Vance Joy
Vance Joy performing in 2014
Vance Joy performing in 2014
Background information
Birth nameJames Gabriel Keogh
Born (1987-12-01) 1 December 1987 (age 36)
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Origin
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • ukulele
  • guitar
  • piano
Years active2013–present
Labels
Spouse(s)Selen Us (m. 2023)
Websitewww.vancejoy.com Edit this at Wikidata
Australian rules football career
Personal information
Position(s) Defender
Playing career
Years Club Games (Goals)
2008–2009 Coburg 28

James Gabriel Keogh (born 1 December 1987), known professionally as Vance Joy, is an Australian singer-songwriter and former Australian rules footballer. He is best known for his 2013 hit song "Riptide".

Joy signed a five-album deal with Atlantic Records in 2013.[2] He released his debut EP God Loves You When You're Dancing in March 2013. His song "Riptide" was voted number 1 on the 2013 Triple J Hottest 100. Joy released his debut studio album Dream Your Life Away on 5 September 2014 in Australia and on 9 September 2014 elsewhere.[3][4] At the ARIA Music Awards of 2015, he won Best Male Artist. His second studio album, Nation of Two, was released in 2018, and his third studio album, In Our Own Sweet Time, was released in June 2022.

Early life and education

James Gabriel Keogh was born on 1 December 1987.[5][6] His father worked in the computer trade, while his mother was a high-school English teacher.[7] His paternal grandparents immigrated to Australia from Ireland.[8] He attended St. Patrick's Primary School, Murrumbeena, in Melbourne. He was school captain at and graduated from St Kevin's College, Toorak, in 2005, and later graduated from Monash University with a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws.[9]

Football

Prior to his music career, Joy was a promising Australian rules football player. In 2008 and 2009, he played for the Coburg Football Club as a key defender in the Victorian Football League, winning best first year player award in 2008.[10][11][9]

Joy explains his choice for a music career over a football one by saying that he "wasn't ever really in the mix (for the AFL)", being "good enough to go from local footy to the VFL. Out of three seasons, I had a handful of games. You always think you can do better, but I think I reached my potential as a football player."[12] In another interview, he stated "for a period of time I was super focused on footy, I played a step below professional level. I had opportunities to play for a couple of teams but my heart wasn't completely in it. I guess I was just doing something in the meantime before writing my first songs."[13]

Music career

2013: God Loves You When You're Dancing

Main article: God Loves You When You're Dancing

On 21 January 2013, Joy released his debut single "From Afar". On 22 March 2013, he released his debut EP God Loves You When You're Dancing.[14] The single "Riptide" became a success on Australian commercial radio,[15] peaking at number 6 on the ARIA Singles Chart and being certified Nine times platinum by the Australian Record Industry Association (ARIA).[16] The song featured in a GoPro TV advertising campaign in the USA.[17] "Riptide" was a worldwide commercial success, helping to launch Joy's career, and became the longest-charting song in ARIA Charts' history.[18] The song is also certified 5× platinum in the United States.[19]

"Riptide" was inspired by a motel Joy visited as a kid. "As a child, I used to go on family holidays down the coast of Australia", Joy told the Brand Alley blog. "While we were there, we would stay at this motel called Riptide. So that's where that part of the idea came from."[20] In an interview with Soundcheck in January 2014, Joy discussed his upcoming studio album. saying "I think there's always a bit of variety with my songwriting, so probably the EP is a good reflection of what the rest of the album will be like. It's all different songs, I guess, but all tied together in a way."[21] Joy said in an interview with Triple J about his stage name, "I was going through a Peter Carey phase and reading a lot of his books. There's a book called Bliss. The main character's name is Harry Joy and his grandfather is Vance Joy. He's the storyteller and a crazy old man. Plus, I thought it was a cool name."[22]

2014–2016: Dream Your Life Away

Joy at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Austin, Texas in 2015

On 15 July 2014, Joy announced the title of his debut album, Dream Your Life Away, which was released on 5 September 2014 in Australia, 9 September 2014 in the United States, and 15 September 2014 worldwide.[23] In July 2014, he released "Mess Is Mine" as the third overall single from the album, with the song peaking at number 37 in Australia. He gave his first live concert with songs on the album in September 2014, in Melbourne.[24] On 7 September 2014, Joy released "First Time" as the fourth single from the album in the United Kingdom.[25]

"Georgia" was released as a single in February 2015. Speaking to Rolling Stone, Joy revealed that he began writing "Georgia" in 2006, then sat on it until he figured out the words and melody.[26] A deluxe edition was released on 4 September 2015, which consisted of two new tracks and five live songs. "Fire and the Flood" and "Straight into Your Arms" were also released as singles, with "Fire and the Flood" later being certified platinum by ARIA. He promoted his album on the Dream Your Life Away Tour, which began on 17 October 2013 in Dallas, Texas.[27]

Joy was announced as the support act for Taylor Swift's 1989 World Tour on 3 November 2014. Joy appeared on all the tour dates in North America, the United Kingdom and Australia.[28] Swift performed a rendition of "Riptide" on 9 October 2014 for the BBC's 'Live Lounge' segment.[29] In November 2015, he was picked as Elvis Duran's Artist of the Month and was featured on the American television network NBC's Today, where he performed his hit single "Riptide".

