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People will be hard pressed to see a rerun in the life of Joy Williams. Especially as she becomes more resolved not to let her life be stagnant and repetitive. "God is teaching me that life isn' t about being comfortable; it's about being obedient," says Joy. "My life has become about abandoning everything I've ever known. Although I feel more confident in what I do, I find myself more dependent on Christ."
On her new album, By Surprise, listeners will discover a young woman determined to step out, change and grow — leaving behind all that is familiar.
Graduating from high school, releasing a debut album, leaving her California home for Nashville and riding tour busses galore threw Joy into unfamiliar territory. "This last year has been a hard one as I learned to adapt to life as an artist,' says Joy. "Tour busses can feel lonely in spite of the close quarters, and hotel rooms can feel empty even though they are wonderfully luxurious. "It's been a hard year, but it's been a good year. There have been times when I've felt so alone but then so content with the companionship of Christ. I have discovered so much peace in the midst of so much change."
So much change. The common phrase threading its way through the thoughtful ramblings of Joy nowadays. The world becomes a crazy place when thrown into adulthood — learning the art of balancing a checkbook and dealing with the auto mechanic while balancing life on the road performing and making media appearances.
"God has been making what I like to call 'divine exchanges' in my life. I've enjoyed seeing my desire for surfing dwindle and my hunger to invest in people grow," says Joy. "If I don't allow God to continually change me and my desires, I'll become complacent and I won't have anything to offer anyone."
Not having something to offer a person would weaken the very spirit of who Joy is as anyone who has been around her can attest to the fact that she thrives on connecting with people. At the core of Joy is a young person designed to encourage and invest deeply in others. Her demeanor is endearing, her countenance effervescent and glowing, her personality open and approachable, her heart genuine.
It's these characteristics of Joy Williams that are effused into her new songs and music. Encompassing the changes in Joy's life, By Surprise talks about giving God the every day ordinaries and watching Him make them extraordinary, allowing Him to infiltrate every moment of life. Much of the album contains songs about surrender, obedience and the question "why" but in the hope-filled, joyful sound from the heart of Joy.
"I'm most excited about the way I'll be able to connect with people through this new album," says Joy. "I'm looking forward to seeing how people respond to the new music and especially to some of the songs I've written."
A highlight on the new album is her song "Every Moment." The song defines where Joy stands not only in her career but in her relationship with God. "I am grabbing hold of every moment that God gives me, realizing the time I have here is precious," Joy says. "I know I must hold on to the opportunities and the people that God has placed in my life."
Here Joy enters the next phase of her recording career. Taking more ownership on the sophomore project, she has written or co-written a number of songs on By Surprise. "Collaboration has taken on new meaning, simply because I have a larger role in the process. In many ways it feels like I'm making my first record."
Songwriting is certainly stretching this 19-year-old, as she learns about the uncomfortably creative process. "Although it does make me feel very vulnerable, I love putting my thoughts down on paper, talking about things that have been on my heart lately," Joy says. "I have yet to hone the art of clever songwriting, but I am learning that it is just like having a conversation only with background accompaniment."
It comes as no surprise that the personable Williams built great rapport with renowned producer Brown Bannister early on. "One of the great revelations I had on Joy is that there is an artist emerging here," says Bannister. "When she came in to a song meeting and played 'Desperate,' 'Everyday' and 'By Surprise,' I discovered that Joy is more than a great singer — she has great creative instinct. Her fingerprints are all over this album."
"It was interesting to me that even before we went into the studio, Brown not only took the time to cultivate the music we would be creating together but also took the time to cultivate the growth in my life as an artist," says Joy. "He taught me to be confident when going against the grain and to simply write and sing what I'm feeling. I feel safe to dream and stick my neck out when working with him.'
With less programmed drums and more acoustic guitar, Joy's freedom to dream is definitely creating a new sound. Moving away from the "dance-pop" sound of her self-titled debut, By Surprise has more of a "live band" feel, reminiscent of the sounds of Sheryl Crow or Nelly Furtado.
Although there might be a change in Joy's sound, there isn't a change in Joy's purpose. "My goal is still that God will use this music in people's lives," she says.
Becoming a part of people's lives has been a highlight for Joy. "I have so many stories over the last year. Some might break your heart, others would build up your faith and still others would simply make you gasp. But all of them would make you smile at God's creativity and the amazing way He uses everyone's life."
Pouring back into people provides humorous tales and sad stories; it keeps one from living a stagnant life. That is Joy's purpose even now as she looks forward to the opportunity she'll have this fall to speak into young ladies' lives on Point of Grace's "Girls of Grace" tour.
"My heart's cry is for young women and girls," Joy says. "These conferences will give me the chance to invest more in the lives of young women. I'm looking forward to speaking on issues like battling insecurities and defining relationships with parents and friends — issues we all encounter."
Even after a year of change, one thing remains the same for Joy Williams — the essence of who she is. "Voices come and go. Songs come and go. But at the end of the day, I am still me," says Joy. "I said this with the first record and it still holds true. I'm a child of God doing my best to walk diligently in the world-changing destiny He has for me. I am here following God's calling."
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