The single Fried Rice by Jeán et Joie offers listeners an intimate experience wrapped in classic folk tones with a refreshing modern twist. Released on October 9, 2023, the track is an exploration of poetic storytelling, underscored by soulful melodies and emotive lyrics. Known for their introspective approach to songwriting, Jeán et Joie—helmed by artist and songwriter Grey Jeán—infuses Fried Rice with a unique blend of mournful yet hopeful folk. This single draws listeners into a reflective narrative, combining elements of raw emotional depth and celestial wonder.
The creative process for Fried Rice began under unusual circumstances. Grey Jeán describes the song as being “written under the rising moon in the east,” a moment that sparked an introspective yet inspired flow of ideas. This celestial setting influenced not only the lyrics but also the mood of the song, imbuing it with an aura of calm introspection. The moonlit inspiration reflects Jeán et Joie’s thematic style, where natural imagery and ethereal elements bring a unique voice to their music, creating a world that feels timeless and profoundly connected to both nature and human experience.
Recorded in Rancho Cucamonga, California, Fried Rice captures the essence of traditional folk music, set against a backdrop of polished, contemporary production. The recording location adds to the spirit of the single, marking the birthplace of this classic yet modern folk track. Producer Lew Laing, with over a decade of experience producing music across genres, played a vital role in shaping Fried Rice’s sound. Laing’s background—ranging from collaborations with major artists like Marques Houston to placements with Sony Records and MCA—infuses the single with a well-rounded sound that’s both rich and sophisticated, balancing folk simplicity with subtle layers.
A standout feature of Fried Rice’s production is the use of Dolby Atmos immersive sound, mixed by Keith Jones, a renowned jazz musician and bassist for Carlos Santana. This innovative mixing technique lends an added depth to the track, allowing listeners to experience the music in an enveloping, three-dimensional soundscape. The use of Dolby Atmos places listeners directly within the song’s emotional core, where Jeán et Joie’s lyrics and melodies feel close and intimate, enhancing the storytelling in a way that sets the track apart in the folk genre.
Jeán et Joie draws influence from folk legends like Joan Baez and Laura Marling, blending the introspective lyrical style of Civil Wars and Gillian Welch with their own distinctive voice. Fried Rice reflects this influence in its narrative depth, a hallmark of classic folk, while remaining distinctly modern. The song embraces a “driving classic folk sound,” evoking a sense of movement and contemplation, as though taking listeners on a journey through both physical landscapes and emotional terrain.
While Fried Rice embraces simplicity in its instrumentation, it does so with purpose, allowing each element to speak without overwhelming the message. This simplicity, combined with Grey Jeán’s poetic lyrics, creates a sense of raw authenticity, inviting listeners to linger on each line and unravel the layers of meaning within.
In line with Jeán et Joie’s dedication to their craft and community, the band will be hosting a benefit concert on October 25, 2024, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This event is particularly meaningful as it aims to raise funds for a beloved Asheville music venue that suffered damages during Hurricane Helene. The concert promises to showcase Jeán et Joie’s talent and heart, offering fans a live experience of Fried Rice and potentially previewing their next release, “MA,” which marks the third in their discography.
This upcoming benefit is not only an opportunity for Jeán et Joie to share their music but also a testament to their commitment to supporting the local music community. Their focus on meaningful, real-world events mirrors the reflective quality of their songs, where themes of shared experience and empathy come to life through folk melodies and storytelling.
Described as “the lyrical child of artist and songwriter, Grey Jeán,” Jeán et Joie’s music brings a “mournful folk with a hopeful glow.” Their songs combine simple instrumentation with stream-of-consciousness storytelling, creating a sense of immediacy and emotional authenticity. Common themes run through Jeán et Joie’s work, including celestial realities, the natural world, and personal reflection—all deeply woven into the fabric of Fried Rice. This single, in particular, feels like an invitation into Jeán et Joie’s contemplative world, where the listener is both observer and participant in a journey of discovery.
Grey Jeán describes the songwriting process as something that “doesn’t always unfold according to the time allotted. Instead, it’s just there at an odd moment.” This sentiment captures the essence of Fried Rice, a song born from a spontaneous moment under the rising moon, where inspiration struck and led to a track that feels as timeless as it does contemporary. The poetic depth and introspective nature of Jeán et Joie’s music stand out, allowing listeners to engage with the songs on a personal level, resonating with the universal themes of love, loss, and hope.
With Fried Rice, Jeán et Joie has crafted a single that not only showcases their musicality but also their ability to create immersive, evocative experiences. From its moonlit inspiration to its cutting-edge Dolby Atmos mix, Fried Riceembodies Jeán et Joie’s artistic vision, merging classic folk traditions with a modern production approach. The track speaks to their growing presence in the music scene as an artist dedicated to honest, heartfelt storytelling.
As Jeán et Joie prepares for their benefit concert and their next release, fans and newcomers alike can look forward to a continuing journey filled with introspection and musical exploration. For listeners who appreciate folk music with depth and authenticity, Fried Rice is more than just a single—it’s an invitation into the world of Jeán et Joie, where each song is a story and every note a connection to something greater.
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