Louisiana-born, singer/songwriter and guitarist Joy Clark will be releasing her debut album, Tell it to the Wind, on October 4th, 2023 on Righteous Babe Records. Growing up queer, and the youngest of five in a religious family, Clark shares Tell It to the Wind as “a defining statement of her individuality” and a “loving homage to the traditions that have shaped her creative path.”
Her new single “Lesson,” is out now, offering “nods to the past while looking to the future.” The accompanying video opens with Clark’s beloved grandmother poised to blow out her birthday candles, sharing wisdom with her descendants, saying “I want them to remember, though they miss me, my spirit will live on with them.”
Clark says:
My grandmother is and was my root, and when she passed, I thought back on what she imparted to me in her 86 years of life. I honor her remarkable journey with a bluesy chant that highlights a life lived through loving strength and kindness. “Lesson” isn’t just a reminder of rock music’s Black, queer and Southern roots, it’s also an unapologetic demand that we take our rightful place in the struggle for freedom.
Clark teamed up with Producer Margaret Becker to record Tell it to the Wind at Righteous Babe Studios in New Orleans and in select locations in Nashville. Becker co-wrote six of the album’s nine songs.
Clark has performed at The Ryman in Nashville, Kennedy Center in Washington DC, and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, among others. She has performed numerous times with Grammy-winning artist Allison Russell, who offered Clark a regular spot in her backing band The Rainbow Coalition, which led to appearances with Brandi Carlile and The Indigo Girls. In 2024, she supported Madeleine Peyroux on her Spring tour.
Musician and activist Ani DiFranco saw Clark perform at a New Orleans benefit and quickly signed her to the roster of artists on Righteous Babe Records.
DiFranco says of Clark:
Joy shines out as a singer and player in our shared community of New Orleans. We are proud to share this most tender new music from her and more to come.
Joy Clark Tour Dates
August 8 – Seattle, WA – Rabbit Box
August 17 – Discovery Bay, WA – Women’s Club Summer Concert Series
August 18 – Kingston, WA – Auntmama’s Stage 3
August 22 – Duluth, MN – Wussow’s Concert Cafe
August 23 – Ontonagon, MI – Porcupine Mountain Music Festival 2024
September 6 – Evanston, IL – SPACE: The Music of Tracy Chapman
September 28 – New Orleans, LA – Black Americana Festival
October 5 – New Orleans, LA – Dew Drop Inn – Record Release Party
October 11 – Auburn, AL – Sundilla Concert Series
October 15 – Greensboro, NC – Flat Iron
October 19 – Burnsville, NC – Traditional Voices Group
November 21 – Waltham, MA – Charles River Museum
November 22 – Rockland, ME – Strand Theatre
