Joshua James released his new album Build Me This in September to excellent reviews. In his review of James’ album when it was XPN’s Featured Album recently, XPN’s Mike Vasilikos said: “singer-songwriter Joshua James may be more an artist than he is simply a musician. As you listen to his new album it’s evident that his compositions take shape more as musical portraits than just plain songs. Noticeable from the start is that James has no tolerance for simplicity. And at the same time, James seems unwilling to compromise his full vision. Each song is executed remarkably; from the instrumentation to the production to the songwriting James stresses every nuance.”

This week Joshua takes over the XPN blog with some notes from the field, where he is currently on tour through the end of November.

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It has been an incredible adventure.
It still is an adventure.
One that has lasted over two months now.
We had an amazing conversation till three in the morning with an amazing woman last night in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and it really got my mind moving.
People still are good.
I find myself focusing on the bad a lot.
But it isn’t.
And I shouldn’t.
Truly we are good creatures.
Truly we are kind (some).
And in one way or another we are all the same.
TRULY.
The tour has gone like this always.
We play music, but it isn’t the music that I enjoy (the most).
But rather the interaction with people.
People that are trying and living and breathing and hurting just like you,
Just like me.
The connection.
The rise and fall of the chest when something has touched you.
The search in the meaning behind the song.
That is the truth to it all.
And that truth we have experienced more times than I can count on this tour.
We have two weeks left and we are home.
Home to go back to “normal” lives.
Home, where not much changes.
Where reaching out, connecting, and living is a curious thing.
But I just hope it all balances itself out.
I am excited to watch my grass grow in American Fork,
And to see old friends.
To see the snow form.
But to connect (with a stranger).
To move someone (a stranger).
To be moved (by a stranger).
There is NOTHING more pleasing.
Never has there been.
To the moon my friends!
We shall forget ourselves.
Today we shall sing more
We shall feel more.
Make love more.
Think more,
Howl at the moon more.
Trust more.
Float on the breeze more.
Yes, that mad man of a breeze that enters our lungs and makes us….
Believe still.

Recreating always!
ALWAYS!

-Joshua James & The Great Northplatte.