𝘔𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘔𝘪𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘳, the expansive, contemplative ‘true debut’ record, contains 12 refreshingly eclectic tunes that showcase many endearing Sooth touchstones, while also achieving new production heights (Forty One Fifteen Studios -- Nashville, TN), & subverting expectations by leaping into diverse new genre territories. A truly intentional synthesis of Sooth, both thematically, & sonically.

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A word about the release, from the artist:

Today, I have so many of the right words, and yet somehow also, I feel simultaneously and ineffably lost for words. 𝘔𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘔𝘪𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘳 is now available, essentially everywhere music can be streamed, which feels surreal and amazing. Though…if I’m honest, it’s also bizarre, complex, and bewildering. I’m very proud of it, and infinitely excited to share it with the world, but this dance of vulnerability is a tricky one, and I’m still learning all the steps…

As an artist, I’m a part of this strange phenomenon of our modern world: We all labor painstakingly over our precious ‘children’, and then we just fling them out into the void of the Internet, silently twiddling our thumbs in the vacuum, waiting and hoping to receive a positive response…or frankly, any response at all!

And sure, at the end of the day, you don’t create for that reason…you create something simply because you love doing it. Because you have to. But you’re also sending out an invitation; a bid for connection, with any other person out there who may just resonate with what you felt compelled to express through your creative work.

And when you throw years of time, energy, money, blood, sweat, and tears into a work of this nature, you do hope for SOME sort of feedback. You want to hear from people! And I’ll be the first to admit that I can sometimes become paralyzed and pitiful when reality doesn’t line up with the expectations that I’ve carefully crafted in my mind…that ‘perfect’ moment where the entire planet’s population hoists you up on their shoulders and harmoniously chants your name…but once I’ve successfully recalibrated those expectations and cleared the (very silly) stardust from my eyes…deep down, that desire for real connection, for conversation, for reciprocal presence…that is always there. It’s not going anywhere. And — please understand this — any song is only one half of a conversation. It’s a bid for connection. And connection is divine.

So let’s talk about divinity, because it’s a major theme in Mystic Mirror. If you happen to be a spiritual person, identifying with a certain faith system (or none, or many), great! And if you aren’t, hear me out! I think that a profound experience with the divine (and please define ‘divine’ however you’d like), can be found within a stunning sunset over a mountain range, a great meal, or a good conversation with a dear friend, just as easily as it can be found in a church, a temple, or prayer, etc…

Then I choose to even take it one step further…this may sound woo or cliché, but I’ve decided I just don’t care: I believe the divine can be found in every one of us. And it’s important to acknowledge that it’s absolutely all about the eye of the beholder…you can choose whether or not to see the divine in the person across from you…and look, I get it. Sometimes there are frustrating communication breakdowns, or maybe the dishes didn’t get done, someone cut you off in traffic, or you had to deal with about 10,000 micro-aggressions throughout your day at work. But when you put the effort toward true empathy, seeing the divinity in the person/situation you’re dealing with, you’re always going to come out feeling more peaceful, calm, grounded, joyful, content, and full of love…Take it from someone who’s had a lot of experience (with both situations).

You can only truly experience the divine, in any person, if you’re completely, holistically beholding them, giving your unwavering attention, and accepting them for exactly how/why/what/who they are, with true understanding, and radical love.

It would be a gross oversimplification to say that that’s what this album is ALL about. But it’s certainly the primary theme. Within the Mystic Mirror, we are all pieces of a great reflection of divinity: each of us, diverse iterations of goodness, beauty, and truth…but no single person (or group, organization, etc.) has all the answers. We need each other, to become divinely (the) whole.

So, I dare you to listen to this entire album, start to finish. Spend some time with it, and see what you can find in the Mystic Mirror. Regardless, please LISTEN, knowing that I see the divine in you. I’ll keep holding up this mirror so you can see that divinity in yourself.

LISTEN, knowing that if you can find it in yourself, then you can find it in others — even (especially) folks you may vehemently disagree with or dislike. They’re a part of this kaleidoscopic mirror, just like you. I dare you to find the divine in them.

And LISTEN, knowing that just as a mirror reflects the light that hits it, I hope that this album can spark some connection to the divine, through and in each other. But I need your help, because a song is only one half of a conversation…so I dare you to go create that divine connection in your own life. And please enjoy the 𝘔𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘔𝘪𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘳.

All the love, to all of you.

- TJ // Sooth

August 23rd, 2022