Joe May

Joe May, is a songwriter and producer equally inspired and inhibited by humor, heart, and self-awareness, dissecting his journey through life with laughter and quiet vulnerability. His forthcoming studio project, Mild Adversity & Shallow Heartbreaks, is a testament to this craft—a house of mirrors that reflects both the sincerity of its creator and the playful wink of someone who doesn’t take himself too seriously. Rooted in the smooth, sunlit sounds of ‘70s west coast pop and filtered through May’s sharp wit, it’s an album that revels in its detail and intention while never losing sight of the impermanence of it all.

For May, a Brazilian-born, North Carolina-based artist, music is not merely an escape or a statement; it’s a way of processing the messy contradictions of life itself. Inspired by the sonic worlds of smooth rock legends like Wings and Steely Dan, Mild Adversity & Shallow Heartbreaks (MASH) blends warm brass counterpoint, tight arrangements, and a sense of grandeur with his sly humor. “You can be silly AND methodical,” May says. “This project was about letting others in, working everything out as we went, and finding joy even in the goofiest corners of music.

Through it all, Joe May exudes an effortless charm, even in the face of life’s mild adversities and shallow heartbreaks. Therein lies his magic. His music doesn’t ask you to leave your troubles behind—it invites you to laugh with them, sit awhile, and find hope within. “I believe our best days are still ahead of us,” he says, a sentiment that not only threads through the album but also defines Joe’s own artistic arc.