better joy’s On-Going Journey of Self Expression

Indie-pop solo-project better joy partners up with Tonic Music by raffling a 12” test pressing of their debut EP, while the singer-songwriter talks us through her ever-evolving songwriting, touring with Amy Macdonald and the hopes and dreams of better joy.

Long before releasing her debut EP and headlining tour, singer-songwriter Bria Keely was studying languages by day and serenading her mates by night with her own written music. With no set plan after graduating, Bria soon came to realise the undeniable truth: songwriting and performing were what she loved most. 

And things got serious in 2022, when she began working with a producer and started to shape her own sound. The Manchester-based musician confessed that her attempts at song writing were “pretty bad” in the early days of better joy, but has stayed committed to honing her craft. Now at 28, Bria has not looked back. 

“There was a lot of experimentation and figuring out what I liked in music,” she explains, “as I did not grow up in the indie scene, so I discovered it all at once. It was a lot of self discovery.” 

Released in March of this year, better joy’s debut EP Heading into Blue blends the dreamy indie-pop soundscape of Wolf Alice and Cure-inspired shimmering guitar melodies. 

Produced by Mike Hedges (renowned for his work with The Cure, Manic Street Preachers and Siouxsie and the Banshees), Heading into Blue swiftly came together, with the immense support from the eminent producer.

“The recording process was so much fun,” she says, “he [Mike Hedges] really valued my opinion. The EP feels like a real part of me.”

The six-track collection is a bold statement of self expression, offering themes of heartache and hopefulness through Bria’s gentle vocals, textured guitars, and raw vulnerability throughout its entirety. 

When discussing Heading into Blue, the musician admitted that “it felt like the first time I was dipping into a part of me I have not touched,” which has been a personal turning point for her. Even the EP title itself nods to the emotional openness. “Blue is the colour of self-expression,” she explains, “and I am heading there.” 

In a new chapter of her career, the singer-songwriter is leaning into authenticity and emotional vulnerability in her songwriting. “I want to touch those heart strings,” she says, “if I can connect to my music, then other people can too.” 

In partnership with Tonic Music, better joy is raffling a 12” test pressing of the EP, complete with a personalised message. With one ticket costing £3, and if you purchase 3 tickets you can get an extra 2 for free, all proceeds go to supporting Tonic Music.

“I have struggled with my mental health in the past, and it is an on-going issue for me,” Bria shares, “and I am writing more about mental health, it is something so important to me.”

One challenge the musician faces is the never-ending scroll of social media and the struggle of “breaking through the noise.”

“It is such a great tool, but if you are figuring things out in front of everyone online, it can be quite daunting.”

Despite this, the Manchester-based project has built a close-knit community of fans online, who stream her latest singles and go to the gigs. 

“As an emerging artist, I of course don’t have millions of followers, but I feel we really have accomplished so much." Bria says proudly, “the debut EP, the sold-out shows- we have done that. We have got real fans!” 

In a remarkably short space of time, the singer-songwriter leapt from studying Spanish in lecture halls to performing sold-out shows across the UK, all while fearlessly opening up to her audience with far deeper songwriting. 

And that is just the beginning- better joy is set to tour the UK and Europe later this year with Scottish singer-songwriter Amy Macdonald. And as if that was not enough, she also revealed that they will be performing new material from their upcoming EP At Dusk, also dubbed as “the sister EP of Heading into Blue.” 

“One of my favourite tracks from At Dusk is called Plugged In, which I am really excited about,” Bria shares enthusiastically. “It really encompasses my exact lyrical style, I just love it. It is the most ‘me’ song I have ever written to date.” 

As better joy gears up for a string of upcoming festivals, Bria is already dreaming up bolder, more ambitious plans for the band’s future. 

“I am manifesting playing at Glastonbury in 2027,” she states, “I really want to do that!” 

“Thinking more short term though, I would love to play at the Albert Hall in Manchester.” 

better joy has a vast journey ahead- one filled with touring, new material, and a deepening creative process as the singer-songwriter delves further into herself to forge more meaningful connections with like-minded listeners. 

“better joy is going to be a big timeline of me figuring myself out,” she says, “hopefully that will never end!” 

Here’s to better joy’s future being nothing but blue.

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Grace Riley

Music Journalist