Matt Quinn and Sam Cooper first met in high school in Philadelphia and later reconnected in Los Angeles in 2016. Their shared love for music led them to collaborate once again. They named the project after a mountain in Valley Forge National Park near their hometown. Their debut single, "Astrovan," gained rapid streaming success, attracting the attention of drummer Sotiris Eliopoulos and keyboardist Jackie Miclau.
The band made their debut in 2016 with the release of their single "Astrovan," which was recorded in Los Angeles by Quinn, Cooper, and Byrnes.
In 2017, Mt. Joy signed with Dualtone Records, further solidifying their presence in the music industry. This was followed by the release of three singles in 2017: "Sheep," "Cardinal," and "Silver Lining," with the latter reaching the number one spot on the Billboard Triple A charts.
Throughout 2017, the now five-piece band recorded additional tracks with producer Jon Gilbert at his home studio in Pasadena, California, and released their self-titled debut album, Mt. Joy, on March 2, 2018. The song "Silver Lining" went to #1 on the Billboard Triple A charts.
Following their initial success, Mt. Joy embarked on extensive touring, performing at festivals such as Bonnaroo, Newport Folk Festival, and Lollapalooza, while also opening for notable bands like The Head and the Heart, The Shins, Whitney, and The Revivalists. They also headlined their own North American and European tours.
Unfortunately, their tour with The Lumineers was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Undeterred, Mt. Joy released their second studio album, "Rearrange Us," on June 5, 2020. The album was produced by Tucker Martine, known for his work with My Morning Jacket and Modest Mouse. The songs on "Rearrange Us" range from folk-stomps to psychedelic reflections and gospel elegies.
In April 2022, the band announced their third full-length album, Orange Blood, which was released on June 17, 2022. The album was recorded at Headroom Studios in Philadelphia. Four singles were released ahead of the album, "Lemon Tree", "Orange Blood," "Evergreen," and "Bathroom Light." Their headlining tour for the album started in June 2022 and runs through November 2022.
Astrovan
Mt. Joy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Moon still glowing
And here comes Jesus in an Astrovan rolling down the strip again
He's stoned while Jerry plays
Life ain't ever what it seems
These dreams are more than paper things
And it's alright mama you're afraid
I don't wanna see those tears again
You know, Jesus drives an Astrovan
Yes, he does (I say woo)
And in my heart there's a holy ghost writhing on the floor from an overdose
You know the best ones never come down
So if I love at the tip of my toes reaching out for the great unknown
Every addict has illusions
Life ain't ever what it seems
These dreams are more than paper things
And it's alright mama you're afraid
I'll be here along the way
I don't wanna see those tears again
You know Jesus drives an Astrovan
Yes, he does (I say: whoo)
And when I see those angels on the roof
I know I've made it when my
Doobie smoking Jesus puts my name up on his guest list
He said son you're famous in heaven
Maybe you're famous in heaven
Maybe there is no heaven
Maybe we're all along together now
But I don't wanna see those tears again
You know Jesus drives an Astrovan
I don't wanna see those tears again
You know Jesus drives an Astrovan
The song "Astrovan" by Mt. Joy is a compelling piece that describes the singer's experiences with drugs, religion and the uncertainties of life. The opening line talks about witnessing a scene of divine proportions where angels are sitting on the roof smoking cigarettes, while the Moon is still glowing. The imagery creates a sense of peacefulness and transcendence. As the song progresses, Jesus is introduced as a character who rides an Astrovan, a fitting mode of transportation for someone connected to the divine.
The song then touches on the theme of addiction and illusions. The singer sees himself as an addict, losing himself in the pursuit of the "great unknown." The lyricist points out that every addict has illusions, but the best ones never come down. Thus, they keep spiraling until their holy ghost is "writhing on the floor from an overdose."
The chorus is repeated with slight variations, which include the line "You know, Jesus drives an Astrovan." Here, the Astrovan seems a metaphor for something more significant, such as hope or faith. The song concludes with the singer's hope of being on Jesus' guest list, solidifying the notion that the Astrovan is a symbol of transcendence and salvation.
