Joan Shelley

Joan Shelley, born in 1985 in Louisville, Kentucky, United States, is an American folk musician known for her work as a singer and guitarist.  She began performing locally in Louisville before recording her self-released By Dawnlight in 2010. As a member of the country trio Maiden Radio, she participated on the self-titled debut, followed by Lullabies (2011), and Wolvering (2015). In parallel, she continued her solo career. In 2012, she released two notable albums: Ginko and Farthest Field, the latter being a collaboration with Daniel Martin Moore on Ol Kentuck Records. Shelley's subsequent releases included Electric Ursa (2014) and Over and Even (2015), both on No Quarter Records. Her eponymous album, Joan Shelley, was released in 2017, followed by Like the River Loves the Sea in 2019. She frequently collaborates with her husband, guitarist and producer Nathan Salsburg, as well as other folk artists such as Jeff Tweedy and Bonnie “Prince” Billy.  In 2022, she released The Spur, followed in 2025 by Real Warmth. She also released live albums Live at the Bomhard (2020), and Live at the Chapel of St. Phillip Neri (2022).