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Try another day: J & The Causeways to play Bear Shadow Music Festival

J & The Causeways will play Highlands May 30. File photo

In a modern world seemingly gone mad, one of distraction and white noise, what emerges from J & The Causeways’ latest album, “Motions,” is this universal theme of togetherness and compassion — melodies conjured and cultivated with a keen understanding of reaching one another through healing and transcendence.

“This album is about getting the listener to tap into their own inner power and inner beauty,” said Jordan Anderson. “Stop searching outward for those answers. Start searching inward. And then, maybe we can raise ourselves up and out of our sadness and problems.”

Lead singer/keyboardist of New Orleans soul/R&B powerhouse ensemble J & The Causeways, Anderson has remained a magnetic presence in the city’s vast, storied live music scene for the better part of the last decade.

“It’s that breath of fresh air that is New Orleans,” Anderson noted. “There are no bounds for music, food, art, people and culture — everything is enriched here.”

A Louisiana native, Anderson was raised in a rural community, one where music was a welcomed constant, whether it be listening and absorbing the sounds of his family members playing and singing or simply diving down the rabbit hole of a nearby record collection — Aretha Franklin, Al Green and Otis Redding all within reach.

Captured by famed musicians/producers Robert Mercurio and Ben Ellman (both members of NOLA cosmic funk outfit Galactic) at their studio, and also at Esplanade Studios, “Motions” is a record soaked in the freewheelin’ ethos, culture and sonic tones of a vibrant city that Anderson proudly calls home.

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“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel like this album was some sort of creative burst,” Anderson said. “There were no compromises made on this. This is absolutely the closest version of who I really am that I’ve been trying to record and put out.”

Closing in on nine years together, J & The Causeways have come a long way from those early days trying to secure footing, not only in their sound and purpose but also that of Anderson exploring and discovering his voice and identity as a rising artist in an often hard-to-navigate music industry filled with seemingly endless unknowns.

“At first, it was so stressful, because you’re finding your sound and you’re gritting it out, trying to find something that is you,” Anderson recalled. “But now, when we got into the [recording] process and started putting these songs on record, I can’t believe what I was hearing back — it was what I wanted and more.”

Diving into the melodic depths of J & The Causeways, one is immediately struck by the staggering vocal talents of Anderson, this soaring voice radiating from the stage — a level of octave prowess and sonic range akin to that of other renowned funk-n-soul acts like St. Paul & The Broken Bones or JJ Grey & Mofro.

“It’s that vulnerability of going around your house and being real goofy with your voice,” Anderson said of finding his towering, soulful tone. “And that really does factor into learning how to get a boastful and unique voice, by being vulnerable and trying things — finding the value of looking inside yourself.”

Another influence that looms large over Anderson is that of Brittany Howard. Anderson initially came across the marquee singer during her work with her storied band Alabama Shakes.

“Hearing [Brittany] for the first time? It unlocked a lot of things in my brain,” Anderson said. “Her tonality caught my attention, because — up until that point — I’d only really loved the unique tonalities of Janis Joplin or Al Green.”

Whether onstage or in the studio, Anderson aims to be a conduit into that universal energy of self. It’s this sacred, ancient space by which a human being is able to channel the essence of the magical ether surrounding all of us at any given time.

“A lot of people call it God, others call it a muse, but [whatever it is], it’s something in there that’s divine and uplifting,” Anderson said. “And when you can tap into that calm, meditative state and listen, you can truly sing how you want to sing.”

At the core of “Motions” is the concept of cymatics, which are the visual representations created by sound vibrations. Leading up to the recording sessions, Anderson became utterly fascinated with how visible patterns were formed by specific frequencies and tones.

“I was in that mind frame of how everything can be connected through an energetic field and not seem so material,” Anderson said. “At any point, and at any time in your life, you have the power to change those vibrations with your decisions and the vibes you put out into the world.”

Anderson also is a keen observer and longtime subscriber to the idea of “the now,” where one is always aware and present in any moment you may be currently inhabiting or participating in.

“There’s no other true time. The past and the future? It’s all just made up,” Anderson said. “All we have are these moments that we’re having right now. This album is about vibrations and helping people put their own energies out into the world.”

Want to go?

The annual Bear Shadow Music Festival will return May 29-31 in Highlands.

With world-renowned artists appearing onstage, the lineup will include Charley Crockett, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Mavis Staples, Margo Prince, The Infamous Stringdusters, Kashus Culpepper, Pony Bradshaw, Marc Broussard and J & The Causeways.

For more information, a full schedule of performances and/or to purchase tickets, visit bearshadownc.com.

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