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.
Death
Mt. Joy Lyrics
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Showing up to your birthday party just to show off our face
Get your mind off it boy
There's room to grow
Like ooh la la la, ooh la, I know why you like death
'Cause when you get in trouble, pulled under rubble
Don't bring your phone to the party
Learn how to operate us
Feel like you're just passing through
But everyone I know loves you
Get your life right boy
There's so much more
Like ooh la la la, ooh la, I know why you like death
'Cause when you get in trouble pulled under rubble
You want something else
It's like oh la la la, ooh la, I will
Pull you out of this
There are holes in your eyes full of impossible light
Learn to laugh when you cry, make a rainbow in your mind
Get your life right boy
There's so much more
Ooh la la la, ooh la, I know why you like death
'Cause when you get outnumbered, pulled under rubble
You want something else
It's like ooh la la la, ooh la, I will
Pull you out of this
The lyrics to Mt. Joy's song "Death" explore the themes of existentialism, personal growth, and the desire for something more meaningful in life. The opening lines, "We're all just debt collectors in an absence of grace," suggest that we are all burdened by the weight of our responsibilities and obligations, struggling to find purpose and meaning. The reference to showing up to a birthday party just to show off our face implies a superficiality and a tendency to seek validation and attention from others.
The chorus, with its repetition of "ooh la la la, ooh la," points to a sense of detachment and disillusionment. The line "I know why you like death" suggests that when faced with challenges and difficulty ("when you get in trouble, pulled under rubble"), we are drawn to the idea of death as a means of escape, a desire for something different or transcendent. However, the song also offers a glimmer of hope, with the line "I will pull you out of this," indicating that there is a potential for redemption and salvation.
The second verse continues to explore the theme of seeking something more in life. The mention of not bringing a phone to the party and learning how to operate ourselves implies a detachment from the distractions of technology and a need for self-reflection. The line "But everyone I know loves you" suggests that despite these struggles, the person being addressed is still loved and valued by others.
The song concludes with a message of optimism and growth. The reference to "holes in your eyes full of impossible light" speaks to the idea that within our struggles and tears, there is a potential for beauty and transformation. The line "Get your life right boy, there's so much more" serves as a reminder that there is still much to discover and experience, urging the listener to embrace life's possibilities and move forward.
Overall, "Death" by Mt. Joy explores the complexities of human existence, the search for meaning, and the paradoxical desire for escape and redemption.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Matthew Quinn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind