In Conversation: Joey Chiaramonte of Koyo
Koyo's debut album is a love letter to Long Island hardcore. As they continue to navigate new heights, Joey Chiaramonte is determined to keep their home close to heart.
Very few bands represent for their local scenes the way Koyo represents for Long Island hardcore. It’s a major piece of their identity, a constant topic in conversation, and most unusually, a part of their songs. (Say what you will, but not even Glassjaw have a lyric like, “You know it’s LIHC forever!”) After getting to know Joey Chiaramonte, though, it’s clear that his dedication to community isn’t a schtick, nor does it derive from some sort of misplaced hardcore dogma. Joey is just genuinely grateful—for the people and for the shows—and by singing their significance, he believes he is paying it forward and paving the way for the next generation.
Koyo’s debut album, Would You Miss It?, arrived last week, so I asked Joey to sit down for a more comprehensive conversation…