Joywave are at an exciting point in their career. Not only have the act survived the pressures of their major-label debut and the dreaded sophomore slump, they’ve established themselves as the kind of band that you’re as likely to hear at a hip record store as you are at the grocery store. There is a difference between ubiquity and evolution and with their fifth full-length Permanent Pleasure, Joywave—vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Daniel Armbruster, guitarist Joseph Morinelli and drummer Paul Brenner—lean into guitar and string sections without sacrificing the signature sound that’s endeared the band to countless fans, whether they know it or not, over the past eleven years.
Rochester, New York, isn’t necessarily known for its bustling entertainment industry, but it is rich in culture and creativity. The trio’s hometown is integral not only to the theme of Permanent Pleasure (audio samples from 1984 historical compilation release, The Rochester Sesquicentennial, bookend the album), but also to Joywave’s overall identity. Despite international acclaim and major-label success, the band maintain a DIY work ethic that keeps them grounded in the present moment while always reaching toward the future. We go to our studio and make a record with total creative freedom and we turn it in and the label tells us we did a great job,” Armbruster explains. This arrangement is a rarity in the music industry these days—but like all things Joywave, somehow it works out in a way that makes perfect sense for them.
