Marking a decade in the music industry, Northeast Ohio producer Anthony Church is set to release his most personal project yet. ‘Grateful Is An Understatement’ drops on Bandcamp on 25 September before arriving on all major streaming platforms on 30 October.
Bringing together 15 artists over 12 self-produced tracks, the compilation album fuses soulful boom bap textures with emotionally rich, melodic cuts. Featuring collaborations with the likes of Chester Watson, Heno., and Jacobdeloakland, the record serves as a testament to resilience, community, and the quiet victories of daily life.
The album also provided a channel for real-time healing following a difficult period in Anthony’s personal life, translating quiet struggle into a grounded, lived-in soundscape. The lead single, 'Staring' featuring Chester Watson, showcases this approach through an intricate, jazz-infused hip-hop arrangement paired with an animated visual directed by Sigmund Washington.
In this interview, Anthony sits down with us to discuss his ten-year journey, his songwriting process, and the central themes of gratitude that anchor his latest work.
Thank you for joining us today, Anthony! You started making music ten years ago. What first inspired you to take that step and pursue production?
“I began ten years ago in 2016 after graduating high school. I really felt the need to dive into it after studying music production for about four years, and it ended up being the best decision I could've made. I was inspired mostly by artists and producers I had been listening to at the time via online platforms like 2DopeBoyz, HotNewHipHop and other blogs during the 2010s that helped shape my love specifically for hip-hop.”
Could you tell us a bit about ‘Grateful Is An Understatement’ and what achieving this project means to you personally?
“This album was inspired mostly by how I've been feeling in recent years overall as a human being. Just being grateful to be alive every day and do what I love to do. I had always wanted to make a project that I fully produced that would have a different artist or artists on each song, and I wanted to pursue that goal finally. I'm glad I went for it because it paid off big time!”
Were there specific artists or compilation projects that influenced your approach during the creation period?
“I was listening to a lot of other producer albums and primarily producers who had also made compilation albums in the past. People like Apollo Brown, NappyHigh, Elaquent and many of my favourites were getting played during that creation period.”
How would you describe the overall sound and emotional landscape of this record?
“It focuses on and around production that is emotionally charged. When I made most of these beats, I had been going through a rough stretch in my personal life and was channelling all of those feelings into the music. I think doing that on the music side then helped to inspire each artist to write and record what they did. That plus explaining the overall theme to them helped create a space for real reflection and honesty on each song.”
What is your typical musical process when building a track from the ground up?
“For me it's obviously writing the music itself, and it never really wavers too much. I always start with melody, and then once I have something that feels good, I build the drums, bassline and other surrounding elements. This album followed that process closely once again, and it was easy to chase each feeling to where I felt like it was calling me to go. I think it came together exactly how I envisioned it in its initial stages.”
Is there a core theme or message you hope listeners take away from the album?
“To really just make music for people to think about the joys and the simple things in life. Even the cover art is meant to reflect that sort of childlike wonder in how it makes you feel. Sometimes we overlook even the simplest things each day, but those things can be the most powerful influences and provide us with so much inspiration. That's really what I want this album to convey as a whole.”
When you are producing or writing, what is the single most important element a track must achieve?
“Making something that evokes some kind of strong emotion with the listener. Even on my instrumental albums the goal is to channel a thought or memory for someone to really dwell on and sit with, no matter what that might be for them as an individual. If it doesn't do that, chances are I won't feel good about putting it out.”
What advice would you offer to emerging producers and artists navigating the early stages of their careers?
“Just keep going and pushing through even in the rough stages of your journey. You'll always be faced with different ups and downs, but if you continue to ride the wave and take it one day at a time, that will start to pay off before you know it.”
What has the initial feedback on the album been like, and what are your hopes for its legacy over time?
“For the select few who have heard it already I've gotten a lot of great responses, and it seems to be striking a good chord with people. I think the beauty though will be to see who it impacts years from now, and my hope is that it is timeless in a way where it can be meaningful with new and old listeners alike.”
Do you have a final message for our readers, and where can they find your work?
“Anyone who checks out this album or any of my other work, just know I appreciate you for taking the time to do so. People can listen to anyone nowadays, so whenever someone takes even a few minutes to play one of my songs, it doesn't go unnoticed. You can hear my work on all streaming platforms, but definitely tap in on Bandcamp for all of the exclusive releases, including the premiere of ‘Grateful Is An Understatement’ on September 25th.”
The ten-year milestone for any artist marks a period of mature reflection, and Church has successfully translated a decade of learning into a cohesive, deeply resonant body of work. By pairing expressive beatmaking with a clear sense of artistic purpose, ‘Grateful Is An Understatement’ balances personal healing with collaborative precision.
As the album rolls out from Bandcamp to wider streaming platforms this autumn, it stands as a reminder of the power of grounded, honest Hip-Hop production. Listeners seeking soulful arrangements combined with thoughtful lyricism will find plenty to revisit across these 12 tracks.
Be sure to check out Anthony Church’s website or follow him on TikTok, Instagram, and X. For more, you can also check out his latest music on Bandcamp.
