Spotlight: Joe Billy and Elementality Collaborate on New Song “Storm”
What do you think of when you hear these two words; Endurance and Perseverance. What stands out to you? Is it the hard work that comes with them? The pain someone might have to go through to come through victorious? Having the strength to keep going and not give up is something that is very important. The ability to keep fighting the good fight. This new single is all about moving forward and not letting anything stand in your way.
About Joe Billy and Elementality
Joe Billy has been involved with music for a very long time. From a young age, he felt a connection to music. Billy started to play the drums when he first started out in the music world. He now plays the guitar as well, broadening his musical abilities. Joe Billy released his most recent album in 2018 entitled “Don’t Mind Me”. The singer also has two other albums you can go listen to as well! Elementality’s lead singer is Jon Rosario. Rosario started playing music in middle school. As the years went on, he discovered the passion he had for music. Rosario plays piano, ukulele, and is the lead singer in the band Elementality. Elementality released an EP in 2019 featuring four tracks. Jon and Joe have been friends for a while and their bands have even played together before! The two decided to collaborate on their song “Storm”, which is the newest release for both of them.
About “Storm”
The vibe of “Storm” is very much a folk-punk and alternative track. This song was a complete DIY and you can tell the amount of hard work the artists put in. The artists worked and recorded remotely. The message behind the lyrics makes the song what it is. Jon came up with the chorus and then decided to bring Joe in on it to collaborate. “Storm” is about the hardships and turmoil behind events going on in the world. During July/August 2020, the Black Lives Matter movement was at its height and these artists were inspired by this. This song is about enduring the pain and persevering through it and coming through the other end of the tunnel. Jon Rosario said this about the track, “From the first few months of the pandemic to the George Floyd incident, I felt this sense of a storm coming through and hoping that we have the strength to endure what was being thrown at us.” This message comes through in the lyrics and this metaphor is one that is truly vulnerable and real. It is a story that must be told. Talking about the racial injustices the country is facing is important. The song starts off with rain and thunder rumbling in the background. As the song progresses, it builds up just like a storm. The metaphor of a storm approaching and having to prepare for it, go through it, and overcome it is really a work of art.
Joe Billy had this to say about the inspiration behind the song, “In terms of inspiration for the lyrics, ironically Jon and I came from similar mindsets. I was incredibly moved and impassioned by the BLM movement and I felt the need to really drive home the idea that there are people out there who literally have no other choice but to push forward over adversity, oppressors, or literally anything else in their way. As well as how for many people, that's the only life they know; fighting for their lives against odds that seem so much greater than them. But then I love how as the song moves forward, all of the pain, anger, and uncertainty turns into this triumphant statement of like "we're going to overcome this no matter what you throw at us."
Overall
This new song by collaborators Joe Billy and Elementality is one to listen to. The meaning behind the song is inspirational and I think it will spark a lot of much-needed conversations. These artists should feel incredibly proud of the song they created! Hopefully, there will be new music by both very soon. My fingers are crossed for another collaboration!
Written by: Julia Wright (she/her)