On 13 May 2015, he performed "Riptide" in a duet featuring Quentin Alexander live to a standing ovation at the Dolby Theatre during the season 14 finale of American Idol. On 16 June 2015, Joy released "Great Summer", a single from the soundtrack for Paper Towns.[30][31] At the ARIA Music Awards of 2015 he won the Best Male Artist category for Dream Your Life Away, with six further nominations.[32]

2017–2020: Nation of Two and Live at Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Main articles: Nation of Two and Live at Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Joy performing in 2018 during the Nation of Two World Tour

In 2017, Joy released two singles from his forthcoming second studio album: "Lay It on Me" in July, which was nominated for Song of the Year at the ARIA Music Awards of 2018,[33] and "Like Gold" in November, which peaked at number 14 on the Australian charts.[34] The song was certified Gold by ARIA in 2019. He released "We're Going Home" on 12 January 2018, which was written while Joy was opening for the 1989 World Tour in 2015.[35] "Saturday Sun" was released on 1 February 2018 as the fourth single, which he stated was inspired by the beaches along the Pacific Coast Highway in Los Angeles.[36]

The last single before the album's release, "Call If You Need Me", was released on 11 February 2018, and appeared on the Billboard Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart. Joy released his second studio album Nation of Two on 23 February 2018. The album debuted at number 1 in Australia, was certified gold and won Best Adult Contemporary Album at the ARIA Music Awards of 2018. He released an upbeat, remastered version of "I'm With You" as a single from the album on 21 September 2018, which was certified platinum by the ARIA.[37] In November 2018, Joy released a live album titled Live at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, a live concert album of the Nation of Two World Tour, recorded at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado. Joy was the opening act for P!nk on her Beautiful Trauma World Tour in 2019.[38]

2021–present: In Our Own Sweet Time

On 29 January 2021, Vance released the single "You", a collaboration with Benny Blanco and Marshmello.[39]

On 20 May 2021, Joy released the single "Missing Piece". The song was featured on the episode of Grey's Anatomy airing that night.[40] The song reached platinum status in Australia[41] and won the ARIA Award for Best Video at the 2021 ARIA Music Awards.[42]

On 7 April 2022, Vance announced his third studio album, In Our Own Sweet Time, which was released on 10 June 2022.[43]

In 2023, Joy collaborated with Noah Cyrus to release the single "Everybody Needs Someone".

Personal life

In November 2022, Joy announced his engagement to Selen Us at GQ's Men of the Year Awards.[44] They married in June 2023.[44] Joy said his song "Missing Piece" was inspired by Us.[44]

Discography

Main article: Vance Joy discography

Awards and nominations

Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Vance Joy

Tours

Headlining

Vance Joy playing live music.
Vance Joy performs on the In Our Own Sweet Time Tour in Central Park, New York on August 30, 2023.

