The JR Band’s new single, “Predilection,” creates a musical haven for listeners.
The Americana instrumental transports fans to an idyllic sonic space that lies somewhere between fantasy and reality.
“The idea for the title ‘Predilection’ comes from a conversation in Carlos Castenda’s writings, The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge,” said Randy Juhl, who’s from Bay City, Michigan, and serves as the band’s vocalist, guitarist, and violinist.
“It’s how Don Juan describes a warrior’s ‘place of predilection’ as a physical spot that grounds you, restores you, and reconnects you with your purpose. That concept has always struck me as being profound, and with this song, I realized that my own place of predilection isn’t necessarily physical but rather musical.”
Juhl and bandmate John Patrick soar on “Predilection,” which features a tranquil blend of acoustic guitar, organ, mandolin, violin, double bass, and banjo.
“For me, that space is a kind of inner landscape where I wanted the instrumental to reflect that sense of lifting off into a place that’s familiar yet expansive,” Juhl said. “A few early listeners told me it felt like a journey, and that meant a lot because that’s exactly how I experience it.”
I recently spoke with Juhl about the band’s new single and the creative process behind it.
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