Welcome to the unorthodox world of JOYFRIEND, an ingenious, genre-bending entity born from the creative psyche of Joy DaMert (They/Them). A purveyor of raw emotions, JOYFRIEND seamlessly navigates the spectrum of human experiences, confronting the agonizing and the divine, the lustful and the dreamy, while delivering an intoxicating blend of electronic dance music that morphs pop synth with hefty industrial bass.
JOYFRIEND’s distinctively audacious sound and magnetic stage presence have carved a niche in the underground music scene for a decade. Trained by their sibling Brian DaMert of Sacred Skin during their Oakland days, Joy has since honed their craft, culminating in a move to the pulsating heartbeat of LA’s music scene in 2021.
“Fast Lane (an original creation by JOYFRIEND, mixed and mastered by Auragraph) serves as a defiant anthem for the queer and trans community. The message is clear: existence is resistance. This pulse-pounding track screams, “Move aside or be bulldozed.” Directed by Jamie Rusiti and penned by Joy DaMert, the video plays with the macho hero and femme fatale tropes, converging these archetypes into a singular, complex character exhibiting power, fierceness, and sensitivity.
The song’s heart beats with an old-school industrial dance rhythm, intertwined with modern electro and darkwave dance vibes. It’s captivating, bold, and hypnotic – the perfect soundtrack for a twilight rendezvous at a clandestine warehouse rave, hosted by an LA art collective.
Immerse yourself in “FAST LANE” with the video below:
With summer around the corner, JOYFRIEND teases a series of releases that will spotlight their latest artistic evolution. Not one to be confined, they also lend their vocal and synth skills to the highly-anticipated post-punk band, Mirror of Venus, slated to perform at Substance 2023.
JOYFRIEND is a beacon of unapologetic authenticity in the vibrant landscape of electronic music. In their debut video for “Fast Lane,” they delve into the intricate layers of identity, queerness, and resilience while delivering a high-octane soundtrack for those who live life on their own terms. This queer anthem is a testament to Joyfriend’s dynamic sonic explorations and a rallying cry for the LGBTQ+ community.
Navigating the experimental lanes of the electronic music highway, JOYFRIEND shares common ground with their contemporary peers and iconic predecessors. Echoing the audacious, electroclash soundscapes of Peaches, they unabashedly address themes of sexuality and identity. Geneva Jacuzzi’s synth-driven eccentricity reverberates in JOYFRIEND’s genre-fluid creations, while the raw, emotional delivery of Soltera finds its match in JOYFRIEND’s honest lyrical expressions. The artist’s work also bears the imprint of 80s new wave trailblazers – the quirky, avant-garde stylings of Lene Lovich and the sleek, sexually-liberated narratives of Gina X Performance. Paralleling Dorian Electra, JOYFRIEND embraces a forward-thinking, gender-defying approach to music and persona. The darker, post-punk influences of Sextile can be traced in their heavier industrial undertones, and the new wave pop sensibilities of Missing Persons shimmer through in their catchy synth lines. Collectively, these artists have paved the way for JOYFRIEND’s innovative sonic explorations, reinforcing the artist’s unique position in the vibrant landscape of electronic music.
Their upcoming releases promise to continue their journey of musical rebellion and innovation. As we eagerly anticipate what’s next, we can be sure that JOYFRIEND will continue to push boundaries, challenge conventions, and amplify their voice in the eclectic symphony of the electronic music scene.
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