Joy Walshe: Unsigned Artist Of The Year!
December 2008 | Pop
What a year it has been for Joy Walshe – since we first featured her all those months ago this year she’s become the most downloaded unsigned artist on We7, with over 30,000 ad-supported downloads. That’s right, you heard correctly. She has beaten big name artists such as The Kinks, Uriah Heep and ELP
So we thought it would be nice to catch up with her, so she could let us know how she did it!
The Interview
How has 2008 been for you?
This has been a great year, thanks in no small part to We7 of course! After releasing the album, I remember finding out from We7 on Valentine's Day (that's February 14th for the boys!) that I was at the top of the download charts. My songs were the top downloaded songs on We7 charts for several months and I was the top download artist, at one point ahead of the amazing Leona Lewis who was at number 2. Now that was a wonderful start to the year! I've since had over 30,000 downloads from We7 members which is amazing - so a massive thanks to my We7 fans!
What has been the highlight of the year?
I think the highlight of the year was performing at the AIM Women in Entertainment Industry event at Copyright House in Soho. At the same time, I've loved being back in the studio to record some exciting new songs with my band.
I hear you have some new songs ready - can you tell us a little about them?
At the start of 2009, I will release two new songs, "Cry" and "Good Times", which are more rocky and upbeat than my previous songs. They will feature first on We7. "Good Times" is a rather sexy, rocky number about attraction with lots of electric guitar layers while "Cry" is an up-tempo feel good song about new beginnings. Your listeners should, however, interpret the songs in whatever way they wish!
How does it feel to be the most downloaded unsigned artist on We7?
Amazing! There are so many talented unsigned artists and to be so fortunate is both humbling and exciting. It is great exposure and the We7 team have been wonderfully supportive. I can only hope that my new songs do as well.
What do you think of the opportunities out there for unsigned artists?
Funny you should ask that: through my We7 success I had an interview with a New York based magazine called "The Deal" for a feature about increasing opportunities for unsigned artists to gain recognition and a fan base through the internet. With such great music networking sites such as Myspace, Facebook, internet radio, Garageband and of course We7, there have never been so many opportunities for unsigned artists to reach a wider audience.
How will you be spending Christmas this year?
My Christmas this year is rather unconventional: I'm in the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific to play my music and have a holiday. I plan to return later in 2009 to help out some local charities and look for some further musical inspiration. The Melanesians are such friendly people with a wonderful musical heritage so it's great to be here during this special time of the year. I'm just off Carol Singing with some Island friends so I'd like to end by wishing everyone at We7 and all your listeners a very Merry Christmas and an even better New Year!
What does 2009 hold for you – what are your plans?
I can't wait for everyone to hear "Cry" and "Good Times". I’m going to release them online via We7 so your listeners can hear them first - look out for more detail in your forthcoming January feature. I'm also planning a lot more gigs and hoping to secure a publishing deal.
