John Van Deusen Releases New Single 'Joyful Noise' Featuring Citizens
Former frontman of NPR-acclaimed band The Lonely Forest and current member of indie-rock band Telephone Friends, Pacific Northwest songwriter and artist John Van Deusen will release 'Joyful Noise' featuring Citizens on June 26, the third single from his forthcoming double album As Long As I Am In The Tent Of This Body I Will Make A Joyful Noise Pt. 2, out August 28 via Anotherland.
Van Deusen calls it “sacred music”. This isn’t a product of contemporary Christian music, but worship filtered through a stained-glass indie-rock DIY folk aesthetic that draws on heroes from XTC and Sufjan Stevens to Nick Drake, Judee Sill, and The Beach Boys. “Joyful Noise,” featuring Seattle-bred, nationally acclaimed rock band Citizens, is the sound of that vision fully realized.
Built around a simple, repeating confession ("I know you're with me when I look at the stars / and though I can't explain it, I am safe in your arms"), the track takes simplicity and runs it through something far more expansive with a backbeat that breeds joy.
The track arrives as the third of five singles leading to the August full-length release, following “In All, Sustain All” (feat. Salvation Choir) and “Just Because You Wanted Us” (feat. Jon Guerra). Collaborators on the broader project include Josh Farro (Paramore), Scott Mills (Colony House), David Leonard (All Sons & Daughters), and Ethan Hulse, with featured artists Chris Renzema, Tyson Motsenbocker, Sandra McCracken, and Taylor Armstrong also appearing.
Self-produced by Van Deusen with co-production from Nathan Cimino (Cold War Kids / Sia / Sublime), the album was recorded with the same DIY ethos that has shaped every chapter of his career: from his Tooth & Nail Records tenure and The Lonely Forest’s performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! to his work in Telephone Friends. The Gospel Coalition named his 2022 record I Am Origami Pt. 4 – Marathon Daze the #1 album of that year.
“I was sitting at my old piano with the window open - listening to the birds on a sunny day. I felt overwhelmed with peace in the face of mystery and questioning. I have found more and more joy as I’ve allowed myself to let go of the need to “know” everything about God and our reality; and that is what this song is about. Letting go and believing that I’m loved. “ - John
