JOIE BRATZ, as she puts it, was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba and rebelled in Vancouver, British Columbia. Being the child of an artistic family, Joie learned early on what she wanted to be when she grew up. “It just hit me one day!” “I was singing along to a record and I realized that I wanted to be a singer. I practiced everyday and finally got up enough nerve to perform at a local jam. I eventually got over my extreme case of stage fright and began to enjoy entertaining. I went from being a shy, naive girl to a strong, confident performer. Now instead of getting stage fright before a show I’m like a horse out of the gate, full of energy and raring to go!”

It wasn’t long after that Joie started experimenting with writing. She asked her mom for a guitar and she wasted no time in developing her song writing skills. “I was so proud of the first song I ever wrote I guess because I actually did it. It was a pretty silly song but it fueled many more to come. I’m quite hard on myself so I’m always trying to get better and better at what I do. I think once you believe you are the best you can be, that’s when you lose your edge.” It’s hard to imagine that Joie has ever written anything silly judging by the songs she’s penned and recorded so far. But it’s typical of someone with her ambition to want to raise her game.

Having siblings so far apart in age, Joie had many musical influences growing up. “The 80’s were a huge influence on me. All of it! Rock, Pop, Dance, Punk, Mod and even Country music. My mom use to play Boney M. every Christmas so I guess even their unique style made its way into the mix. You can hear a lot of different genres of music in my songs. It’s like I’ve taken all of these influences, mixed them up in a martini shaker and it just works.” And works it does! Bratz music is a fresh new sound full of a playful energy that makes it impossible to sit still. She has the ability to bottle youthful enthusiasm into tidy, infectious songs. Not just by contributing her clever lyrics and contagious melodies, but by also being involved in all aspects of recording and mixing. “I love all aspects of the recording process. I find it fascinating that a raw little song relies so deeply on the production around it to be able to live up to it’s full potential. Every little nuance plays such an important role in the finished process.”

JB has for the past few years been touring as a Shania Twain tribute artist. When asked how she got started she said. “It just sort of happened. I had total strangers commenting that I look like Shania Twain and that I sound a lot like her when I sing her songs. Eventually my nick name became Shania. One night when I was singing a Shania song at a local jam, I was asked if I would be interested in performing as a Shania Twain tribute artist. I didn’t even know what a tribute artist was but after some research, I realized it was a great opportunity to fine tune my skills as an entertainer and to see if there was a market out there for my original music. So I incorporated my songs into my Shania sets and the response has been overwhelming. That’s why I decided to follow my dream to be an original artist. I realized that it was obtainable and with hard work and tenacity, I would make it. My mantra is success is the place where preparation and opportunity meets. I am prepared, now I just need the right opportunity.” Joie has had her share of opportunities spring up from this tribute side kick. She has aired on Fox TV and has been featured on CMT in a special documentary with Rich Little. She has been interviewed by countless newspapers and magazines including The Wall Street Journal, MacLean’s, and StuffMagazine.

Joie Bratz is currently preparing for her original showcase tour. She had a taste of what it’s like singing all of her own material at The Merrit Mountain Music Festival and now she wants to taste some more. “I have a lot of fun when I’m touring, it’s the biggest reward. I can connect with the crowd through my own personal music and I can see that it affects them in the same way that it affects me. Music is a huge part of my life. It’s not just something I do, it’s who I am.”