Vance Joy: Artist You Should Know

“Riptide” has been a noticeable addition to Jason Bentley’sMorning Becomes Eclectic sets recently and when I popped into the studio to ask him about it, he said it “feels like the next smash”, continuing where bands like the Lumineers, Mumford and Sons, and Of Monsters and Men have let off.

Vance toured with the latter — as well as another Aussie we love Julia Stone — and recently passed through LA as support for Lissie.

The track is so undeniably catchy it scored the Aussie singer-songwriter a deal with Atlantic Records. It’s off an EP “’God Loves You When You’re Dancing”, which probably means a proper full length is on the way.

I always note the “influences” artists list on their Facebook pages because, even though many of them are meant as jokes, they always give some insight (even if its into their sense of humor).

In this case, I think Vance might be genuine, listing Paul Simon, The Flaming Lips, Elton John, Gwen Stefani, Bon Iver, Coldplay, Paul Kelly, Sia and, lastly, Alfred Hitchcock.

He honed his chops playing shows around Melbourne and hopefully he’ll be stopping into the States again soon.

RR