Kalistani Major History

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Joanie Yeardly hits Number 1 on Radio 1
Represents continuing evolution of Alternative in Kalistan
Vrassa City, Vrassa
May 31, 4902


Musician Yeardly offers a softer, more conservative tone to Alternative in Radio 1 Miniconcert

Vrassa City is largely seen as a cultural recipient in the Republic. While bands are fostered and nurtured in scenes like Sulari, Yoshimi and Kaliburg, the northern District is rarely the site of a major movement in Kalistani music. This may all be changing though, as Vrassa City singer and guitarist Joanie Yeardly landed her first number one on Radio 1 with the almost folkish acoustic song "The Hurricane" last week, and is the forerunner of what may be perhaps a groundswell of change in popular music taste.

"Wow, I mean, I don't even know what to say," answered Yeardly when she was told of the success of her song on the notoriously loud Radio 1. "On Radio 1? Are you sure?" The victory for the high school dropout from Vrassa City on the Flagship station ore known for distorted electric guitars, feed back and driving rhythm of Kalistan's Alternative Rock Establishment signals acceptance of Yeardly's style of music by alternative fans. It is far more quiet that the songs she plays next to on the radio station, doesn't use exclusively guitars, but more often acoustic ones, and occasionally, orchestration.

"I like Joanie's music," said a young fan from Kaliburg. "It kinda gives me tingles when I hear it, and really is very pretty. I don't even know... But she seems like a very talented musician, and I think its great that they play her stuff." Her song "The Hurricane" is the first single from her debut EP, which she recorded for the local record label Vrassa District Records, and which has enjoyed some limited distribution outside of Vrassa. The record was put into the hands of Radio 1 DJs who played it and in response to overwhelming fan support, led to Yeardly performing a mini concert in the studio. "We got a lot of popular feedback for that concert," said Jilly Davies, afternoon programming manager, "and so we contacted her label, and got them to let us put her in heavy rotation on the Station. At first they were like 'Is this some sort of joke?' and we were like No, this is really Radio 1 and we want more people to hear your girl."

Yeardly's star began to rise from there. "It was wild," said Yeardly, "when the first call came in from a club in the Capital, to see if I wanted to come do a show." From there she said, the offers began flooding in. "We were so impressed by the emotion that she puts into her songs," said promoter Joe Finneman. "When she played Yoshimi, for example, we even know that members of Red Tone were in the crowd. I think it is safe to say that she won't have any more trouble finding work anywhere in the Republic."

The last few months have been very exciting for Yeardly as she and her band were on the road most of the time, playing in front of as many as 2500 in Kalistan's cities. "I know the record company has made a lot of money," said Yeardly. "But yeah, its a living, and it beats what I was doing before, which was smoking a lot of pot and hustling waiting tables while playing at this club on the weekends for basically nothing." Her hard work is paying off as she now tops the Radio 1 charts, which she has been inching up for the last 4 months. Yeardly is now preparing her first LP for VDR. "Yeah, I think with a Number 1, I will definitely be in a better place to renegotiate with Vrassa District. I think we can keep the relationship going, I think they are fair people, but I need a better back end."

We will continue to follow Yeardly's Career as she carries forward.

Here is the video for Yeardly's song The Hurricane, from Vrassa District Records