You might be wondering, “Who put these theater kids in a clown band?” and quite frankly, they’ve been wondering the same thing. Joy and Melancholy is a youthful rock band from Duluth known for their strange, heartfelt takes on the human experience. Influenced by styles ranging from 90s grunge and 2000s pop-punk to modern pop and indie, their sound is a balance of anger, sadness, and irony. Guitarist Anna Joy shares vocals with bassist Lacey Osterlund, backed by drummer Eli Stanley. Their shows are packed with animal metaphors, jokes, and a sound that you can dance, cry, and scream to – sometimes all in one song – delivered through an energetic, ever-shifting set.