While many musicians sing ballads of turmoil, Venezuelan psych-grunge outfit Joudy found themselves under a growing shadow of a corrupt authoritarian regime. The band members were forced to flee their homeland, one-by-one, at the height of their success.
For Joudy, New York City represents a second chance– a place to rebuild their lives and their music, and to share a vision they nearly lost with the world they left behind. Just over three years after their separation, to their great surprise, cousins Diego Ramirez (vocals/guitar), Gabriel Gavidia (bass) and Hulrich Navas (drums) were miraculously reunited in New York City in 2020. Resuming practice with renewed fury, the group have quickly earned a reputation for their explosive live performances, in contrast with the introspective and esoteric lyricism that has become their signature.
Joudy’s trials of transformation and assimilation into an alien world mutated their singular sound in unanticipated ways. Taking inspiration from Audioslave, QOTSA, and the Melvins, their intense history erupts into spontaneous, dissonant energy.
The emotionally fraught “Tail End” is the third single from the band’s forthcoming album, Destroy All Monsters.
“It’s an apocalyptic rock anthem,” they explain. “A declaration of freedom as one road ends to make way for the next – we’re exploring the concept of death as rebirth, while subtly nodding to our tumultuous journey from the mountains of Los Andes, Venezuela to New York City.” The video, filmed and directed by Gabriel Duque, is a love letter to their new home…and sanctuary. The cousins each take their own big bite in locations around the Big Apple, emotionally grounding themselves on its rocks, channeling its sea winds, and enveloping themselves in its ever-watchful eye. As they say, when one door closes, another opens. Where is your sense of freedom?
Watch the video for “Tail End” below:
Their highly anticipated third LP, “Destroy All Monsters” is not only a musical triumph but also a testament to their personal and professional resilience. This will be their first album since finding asylum in the U.S., and it draws upon their personal history and the challenges they have overcome. “Destroy All Monsters” showcases Joudy’s remarkable ability to navigate complex emotions and channel them into their music. Despite the adversity they have faced, Joudy’s music remains powerful, thought-provoking, and inspiring.
The album is a startling mirror to the band’s defiant rebirth; an invitation into oblivion and a hand reaching through the dark to pull you back out. The project is further envisioned as an artistic collaboration among fellow Venezuelan diaspora: D.A.M.’s audio/visual collaborators are a crew of exclusively Venezuelan creatives spread across two continents.
With packed recent appearances including South By Southwest and New Colossus Festival, Joudy are poised for greatness. “Tail End” is out today via Trash Casual, with a release show to follow on April 15th at Our Wicked Lady in Brooklyn, NY.
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