| Justin McRoberts | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 1, 1974 |
| Origin | Oakland, CA |
| Genres | Singer-Songwriter Contemporary Christian |
| Occupations | Singer, songwriter |
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Labels | Independent Previously 5 Minute Walk |
| Website | JustinMcRoberts.com |
Justin McRoberts (born January 1, 1974 in Oakland, California) is an independent singer-songwriter from the San Francisco Bay area. McRoberts released two albums with 5 Minute Walk before the label disbanded in 2001. Since then he has independently released four studio albums, a live album, and five EP's. He tours year round.[1]
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Before his career as a singer-songwriter, McRoberts spent four years on staff with Young Life.[1] During this time he wrote songs without industry support In 1998 he was signed to 5 Minute Walk Records.[2] His debut album Reason for Living (1999), was written primarily about his experiences with Young Life. The following year, he released Father (2000) which deals with the darkness surrounding the May 1998 suicide of his father.[3] McRoberts comments that the theme of the album is "letting God fill in the space" created by personal loss.[4]
During this time, McRoberts toured nationally with artists such as Five Iron Frenzy, The W's, Caedmon's Call, Jennifer Knapp, and others, and made appearances at the Cornerstone Festival.[4][5][6] Since leaving 5 Minute Walk in 2000 McRoberts has continued to produce records independently. According to McRoberts, the manner in which his label had supported his work, primarily through heavy touring, set him up to continue his career as an independent artist after the collapse of the label.[5] Through his work he has continued to support and promote community outreach programs such as Young life.[7]
In 2001, McRoberts released his first independent work, The Untitled EP (2001), a collection of devotional songs. McRoberts purposely left the recording nearly entirely unedited, writing that, "The simplicity of the recording is intended to highlight the human side of faith, wherein life is not often refined."[1] It is perhaps this stripped-down approach to music that he is best known for.[8] In concert, he often appears on stage with only his guitar and no backup support.
His next work, Trust (2002) was the first full length album he had released as an independent artist. Aimed primarily at the non-church going crowd, the album touches on the stories of those disenchanted with American Christianity. McRoberts says, "My hope is to inspire believers to understand those who do not recognize God in their world."[1]
Next came Intersections (2003), dealing with the opportunities that intersections in life provide for change. McRoberts says, "Much of the album's content deals with renewing the way I see the world around me; learning to recognize the eternal value in every moment, every relationship, every song, trying to cut through the utilitarian perspective I am so used to bringing to my everyday." [1] McRoberts released Live At Grove City (2004) the following year.
In October 2005, McRoberts released Grace Must Wound. The album deals primarily with the desire for life to be easy, focusing on the Flannery O'Connor quote and title of the album, Grace Must Wound, telling us that pain is essential to a Christian's spiritual journey.[9]
McRoberts released'Deconstruction' in the Spring of '08. "We really wanted to limit the instrumentation to what was essential; let the songs breathe on their own." The record's feel supports its theme in limiting or even tearing down what is superfluous in order to more intimately engage in what is real.
In 2010, Justin released "Through Songs I Was First Undone," a collection of song covers of songs that have touched his life. His next project, called "CMY(K)" will be a series of three EP's being released in July, September, and November. These EP's will be written and recorded in similar fashion to the Untitled EP.
McRoberts is also credited with various parts on other's albums, notably including Five Iron Frenzy's All the Hype That Money Can Buy, Five Iron Frenzy 2: Electric Boogaloo, The End Is Near, and The End Is Here, Brave Saint Saturn's The Light of Things Hoped For, and Roper's Brace Yourself for the Mediocre.
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