My Jerusalem started out as a collective of sorts, a group of friends who had toured together, played around town, or just crossed paths somewhere in this huge musical universe.  Somehow, despite being scattered all over the country, they recorded a gorgeously infectious album, Gone for Good, which earned them slots opening for the likes of Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, White Arrows and the Avett Brothers as well as several slots on the European festival circuit.

Imagine what My Jerusalem could do as an actual band – which is what they have now become. Founder Jeff Klein (a great solo artist in his own right, who has also been nabbed to play with the likes of Ed Harcourt and the Twilight Singers) solidified the group in his home base of Austin. The five piece now consists of Klein on vocals and guitars, keyboardist/guitarist Jon Merz, multi-instrumentalist Michael St. Clair, drummer Grant Van Amburgh, and bassist Geena Spigarelli. Their new album, Preachers, is out now on The End Records.

“Last time the album was really unfocused and put the ‘y, in D.I.Y.,” said Klein about the first recording process. “This record we did in about 2 weeks with Jim Eno (drummer with Spoon who has lent his production hand to groups like Heartless Bastards and Polica). We worked on all the songs together so it’s way more cohesive. It’s a little darker, a little more rock and roll. We sound like a band, not just like a bunch of dudes.”

Lyrically, the songs on this album focus on broader themes than on Gone For Good, as Klein wrote more from a band perspective than as a solo artist, which was a change for him. “We did the music first and then the lyrics for most of them, which is opposite my normal process. I’m writing less introspectively and less about myself because I already did that for a bunch of records.”

This new “band” output creates a sweeping cinematic quality, and one can definitely hear their southern gothic roots, as evidenced by the lead single and title track “Preachers.” There is a driving intensity at play too, with the pounding  “Born in the Belly,” punctuated by Klein’s agonized wails as the song barrels along like a speeding car down a late night desert highway. The haunting harmonies and subtle spaghetti western twangs are perfect compliments to Klein’s deep baritone (which is capable of reaching desperate heights). That doesn’t mean the band can’t bust out with fun indie numbers like “Little Sister,” a suitable companion to producer Eno’s band Spoon, or the positively jaunty “Mono” about being sick and stuck in bed.

While recording, Klein fesses up to occasional antics to break up the hard work the band did during the two weeks they were in studio. “I did a lot of Paul Stanley impressions,” he recalled, which caused the rest of the band to start laughing. “Oh yea, I was pretty much channeling my inner Paul Stanley for most of it.”

“Yea, pretty much every day,” agreed Merz.

My Jerusalem’s new album, Preachers, is out now on The End Records and they are on tour throughout the end of the year (including several opening dates with the legendary X). Check out their website for more info.

- Mo Herms for Moheak Radio

ThisIsMyJerusalem.com/

Watch the video for “Preachers:”