User:Christianmer/sandbox

joan (Band)
joan is a two-member, Indie-Pop band originating from Little Rock, Arkansas. joan is comprised of Alan Benjamin Thomas (vocals and guitar) and Stephen Rutherford (drums). The duo first released music on January 23rd, 2017 with their debut single “take me on”. Currently, there are two EPs released, "portra" and "cloudy", along with multiple singles. Since their first single, joan has played alongside artists such as Honne, Jeremy Zucker, and flor on tours across North America, Europe and Asia. In early 2020, joan embarked on their first headliner tour consisting of 21 shows across North America. The duo is also credited for song-writing contributions in other artist's work.

Alan Benjamin Thomas
Alan Thomas was born in Little Rock, Arkansas. His father was an owner of a computer business, which was sold in 2018. Growing up, he played baseball and basketball until his parents gifted him with a Yamaha drum pad - which shifted his focus to music. Alan has stated in multiple interviews that much of his musical influence is attributed to the pop music that was played at home during his youth. Alan graduated from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas with a B.A. in music and the intention to pursue a career within the music industry. After graduation, Alan moved to Nashville where he was part of a Christian Music band. However, dissatisfied with the state of his music career, he moved back to Arkansas where he met Stephen Rutherford.

Stephen Rutherford
Stephen Rutherford was born in Little Rock and moved to Minnesota at a young age due to his father’s career change. He later returned to Little Rock as a teenager. His father was a finance manager for a construction company and his mother was stay-at-home mother. Rock music was frequently played in his home growing up and is considered to be a creative influence. Stephen started playing drums after being inspired by The School of Rock. Stephen started playing in a Hardcore band with his younger brother from13 years old until senior year in high school. Stephen attended Ouachita Baptist University, pursuing a degree in marketing with the intent of pursuing a career in music. After graduation, Stephen met Alan and began writing for TV and film licensing. During their first song-writing session, the duo unexpectedly wrote “take me on” and “i loved you first” - leading to their decision to write and perform music as a band.

joan on "portra" - EP
"[The EP was influenced by] Don Henley, Prince, etc. Sonically, we were in a time where we’re really loving synths from the 80s and 90s, big choruses, music that made you feel like you’re driving with the windows down in the summer in NYC at 1 am."

joan on "cloudy" - EP
“An EP about seasons. Created in the fall, introduced alive in the winter, finished in the spring, released in the summer. We created “cloudy” to tell the story of 1 relationship and the fact that love can be messy but so beautiful. You know you shouldn't be with them right now, but you have to be with them, right now... Clouds can create a beautiful or terrifying scene, they can bring refreshing rain or destructive storm. When you see clouds, it's probably not great at the moment, but it will get better. That's what this EP is about getting better, growth, loving harder, and learning from mistakes.”

Canopy Climbers
Alan Thomas was the frontman and songwriter for Canopy Climbers, a Christian band from Little Rock, Arkansas. Canopy Climbers’ 14-track debut album “Distances” was released in 2011. Two years later, the band followed “Distances” with their sophomore album “Miles”. “Miles” was followed the “Blindfold” EP. In 2016, Canopy Climbers released their hit single, “Home Away from Home”, which was followed by their final project before disbanding, “Fever”.

Brothers + Company
Stephen Rutherford of Joan first played in the band Brothers + Company from 2014 through 2017 until the formation of Joan. Brothers + Company is an alternative rock band formed in Little Rock, Arkansas consisting of five members. The debut single “Boomerang” was released in July 2014. “Run”, released in March of 2016, is the debut EP by Brothers + Company. Cory Nelson was the executive producer and mixing engineer of "Run". Alan Thomas was credited as the assistant producer and engineer. While working on “Run”, Alan Thomas and Stephen Rutherford were writing music as an unnamed duo.

Tours and Accompaniment
North American Tour (2019) – with guest RALPH

Love Me/Love Me Not Tour (2019) – supporting HONNE (Philippines)

flor North American Tour (2019) – supporting flor

Silent Alarm Tour (2019) – Supporting Bloc Party

Joan North American Tour (2019) – Supporting Half-Alive and The Aces

anything, anywhere Fall 2018 Tour - Supporting Jeremy Zucker

Joan on tour with geographer (2018) – Supporting geographer

US Tour (2018) - Supporting Courtship

US Tour (2017)  – supporting Alice Merton

Joan on Tour with COIN – Supporting COIN

Joan in June – Supporting COIN

Music Production
Joan’s music is primarily produced on Ableton, a Digital Audio Workspace. On joan's most recent EP, "cloudy", Matt J Huber is credited as the mix engineer. Matt J Huber is mixing engineer who is credited with a plethora of songs in the indie pop genre.

Live Performance
During live performances, Joan uses Ableton Live to trigger song samples. Stephen uses a drum kit, a drum pad and sings backing vocals. Alan plays either the guitar or keyboard and sings lead vocals. On stage, the band places a large custom LED light of their band logo behind them.

Visuals
All music videos, album art, tour visuals, and promotional imagery are created by Stephen Rutherford. Expertise in its visual elements and branding are attributed to Stephen’s creative eye and degree in marketing.