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.
Mt. Joy
Mt. Joy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And sunlight on our clean clothes
Stare forever for all the pinches together
Mountains fall into the sea
If I built the frame and gave you my name
Would you wander forever with me?
And drive way up over Mt. Joy
She blames Brooklyn for hand me downs
She wakes up in her parents' house
And I got the curse of quivering youth
Tell the truth
All we really need's the love in this room
And I open my lips to tell her she's the anchor, I'm a sailor
We're lost in the height of the wave
Every wave remind me why I feel this way
And drive way up over Mt. Joy
Where everyone's free now to move how they feel
Feel your feet on the festival grounds
They can't stop us, feel like Ziggy Stardust
'Cause they can't stop us, feel like Ziggy Stardust
And I dreamed you felt it too
And I dreamed it all came true
And I dreamed you felt it too
And I dreamed it all came true
And I dreamed you felt it too
And I dreamed it all came true
They can't stop us, feel like Ziggy Stardust
The lyrics to Mt. Joy's song "Mt. Joy" speak to a longing for freedom and a sense of adventure. The first stanza sets the scene with "berry stains on a dirt road" and "sunlight on our clean clothes," painting a picture of a carefree, youthful existence. The desire for togetherness is also present in the line "Stare forever for all the pinches together." The second stanza introduces a more melancholic note with the line "She blames Brooklyn for hand me downs," suggesting the weight of expectations and the constraints of society. However, the chorus offers a solution: "And drive way up over Mt. Joy / Where everyone's free now to move how they feel now." The idea of leaving behind the city and venturing into the mountains to be truly free is a powerful one that is echoed throughout the song.
The third stanza reinforces the idea of the power of love and connection, with the singer telling his companion that they are the anchor and he is a sailor. The height of the wave is a metaphor for the intensity of their emotions, and every wave serves as a reminder of why they feel the way they do. Finally, the song ends with the repetition of the line "They can't stop us, feel like Ziggy Stardust." Ziggy Stardust is an iconic alter ego of David Bowie, known for his rock 'n' roll rebelliousness and otherworldly persona. This line, then, suggests a defiance in the face of societal norms and a desire to be truly free to be oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
Berry stains on a dirt road
The memories and experiences of the past, both good and bad, that have led to this moment.
And sunlight on our clean clothes
The contrast between the stains of the past and the purity of the present.
Stare forever for all the pinches together
Appreciating the love and connection of those around us.
Mountains fall into the sea
The insignificance of the past compared to the present moment.
If I built the frame and gave you my name
Offering one's identity and life to another person in hopes of creating shared memories.
Would you wander forever with me?
Asking if the other person is willing to embark on a journey together, through good and bad times.
And drive way up over Mt. Joy
A symbolic journey to a place where both people can be free to be themselves.
Where everyone's free now to move how they feel now
A place where there are no constraints or expectations for how to act or be.
She blames Brooklyn for hand me downs
Blaming the past for the struggles and challenges faced in the present.
She wakes up in her parents' house
Feeling like one's life is stagnant and not moving forward.
And I got the curse of quivering youth
Feeling restless and unsure about one's future and direction in life.
Tell the truth
A call to honesty and authenticity in relationships.
All we really need's the love in this room
Recognizing that the love and connection in the present moment is all that is needed.
And I open my lips to tell her she's the anchor, I'm a sailor
Recognizing one's dependence on another person for stability and guidance in life.
We're lost in the height of the wave
Feeling overwhelmed by the intensity of life's ups and downs.
Every wave remind me why I feel this way
Finding meaning and purpose in the difficult moments of life.
Feel your feet on the festival grounds
Being present in the moment and enjoying the freedom and joy of the present experience.
They can't stop us, feel like Ziggy Stardust
Feeling invincible and unstoppable in the moment.
And I dreamed you felt it too
A desire for shared experiences and emotions with another person.
And I dreamed it all came true
Hoping for a future where the dreams and desires of the present come to fruition.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Matthew Ryan Quinn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind