Last updated: 6 hours ago
JJ Byars fashions lush and dynamic indie electric folk that explores a wide palette from the gritty, driving, and energetic, to the sensitive, bare and introspective. With narratives of love, loss, and restlessness, there is also humor there amidst the nostalgia.
The California native started releasing solo material in 2015, and comes from years of touring as a founding member and saxophonist for the band <a href="spotify:artist:5kah03Pzp6s8eD8vRIhdfL" data-name="Sister Sparrow">Sister Sparrow</a>. He also releases material under the moniker/band <a href="spotify:artist:2u53G98F40b38u1mTWxMnA" data-name="Hungry Hands">Hungry Hands</a> which has seen success with single "<a href="spotify:track:3824ioOtADF0PHHz7abuNg" data-name="Highline">Highline</a>" featured in Tony Hawk Pro Skater. He is the co-writer for <a href="spotify:artist:5HbwHM6S2QRuFRwnLWNiTO" data-name="Glowalker">Glowalker</a>, a member of <a href="spotify:artist:1B2jmOuKcy1YkkXrByKzxP" data-name="Kim Anderson">Kim Anderson</a>'s band and collaborates with Jonathan Smith (<a href="spotify:artist:14l0cBTtcMOkAHdpA5n31V" data-name="The Can't Tells">The Can't Tells</a>), Kellen Harrison (<a href="spotify:artist:2xLEV2jDreAOcpJXFNoXyt" data-name="Hurray For The Riff Raff">Hurray For The Riff Raff</a>, and Jeni Magaña (<a href="spotify:artist:2uYWxilOVlUdk4oV9DvwqK" data-name="Mitski">Mitski</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:4LFGqhxOjpIUqX1pJAHBeO" data-name="Magana">Magana</a>).
“...JJ Byars sets his sights on even bigger things with 'Toys.' ... a rich, explorative, ode to impermanence that pulls from a whole variety of genres, while defying them altogether, with JJ’s lush vocals coming set against a backdrop of country-style chicken pickin’ guitars, before handclaps and other percussive elements enter to carry the song to its dynamic climax.” — We Are The Guard
“…'Migrations' is a song that can make your day, with it’s celestial melody that defies gravity and expectations. This track, together with opener, ‘Blue in the Face’ showcases a songwriting development towards elegant pop melodies and arrangements reminiscent of a sparser version of Grizzly Bear” — Deli Mag
The California native started releasing solo material in 2015, and comes from years of touring as a founding member and saxophonist for the band <a href="spotify:artist:5kah03Pzp6s8eD8vRIhdfL" data-name="Sister Sparrow">Sister Sparrow</a>. He also releases material under the moniker/band <a href="spotify:artist:2u53G98F40b38u1mTWxMnA" data-name="Hungry Hands">Hungry Hands</a> which has seen success with single "<a href="spotify:track:3824ioOtADF0PHHz7abuNg" data-name="Highline">Highline</a>" featured in Tony Hawk Pro Skater. He is the co-writer for <a href="spotify:artist:5HbwHM6S2QRuFRwnLWNiTO" data-name="Glowalker">Glowalker</a>, a member of <a href="spotify:artist:1B2jmOuKcy1YkkXrByKzxP" data-name="Kim Anderson">Kim Anderson</a>'s band and collaborates with Jonathan Smith (<a href="spotify:artist:14l0cBTtcMOkAHdpA5n31V" data-name="The Can't Tells">The Can't Tells</a>), Kellen Harrison (<a href="spotify:artist:2xLEV2jDreAOcpJXFNoXyt" data-name="Hurray For The Riff Raff">Hurray For The Riff Raff</a>, and Jeni Magaña (<a href="spotify:artist:2uYWxilOVlUdk4oV9DvwqK" data-name="Mitski">Mitski</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:4LFGqhxOjpIUqX1pJAHBeO" data-name="Magana">Magana</a>).
“...JJ Byars sets his sights on even bigger things with 'Toys.' ... a rich, explorative, ode to impermanence that pulls from a whole variety of genres, while defying them altogether, with JJ’s lush vocals coming set against a backdrop of country-style chicken pickin’ guitars, before handclaps and other percussive elements enter to carry the song to its dynamic climax.” — We Are The Guard
“…'Migrations' is a song that can make your day, with it’s celestial melody that defies gravity and expectations. This track, together with opener, ‘Blue in the Face’ showcases a songwriting development towards elegant pop melodies and arrangements reminiscent of a sparser version of Grizzly Bear” — Deli Mag
Related Artists
D. Swick
Ryan Hutchens
David Wiley
Tre Burt and a Big Gust of Wind
Old Joshua
Hello Existence
Sweet Reade
The Hopesos
Elijah Brune
