New York based photographer Ebru Yildiz spent time with the band Joseph whose new album, I’m Alone, No Your Not is out now on ATO Records. What follows is Ebru’s photo story and a tour diary by Natalie Closner, who along with her sisters Meegan and Allie are the members of group. They have been on the road with James Bay and the bus stops at Radio City.
Joseph at Radio City Music Hall, New York. (Ebru Yildiz)
Ebru Yildiz “I worked with Joseph on their album artwork and press package for their new album I’m Alone, No, You’re Not. We spent almost three days together, and it was a blast.
After that, I was really looking forward to catching them playing live. Hearing an album live is a completely different experience for me. I finally caught them at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
They have been on the road with James Bay for a while at that point and I was following their adventures through their always up to date social media but I have never realized how emotional I was going to get till I saw them waiting in the backstage area to go out on stage. I literally felt like a proud mother, tears welling up. Radio City is such a monumental venue and I am just so glad I got to witness Joseph playing it the first time in their career”.
Joseph at Radio City Music Hall, New York. (Ebru Yildiz)
Natalie Closner “When you’re on a tour bus with twenty-two riotously funny British people, you stay up until three in the morning and wake up at noon every day. As a temporary way of life I recommend it, but if you’re aiming for longevity of vocal cords it shouldn’t be your top strategy.
This is one of the reasons why when I first walked wide-eyed into the glorious Radio City Music Hall, I was gripping my right buttcheek to ease the pain of the $500 steroid shot I had received an hour prior. (I know you’ve wondered if the rock ‘n roll lifestyle is glamorous so I’m providing these details as confirmation.)
Joseph at Radio City Music Hall, New York. (Ebru Yildiz)
The doctor had revitalized my croaky voice and the result was miraculous so I wasn’t nervous when we stepped onto the stage. I looked out at the rows of red velvet benches and glowing gold lights and thought to myself, “Tonight we get to fill this space, THIS SPACE with our sounds.” We sang a song and it felt smooth and vast.
Joseph at Radio City Music Hall, New York. (Ebru Yildiz)
My husband and brother and sister-in-law arrived. We were all smiling and celebrating with whiskey in plastic glasses. The air glittered with anticipation and reverence. And gratitude! We were oh so grateful to have this opportunity from James Bay the great, our courageous leader and mentor. But there was also a hungry feeling, a determination to make magic with our thirty minutes, to grab hold of the room by the collar and resuscitate it. So we did.
Joseph at Radio City Music Hall, New York. (Ebru Yildiz)
After the final notes we walked off stage, sweating, and the venue rep asked us to take a selfie like the true millennials we are. Then we went out to the lobby to do more of that. We hugged and exchanged sincerities with kind people who bought merch. Then we went side stage to experience the electricity that is a James Bay show.
Joseph at Radio City Music Hall, New York. (Ebru Yildiz)
Sometimes it’s delayed, the “Is this real life?” feeling, the sense of awe… but sometimes it arrives and keeps a stupid grin on your face for hours.”
Photography by Ebru Yildiz. Ebru has her own great website right here: Ebru Yildiz
If you would like to see Joseph in the UK, including a concert at the beautiful Union Chapel in London, then here are the tour dates, lets hope we can be there to capture them live.
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