I&R is the music of Josh Cournoyer, a Nashville-based songwriter, bandleader, and recordist. The duality of his New England DIY origins and the collaborative playground that is Music City, his adopted home since 2014, is the connective thread throughout I&R’s recordings and live shows. Hymnal Victoria, the 2024 extended play and follow up to 2019’s Bankrupt City and 2022’s Keep the Sun in Your Eyes, shines with optimism in the face of trying times. Once again the songs are composed, engineered, and produced by Cournoyer with the help of his frequent collaborators, Michael Poorman (Hot Rod Circuit) and Zac Clark (Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness). In contrast with the pandemic isolation of Keep the Sun in Your Eyes, the latest release was intentionally made in community. Hymnal Victoria features contributions from Suzie Zeldin (The Narrative, Twin Forks), Dylan Sevey (The Minks, Ron Gallo), Joe Pisapia (Guster, Ben Folds), Nicole Atkins, and Dave “Squirrel” Covell (Shangri-La Studios). During the writing and recording of Hymnal Victoria, Josh honed his craft contributing to studio recording and live performances with artists like Ben Folds, Robert Finley, and Ian Ferguson.
“...a stunning example of Cournoyer’s artistic growth since moving to Music City.”