The Order of Nature Today, is the highly anticipated collaboration project from genre bending solo artist Jim James, and composer/conductor/music director of the Louisville Orchestra, Teddy Abrams. This “magical collaboration” was born from a friendship that formed in the artist’s hometown of Louisville, KY. The songs on the album were written by Jim James and then orchestrated to life by Teddy Abrams through cinematic soundscapes of the Louisville Orchestra. The conductor and his Orchestra were able to create soundtracks that allow the talent of James to shine through in a whole new light.

Track list:
1. Walking in the Snow
2. Here in Spirit
3. The Human Touch
4. In Demand
5. Back to the end of the World
6. Who am I?
7. Over and Over
8. Set it to Song
9. Same old Lie

The album’s conception is based on James’ theory of the absence of hate in nature, in the album text he goes on to say, “Animals kill each other, but only out of hunger, while humans daily choose to hate – we choose to ignore the order of nature and that choice is wreaking havoc.” Not only did the iconic Louisville duo release their highly anticipated collaboration album, The Order of Nature Today, but they also released the music video for “Back to the End of the World.”

Their music video embodies the symbol of a hate-less nature civilized by an unaware incompetence of those living on the slowly decaying environment. The emotionally charged video depicts children in a panic as the world around them is ingulfed in flames and covered in floods, while their parents seem to be in some sort of hypnotized state incapable of action. James wanted to stress the importance of listening to the generation that will inherit the earth and all its problems. He describes the music video conception of something he, “really wanted the video to show the need for us to listen to the powerful voices of our young leaders if we want to make real progress on important issues like climate change… so that we can all work together towards true peace, prosperity, and longevity- for ourselves, future generations, and the planet with all its glorious forms of life.”

Jim James and Teddy Abram will take the Louisville Orchestra on a small tour consisting of four shows that will take place at the end of the year and after the first of the year. Their last two performances will be accompanied by the symphonies of the hosting cities. Their tour schedule can be seen below.

10/19/19 – New York, NY – The McKittrick Hotel
10/20/19 – New York, NY – Le Poisson Rouge
5/12/20 – Seattle, WA – Benaroya Hall*
5/15/20 – Denver, CO – Boettcher Hall^
*Joined by Seattle Symphony
^Joined by Denver Symphony

Photo Credit: Kalyn Oyer