Walking Back Through the Door

As Joey PhD nears age 25, the Chicago musician returns to the song that launched him into existence and validates how much still exists in his start.

For those who reach 25, it can certainly feel like an awkward time in your life.

You're really not old enough to romanticize your past but too old to dismiss it completely.

For Joey, this feeling was attached to "walked in," the song that provided the first building blocks for what would eventually follow him. The young artist who would eventually make it to the charts did not have the validation of anyone until he sat alone at his home in Chicago contemplating an idea and his belief in that idea. At that moment nobody knew him.

This is what makes Joey's moment interesting.

While a lot of artists, on their 25th birthday, look forward; Joey looked back through the door that he entered.

The song embodies the DNA of what has become Joey's style. The lo-fi elements and textures and atmospheric R&B vocals create an experience of being between a late-night train ride and a dream you were just trying to remember. "walked in" is really not an introduction five years after it was recorded, but a mission statement - who Joey is musically and what he is going to accomplish.

And maybe that is why fans are so loyal.

There is an uncommon narrative in the music industry of all the good things that have come from creating an independent artistic endeavour while getting my degree in Biomedical Science from Purdue University; ultimately chasing down opportunities within the healthcare field in downtown Chicago. On the one side is a degree-based business and the other instinct-based.

Neither journey has been easy.

STAR was released in early 2021 and has gained significant buzz ever since. DYING TO LIVE started a connection between DIY music community. Despite releasing some unexpected hits such as "Pearle" and "Amative (Alternate Mix)" on the internet, MISSING IN ACTION was the highlight when the single "Only One" went number one on the Canadian iTunes R&B chart.

However, success is not ultimately what this story is about.

Persistence defines the narrative.

The original recording of Walked In - Joey at that moment in time - struggled for an audience and acceptance. The current version of this doesn't have an issue with that. They understand that attention is valuable, but there is something more valuable than attention; it is momentum and momentum is created in private, long before the stream of views, long before the praise is shared.

As 25 approaches for Joey, this re-introduction of Walked In will be more of evidence of who he is as an artist and that often, belief comes many years before it will be recognised.

Coming back to where you started and seeing the dream that has been with you since day one is often the most empowering thing an artist can do.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvTRFe7MA6Q