News and Events
June 2020
So very excited to share that my new album, Beautiful Illusions, was officially released on June 26th! Click here or on the image link above for preview tracks and ordering information. The album is now available digitally via Spotify, iTunes, and all the usual online retailers, as well as here on the website as a physical CD and/or digital download.
I will also be donating 10% of all digital and CD sales of the album via this website from June through August 2020 to organizations working for social justice and racial equity, such as the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Black Lives Matter, Campaign Zero, and Color of Change.
March 2020
I just submitted to NPR's 2020 Tiny Desk Contest! Check out the video here:
Past News & Events:
February 2020
Had a blast playing for the Sunday Songwheel at SquareRut Kava Bar in Austin on February 23rd with Joseph Mach and Eve Galbraith!
We are putting the finishing touches on the new album, Beautiful Illusions, which will be released this Spring. Check out the Music page for a sneak preview.
November 2019
Hard at work in the studio recording the Beautiful Illusions album - Huge thanks to everyone to contributed to the Indiegogo campaign this summer!
Also playing a couple of shows in November & December - a reception for the East Austin Studio Tour (EAST) on November 23rd, and then a holiday party for the Jung Society of Austin on December 14th. See the Calendar page for more details!
June 2019
I have some very exciting news to share: I have just launched my very first crowdfunding campaign via Indiegogo to raise funds to record and produce my next full-length album, Beautiful Illusions, and pre-sell the record. I've put a lot of work and many years of my life into the songs that will appear on this record. The crowdfunding campaign includes all kinds of fun perks that will come with your contribution, including a copy of the record (digital or CD) when it is finished, tickets to our CD-Release party, a day in the recording studio observing the process, a house concert, and more!
Check out the crowdfunding page at Indiegogo: https://igg.me/at/melindajoy
Listen to demo tracks of Beautiful Illusions, Orion's Bow, and Scorpion Kiss on the Music page of this site. All three songs will be featured on the new album, due out later this year.
And please join me for a presentation, performance, and discussion at the Jung Society of Austin on June 21st, where I'll be sharing songs from my forthcoming album and talking about the inspirations and archetypal themes that show up in the tunes.
April 2019
After a bit of a hiatus from gigging (finishing the dissertation, you know...) I am pleased to share that I am back in the studio and planning some shows around Austin for this summer. Also in June, I'll be kicking off a crowdfunding campaign to help raise funds to record the album and pre-sell the record, so stay tuned for that!
May 2017
Catch MJ at Herb Day 2017 at the American Botanical Council!
October 2016
Our next gig is Saturday, October 29th, at Cherrywood Coffeehouse. Excited to be part of the lineup for this Capital Zen Collective show! I'll be playing a short set, along with Michael Walker on guitar and Brandon Raehl on drums/percussion.
April 2016
My new band, Melinda Joy & The Beautiful Illusion - a soulful, jazzy rock trio, has been hard at work in the rehearsal studio and we're set to play a month-long residency at Sahara Lounge in Austin, Wednesday evenings (7:00 p.m.), as well as a couple of shows for the West Austin Studio Tour in May. The band features MJ on bass and vocals, along with Rob Carter on guitar and Michelle Schreiber on drums. Check our Calendar page for performance dates and details.
June 2015
Hey, hey! Thanks for checking in. I'm in between projects at the moment but have some cool things in the works. Had the pleasure of sitting in with those scoundrels of Continental Graffiti last Wednesday at Aviary. If you haven't heard them yet, you should. They are amazing. Gypsy Jazz every Wednesday night at Aviary in Austin! Stay tuned for new sounds and performance dates starting this fall...
June 2014
New Green-Eyed Cat recordings from our session at East Side Tone.
Green-Eyed Cat also features songstress Kim Llewellyn, silver-tongued devil J.T. Martin (of Chasca), drummer Johnny Gasyna, and guitarist Abdo Serda. It's a night at the cabaret, a traveling vaudeville act, and a jazzy romp, featuring piano, bass, drums/percussion, and tight, three-part harmonies.
March 2014
Green-Eyed Cat rocked the house during our Saturday SXSW Showcase at Uncorked. Our best show yet!
August 2013
Green-Eyed Cat had a blast playing at the Butterfly Bar in East Austin during our August 2013 residency and recent November 9th show, and we've added a new member to the band - guitarist Abdo Serda!
May 2012
Green-Eyed Cat played for the grand opening of Embody Wellness Center in May 2012 and a fun show at the Scottish Rite Theater in Austin in June 2012.
November 2010
The Rocky Horror Revue Central Texas Tour - MJ joined the cast of Chasca's 2nd Annual Halloween Rocky Horror Revue, playing the role of Columbia, for a five-show run throughout Central Texas in October and November 2010. Check out the Time Warp video on YouTube!
March 2010
Austin Jams @ Austin Java - Austin Jams Showcase - 6:00-11:00 p.m. Melinda Joy and Friends (JT & Sean from Chasca), with the Hannah Williams Band and Chasca.
November 2009
Art Actualized Showcase at Rutamaya! A celebration of art in action honoring six months of creative process by a variety of local visual and performing artists. I'm honored to have J.T. Martin and Sean Hannon of Chasca playing with me for this event! 8:00-11:00 p.m. Ruta Maya - 6301 S. Congress Ave, Austin, TX. $5 Cover.
- Saturday, 11/21/09 - East Austin Studio Tour performance at Dr. Pea's Active Health Center, with J.T. Martin and Sean Hannon of Chasca. 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 1601 East Fifth St., Austin, TX.
February 2009
Irie Bean show February 21st! With the Hannah Williams Band - An evening of acoustic soul on the back patio. MJ will be playing a short break set at around 8:45 or 9:00 PM. Good drinks, tasty treats, good friends and good times! All ages are welcome. 8-10 PM. Irie Bean Coffee Bar, 2310 South Lamar, Austin.
April 2007
Hyperactive Music Festival / New Mexico & Colorado Tour - We've been invited to play at the 2007 Hyperactive Music Festival and Conference in Albuquerque, May 17-19! In addition to the festival, we'll be touring throughout New Mexico and Colorado during the second half of May - check our calendar for dates, times, and locations.
June 2006
GoGirlsMusic.com calls our Unbound CD "a must have for every blues/rock fan," saying "M.J. Baby & The Last Word pour their heart and soul into every song!" Read the full review.