Joe P is very different from most of the artists I typically listen to, and I’m not talking about sound or genre. I first stumbled across Joe on Tik Tok in August of 2020. Covid restrictions were still very heavy around that time which also meant no concerts, so it was a hard time for most music lovers. At the time I was in a music rut. Just cycling through the same music I had been listening to since the end of 2019, because finding new music was so difficult for me during the pandemic. But this 50-second-long video of a guy with his guitar in his kitchen singing, immediately changed the game. That 50 second video eventually turned into his most popular song, “Off My Mind”.
Obviously during the pandemic releases were at a standstill for most artists, but Joe did livestreams frequently, recording from his basement. He’d talk to us between songs, show viewers his dog Bowie, and of course played plenty of music. Joe was able to capture the feeling of being at a concert from the comfort of my home, and it felt refreshing to hear from an artist in such an intimate way.
I later discovered that Joe was the front man for a band Deal Casino, a New Jersey rock band that has a very large discography, and heavily listened to them after, despite the band’s decision to separate ways in early 2020. With Deal Casino, I fell in love with Joe’s vocals and from then on, I was hooked.
Fast forward to today, two years later. Joe P has since released a full album entitled Emily Can’t Sing, and just recently released French Blonde, his latest EP. Joe P has taken off within the last year and is currently on tour with Spacey Jane. “Off My Mind” has 19 million streams on Spotify and his latest EP has gained heavy traction, with the EP’s single “All Day I Dream About”, having over a million streams in just a few months.
Joe’s sound is like New Jersey indie, however the undertones of Deal Casino’s rock still linger, making Joe’s music as a solo artist feel like a different breed. His lyrics often feel like poetry and resonate within you as a listener, making you want to constantly go back for more. Every song radiates different emotions and sounds, while still managing to be cohesive to his discography as a whole, making him stand apart from other solo artists in 2022.
In the end, the thing that makes Joe so unique to others is the intimate connection with his fanbase. The genuine conversations he will hold at his merch table, the playful banter in-between songs, and the continuous support and acknowledgement of those that lookup to him. Joe P’s solo career started in his basement, with an audience always listening, and despite his growing success he still maintains that connection with those that listen to him.
If you haven’t heard of Joe P, I strongly suggest checking him out on Spotify. If you’re lucky to make it to a show, Joe will truly take your breath away with his incredible riffs and meaningful lyrics, all the while bobbing his head and smiling on stage. Check out Emily Can’t Sing on Spotify and enjoy pictures from his show at Union Transfer in Philadelphia on Saturday 10-15-22.
