Steph’s DJ pick of the week is “Violet” by Joe P.
If you’re like me, you might remember the name Joe P from a rouge tik tok during a doomscroll in the pandemic. A shining light among soap cutting, dances to “Renegade”, and early brain-rot alike. To see this New Jersey-based artist consistently putting his best foot forward all these years, always teetering on the brink of the mainstream, is a testament to his work ethic and artistic persistence. I love artists who are unabashedly themselves. Joe P is just that, referencing the unintentional background noises that come naturally as a starving artist trying to record himself in his room. The imperfections are what make it beautiful. And while his new recordings have clearly seen an upgrade in quality from the old, the mentality still rings true.
“Violet” wasn’t released as a single, but shines as a hidden gem in his new album, “Garden State Vampire”, which was released just a few weeks ago. An acoustic guitar is the backbone of this track while a slide guitar shrieks in all its distorted glory. And while the tune carries on an upbeat mood, the lyrics get into the mind of a confused young man. He goes back and forth in his head with lyrics like, “Everyone here seems to be okay” and “Violet, I think I’m gonna love you for a long time.” It is unclear whether Violet is a past lover, someone he longs for, or simply a metaphor for his mental health.
Joe might make you dig for the deep cuts, but Steph won’t!
Check out the official music video for “Violet” below!
Tune in to 100.1 FM or lightning100.com all day to hear “Violet” by Joe P, Steph’s DJ Pick of the Week! Also, share your thoughts on the track by tagging #L100DJPicks on Twitter!
