Joy Formidable are a three-piece Indie Rock band from North Wales, currently located in London, England. Joy Formidable consists of Ritzy Bryan (lead vocals, guitar), Rhydian Dafydd (bass guitar, backing vocals), and Matt Thomas (drums, percussion).
Lead vocalist/guitarist Ritzy Bryan and bassist Rhydian Dafydd originally played together as part of indie rock band Tricky Nixon, which later reformed into a New Wave/post-punk band Sidecar Kisses. They regrouped on returning to Mold, Wales and formed The Joy Formidable in 2007.
Following their formation in 2007, and the digital release of the track "Cradle" in July 2008, Joy Formidable released their debut single, "Austere", on 7" through Another Music(Another Kitchen) Records on 18 August 2008, which was described by The Times as "dreamy indie pop" and drew Joy Formidable some attention when it featured in trailers for Channel 4's Skins. "Austere" was followed with a second single, a limited edition double 7" physical release of "Cradle" on Try Harder Records, on 2 February 2009. Joy Formidable released an 8-track mini album A Balloon Called Moaning as a CD/Poster package through Pure Groove Records two weeks later. In support of the record Joy Formidable appeared at several notable festivals, including Latitude Festival and the Reading and Leeds Festivals during which time Justin Stahley was replaced on the drums by Matthew Thomas. May 2009 also saw the issue of a third single, "Whirring", on 7" through Friends Vs Records, which was BBC Radio 2'sRadcliffe and Maconie Show's Pick of the Week for the week of 11 May 2010, before ending 2009 Joy Formidable released a free digital-only single "Greyhounds in the Slips", produced by and featuring ex-Mansun frontman Paul Draper and a limited edition live album entitled First You Have To Get Mad on 30 November 2009, which had been recorded at Joy Formidable headline London Garage gig two months previously.
Joy Formidable music has been described as "primal epic grunge rock