Ritzy Bryan of Joy Formidable Talks Music Business, Relationships, and Finding Her Sound

We caught up with Ritzy Bryan, singer and guitarist of the Joy Formidable backstage at a gig opening for the Cure in Glasgow, while the band Mogwai provided perfect instrumental scoring in the background. She discusses why her Welsh heritage is so important to her music, how her time on Atlantic Records helped inform her understanding of the music business, and how her guitar acrobatics hurt her Fender as well as the forehead of Joy Formidable bassist Rhydian Dafydd.

She also discusses dirty fan-made videos, and the 10th anniversary re-release of the Joy Formidable’s debut, A Balloon Called Moaning. The Joy Formidable are touring North America this autumn. Look for them in your city.

Photo Credit: Sarah Jeynes