The Awakening

Christie Josef and The Purpose released their 4th album, The Awakening in 2021 during the height of the pandemic.  The title song was written in Sedona, Arizona where Josef went to retreat from the world, seeking to gain understanding about the true meaning of life and to find clarity on how to move forward in these times. It was paradox that demonstrated itself over and over. The reminder that there are many ways beyond one’s own experience to perceive a situation. Understanding, compassion, and kindness are the highest-good ways to move forward.

Josef returned home to Portland, Oregon and began working on the new album. René Ormae-Jarmer came in to play drums and blew the band away with her skill, precision, and great take on the songs. John Neff, Bret Malmquist, and Ormae-Jarmer put their spin on Josef’s nine new songs, tightened them up and recorded the rhythm tracks with Neff in the producer’s seat at his Lab Studio where the band also rehearsed.

With the rhythm track recorded, Malmquist laid down his brilliant lead guitar tracks, then the fantastic Carl Smith came into the studio to put his world-class percussion touch on the songs. The always creative Skip VonKuske stepped in to arrange the strings. His stellar cello work flavors the album, and Lauren Elledge with her heartstring violin and viola blend and transport. Ormae-Jarmer stepped up on backing vocals and The Awakening was born!

In The Awakening, Josef’s songs explore the existential and day to day meaning of life, death, what to hold onto and what to release, and the journey of navigating times like we have never known - both personal and on the global stage. Josef holds tight that there are solutions based in Unconditional Love and Highest Good.

(2021)