The Joy Formidable

Wales trio The Joy Formidable is the first band signed to Black Bell Records, the label founded by Passion Pit's Ayad Al Adhamy. The band's debut release on Black Bell will be an 8-song EP titled A Balloon Called Moaning on May 4. The EP was recorded in the band's home bedroom studio, and was entirely self-produced.

Of his roster's first act, Ayad says that "The Joy Formidable grabbed my attention when I first heard the EP. The loud guitars, epic drums and dense textures with lush pop vocals and melodies just stood out from everything else I was listening to. Since then I've been an addict, and so has everyone I have shown this band to."

The Joy Formidable was conceived by music-obsessed friends Ritzy Bryan and Rhyddian Dafydd when they were both students in Wales. After a brief hiatus during which Ritzy and Rhyddian went their separate ways, the pair reunited in Wales and began to develop their sound. They relocated to London, brought in drummer Matt Thomas, and got down to writing and recording a record.