Jeán et Joie is the lyrical child of artist and songwriter Grey Jeán, whose music is best described as mournful folk with a hopeful glow. Their songs weave together minimalist instrumentation and poetic, stream-of-consciousness storytelling that invites deep emotional connection.
Themes of celestial wonder, nature, lived experience, and emotional integrity flow through every song—giving listeners both a sense of grounding and uplift.
Grey Jeán was raised in a household surrounded by music. Alongside their three sisters, they grew up immersed in angelic harmonies and polyphonic hymns, drawn from their Catholic upbringing. It was during a difficult adolescence in Mountain Home, Arkansas, that Grey began channeling personal struggles into songwriting—a practice that quickly became a lifeline.
From choir performances to open mic nights and live-streamed concerts during the COVID-19 pandemic, music remained Grey’s constant companion and creative outlet.
How it started
In 2021, Grey joined the San Diego punk blues band, Teeming Dreams, composing and performing original piano pieces. The following year, they debuted Jeán et Joie—a project born from a growing personal repertoire and a desire to explore more intimate and poetic folk sounds.
The project took full shape when Grey and their fiancé Gabrielle Néla teamed up with Ikaika and Dash, the drummer-guitar duo from the LA band Flamango Bay. Together, they built a cohesive sound that honors Grey’s introspective lyrics and folk roots.
Now based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Jeán et Joie is finding its place once again in the forests and woods where Grey’s musical identity was first discovered.
Upcoming Releases: Bramble EP
Jeán et Joie is currently preparing for the release of their debut EP, Bramble, expected in late 2025. The EP will be introduced through a series of singles, including:
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Glory Be
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Fried Rice, MA
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Soul Sel
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No Trash Here
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Dissolution
Each song continues Grey’s tradition of blending poetic depth with stripped-back, organic instrumentation.
Virgin Mary Had One Son
Though not part of the Bramble EP, Jeán et Joie also released a cover of Virgin Mary Had One Son, a traditional holiday song famously performed by Joan Baez at the 1959 Newport Folk Festival.
“Jeán et Joie’s version gives us atmospheric guitar and a delicate style of storytelling. Grey’s vocal simply shines, perfectly suiting its folksy style.”
— York Calling (UK)
Stay Connected
Follow Jeán et Joie as they continue to carve out a space in today’s folk scene—where tenderness, honesty, and hope live side by side in song.
