Listen First: Joel Madison Blount "Our New Moon"

Once again, we've partnered with a talented indie artist to share a preview of their new album. Check out Joel Madison Blount's "Our New Moon" before it hits stores and streaming partners on Friday!

We love great talent and Joel Madison Blount is a great talent. We are always happy to expose y'all to some artists you may not otherwise hear from and Joel Madison Blount is one of those artists. With Our New Moon, he showcases a maturity that is discussed in the process of becoming a father for the first time and how life changes to reflect that. Below is a brief Q&A with Joel Madison Blount which you can view while listening to Our New Moon!

How long ago did you start writing the songs on this album? Did you have an album in your sights when you started writing, or did the plan to do one come later?

I started writing for this album about four years ago. I had resigned from my job as an accountant to pursue music full time and was preparing to release my last full-length album, Taming the Wind. My wife and I were also expecting our first child - so, you could say I had a lot on my mind. At the time, I was focused mainly on establishing new routines and committed to treating songwriting as my profession, but wasn’t necessarily trying to write for an album. I set a goal to write a new song each week - begin with a clean slate on Monday, develop an idea over the course of the week, then record a demo by the end of the day on Friday. I was also rehearsing with my band every week and the guys helped me refine chord structures and shape song arrangements. Rehearsing the songs in process with the band every week really helped me determine which ideas were worth pursuing. I stuck with the plan for more than a year and Our New Moon was born out of the process.

What is the first song you wrote on the album? What was the last song you wrote on the album?

I wrote "Arms Open Wide" first - soon after my wife told me I was going to be a father. I wrote "I Want It All" three years later, while reflecting on how my life, priorities, and desires had changed since my son’s birth.

Do you feel there is any kind of a loose theme tying all of the songs together? If so, what is it? What do you think this album says about you as both a person and an artist?

The songs featured on Our New Moon were inspired by my journey over the past few years through learning to embrace the new life I have with my family. Having a child has revealed many of my personal flaws and the magnitude of my own selfishness. My wife has shown me a tremendous amount of grace over the past few years, and, thankfully, I’ve been blessed to experience new depths of beauty and love within my family.

What was it like to record this album? Where did you record it? How do you think working on it in that location impacted the final recording?

We recorded the entire album at my studio. I had to move all of my music equipment out of our home to make space for my son after he was born. Thankfully, I found a great studio space close by and it has evolved into what I call The War Room. It was really great being able to rehearse as a band and record in a comfortable space without the pressure of being on the clock at someone else’s studio. I wanted the album to feel peaceful and relaxed, and I think we accomplished that, in part, because we were able to work together in a familiar environment.

Do you have a favorite song on the album? If so, which one and why?

It’s hard to pick a favorite because these songs are all so personal, and I love how they work together to form the album as a whole. If I had to choose, I’d probably pick "Beauty That Remains." For me, it speaks of my desire to become a better version of myself. Life is hard and full of so much sorrow, but we get glimpses along the way of the potential for beauty and joy this life holds. I hope listening to this song will help you pause for a moment and reflect upon things taken for granted - things that have become too familiar and ordinary. There is beauty to be experienced and appreciated all around us, and I think it’s important for us to disconnect from the craziness of life every once in awhile and allow it to wash over us.

I hope this album as a whole will encourage you to find time to be still, embrace living a quiet life, and strive to love others more than yourself.

How do you feel about it finally being released into the world?

Relieved. Making music is such a joy and is so fulfilling. I love writing songs and creating new sounds in the studio. However, making an album, in my experience, requires an incredible amount of time, great financial expense, and can be very stressful. It’s also hard for me to focus on writing songs, recording, and the business of making/promoting an album all at the same time. I’m ready to get back into a routine of making new music!

Order Our New Moon here: http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/joelmadisonblount

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