In a modern world seemingly gone mad, one of distraction and white noise,what emerges from J & Causeways’ debut album,Motions, is this universaltheme of togetherness and compassion — melodies conjured and cultivatedwith a keen understanding of reaching one another through healing andtranscendence.“This album is about getting the listener to tap into their own inner power andinner beauty,” says Jordan Anderson. “Stop searching outward for thoseanswers. Start searching inward. And then, maybe we can raise ourselves upand 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,” the 34-year-old notes. “Thereare no bounds for music, food, art, people and culture — everything isenriched here.”A Louisiana native, Anderson was raised in a rural community, one wheremusic was a welcomed constant, whether it be listening and absorbing thesounds of his family members playing and singing or simply diving down therabbit hole of a nearby record collection — Aretha Franklin, Al Green, and OtisRedding all within reach.Captured by famed musicians/producers Robert Mercurio and Ben Ellman(both members of NOLA cosmic funk outfit Galactic) at Studio in the Countryand Esplanade Studios,Motionsis a record soaked in the freewheelin’ ethos,culture, and sonic tones of a vibrant city that Anderson proudly calls home.“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel like this album was some sort of creativeburst,” Anderson says. “There were no compromises made on this. This isabsolutely the closest version of who I really am that I’ve been trying to recordand put out.”Closing in on eight years together, J & The Causeways have come a long wayfrom those early days trying to secure footing, not only in their sound andpurpose, but also that of Anderson exploring and discovering his voice and identity as a rising artist in an often hard-to-navigate music industry filledwith seemingly endless unknowns.“At first, it was so stressful, because you’re finding your sound and you’regritting it out, trying to find something that isyou,” Anderson recalls. “Butnow, when we got into the [recording] process and started putting thesesongs on record, I can’t believe what I was hearing back — it was what Iwanted and more.”Diving into the melodic depths of J & The Causeways, one is immediatelystruck by the staggering vocal talents of Anderson, this soaring voice radiatingfrom the stage — a level of octave prowess and sonic range akin to that ofother renowned soul acts like Alabama Shakes or St. Paul & The BrokenBones.“It’s that vulnerability of going around your house and being real goofy withyour voice,” Anderson says of finding his towering, soulful tone. “And thatreally does factor into learning how to get a boastful and unique voice, bybeing vulnerable and trying things — finding the value of looking insideyourself.”Whether onstage or in the studio, Anderson aims to be a conduit into thatuniversal energy of self. It’s this sacred, ancient space by which a human beingis able to channel the essence of the magical ether surrounding all of us at anygiven time.“A lot of people call it God, others call it a muse, but [whatever it is], it’ssomething in there that’s divine and uplifting,” Anderson says. “And when youcan tap into that calm, meditative state and listen, you can truly sing how youwant to sing.”At the core ofMotionsis the concept of cymatics, which are the visualrepresentations created by sound vibrations. Leading up to the recordingsessions, Anderson became utterly fascinated with how visible patterns wereformed by specific frequencies and tones.“I was in that mind frame of how everything can be connected through anenergetic field, and not seem so material,” Anderson says. “At any point, and atany 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 “thenow,” where one is always aware and present in any moment you may becurrently inhabiting or participating in.“There’s no other true time. The past and the future? It’s all just made up,”Anderson mulls. “All we have are these moments that we’re havingright now.This album is about vibrations and helping people put their own energies outinto the world.”