Apr 17, 2018
Interview With JOYNER, Self-Styled High Class Hippies of Dream Pop
Recently, I had the opportunity to interview JOYNER, an indie-pop duo from SoCal. Made up of sisters Summer Joyner and Torrey Joyner, who call themselves “high class hippies,” the dream-pop duo delivers delicious, airy, and wistful harmonies riding atop creamy synths and minimalistic rhythmic patterns.
JOYNER’s self-titled debut EP drops May 18, and if the first single, called “White Lights,” from the EP is indicative, it promises to be well worth the wait.
How would you describe yourself?
We like to call ourselves “high class hippies.” We’re also sisters who make up the indie-pop duo called JOYNER.
What do you do for fun?
Summer: Farmers market, spontaneous road trips and bouncing on my mini trampoline.
Torrey: I love to eat, and getting rid of things is a very fun pastime of mine. Is twerking on the wall still a thing? Cause that too.
What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?
We never got in trouble ’cause we never got caught.
What’s your favorite song to belt out in the car or the shower?
“Carry the Weight” by morgxn. Can’t belt it loud enough, guilty pleasure!
What musicians influenced you the most?
Summer: I got my first CD player at my 9th birthday party and two CDs: Alanis Morisette’s Jagged Little Pill, and Oasis’ What’s the Story Morning Glory. I had those on repeat up in my bedroom and would sing and look in my mirror every day. That is what first sparked my imagination of performing on a stage for people.
Torrey: As a little sister, I always looked up to Summer. She was my number #1 musical influence. I saw her playing guitar and writing songs, and it made me want to do the same. When I was a young tween, I begged her to let me sing with her, and later convinced her to let me be in the band.
How, if at all, do your musical influences shape and impact your music?
Summer: I’m sure subconsciously they all do. I think growing up in the 90’s really influenced the pop songwriters in us.
Torrey: Agreed. At the same time I’ve always struggled with anxiety, so the soothing music I listen to nowadays to calm the inner storm has definitely taken shape in the vibey, chill, calming synth sounds you hear in some of our songs.
How would you describe your style of music?
We like to think of it as dream pop.
Where do you find inspiration for your songs?
Our songs are all stories inspired by the emotion of things we’ve experienced or dreamed up. When it comes to making a music bed, we aim to craft something that really elevates the feeling of the story that each song is telling.
What is your songwriting process? Do the lyrics come first, or the music?
Summer: It goes both ways, but usually for me it will almost always start with lyrics. When an idea comes to me, I will start writing everything down. Then as I stare at the page, words and phrases will jump out at me and then the melodies come, that’s when I pick up the guitar.
Torrey: We’re opposite! I really respond to hearing the music first. Even if it’s just a few notes on the piano, that’s when the lyrics and melodies start flowing out.
I really like your single “White Lights.” How did it come about?
Thanks so much! It started late one night on an old nylon string guitar. We were strumming some chords and reflecting on a situation that we wished we could have done differently. It’s essentially a song about just that.
Are you working on any new songs?
Yes! We are working on a couple of new ones at the moment and are always creating new music. We have a cheeky lil’ number we just finished writing called “Peaches” that we’re particularly excited about.
Will you be dropping an album or EP in the near future? If so, can you tell me anything about it?
Our debut EP comes out May 18. It’s four songs plus a bonus track. We had a magical time creating it with our producer Bill Lefler. What’s fun about this EP is that most of the sounds you’ll hear are analog and were recorded live.
Will you be touring soon?
We’re currently playing shows around LA and after our EP comes out we’re hoping to hit the road!
Follow JOYNER on their website, Instagram, and Facebook.
