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“I get Joy when I think about” … Joy Ike, the vocal, lyrical, musical phenom … and yes, my sister. Growing up, there was always music playing in the Ike household, as is the case with many musicians. However, as Joy will tell you, it was not always the genre she preferred to listen to. Joy’s musical adventure started off with the clarinet and along the way she picked up the piano as well. However, as the hustle and bustle of adolescence increased, the time she spent practicing and focusing on music decreased.

It wasn’t until college where she returned to her love of music and began to flourish as a budding singer/songwriter. I don’t want to say I knew my sister would be a musician but it was almost inevitable. Many of the memories I have of Joy growing up are those of me yelling at her to stop singing … (you know, in a brotherly way). However, Joy would not be quiet. She always had a melody in her head, and she had a unique way of singing them. I think that is why it is hard for me to classify her music, all I can say is that it is goooood music! Her fans have compared her vocally to Corinne Bailey Rae and Norah Jones, stylistically to Fiona Apple and Laura Nyro, and have said that her ambiance is much like that of India Aire and Lizz Wright. If you ask me, I like to say her genre is Neofolksoulpop … yeah very unique.
Currently based out of Pittsburgh, PA, Ike’s schedule includes an average of 130 dates playing anything from house shows to college events to music and art festivals. She has had the privilege of working with notable organizations such as The Pittsburgh Public Theater, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, WYEP, The Carnegie International Museum, The August Wilson Center, and New York Faith & Justice.

So … where will she end up next? Well for starters I can tell you that she will be playing the Lilith Fair Wednesday, July 25th 2010 with the likes of artists such as Jill Hennessey, Sara Bareilles, Anjulie, Janelle Monáe, Court Yard Hounds, Sarah McLachlan, and more … yes ladies and gents this is a big accomplishment for this young lady. I can tell you she is super pumped and ready to see what the future holds and so am I … sing on sister!

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