Photo credit: Sophia Matinazad

Nashville’s beloved alt-folk duo Judah & the Lion release The Process – the band’s fifth studio album via Cletus the Van / Downtown Artist & Label Services. This record draws inspiration from lead singer Judah Akers’ personal experiences and struggles. Born from the depths of emotional turmoil, the album draws parallels to psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’ five stages of grief: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance. Interludes punctuate song suites dedicated to each stage, creating a deeply introspective and cathartic musical experience.

 

This album is loaded with painful personal experiences. Can you describe to us the process behind making ‘The Process?’

It was actually a really fun challenge when we decided to write based on Kubler-Ross’stages of grief. It became very evident that it was going to be super therapeutic for me to go through those stages and figure out how I was in denial, how I didn’t know how to deal with my own anger, or how I didn’t even know that I had as much anger as I did. So the process was very healing, and challenging at times, but the end resulted in a lot of personal growth and that’s what we hope for the listeners too. 

Do you think these songs are a testament of healing for you?

I think the overall thought of even getting to acceptance is realizing that we’re all humans perpetually on this journey toward growth. So definitely a lot of healing has occurred but I still say that I am perpetually healing and learning to get through some of the things that are hard to get through. I think a lot of the songs go through that journey of healing.  

What’s the most representative track on the record if there is one?

Long Dark Night is the song that I think embodies the whole heart behind the record. Confronting your pain and facing your demons is where true healing happens. Light and hope can be manifested through true pain and darkness.

Is there any word of wisdom you would say to anyone going through what you’ve gone through?

Being gentle with yourself is the main source of advice that I have. To allow yourself to feel the feelings through this season feels paralyzing and terrible, but there is light and love that can live amongst that. 

What are you looking forward to the most after the record?

After the record, we’re really excited about our live shows. To experience these songs and this type of emotion live with other humans is going to be very healing. There’s going to be a lot of beauty in that experience.

What have you ultimately learned about yourself from this experience?

I think I’ve learned that life sometimes can be the opposite. Sometimes the want to be perceived as strong can actually end up making us weak; being vulnerable and sharing your weakness or your pain shows a lot of strength and courage. You might expect that telling the truth and finding the truth could result in negative comments or emotions toward you. I think the truth for me and my experience has actually set me free. Learning to kill that ego and discovering beauty through a shitty season has been a big revelation for me. 

Judah & the Lion – The Process Tour – Fall 2024

Fri Oct 04 — Tulsa, OK — The Tulsa Theater

Sat Oct 05 — Kansas City, MO — Uptown Theater

Sun Oct 06 — Omaha, NE — Steelhouse Omaha

Tue Oct 08 — Salt Lake City, UT — The Union Event Center

Wed Oct 09 — Denver, CO — Fillmore Auditorium

Sat Oct 12 — Milwaukee, WI — The Rave

Sun Oct 13 — Grand Rapids, MI — GLC Live at 20 Monroe

Tue Oct 15 — Columbus, OH — KEMBA Live!

Thu Oct 17 — Boston, MA — Citizens House of Blues

Fri Oct 18 — Silver Spring, MD — The Fillmore Silver Spring

Sat Oct 19 — Philadelphia, PA — The Fillmore Philadelphia

Sun Oct 20 — Raleigh, NC — The Red Hat Amphitheater

Weds Oct 23 – Charleston, NC – The Refinery

Thu Oct 24 — Birmingham, AL — Avondale Brewing Company

Fri Oct 25 — Atlanta, GA — Coca-Cola Roxy

Sat Oct 26 — Nashville, TN — Nashville Municipal Auditorium