Joan with Harriette and AVIV at Club Dada

Arkansas has been placed on the map time and time again as artists hailing from the Natural State have continued to shine in their craft. While doubters may easily forget, Little Rock has been part of several hot artists’ history, including Green Day and Evanescence. The Little Rock Metropolitan area is also home to one more up-and-coming band: Joan. Joan is made up of two central Arkansas natives, Steven Rutherford and Alan Thomas. While Thomas and Rutherford did not grow up together, they both followed similar paths that eventually led them together. Rutherford and Thomas both attended Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, though they were students at different times. They also both grew up playing instruments and performing in their bands which were both heavily influenced by emo and hard rock. The duo both cited college as a time where their love of music really bloomed and sparked a desire to not only write and perform songs but also to tour. Aside from these goals, they also both were introduced to soft rock and alternative sounds at this time. Thomas originally began playing the drums in seventh grade after testing high on the flute (which he said no to). Rutherford was introduced to the piano at an early age but found a love for percussion around the same age as Thomas. Joan is currently known for its popular singles such as “drive all night,” “something special,” “so good” and “loner.” While Joan is in a league of its own, the band is also known for a pop, alternative rock sound, not totally unlike the sounds of popular bands such as The 1975. The duo is also recognizable as they have toured with bands such as Flor, The Aces and Half Alive.

– aymag.com