Island: While thinking of questions we'd like to ask, the one that popped in first was the obvious one. There's so much talent on this disc as there is with all Liberty n' Justice releases, with each disc the amount of talent seems to escalate. Is it hard to put together an album such as this?

 

Justin: Tony, first of all thanks for taking the time to talk with me. It has taken about 2 years to do one of these albums. The hardest part is scheduling for the singers and guest musicians. This being our 2nd "all-star" CD (6th LNJ CD overall), we have gotten better but we are still in the learning process. The best we can do (or hope to do) is deliver a kicking CD that people enjoy, while trying to stay true our beliefs. As long as LNJ is being received will keep doing "our thang"!

Island: Which brings up the next question, How does this album differ from previous Liberty n' Justice albums? (In terms of overall production and feel.)

 

Justin: With our last CD, "Welcome To The Revolution" when it was finished I was not happy with it. I wanted to take more time and change some of songs and production. But, people I was involved with (3 Chord Records) wanted the CD released to make a return on there investment right away. That being said, a month before it was released I started working on a new CD. The first thing I did was hire a producer named Mike Layne (Mudvayne/leaderdogs fame). The second thing was we (Greg Featherston and I) were  going to finance this CD ourselves so we had total control and could take our time without outside influences. We focused on the songs more this time and instead of building the CD around the singers, we built the singers around the songs. Meaning once we finished recording a song, we made a 3 singer dream list of who we wanted to sing that song. In every case we were able to get one of our 3 top picks. That is why I think a lot people think the singer fits the song, cause in reality the song was written for them (style wise). We spent a lot more time on the details and to be honest Mike Layne did a fantastic job and I love this CD!

Island: The lyrics definitely hold meanings, some will pick them out easily while others will have to dig a little deeper. When you began to write the material did it just flow out easily or was it hard to come up with material that held the meanings you were trying to bring across?

 

Justin: LOL, it flowed pretty easy.... in 11 of the 15 songs I wrote the original idea and lyrics and from that point the artist or Mike Layne would "mold" them while trying to stay close to the original idea. I would then hear there demo and in some cases rewrite the lyrics and some of the melodies. That being said, I wrote a record were emotionally I was depressed coming out of what I call a bad experience with our last CD. The CD had sold well but for the first time it did not feel like a LNJ CD, I was only allowed to write 6 of the songs  on "WTTR." The reviews were horrid. We planned a tour that fell through cause of poor planning and being contractual bound to a company I did not want to be part of. "SOAS" was sort of the soundtrack of my life and me pouring out my feelings. A lot of the reviews so far, say there is no judging or the lyrics are not to preachy, the reason is they are more of an insight into my state of mind at that time. Listen to "Make Believe" and you will see exactly what I was thinking and how I felt.

Island: Also going hand in hand with the previous question, were any of the artists involved in the writing process or do you write most of them as I did notice biblical references throughout?

 

Justin: I wrote or (co)wrote most of the tunes, but we did want the singers input and gave them 100% creative control.  I believe the strongest part of the CD is not the singers or "guest" musicians but the songs. Tony Harnell (TNT) has said on more than one occasion that he is not a "Christian" but he chose to sing on the CD because of the song. That says a lot, in my opinion a good song is a good song no matter of the label. Now only if I can get everyone to believe that  :)

Island: This album has some classic elements throughout, such as the guitar material and of course the use of all the amazing vocalists. The vocalists are perfectly matched to the songs which brings up the next question, How were the songs picked so that they matched so brilliantly or did it just happen by sure happenstance?

 

Justin: Like I said, once the song was recorded or the core of the song recorded. We made a 3 singer dream list of who we thought would best fit that song. Like "Killer Grin", our first dream pick was Pearcy and I think it sounds like it could have been something Ratt would have done. "Thy Will  Be Done" was going to be Jani Lane, but we wanted a duet (sort like a classic Journey feel) so  we were going to have Jani and Pete and finally Mark and Pete. Listening to the song now there is no one else I would want to hear on the chorus then Mr.Slaughter. Its just one of those things were everything just worked out. Its what I call a "GOD thing".

Island: What's the one thing you'd like people to take away from the Liberty n' Justice albums?

 

Justin: That God is a God who answers your dreams/prayers as long as you put him first. I am confident to say I am really a no-one and for these great singers and musicians to sing on my project is a testament of his grace and mercy. No one buys a LNJ CD for LNJ, they buy it for the singers and you know what Tony, I am OK with that. If people like the CD and it is the best that I could have done what else would I want them to take away from it.

Island: There are so many wonderful tracks on this album, there's truly something for everyone here. Which had me thinking, which song would you say was the hardest to: 1.)Write, 2.) Record?

 

Justin: Thank you very much for the kind words, the hardest to write and record was "Killer Grin". The song went through 4 phases, the original that Lance Gehl and I wrote. The much improved version demoed by Jamie Rowe. The rewrite by Mike Layne and the final version recorded by Ez Gomer and Tommy Denander. I have every version and you can see it morphing into what it became, very cool stuff!

Island: I found myself looking over all the artwork that was done for not only this album but past releases. The cover for this album I felt was different then past releases in a way that it was done "Bigger & Better". Who did the artwork for "Soundtrack Of A Soul" and how does the artwork symbolize what is on the album itself?

 

Justin: Only time will tell, will see how the CD is received and go from there. I would love to perform this CD live. I have not performed live since 2000, so I have the itch.

Island: Well Justin that about does it for our questions. As this interview wraps up we want to congratulate you on the release of this amazing album. Any final thoughts, words of wisdom, or anything you'd like to say to our readers, your fans?