Why We Write with Kim Ruehl, Eps. 44: Joy Clark

In 2020, in the middle of COVID lockdown, Joy Clark came out with her debut EP—a collection of songs that were teeming with love and optimism. It was a balm for the times, but it was also a thesis statement of sorts.

The daughter of a minister, Clark identifies her songwriting as her own ministry, an effort to reach out across distance and difference so that we can all feel a little less alone. She’s also a talented guitarist, whom Allison Russell tapped to play in her band at the Newport Folk Festival, the Grammys, and various other high-profile stages.

On this latest episode of the Why We Write podcast, Clark dug into what she’s learned from performing with Russell, what she learned growing up in New Orleans, and what she wants people to glean from her songwriting.

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