I was in the mood for some folky, acoustic stuff with good, thought-provoking lyrics when I got to Vance Joy on the Bonnaroo lineup. Perfect Timing. That’s all. Just a moment of fate… Finding the best times at the Mid-South’s premier music festival is a lot like that… you meander through the smoke and little gatherings and a mood builds on you until – as if you’ve stepped through the wardrobe door – you are standing in the midst of that “mood” and a minstrel is narrating it for you.

Joy’s E.P. “God Loves You When You’re Dancing,” has been featured on Last.FM and several other great sites. It’s easy to understand why as I spin through these tracks. Vance’s voice is subtle yet strong if ya follow… he’s put the work into his arrangements and everything fits just right to fit the lyric to the mood of the music. If I had to compare the record to one you may know already – well, Mumford come to mind, but if this were 1980, we’d be talking instead about Dylan or Kristofferson .

Feeding on a diet of The Pogues, Paul Kelly, and whatever else was playing, he cut his teeth performing at open mike nights in Melbourne. It is folk music with pop influences. His songs capture the familiar pulse of everyday experiences in a unique and celebratory manner. His lyrics will reach out to you and hold on for a moment.

We’ll look for ya at the ‘Roo!