Louder Than The Music

Critically acclaimed songwriter and artist John Van Deusen has released his sprawling new 38-track double album, As Long As I Am In The Tent Of This Body I Will Make A Joyful Noise, today via Joel Houston's Anotherland label. The album arrives on the heels of growing recognition for Van Deusen within both the indie and faith-based music worlds, including a recent live performance with CCM Magazine that offered an intimate look at the person and creative process behind the record.

Comprising both Part 1 and Part 2 as one complete body of work, the album represents Van Deusen's most ambitious artistic statement to date. While the project has been introduced through two installments and a five-single rollout, Van Deusen has always envisioned it as one cohesive work: two parts of a larger musical and spiritual journey meant to ultimately be experienced together.

Across 38 songs, Van Deusen filters influences ranging from XTC, The Microphones, Peter Gabriel, Weezer, Nick Drake and Judee Sill to Death Cab For Cutie, Sonic Youth, R.E.M., Sufjan Stevens, The Beach Boys, Keith Green, Switchfoot and The Beatles through what he describes as "stained-glass indie-rock DIY folk aesthetic." The result is a genre smashing dose of exploratory worship music that moves freely between indie rock, folk, worship, experimental textures and intimate singer-songwriter confession, a genre smashing dose of exploratory worship music.

One of the album's clearest expressions of joyful faith comes through on “Left It On The Cross,” featuring Nashville-based singer songwriter Chris Renzema. A bright, catchy indie-rock anthem built around a buoyant D-major progression, the track distills the album's larger themes of grace, surrender and redemption into a deceptively simple singalong. Van Deusen sings of the totality of forgiveness through its lyrics: "Every single sin / future, past, present / You left it on the cross" before opening into its soaring central declaration: "The gates of heaven open wide / all because of Jesus Christ." It's a quintessential example of Van Deusen's approach to sacred music: unabashedly rooted in faith, but filtered through the handmade energy and melodic sensibility of indie rock.

At the center of the project is a tension Van Deusen has never shied away from: holding onto faith and joy while navigating suicidal depression. He has been remarkably candid about making an album centered on joy and worship during one of the most difficult seasons of his life. He's articulate, candid, and genuinely wants to talk about what it's like to hold faith and suicidal depression at the same time. Rather than hiding that contradiction, he allows it to become part of the work itself, placing songs of worship, joy and surrender alongside the reality of human suffering.

"Here it is. I made some noise. I put words and chords together with real and midi instruments. I took photos and paintings and collaged them together. I gave it a name. I felt joy and depression at the same time and did my absolute best to make an album that I'd actually listen to. I turned to my friends for help…Born out of a pull to die that teeters between heavenly ache and depressed fight or flight. I don't know. Maybe it's a landmark work. Maybe it will be forgotten about. But it doesn't matter in the end because I've done the very best I could and I've surrendered it to my Maker. I feel a sense of joy surging from Him as He looks at me. I get the impression He likes it. And honestly, that's all I could ever ask for."

The album's emotional breadth is matched by its collaborative scope. Van Deusen self-produced the project with co-production from Nathan Cimino (Gable Price & Friends), while co-writers include Josh Farro (Paramore), Scott Mills (Colony House), David Leonard (All Sons & Daughters) and Ethan Hulse (Andrew Ripp, Josh Baldwin, Phil Wickham). Part 2 expands the project's vocal palette with featured appearances from Chris Renzema, Citizens, Jon Guerra, Tyson Motsenbocker, Taylor Armstrong, Sandra McCracken, and Salvation Choir.

That journey of going from nationally recognized indie rock to deeply personal sacred music is ultimately what As Long As I Am In The Tent Of This Body I Will Make A Joyful Noise documents. It is an album about creating in the middle of uncertainty, finding beauty without denying pain, and continuing to make something honest even when the reasons for doing so are difficult to articulate. Across 38 songs, Van Deusen doesn't attempt to resolve the tension between joy and suffering; he simply makes room for both, and invites listeners to do the same.