrow when I was still in high school. I was, obviously, excited about getting out on the road with a real band, but would have been infinitely more excited if I’d imagined where this band would take me. I’ve learned so, so much from this amazing group of people, made some of the best friends in the world, and they’ve been there and supported me through some very formative years of my life. I can’t express enough how awesome this all has been. I’ll always remember how much fun we’ve all had together, driving across North America and back again. And back again…and back again.”
From Matt:
“I started this band many years ago and it has grown into something I will always be proud of, it has grown beyond what I thought capable. I’ve had the pleasure to play music with great friends who in my view are some of the best around. There is a long list of supporters and past members to thank, too long to list, but you all know who you are. All of the support and hard work of those people is very much appreciated. Thanks to all for the great music and memories.”
From Wes:
“My time with Joy Kills Sorrow has spanned amazingly formative years in my life. From the fun moments to the hard ones, I will be forever grateful to the people I’ve met and grown closer to through the music of JKS. I’m a better musician for having been in this band, I’m also a better person, but most importantly, the members of JKS, previous and current, are people I’m honored to call some of my best friends. Thank you to everyone who helped make our time together possible.”
From Zoe:
“I’ll never forget how exciting it was a year and a half ago when Joy Kills Sorrow asked me to be their new bass player. Being in this band changed me deeply as a musician, took me traveling through countries and states I’d never been to before, and spawned really meaningful friendships. It has catapulted me into a completely new stage of my life, and provided me with the confidence, energy and inspiration to pursue new musical endeavors. I feel so grateful to have had this year with the band, to have recorded the EP, to have flown to San Francisco to play Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival, to have met so many people all over the world and connected with them through Joy Kills Sorrow’s music. It was a total blast.”
Thank you all, once again for all of your support. We wouldn’t be able to do what we do without amazing friends like you. We cannot express enough our appreciation of your support over the years, and we hope you’ll continue to support our individual endeavors.
With much love,
Emma, Jake, Wes, Matt, and Zoe