Line by Line Meaning
Angels smoking cigarettes on rooftops in fishnets in the morning with the
Moon still glowing
The singer describes a surreal scene of angels smoking cigarettes on rooftops with the moon still visible in the morning.
And here comes Jesus in an Astrovan rolling down the strip again
He's stoned while Jerry plays
Jesus appears in an Astrovan, likely high, with Jerry playing music for him.
Life ain't ever what it seems
These dreams are more than paper things
And it's alright mama you're afraid
The singer acknowledges the deceptive nature of life, but encourages their mother to not be afraid and to pursue their dreams.
I'll be poor along the way
I don't wanna see those tears again
You know, Jesus drives an Astrovan
Yes, he does (I say woo)
The artist assures their mother that they may struggle financially but they do not want to make her cry, and then reiterates the presence of Jesus in an Astrovan.
And in my heart there's a holy ghost writhing on the floor from an overdose
You know the best ones never come down
So if I love at the tip of my toes reaching out for the great unknown
Every addict has illusions
The artist describes feeling overwhelmed with emotion and addiction, acknowledging that it is difficult to let go of the feeling of euphoria associated with certain substances.
And when I see those angels on the roof
I know I've made it when my
Doobie smoking Jesus puts my name up on his guest list
He said son you're famous in heaven
Maybe you're famous in heaven
Maybe there is no heaven
Maybe we're all along together now
The singer expresses their desire to feel accomplished and recognized, imagining a scenario where Jesus himself invites them up to heaven and declares them famous.
But I don't wanna see those tears again
You know Jesus drives an Astrovan
I don't wanna see those tears again
You know Jesus drives an Astrovan
The singer repeats their desire to not make their mother cry and reiterates the presence of Jesus in an Astrovan.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: James Samuel Cooper, Matthew Ryan Quinn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheBelovedDisciple144
Lines that make this song especially relevant to me:
Jesus driving the Astrovan obviously cuz Jesus is with me driving me to drive this van for His sake.
"These dreams are more then paper things" a year before I left I did a massive prayer fast. And during it I wrote this whole dream out on paper and saved it. It miraculously materialized a year later. This Astrovan came to me fully built to live in for free.
"It's alright mama, your afraid. I'll be poor, along the way" 💯 my mom is very worried, calls me all the time. I'm working for DoorDash to get around. Works out but definitely just enough to get by.
"If I love at the tip of my toes, reaching out for the great unknown" 💯 loving God and people at the tip of my toes reachs me out into the great unknown.
"In my heart there's a Holy Ghost. Writhing on the floor from an overdose. " YES ITS TRUE rolling around in to many tears and boogers of euphoria to count.
Thats just to name a few lines that apply to my life like a prophesy that came to pass through this song.
I never heard this song until after I was already a few months on the road btw
@TheCookieFlavaJAR
Seriously never thought Spotify "Discover" and "Feel Good Indie Rock" would enrich my life this much.
@shannonedelman2073
Genuinely did for me 2
@shannonedelman2073
😘👌
@jesseordonez3361
There’s a hell lot of underrated music out there!
@ronin6908
Honestly. I’m loving this song
@sportsonthetreadmill3255
Yoooo wtf i just discovered this song from that exact playlist
@user-up9ey9vb5q
this was my uncle's favorite song. I'm glad i can remember him through this absolute masterpiece. its definitely hard listen to at times, but its always there to remind me of him. i hope he's jamming to this with me in heaven
@coastispunk
Someone asked me for a commission of angels sitting on a rooftop smoking cigarettes and said it was based off this song so I figured I’d give it a listen while drawing and I think his favorite song just became my favorite song and I feel so special that I got to draw that for him. 😌 this soothed my aching soul.
@Aman-yn5nv
would love to see the drawing <3
@QuixEnd
Yeah that actually sounds so sick. I dig it.