A Joy and an Inspiration
This is the story of a song, how I grew to love it, and how much it will always mean to me. 
Christmas 2017 my family and I were gathered together to watch a livestream of one of our favorite Christmas concerts. They had a special guest that year, and his original songs and musical style caught our attention.
I fell down the rabbit hole of looking for more of his music. At that time he mostly played in other people’s bands, so there wasn’t a ton, but I ran across a video of him performing his song “Joy”. The chorus (the only words I could decode in the lovely jumble of instruments) caught my attention…
“I just want to bring a little joy // make a happy noise. // I can’t hold the weight of the world, but I can carry a tune. // To rejoice in the rain, smile in the face of pain. // Oh! Life’s no easy game, but I choose // to bring a little joy…”
[image error]
A few months later, I discovered the song again through a free download he was offering. I listened to it obsessively while editing my novel Kiera. The message of using our art to ease and brighten this world was something I desperately needed to be reminded of, and it sort of became my anthem.
September 2018, this artist released his first full-length album and did quite a few Facebook livestream concerts in celebration and promotion. One time I requested “Joy” and he performed it with just vocals and bass, and I heard the (tweaked) verses even better this time, and the message sank even deeper into me. If the first recording was a rowdy celebration of community and art, this version was one person espousing the same message, very much like my own secluded experience of editing.
[image error]
He’s produced many more favorites, and I still watch his livestreams (usually while working in the kitchen for some reason…). His crazy, growing fanbase have been eagerly waiting for more “official” music, and this month he delivered.
“Joy” by Scott Mulvahill. Studio produced with different instrumentation and some very fun musical moments added. Full of heart and creativity.
[image error]
Then last week, he debuted the collaborative music video that showed the heart (and hilarious happiness) of the song. My favorite parts are the harmonica, the little kids jamming, and the chalk piano. 
