The world is a broken and divided place, and sometimes music is the safe-place we need to be reminded of God’s goodness and His plan to renew all things.  The latest release by Hope Newman Kemp is called Facing Eden (produced by Jeremy Casella) and it encourages listeners with spiritual truths that seem to hit home in these trying times.  The album is available now on Spotify, Bandcamp, and beyond – and here’s our recent conversation with Hope.

UTR: Can you share more about your musical journey and what led to the release of this new album? 
Hope: I grew up immersed in the Jesus Folk soul-sonic 60s where live music in community happened organically in my North Carolina hometown. At 19, I fell in love and married a cute, Italian, non-musician, future Army dentist and started having children straight away. I could write a book about the contentions of merging these two primary passions of my life – particularly while in the throes of an empty nest – so in 2018 I made Hoping for Real: Songs Inspired by The Velveteen Rabbit and developed it into a musical reading show. After that my artist identity fell into crisis, and this was my state when I met producer Jeremy Casella. His invitation for creative collaboration was heaven-sent.
UTR:  What is the meaning behind the album title ‘Facing Eden’ – and what are the overall themes on the project?
Hope:  One of my favorite literary characters is Sarah Smith of Golder’s Green (from CS Lewis’ The Great Divorce). I am taken by how her love for Love Itself produced the flourishing and nature under her footsteps. For the Christian, Eden is that misty outline ever behind the person, the task, the obligation in front of us.  Like her, I want to help bring about that reunion of “earth as it is in heaven” by the gifts (passion) that the Lord has invested in me. Artist Sarah Tisdale has captured that idea in her artwork by the different colored strands of hair to represent the variety of songs on the album.  Jeremy Casella has synergized the songs by his production style.  I couldn’t be more grateful to have their imprints on Facing Eden.
UTR: You told us early this year that you were planning to make an EP, and it ended up blooming into a full-length 11-track record.  Can you share about the change of plans?
Facing Eden unfolded as we went. When Casella’s invitation came, it was for “Keep On Going” (Gospelly), and “Take Them Home” (Thematic Jazz).  To me, these songs opposed each other stylistically and I couldn’t see how they fit on the same project – plus my own emotional state was not helpful for being a good decision-maker. Deciding to put the songs forward was an act of faith. I had no vision for my work beyond the delight of collaborating in creative community, but once we started, the floodgates opened and years of songs in the crock pot began pouring out.  My husband was the one who suggested a full-length album – and Casella cheered every step.
UTR:  Who are some of the other artists who played a role in the making of ‘Facing Eden’?
Hope:  Phil Keaggy is featured on three tracks, but he sits so beautifully in the pocket you might not notice. One of them is “Sower Song” which is a nod to my Jesus Folk roots – so Keaggy is in both the roots and the fruits! The session band is Chris Rodriguez on guitars, Byron House on double bass, Josh Hunt on drums, Eric Darken on percussion, and of course I’m on a gorgeous grand piano at Watershed Studios. Blair Masters hits the gospel tunes on Hammond B3, and Cara Fox arranges strings. As a bonus I made a new friend in female jazz singer Robin Revier (who is fire on back up), and local NC singer/vocal producer Chris Juengel (formally with Pentatonix).  Working in creative collaboration with these amazing artists, and having their signature sounds on my work, is the highlight of my artistic life.
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UTR:  If a listener sits down and listens to all 11 tracks, what do you hope they feel or experience by the end of it?
Hope: I’ve said that the songs on the album vary from one to the next and are not the same color throughout. Jazz, Gospel, Bluesy Folk – all of it is there. I hadn’t considered how letting them sit together as a menagerie would serve to tell a story, but I think Casella knew this would happen – certainly Jesus knew it would, and He is the One who wants to intersect the dueling paths of our lives by affording vision, meaning, and purpose for our whole history. So, I hope the listener goes on the journey with me and like Sarah Smith of Golder’s Green will walk “into those mountains” having hardened feet for the work, and softened heart towards His great love.