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.”
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.
“What does it mean to be depressed while worshipping God? What does it say about being human? God knew I was going to struggle in this way. He is never surprised by the onset of darkness or insanity in His children.” – John Van Deusen
“Did He give me this “creative mission”; this long and protracted work of creation in order to tether me to Him during a dark period?” Deusen continuted. “How merciful is our Good Shepherd. He wastes nothing. Please, take this album as a gift. I am handing it over to you. Imagine it like a little potted pear tree. Plant it in your yard. May it bear fruit. May it bring you closer to God. That would mean so much to me.”
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), Matt Maher, 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, Andy Squyres, Jon Guerra, Tyson Motsenbocker, Tenielle Neda, 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.