Since the release of their debut album, Mt. Joy has developed a portfolio that combines their love for folk-rock sounds with remarkable bridges and, if I may say, delightful experimentation. Their latest studio album, ‘Hope We Have Fun’, which came out in March 2025, continues this trend.
The album, ‘Hope We Have Fun’, carries a consistent theme throughout, highlighting the significance of celebrating the complexities of life, even amid uncertainty. This record successfully evolves their original sound, bolstered by the camaraderie among the band members and an overall refined sound.
The band's experiences on tour and their musical ascent over the years have led to profound introspection, motivating them to stretch creative limits while maintaining an optimistic tone and lyrical content in this latest project.
CLASH spoke with lead vocalist Matt Quin at the Gov Ball Festival in New York about the band's "best music" to date as they return to the summer touring circuit.
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Hello! How does it feel to be at Gov Ball?
It’s thrilling. For us, this has always been the dream—performing for large crowds at major festivals like this. Watching everything unfold over the weekend and then arriving here on Sunday is just amazing. The energy is palpable.
Which performers are you looking forward to seeing?
There are several artists I’m excited about. RAYE is fantastic. I’ve heard her music and I've been really impressed. Royal Otis, Clairo, Hozier—these are all artists we admire. We feel fortunate to be part of such an incredible day of music.
What’s your favorite song to perform from the new album now that you’re at Gov Ball?
We have a bit of a surprise: by the time this is published, we’ll be performing ‘In The Middle’ with Gigi as a band for the first time, and we’re really excited about that. ‘Pink Lady’ is also a lot of fun to perform, and ‘Lucy’ is always a great one to dance to.
Does the title of your new album reflect your current life motto? I hope you’re having fun!
Absolutely! It embodies our approach to facing the fears in life. There are truly serious matters, like Lucy and health concerns, but there’s also the anxiety of being judged for our music or anything else. We realize we have the choice to focus on what we can control and to enjoy that process. It became a guiding principle while creating this record.
In an interview with the Philly Voice, you mentioned that this is the best music you've ever made. Can you elaborate on that? Was the songwriting process different, or is this feeling due to the time spent on this project?
It’s always challenging to compare songs as it’s very subjective. For us, being in a good place musically, ensuring our communication is strong, and everything that matters in the creative process is present makes a difference.
We strive to focus on the process because the outcome when it comes to how people perceive our music is beyond our control. However, the process feels incredibly rewarding. Our connection has grown over the years that we’ve played together, bringing comfort in crafting this record. We genuinely enjoyed the making of it!
There’s a lot of joy packed into this album. Songs like ‘Pink Lady’ remind me of the laughter we shared creating something fun. I hope that joy translates in the music, but even if it doesn't fully come through, we feel we’re creating our best work.
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Each of your albums has its own charm. Many fans believe this one sounds the most distinct and features more rock elements. Was this a natural evolution for the band?
Yes, I think some of our previous albums had moments like that too. For instance, ‘Acrobats’ from our second album has a definite rock feel. We encompass a variety of influences as a band. When fans hear something that sounds unique or fresh, it could just be an angle from a band member who hasn't been heard as clearly before.
That's the essence of Mount Joy. It’s not a new concept. We’re fortunate to have five musicians who, while not entirely differing in perspectives, approach music from various angles. I believe that diversity of voices throughout our album is what makes us unique.
What’s it like being back on the road and touring again?
It feels great! We’re on our third show, with two shows before this. Each one has gotten progressively better. We’re finding our rhythm, but it takes time to get back to our peak performance together. We need a couple of shows to hit that stride, and with new songs, there's a refreshing energy propelling us.
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Words: Anne Carlson
Main Photo: Charles Reagan
Inset: Erica Harris DeValve
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Since the release of their debut album, Mt. Joy has developed a collection of music that blends their love for folk-rock elements with remarkable bridges and, if I may say,