Melding folk-pop, jazz and roots styles, Juno-nominated and multiple GMA Covenant Awards-winner Mike Janzen independently releases his eighth solo album, The End of Myself, today (June 4). Available at digital and streaming outlets everywhere via https://wingsmusic.lnk.to/TheEndofMyself, the innovative, 12-song recording is an all-original of folky, soulful music from this consummate pianist, composer and arranger.

Written, produced and arranged by Janzen with Phil Schawel (Jon Guerra, Patrick Mayberry) mixing three of the songs,The End of Myself explores the place where new beginnings rise from the ashes of one’s own dreams. From experience, Janzen shares how coming to the end of yourself is one of the most disorienting, difficult places to be at while mysteriously also being the place of revival.

“Back in 2016, I suffered a debilitating concussion and found myself at the very bottom, unable to work or do much of anything,” he says. “God was surprisingly present at the bottom in those years, and I slowly discovered a new path forged not from my abilities but from being loved by the Eternal.”

The End of Myself wrestles with those hard places in life. It also encourages a way of being that leaves past failures behind and enfolds into the mantle of God’s belonging.

“When writing songs, I often pick themes that challenge my assumptions and change me as I absorb the words,” shares Janzen. “In these songs, you’ll hear the tension of being an artist in the spotlight with knowing greatness is found in the unnoticed margins. There will be notes of past failures mixed with the tones of longing to love others better in my present life. The self-donating nature of God is contrasted with my self-promoting realities. These songs challenge me to value community over individualism and to redefine seemingly insignificant tasks as holy work.”

In the stand out folk/country blues single, “The Bottom of Myself,” which features the stellar, soulful guitar of Joey Landreth, Janzen sings about the valleys in life and how faith is present at the bottom of ourselves.

“This transformation from death to life is at times painful,” realizes Janzen, “but I hope that the seed of the kingdom is growing deep in my life and producing fruit that blesses the world around me.”

In the song “Unless a Kernel of Wheat,” Janzen sings His throne is in the dying, and this juxtaposition is the root from which much of this album blossoms. “Three Times” offers restoration from the shame of our failings while “Make My Life Great” speaks to a new way of being where the flourishing of others outshines the spotlight of our ego. “Firestorm” shares how dying to self can be both invigorating and excruciating. “Love You Like That” offers a hopeful prayer that inward storms would transform struggle into unexplained beauty as the closing track, “Bells of the Carillon,” contains an invitation to travel the path that begins with an ending but ends with a resurrected beginning.

The full The End of Myself track listing follows:

01) Noah

02) The Bottom of Myself

03) Three Times

04) Make My Name Great

05) Unless a Kernel of Wheat

06) Poison in the Lights

07) Firestorm

08) Love You Like That

09) Holy Ordinary

10) And the World Waits

11) Breaking Through

12) Bells of the Carillon

Janzen has toured across North America, performing in concert halls, churches and at festivals while combining his undeniable talent with a desire to create music that draws attention to the Maker. Tonight (June 4, 7:30 pm ET) he hosts The End of Myself album release party being held at the Redwood Theatre in Toronto.

All the latest Mike Janzen music, tour and more news can be found at www.mikejanzen.ca, Facebook, YouTube, PraiseCharts, Instagram, Apple Music and Spotify.

About Mike Janzen:

A gifted songwriter, pianist and composer, Mike Janzen brings a signature, vibrant sound that is the constant in his diverse portfolio.

Toronto-based Janzen in 2021 released The Psalms Project, a double album lauded by Steve Bell as “a marvel in songwriting” and by JUNO-winner Laila Biali as “an oasis for the spirit.” Guest performances by outstanding musicians (Steve Bell, Laila Biali, Erin Propp, Joey Landreth and Abbie Parker) lend enchanting musicality throughout.

The sonically diverse and richly cinematic follow-up album, Songs from the Canyon (2023), features guest performances by GRAMMY-winner Dee Wilson and Indigenous artists Coco Stevenson and Jonathan Maracle. Live audiences were enthralled at live Psalms Project concerts in notable venues across Canada.

Since 2006, Janzen has headlined a Jazz Times-lauded jazz trio featuring bassist George Koller and drummers Davide Direnzo or Larnell Lewis. Janzen’s album Nudging Forever, a composition blending jazz and classical styles, earned a JUNO “Album of the Year” nomination in 2017.

Janzen has composed works for television (Global News, 100 Huntley Street), film, choir and solo piano. His arranging skills are featured in the music of Steve Bell (over 30 orchestral shows) as well as his Reimagining Broadway show (featuring Sarah Slean) that has toured across Canada, most recently in 2024 in Quebec City.

 

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