Pool Of Sound - Permanent (Joy)

 

Permanent Joy emerged from a pivotal moment of transition, reshaping both their identity as a band and their approach to music. Born out of the dissolution of their former group 'Blondes', the new project from former members songwriters Alex Davison and Dan Stroud, joined by Dave Annis (formerly of 'Queen Zee' and touring member of 'Blondes') as well as Noah Roche, a producer-turned-bassist, the band embraced the opportunity to recalibrate, crafting a sound that feels fresh and unrestrained, a natural evolution of musicians who are discovering new boundaries together. Combining indie rock with experimental flourishes, their sound is as dynamic as their journey, marked by reinvention. 

After meeting at Nottingham University, songwriter and lead singer Davison and songwriter and guitarist Stroud helped form 'Blondes'. The group gained success, including a record deal with an American label, but ultimately disbanded following the departure of their lead singer. Although they initially decided to continue as 'Blondes', the shift in band dynamics and sound made them realise that they needed to refine themselves into something new. The band's name, much like their music, emerged organically through collaboration and compromise. Alex says, "I was constantly changing our private SoundCloud name. We landed on 'Permanent (Joy)' because it was the only name we didn't disagree on. When we searched to see if it already existed, we found that 'Permanent' is a 'Joy Division' album. Dan liked it in brackets and we thought it'd make a great visual motif. We're fortunate that the success we had with 'Blondes' has allowed us to fund this project." This hands-on approach extends to their creative process as well. "The songs on the EP came together in different ways," Davison explained. "Some originated with me, others with Dan, and some emerged organically when we were all playing together. That variety keeps things fresh." 

In concert in Dublin

 Drawing influences from 'Radiohead', 'Neutral Milk Hotel', and 'Fleetwood Mac', Permanent (Joy) is carving out a distinct identity with a versatile sound that blends indie, alternative, and even jazz-inspired prog. Since their initial appearance in September 2024 the band have released three singles, 'Josephine', 'Aeroplane' and 'I Wanna Go Home' and prepared for the release of EP. Their breakout track 'Josephine,' a standout from their six-track EP, exemplifies their character-driven lyrical style. "The song tells the story of two other people, but it’s influenced by my own experiences," Alex explained. "There are small mosaic pieces of things that have happened to me that I weave into the story." Gaining traction on TikTok and Instagram, 'Josephine' has validated the band’s artistic vision and connected them with a global audience. "Seeing our music connect with people globally is incredibly rewarding," Noah added.

Alongside a busy period of touring as a support act, Permanent (Joy) will be promoting the release of their debut EP with a full show in Liverpool in March, returning to their familiar stomping ground of the iconic Jacaranda Club for the first time as headliners. This will be followed by a showcase session for BBC Introducing Merseyside and an appearance at Liverpool Sound City Festival in May.