We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Summer Joy. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Summer Joy below.
Summer Joy, appreciate you joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
Making art is all about being authentic to yourself, so in that I’m learning that I really wanna take my time with that. I’m discovering new things about myself everyday, so I apply that to my art. However, something hard about that is shutting out all the other voices and influences that make you want to compare yourself to everyone else, when really you just have to listen to yourself.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m an upcoming alternative R&B/Soul artist based in Nashville, Tennessee trying to carve out my own little niche in the scene. I have a newfound mission to expand the meaning of what we call Music City. There are so many amazing musicians and artists of all genres in Nashville, and I think it’s time we start showing out so that people know this music city isn’t just country. I was born and raised in Tennessee, but my family is from “MoTown” Flint, Michigan, so I guess I’ve always had a little soul in me. I’ve always loved to perform and take pride in my live shows, so y’all just have to come see the Summer Joy experience. Something that I want my fans and future fans to know is that I promise they will always get the real version of me, imperfections and all (even though I think i’m pretty cute lol), so that they know it’s more than okay to be true to themselves too.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
That I get to wake up everyday, see the sunshine and know that I’m doing what I’m good at, which luckily enough is also what I love. Also, when I’m playing a show and people in the audience are singing along to one of my songs, I damn near break down crying every time because I’m like, “Oh my God! Y’all know my music like that!?”
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
SHOW UP! When a smaller artist is having a show or a showing, go and experience them in person. Nowadays, I feel like we always have to present/market ourselves a certain way on social media, that the true version of the artist can get lost. Also I feel that we are still recovering from the pandemic and not as many people are willing to go out and support live music and art. So, just showing up means so much to all of us.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/summerthejoy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thatssosummerjoy
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@summerthejoy
- Other: Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/artist/42qZnbJ0Ye2JSIvx6YWJOW?si=7NVKadtTQQ60yIGLvaQ_tA
Image Credits
Hannah DiMemmo, Bella Danca, Koleby Gilbert, Julia Austin, Molly Suess