You might remember her as a director for Rainbow Youth Theatre.
Perhaps it was her involvement in fundraising efforts for the Habitat for Humanity North Island or maybe you’ve been in the audience for one of the many shows she has played in the Comox Valley over the past eight years.
A girl who wears many hats, Joey Clarkson has taken a step back from her local community work in the past year, concentrating her focus on her music career.
“I look back at 2015 as a year of immense growth and change. I was pushed harder than I have ever been before - and as a result, I am a much stronger musician and person.”
Over the past year, Joey has been working closely with Los Angeles producers Steven McClintock (37 Records) and Kevin Fisher (Rascal Flatts). Together the three have been writing and producing a collection of songs that they plan to release in October of this year.
“I’ve known Steven since I was 18 - I first met him when he was part of a panel for VIMBC (Vancouver Island Music Business Conference). I chased him down in a parking lot and asked him if I could play a few of my original songs,” Clarkson explains. “Steven has an energy and kindness that many people with an impressive list of credentials and accomplishments.”
I always hoped I would get the opportunity to work with him - so when he asked me to co-write with one of his artists, Kevin Fisher while I was in LA last year, I jumped at the chance!”
Kevin and I clicked right away. We finished our first song together, Loving You Is Breaking Me, in a single afternoon.”
It was only a few days after she had returned to the Valley that she received an email from McClintock and Fisher, expressing their interest working with her again. Less than five months later, they released Loving You is Breaking Me as a single - which went on to place as a runner up in the AAA/Alternative category of the prestigious IAMA (International Acoustic Music Awards) this year.
“I am still shell-shocked that I get to work with them (McClintock and Fisher); their faith in me and my music means the world to me.”
In less than a week’s time, Clarkson will be releasing her second single with 37 Records.
“Go Right Now is the second song that I wrote with Kevin, and I don’t think I’ve ever been as excited to release a single as I am to release this one. It’s really relatable, especially for my generation. It follows the story of a couple that gets caught up in consumerism, finding themselves disconnecting and losing sight of what’s really important - it’s about their journey back to finding happiness with each other.”
To celebrate the release, Joey is teaming up with local coffee business, Mudsharks, to throw a single release party on May 21 in the courtyard outside of the cafe.
This event will feature Joey Clarkson and her band of boys from the Comox Valley.
Kick back in the shade of the Mudsharks courtyard and enjoy a hot or cold beverage as Joey and her band serenade you with the new single and features from her upcoming album.
This celebration is also acting as the kickoff for Joey’s European summer tour, on which she will be accompanied by local guitarist Jesse McCloy. Playing dates in England, Germany, Switzerland, Greece, Austria and the Netherlands, this is not their first music tour abroad.
“I’m leaving for the European tour the following day, on May 22, so to say that I am looking forward to next weekend is an understatement. This will be my fifth tour in Europe and the thrill of it never gets old.
“I would really like to include how grateful and overwhelmed I am from the community support in response to the release of Go Right Now - and would like to specially thank that Revy Auto Group (Comox Valley Nissan, Sunwest Auto and Nanaimo Nissan) for their involvement in my fundraising efforts to release and tour this song,” Clarkson said.
Go Right Now - Single release party is an all ages event taking place Saturday, May 21 in the Mudsharks courtyard.
Tickets are $10 each and include a non-alcoholic beverage of your choice. Patio opens at 6:30 p.m.