JOHN HOLDEN [2018-present]
As a self-proclaimed progressive rock fan, John Holden sought out to combine his favourite artists in the genre to produce his debut album Capture Light, released 2018. Keen to spread his wings and try something new following his departure from The Enid in 2016, Payne agreed to sing lead vocals for three songs on the album, including the title track.
Holden and Payne's friendship has continued to thrive, with the pair subsequently working on two more studio albums together (Rise & Fall, and Circles in Time).
In March 2021, Payne also appeared alongside vocalists Marc Atkinson, Peter Jones and Sally Minnear for the charity single Northern Lights - a cover of the Rennaisance classic, also featuring original bassist Jon Camp, Payne's live guitarist Oliver Day, and an array of other names.
ZIO [2018-2020]
Zio is a French band founded by drummer Jimmy Pallagrosi, keyboardist Olivier Castan, and Guitarist Marc Fascia. Intended as a guest-vocal collaboration for the album Flower Torania, Payne agreed to "do a few shows" in 2018 to help the band promote their new music. This continued for two years, with Payne fronting the band alongside vocalist Hayley Griffiths.
Other guests to feature on the album include Heather Findlay (vocals), Franck Carducci (vocals), Richard Henshall (guitar), and Cagri Tozluoglu (orchestration).
METHEXIS - Suiciety [2015]
A project by Greek guitarist Nikitas Kissonas, Joe Payne was invited to sing on the writer's second album Suiciety having made an impression with his vocal on The Enid's Invicta. Vocals were thus recorded at Payne's then home, The Lodge Recording Studios.
The album also hosts an array of international musicians who recorded their parts remotely, including Linus Kåse (Keyboards), Walle Wahlgren (Drums), and Brett d’Anon (Bass).
THE ENID [2011-2016]
First acquainted with The Enid in 2009, Joe met his future collaborators whilst recording with other projects at their home, The Lodge Recording Studios, Northampton. Discovering them for the first time, the music hit a chord with Joe whose background and interests included concert piano, pop and progressive music, abstract theatre and admiration for ambitious performing artists such as Freddie Mercury, David Bowie, Kate Bush and Peter Gabriel.
Joe’s first job with The Enid was as part of their manufactured 10 piece male choir, The Northampton Decibels. After almost a year of working together, Joe was invited to sing lead vocals on a new studio recording for the band’s third album of revisits, Arise and Shine III: Shining. A creative relationship began from this moment as the band encouraged Joe to apply his love of lyric writing to some of the revisited instrumental pieces.
At this time Joe was studying a Business Management degree at the Clare Business School, Buckinghamshire. His new insight into brand management fuelled an ambitious re-branding of The Enid, succeeding to transform them from a historical instrumental band into a contemporary vocal led and visually ambitious outfit.
Joe’s name will be seen credited as a co-writer on most of The Enid’s material written during their time together, musically, lyrically and conceptually. His influence to create more visually dynamic and conceptual live shows led the band to be recognised for their events as much as their music, gathering wide acclaim from the rock press, earning them a Live Event nomination at the 2015 Progressive Music Awards for their artistic high point, The Bridge Show.
In April 2016, shortly after the release of their last album, Dust, Payne fell ill with depression and anxiety. Unable to work, he officially announced his departure from The Enid in September 2016.