Kate Bush, Bill Callahan, Maria Callas, Nick Cave, Chopin, Emmylou Harris, PJ Harvey, Will Oldham, Nina Simone, Sparklehorse, the Tindersticks and Tom Waits...
Joni is based in the San Francisco Bay Area of California and is known for her piano driven ballads. She recently self-released her second album, A Bird's Heart, which consists of 11 songs. Most of the tracks on the album were recorded over a two-week period in the fall of 2006. Additional strings and saw, written and performed by Quinta, were recorded while Joni was in London during Spring/Summer 2007. In her songwriting Joni explores the challenges of being uncomfortably human, and uses piano, guitar, accordion and subtle electronics as a sonic backdrop to her lyrics.
"With her resonant, powerful voice, Joni weaves astonishingly direct and affecting tales full of melancholy, reparation and the transience of the human condition. The immaculate production, by Joni and her husband, at times gives the feeling of having her singing only for you in the very same room. A brilliant performance of unsettling, incredible, positively sepulchral songs, A Bird's Heart simply begs for wider recognition."
"It's this sort of unconventional songwriting that will inevitably draw comparisons to PJ Harvey's latest all-piano album White Chalk... Like Jolie Holland, Joni Davis is able to distill folk music, carnival music, jazz and balladry into something new and strange."
"Her debut collection of nine piano-driven ballads has more in common lyrically with Nick Cave or Sparklehorse, but its Bessie Smith or Nina Simone who come to mind... because she carries the same weight..."
Press Democrat interview, 9 January 2008
Joni and Quinta at the Paradiso
Check out these videos of Quinta and I live at the Paradiso in March 2007, courtesy of the folks at Ratatouille TV.
A Tear for Maria
I Have No Magic / I Was Afraid of Death
Purchase
C.D.'s are available for purchase using the PayPal button and the CD Baby link
below and from The Last Record Store in Santa Rosa. Downloads can be purchased from iTunes and the Snocap store.
Fantastic show on Friday at Ravenous, my friends that were there really appreciated your unique style. looking forward to meeting up and working on the song!!
hey joni. just wanted to tell you that piper had a baby boy last week! his name is cyrus. she's got some pics up on her page. i wish i still lived in healdsburg so i could see you at ravenous on friday!!!! i told my mom about it, she's gonna try to go, but its a little late at nite for her. peace :)
Good to run into you the other day!! I am going to try and be at your show May 1st....depends on how things work out. But we should definately get together and grab a bite soon:)
Hey joni! How are you?! I feel bad cause I keep seeing that you are playing in my neighborhood but school has been ruling my life this semester! I hope to catch a show soon though... How have you been?
Hi Joni, It was great meeting you last night! Your music is inspiring and soulful. I've been enjoying listening to your cd. Hope to see you again, soon. ~Amber Lee
Joni my dear!!!! Heard that Seppi and Truc went to watch a gorgeous woman perform last night...yes that would be you! I'm so sorry I missed it, for my own sake and heard that you may be back in SF again soon!! Yeah!!...My mom says hello (she is always so happy to hear what you are up to:)) as well and wants me to keep her updated on when and where you're perfoming...Hope everything is fantastic and hope to see you soon!!
I'm so glad to find you in the Myspace world. How are you doing? It looks like you are still out there playing hard and anytime you want to come on my show, please let me know. If you are looking for some different places to play, give me a holler and I'll put you in touch with a few folks.
JONI!!! Congrats on your new release today man! I'm so excited for you! and for me because I just got a copy :) Miss you and hope to see you soon...maybe at your gig in sf??? Happy New Year!
