What people are saying.

  • "Our work relationship has been extremely fruitful and of exceptionally creative nature. Masaaki & Joy have been always professional, open to any input and focused solely on the best outcome of the project. They have been always friendly, humble and helpful in any regard. In my point of view, they are a great addition to every creative and musical community. Besides that, Joy was granted a Classical education as a singer and pianist, in which she shows exceptional talent. I could see her work as a performer as well as a teacher in almost any musical genre."

    — Michael Zech - recording engineer, producer, guitarist (The Ruins Of Beverast, Secrets Of The Moon)

  • "Joy's warmth, spirit, skill and integrity shine through each of her wide-ranging projects. She is a focused and considerate collaborator, and always strikingly emotionally available as a performer."

    — Lori Goldston - composer, cellist & instructor (ex- Earth, Black Cat Orchestra, Nirvana live shows)

  • "Working with Masaaki and Joy is transformative. Their music defies genre and expectation—it is haunting, raw, and exquisitely crafted. From the visceral power of their compositions to the meticulous care they bring to each performance, every note is delivered with intention and emotional gravity. It’s sound that is felt deep in the body and psyche. They’re also both incredibly kind and generous with their time. They guide with clarity, listen with presence, and create space for artists to wildly explore their own voice, their own sound with courage and authenticity. If you have the chance to collaborate, study with them, or simply witness their work—do it. "

    — Susana DuMett, vocalist, sound artist, & recording artist (Vox Vespertinus)

  • “Joy Von Spain has been a mainstay in the music scene in Seattle for nearly two decades. Defying boundaries and mediums, Joy's projects often fuse elements of classical, metal, noise, industrial, and performance art. She is a multi-instrumentalist with broad knowledge across many genres and applications. I have had the pleasure of sharing many stages and studios with Joy over the years, and have always been impressed by her charisma, empathy, creativity, and raw talent. Anyone who has the chance to work with Joy, whether for lessons, as a session musician, or a collaborator, will find a person with unique ideas, experience, and a pride in her work as an artist.”

    — Jesse Schreibman - percussionist, vocalist & composer (Bell Witch, Autophagy, Stygian Bough)

  • "Joy Von Spain demonstrates a versatility in her approach to composition and multi-instrumental live performance not easily matched by her contemporaries. Only someone with a strong foundation in the ancient forms of harmonic progression is able to take those standard rules and shatter them to create provocative, gripping and heart bending music as Joy has done time and time again. Her operatic vocal range captures the listener immediately, taking them on a musical path filled with emotional and dynamic surprises every step of the way. Joy's patience and vast knowledge has facilitated the musical journey of students of all walks of life, building foundations in both their musical lives and otherwise, informing and impacting them years beyond their study."

    — Andrea Morgan - violinist, vocalist & composer (Exulansis, Panopticon)

  • "Joy and Masaaki have assisted me in musical performance instruction, concert booking, record producing & manufacturing, and music promotion. In all aspects they embody an expert level of professionalism, vision, and artistic expression that is unparalleled in the industry. They have helped me hone my craft immensely and are highly recommended for any musician looking to bring their craft to the next level."

    — Egan Budd - producer, vocalist & songwriter (Xiphoid Dementia, Headstone Brigade)

  • “Joy is an excellent creative collaborator. She comes to projects with a clear vision, and simultaneously stays open minded to any new possibilities that may occur along the way. Her follow through and consistency are always at the highest level.”

    — Joe Eck - drummer/percussionist & instructor (Witch Ripper)

  • "I have had the great fortune to know and collaborate with Masaaki Masao for many years; as a solo artist as well as in duo and group sound ensembles. When I embarked on creating a recording for my solo project Writhing Treasure Feast; Masaaki was the first artist I began working with. I gave him imagery for the initial section, Stone, and he created sound for an improvisational performance. We had further rehearsal as I sought to clarify the movement; inspired by what Masaaki had created in response to the imagery of the dance and finding new ideas to share with him in turn. This led up to the apex of our process- the studio recording at which I was present. Masaaki also laid the sound bed for the second section, Sea, featuring the vocals of Joy Von Spain and Susana DuMett. It is a gift to work with an artist whose vision is fierce and unique; and who is also very sensitive to other visions and ways of working. I have always found ours to be the best kind of collaboration: helical; communicating back and forth rather than needing a set path from the beginning. I feel that I have become a more refined and potent artist by working with Masaaki Masao. "

    — Vanessa Skantze - Butoh dance and spoken word artist

  • "Joy is so easy to work with. She is able to listen to what is already composed, and write according to what she hears in a most complementary and unobtrusive way.  This isn't just about matching notes & rhythms, but actually understanding the full dimension of what she is hearing & adding to it in a way that does not detract from what’s already there. She is able to do this and learn on her own and be performance ready with minimal rehearsal time.  In short, she does her ‘homework’ and has no issue with quick understanding of feel and dynamic... Rehearsals with Joy are straightforward, she asks questions and communicates exactly what she needs for best understanding keeping focus on the task at hand.  She is comfortable on the road, and well versed in the rigors of touring. I would not think twice about including her on voice, keys, as well as madcap laughs."

    - Melynda Jackson - guitarist, vocalist, songwriter; touring & recording artist (Eight Bells, Subarachnoid Space)

  • “Joy's love for bringing people together and for what she does has never stopped her from making things happen… As a collaborator and colleague, she's consistently easy to communicate with; creating things, bouncing ideas off of one another, and problem solving is a breeze.”

    — Anne K. O’Neill - songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, & visual artist (Serpentent, Lye Feast)

  • "Joy Von Spain is one of the most dynamic, expressive, and soulful singers I have had the pleasure to hear. Whether in a live setting, or on record, her performances and creativity are paralleled by few. Her voice is haunting and enchanting, and coupled with her gorgeous piano playing, Joy is truly a unique force and singular voice within music. One of my favorite live performances I have ever seen was when Joy was performing with her band To End It All in the woods of Washington and the generator went out and the entire stage lost power. Unphased, Joy approached the front of the stage and started singing, without a microphone, under the moon and the stars, in the woods, and there wasn't a dry eye to be found."

    — Jason Walton - bassist & producer, Recording Academy/Grammys voting member (Agalloch, Poisoning Wave, MoonBladder)