Ritzy Bryan and Rhydian Dafydd grew up together in North Wales and formed their first band, Tricky Nixon, while living in Manchester. When that outfit split up, in 2006, the two wasted little time in ...

“In Europe,” Composer Heitor Villa-Lobos once complained, “I am known as Villa-Lobos. In the United States I am only a Brazilian—applauded because of the Good Neighbor policy.” But Villa-Lobos’ U.S.

It’s just so apropos: The Joy Formidable make their grand entrance into the full-length playing field with a record titled The Big Roar. If not a chuckle, the moniker warrants at least a little smile.