Promotional concerts

Opening act

References

  1. ^ Monger, Timothy. "Vance Joy - Biography". Billboard. Archived from the original on 16 February 2017. Retrieved 8 July 2017.
  2. ^ Adams, Cameron (1 May 2013). "Singer-songwriter Vance Joy signs breakthrough US album deal with Atlantic Records". News.com.au. Retrieved 19 August 2013.[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ "iTunes – Music – Dream Your Life Away by Vance Joy". iTunes. 9 September 2014. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
  4. ^ "iTunes – Music – Dream Your Life Away by Vance Joy". iTunes. Archived from the original on 21 January 2015. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
  5. ^ "Interview with Vance Joy at ACL Festival: His Next Album, Skate Crew, and Savage Garden". Tealmagazine.com. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
  6. ^ "James Gabriel Keogh – Search". Warner/Chappell Music.
  7. ^ "The division within Joy". Sydney Morning Herald. 12 April 2013.
  8. ^ "Vance Joy - Mess is Mine (Acoustic)". Two Tube RTÉ.
  9. ^ a b Jenkins, Melissa; Ma, Roger (28 January 2014). "Top 10 things to know about Hottest 100 winner Vance Joy". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
  10. ^ "Former Coburg player claims Hottest 100 - VFL". Sportstg.com. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
  11. ^ "2008 Coburg Football Club Best Fairest Results - Coburg". Sportstg.com. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
  12. ^ "Joy moves from footy to musical goals". The West Australian. 19 July 2013.
  13. ^ "Vance Joy interview: 'Riptide' singer talks football, Brandon Flowers". The Independent. 15 September 2014.
  14. ^ "iTunes – Music – God Loves You When You're Dancing – EP by Vance Joy". iTunes. 22 March 2013.
  15. ^ Kuch, Jesse (1 August 2013). "Thanks to Riptide, Vance Joy is on his way to being Australia's next big musical superstar". Cairns.com.au. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
  16. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2013 Singles". ARIA Charts. ARIA. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
  17. ^ Fitzsimons, Scott (19 July 2013). "Vance Joy Features In US GoPro TV Ad". theMusic.com.au. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
  18. ^ Adams, Cameron (10 May 2015). "Vance Joy's Riptide breaks Lady Gaga's incredible record on the Australian charts". www.heraldsun.com.au. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
  19. ^ Kawashima, Dale (24 November 2014). "Vance Joy Breaks Through With Hit "Riptide" and Debut Album; Will Open For Taylor Swifts Tour". Songwriteruniverse.com. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
  20. ^ Heggs, Melanie. "Vance Joy: 5 Things You Didn't Know About The 'Riptide' Singer". Fashionnstyle.com. Archived from the original on 12 March 2015. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  21. ^ Law, Adrienne. "INTERVIEW: Vance Joy". thisissoundcheck.co.uk. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
  22. ^ "Vance Joy profile". abc.net.au. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
  23. ^ Dream Your Life Away Archived 18 July 2014 at the Wayback Machine, vancejoy.com; accessed 17 July 2014.
  24. ^ "Vance Joy - Dream Your Life Away Pre-Order". Archived from the original on 18 July 2014. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
  25. ^ "iTunes Store". apple.com. Archived from the original on 12 February 2015. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
  26. ^ Spanos, Brittany (26 March 2015). "Watch Vance Joy's War-Themed 'Georgia' Video With a Surprising Twist". Rollingstone.com. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  27. ^ Vance Joy's Debut Album 'DREAM YOUR LIFE AWAY' to Be Released 9/9 – BWWMusicWorld (published 15 July 2014)
  28. ^ "Taylor Swift Reveals Massive 1989 World Tour". Rolling Stone.
  29. ^ "Taylor Swift covers Vance Joy's Riptide in the Live Lounge" (Video upload). YouTube. 9 October 2014. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  30. ^ "Music From The Motion Picture Paper Towns". Genius. 10 July 2015. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
  31. ^ Frere, Jackie (24 June 2015). "'Paper Towns' Author John Green: Film Soundtrack is the Perfect 'Summer Album". Billboard. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
  32. ^ ARIA Music Awards for Vance Joy:
  33. ^ "2018 ARIA AWARD NOMINEES ANNOUNCED". ARIA. 11 October 2018. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
  34. ^ "ARIA Report Issue 1446" (PDF). ARIA. 13 November 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 November 2017. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  35. ^ "First Spin: Vance Joy premieres 'We're Going Home', inspired by touring with Taylor Swift". ABC. 11 January 2018. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
  36. ^ "Vance Joy's Nation of Two: the stories behind the songs". ABC. 23 February 2018. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  37. ^ "ARIA Chart Watch #492". auspOp. 29 September 2018. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  38. ^ "Vance Joy Unveils Heartfelt Acoustic Cover of Pink's 'What About Us': Watch". Billboard.
  39. ^ Brandle, Lars (29 January 2021). "Vance Joy teams up with Benny Blanco and Marshmello on joyous 'You': Watch". Billboard. Archived from the original on 29 January 2021. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  40. ^ Shafer, Ellise (20 May 2021). "Vance Joy's new single, 'Missing Piece,' scores television debut on 'Grey's Anatomy' (Exclusive)". Variety. Archived from the original on 20 May 2021. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  41. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". www.aria.com.au. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  42. ^ "The Full List of Winners At The 2021 ARIA Awards Are In". Music Feeds. 24 November 2021. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  43. ^ "Vance Joy announces third album, 'In Our Own Sweet Time'". Tone Deaf. 7 April 2022. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  44. ^ a b c Avila, Daniela (15 June 2023). ""Riptide" Singer Vance Joy Marries Selen Us — See the Sweet Wedding Pics!". People. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  45. ^ "Vance Joy announces 2022 Australian Tour with amazing special guests". ABC. 3 November 2021. Retrieved 3 November 2021.

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