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.
Sado
Mt. Joy Lyrics
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In the back yard of our first garden
And I didn't know that we could argue over small shit
For so long
Oh Eliza
I'm good 'n' gone, I'm good 'n' gone
Oh Eliza
Sado potato ate that raw tomato
And I don't know if they still grow in the old home
We were supposed to get old in
But the last time I saw you
You know that I get choked up when it's time gone
'Cause she said onward and upward
Oh Eliza
I'm good 'n' gone, I'm good 'n' gone
Oh Eliza
She moving on, she moving on
Eliza I'm good 'n' gone, I'm good 'n' gone
Eliza she moving on, she moving on
Sado potato ate a raw tomato
In the back yard of our first garden
And everyone's afraid of the time
'Cause we all get luck form the vine
The song "Sado" by Mt. Joy is a melancholy reflection on love lost and missed opportunities. The first line, "Sado potato ate a raw tomato" is a curious phrase that seems to set the tone for the wistful lyrics that follow. The image of a potato eating a tomato is unexpected and perhaps represents the strange twists and turns of life that can lead to unexpected outcomes. The line "In the back yard of our first garden" reinforces this idea of the natural world and the idea that life and love can grow in unexpected ways.
As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the relationship being referenced did not end well. The singer reflects on their inability to resolve small issues, which eventually led to the demise of the relationship. The repetition of the line "Oh Eliza, I'm good 'n' gone, she moving on" underscores the finality and the pain of the break-up. The singer seems to be reflecting back on the relationship with a sense of longing and regret, wondering if things could have been different if they had tried harder to work through their problems.
The final lines of the song, "And everyone's afraid of the time, 'Cause we all get luck from the vine" suggest a deeper meaning behind the grief of the break-up. Time is fleeting, and life is short, and we all must make the most of the opportunities we are given. The line "we all get luck from the vine" implies that life is a gift that we must cherish while we can.
Line by Line Meaning
Sado potato ate a raw tomato
The person referred to as Sado ate an uncooked tomato.
In the back yard of our first garden
This happened in the first garden that they owned.
And I didn't know that we could argue over small shit
They were surprised that they could have disagreements over trivial matters.
For so long
The fights lasted longer than expected.
Oh Eliza
Referring to someone named Eliza.
I'm good 'n' gone, I'm good 'n' gone
The singer has moved on from Eliza.
She moving on, she moving on
Eliza is also moving on.
And I don't know if they still grow in the old home
The singer isn't sure if the tomatoes are still growing in their old home.
We were supposed to get old in
They had plans to grow old together in that home.
But the last time I saw you
The last time they saw each other.
You know that I get choked up when it's time gone
The singer feels emotional when they think about the past.
'Cause she said onward and upward
Eliza had a positive attitude about moving on.
And everyone's afraid of the time
Everyone is scared of time passing.
'Cause we all get luck form the vine
We all have good and bad times in life.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: James Samuel Cooper, Matthew Ryan Quinn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind