This weekend will mark the final time The Joynt will open its doors.
The live music venue tucked away in South Brisbane (next to the milk factory for you Joynt novices) will close permanently once the calendar flips the page to July. Owner and operator Jodi Craig is preparing one last hurrah with resident band from interstate, the Brothers Grim to play their original duo set this Friday and Saturday.
Your history with The Joynt Jodi; how did you get involved... was the plan always to cater to the independent music scene?
After stumbling onto that building, yes. That's what was so special about the space. It was an industrial estate so my noise licence could be loud.
Once the space became known as a music venue, did you ever harbour grand plans to bring bigger acts to your neck of the woods?
No. I didn't really think much about what was popular outside of The Joynt, I just picked the bands that I enjoyed who hopefully had a good following in Brisbane.
Across the years, you no doubt have met countless wonderful, brilliant, crazy, charming individuals... but is there a particular musician, act or punter that sticks out?
I think my stand out musician and act would have to be James Grim from Brothers Grim & the Blue Murders. Whenever he played the place was pumping and he's just an all round awesome guy that really loved and believed in The Joynt, and when he got too big for The Joynt he played twice in one weekend.
What has been the career highlight for The Joynt?
So many highlights. I think one of the best times I will look back on would have to be my first Little Day In. January 20 2013. So many great bands. Everyone had such a good time. It was a perfect day and it was my birthday, so I was treated extra special.
We’ve been collating quotes from musicians and punters around the country, and they all echo how wonderful/ instrumental/ supportive you have been with not only their career but others — that must leave a warm, fuzzy sensational in your tummy, like a nice glass of bourbon?
It does. People are saying such lovely things to me. I'm so happy that The Joynt made a difference to so many people other than me. I think it is a really special place. It's so sad to think that it won’t be here anymore.
Have you thought much about the final weekend you’ll be operational? Will you be holding back the tears?
I’m already having teary days. I’m sure the final weekend I'll be a blubbering mess. Lucky I'm going to have such great things happening constantly on that weekend to take my mind off it.
No doubt you have a thousand sordid tales of after-show antics... but anything you can relay to us that won’t land anyone in jail, kill friendships?
Now now... what happens on tour stays on tour.
Are there any shout-outs you’d like to make?
I would like to make a special shout-out to my daughter Holly. She has always been right there to help me with everything, never letting me down. I couldn't have done any of this without her. Also to James and Matt Grim and Kira Puru for coming all the way from Melbourne to play for absolutely no money on my last weekend. It means so much to me that they care so much. I would also like to say thank you to the band Chocolate Strings and to John Malcolm for always being an important part of The Joynt throughout the past seven years; all of the great bands that have been a part of creating my reputation and all the cool laidback punters that The Joynt attracted. I should stop it there or I'll just go on and on and on...
What is next for Jodi Craig?
Two weeks ago I didn't even know I needed a ‘next’. It's all happened so quickly i didn't have much of a plan. However, a few things are falling into place so we'll see.
The Brothers Grim perform their original duo set at The Joynt June 27 & 28 from 7.30pm both nights. While Frank Sultana and Mojo Juju also play the later sets on the same dates.
