It’s 2017. James Bishop has just passed the thousand-mile mark. There’s dirt under his fingernails, grit in his teeth, and dust in his hair. He came here to find God, and instead, the trail used him to make a record.

Bishop had just graduated college, which precipitated a personal crisis. Faith, art, and music suddenly felt more like questions than answers. So he made the absurd and radical choice to hike 1,400 miles on the Pacific Crest Trail while recording the sounds that would become BODYBOUND.

BODYBOUND is Bishop’s striking debut album. Found sounds from the PCT are its foundation: Ice crackles in Alpine streams; skies crash with thunder; steps thud, and crickets chirp. Bishop masterfully layers guitar and vocals over these organic soundscapes, creating rich, textural compositions. BODYBOUND is cohesive yet defies categorization. Bishop taps into a range of influences, from punk to classical and EDM — he introduces the grandeur of a 100-voice choir in one moment, leaning into electronic grunge in the next. Bishop’s production techniques stand out, but his lyrics speak straight to your humanity. As a whole, it transmutes existential nausea into the thrill of being alive.

BODYBOUND introduces audiences to James Bishop, but the artist’s origin story goes back further. Bishop spent his childhood in a mobile home with more instruments than people. He also developed an early mentorship with uncle and producer Dave Darling. Bishop attended Point Loma Nazarene University, where he studied music composition. After graduating in 2017, he laid the groundwork for BODYBOUND while staying active in the music community, producing music for fellow artists and composing independent film scores.

In 2022, Bishop signed a production deal with KZZ Music. The multi-media production company would give him a platform to release and promote his music. “I’m thrilled to be working with KZZ,” Bishop shared. “It’s allowed me to step more into the professional sphere, and it feels incredible to have fellow creatives back my vision.” With a taste of BODYBOUND, fans will be eager to hear what’s next.