The album ‘Proof of Life’ by Joy Oladokun was released in April earlier this year to much critical acclaim. “This album is evidence of how I live,” Oladokun shares. “I hope these are helpful anthems. I started making music because I wasn’t hearing from the ‘everyday human being’ on the radio. I hope this resonates with anybody who feels normal and needs a little musical boost to get through the day. I’m average. I do this job because I love what I do. I put so much care, craft, and intention into it. I’m making music to live to.” Consisting of thirteen tracks ‘Proofof Life’ features collaborations with Chris Stapleton, Noah Kahan, Manchester Orchestra, Mt. Joy and Maxo Kream—Oladokun, something that was intentional very early in the songwriting process. “The moment I wrote ‘We’re All Gonna Die’, Noah was the first person I thought of,” Oladokun stated, “I think the thought process behind all the collaborations was I was making a record about my life and I wanted to honor that. Even in my influences and the people that have inspired me to do the things that I’ve always wanted to do and so calling Manchester Orchestra or asking Chris Stapleton to be on a song was all really intentional based on people that are on my playlist or the bands that I would listen to as a kid.” Born and raised in Arizona and now living in Nashville, TN, Oladokun garnered much attention and praise for her breakthrough major label debut, ‘in defense of my own happiness’ in 2021. Oladkun has been on tour for much of the year in support of her current album, having recently extended the tour through November.
Joy Oladokun spoke with B-Sides host Pete Mar at Outside Lands 2023 about performing in San Francisco, getting a text from John Mayer about her album ‘Proof of Life’, her love of Jimi Hendrix and more.
