Heaven's Metal Exclusive: LNJ Interview
We recently caught up with Justin Murr of Liberty N' Justice to discuss the release of their new album, Soundtrack of a Soul.
Chris Beck: Soundtrack of a Soul was just released. How has the album been received so far?
Justin Murr: Great so far. The reviews and the feedback have been just unbelievable really different from our last CD, Welcome To The Revolution. As always, when someone enjoys the labor of your love it makes it worth while!
Are you satisfied with the distribution of SOAS? Can someone walk into a Wal-Mart or local music store and buy the album?
We hope so...we signed a distribution deal with Oarfin Distribution for the mainstream and Wesscott Marketing for Christian Bookstores. Our goal is for the masses to hear this CD. We also signed a recording deal for Europe through MTM Music. If you can't find it at Wal-Mart or other stores you can get it through most on-line music stores or even our website, libertynjustice.net.
What were the main things you wanted to change or improve on SOAS when compared to your last album, WTTR? Do you feel you were successful in making these changes?
I have made it no secret as an artist I was not really happy with WTTR for several reasons. One thing we (Greg Featherston and myself) did was bring in a great producer named Mike Layne. We also cared more about the songs than the singers, meaning we went out and tried to write great songs and then find the singer we felt fit the song the best. On WTTR we focused on the singer instead of the song. We prayed over the CD and we tweaked and babied it until we thought we had the best product that we could get. If the response is any indication, we did the right thing. We also had Billy Morris (Warrant) master the CD. I love this CD and I enjoy listening to it so I guess that is the biggest difference.
Several well-known heavy metal musicians and singers appear on SOAS. How did you select who would be on the album and was it difficult to get the individuals to agree to appear on the album? Is there anyone you wanted to appear on the album that couldn't for various reasons?
We focused on the song and when we finished each song, we would write a dream list of singers we felt would be a perfect match for the song. I think "Killer Grin" sounds sort of like a Ratt tune and I think Stephen Pearcy is a great fit. To be honest, it was not that difficult--you can really tell when God is in control. This was very smooth and pain free. Jani Lane of Warrant was supposed to sing "Thy Will Be Done," but for personal reasons we could not get a time to get together to do the recording. Looking back, I think Pete Loran and Mark Slaughter are just perfect for the song and I could not imagine anyone else doing it!
So, Mark Slaughter was one of the last singers added to the project? He does a great job on "Thy Will Be Done," which is one of the best songs on the album.
A guy named Mike Tift approached me about a year and half ago about a Christian Bible project. I liked the idea, and told him I would start working on a few ideas. At this time we had all the slots filled on the CD, including the song "Thy Will Be Done" replaced by "Crown Of My Heart" (which was going to have Fergie Fredrickson of Toto on vocals). I liked the lyric and the hook and approached my good buddy Jamie Rowe of Guardian to write the music and melody. When he sent it back I was totally blown away and kept the song for myself. Like I said before, Jani Lane loved the song and agreed to do it but things just did not happen so we got Pete Loran and Mark Slaughter to do it.
Why did you choose to have vocalists from non-Christian bands sing on SOAS, which clearly has a Christian message?
To reach a greater audience with the life changing message of Jesus Christ!
I believe you wrote most of the lyrics for the songs on SOAS. Were there any instances of someone objecting to the lyrics they were supposed to sing? Did you allow anyone to tweak the lyrics if they wanted to?
Yes, I did write most of the lyrics and no one really objected to anything I wrote, except maybe our producer, Mike Layne, who loved to chop my lyrics up! I did give the singers 100% creative control as long as it did not effect the message or meaning of the song.
What's the deal with the Scott Wenzel track and the reference to the fact you had to drug him to get him involved with the project, which is obviously a joke? Was he supposed to sing on a song?
Scott was supposed to sing on a song, but someone approached me about getting a hold of Scott to sing on their new CD (Mission Of One). I really dug their last CD, so I did not want to compete or deter anyone from not getting Mission of One or the new Whitecross. I know after putting Scott on a rap track on WTTR and a skit on SOAS some may feel I have it in for him, but I prayed and felt that was the best thing to do. I do publicly state that I owe Mr.Wenzel a kicking rock track on a future LNJ CD. Plus, we had Stephen Pearcy--was that not close enough?
Any cool or unusual stories from the recording process?
No...(laughing) as a fan of these guys, I was in awe to be in a studio watching the likes of Stephen Pearcy sing one of my songs and have him telling us how many records he sold. It was sort of surreal. All these guys would tell stories and you sit back in awe and just think, "I am sitting down with Oni Logan and we are just chatting about Lynch Mob and George Lynch, how cool is this!"
Now that SOAS is done, what are your one or two favorite songs on the album and why?
My two favorites are "Thy Will Be Done"... I love this hook and these guys hit a home run vocally, and "Malice In Wonderland". I am a big Jamie Rowe fan and I think these are some of the best lyrics I have ever written.
Do you plan on a Liberty N' Justice tour to support SOAS? How would you do this with so many different vocalists and musicians appearing on the album?
We were going to plan it, but I really was so happy with SOAS and I go through phases where I write a lot and then get writer's block for a few months, but I am on a creative journey and the songs are flowing pretty good. Greg, Mike and I decided to record demos for a new LNJ record than take it out to the masses. The problem is we are gaining momentum, but no one buys a LNJ CD for LNJ; they buy it for the singers, so that's the tricky part!
Can we expect a similar album from Liberty N' Justice in the future? What vocalists and musicians are you interested in having on the next album?
Only God knows that. I love to write and have written some new demos. In saying that, I am a believer but have become kind of disenchanted with the whole CCM market. Coming back from GMA, I believe marketability is more important than ministry to the people in Nashville. Right now I plan on doing another LNJ CD, but after GMA, I am just not sure. That is as honest as I can be right now.
Any last words for the readers of Heaven's Metal?
Now you're wondering, "Who is this guy?". Well, my friend, go out and buy the new LNJ CD, Soundtrack Of A Soul and find out! Psst...Jesus saves...pass it on!
© 2006 Heaven's Metal Fanzine. All rights reserved.
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Comments
Rock on Justin! Great work!
