BETTER JOY + HOUND

Better Joy, the alternative-pop band created and led by Bria Keely, is a deft fusion of classic and contemporary influences, boldly celebrating the tensions between opposing states. Introversion and extroversion, complexity and simplicity, the literal and the metaphorical are all polarities put under the microscope on her forthcoming single ‘Hard To Love’. And it’s more than just a heady introduction to the band’s Manchester-based front woman - it’s a compelling addition to the rich musical legacy of the north-west of England.

Born into a house full of music, Bria was brought up on singalongs, classical piano and singing lessons and a record collection packed with the greats, from Johnny Cash to the Beatles, Tracy Chapman to Oasis. It was only when she strayed from the formal framework of her classical education that Bria’s true musical potential was unlocked. Late night sessions performing covers in her university years and the support of her peers prompted Bria to contemplate music as more than just a hobby, and she started writing her own songs.