Wovenhand Genre: Rock Styles: Alternative, Alt-Country, Post-Rock, Industrial, Folk Rock, Goth Location: Elktooth, Colorado Label: SoundsFamilyre Myspace: www.myspace.com/wovenhand Christian label: yes Category: The Spiritualwhats this?
Imagine yourself lost in the damp, dark backwoods of West Virginia, the light slipping away and you come upon an exiled fire and brimstone preacher fighting his demons by a dim flickering fire by mumbling songs, wild eyed, with a deep baritone on top of a droning banjo. That is where Wovenhand’s music takes you.
Since his days with Sixteen Horsepower, David Eugene Edwards, has led his fans, count me as one, into the deep, dark center of Christian music. This is a music where the characters vividly wrestle with temptation and confront their own selves face to face and realize their rescue comes from above. A music where groaning organs and banjos and bass drums drone on through the march into, and out of, the dark side.
The Wovenhand website describes their sound as music from the old world, the new world and another world.
If that sounds scary and gothic, it is a little. Wovenhand’s music has been described as creepy, intensive, Appalachian, gothic, folk, chilling, compelling, brave, unique, beautiful, and mesmerizing. It is all of that. But it also filled with truth and hope as in this lyric from Ten Stone’s “Quiet Nights of the Quiet Stars”, -”I who was lost and lonely, believing life was only a bitter tragic joke/Have found with you the meaning of existence, oh my love.“
Experience the live sound of Wovenhand performing “The Speaking Hands”
David Eugene Edwards, whom NPR described as an artist with a fresh ear, rails against Christianity gone astray. “The church that I grew up in was a Nazarene church, which started in Texas in the ’30s. Women couldn’t wear makeup, they didn’t wear pants, you couldn’t wear red, you couldn’t go to the movies, you couldn’t drink, you couldn’t play cards-all these rules that man makes up out of fear of losing his salvation, basically. And each different denomination has its own set of rules that it lives by, which has brought me to the point where I don’t belong to any organized religion. And I don’t believe in any of them, although I do believe in the true church, and I believe in the Bible, what man has tried to make of it for his own purposes, I want nothing to do with.”
Edwards music digs deep into the temptations we all face, embraces those temptations as we all do and works through the spiritual wrestling matches we engage, until we surrender ourselves to redemption. And only then do we persevere, or we succumb.
Wovenhand started as a solo project for Edwards but has evolved into a full touring bandconsisting of Ordy Garrison (drums), Peter van Laerhoven from Belgium (guitar) and former 16 Horsepower member Pascal Humbert (bass) from France. The bands orchestration is much more dense with the heavy use of a mellotron, banjos, super bass drums, stings and sound samples.
Before I finish fawning over Wovenhand I want to share a video my partner found, that really shows this band in full form.
Wovenhand is one of the most unique music artists of this decade. People stretch to compare them to Nick Cave, Joy Division or the Doors. But Wovenhand’s music is a singular vision, methodical, unrelenting and hauntingly beautiful. Once again we have some of the innovative music of this decade being created by an Underground Christian artist who infuses every song with fiery Truth. Wovenhand is an acquired taste but I implore you to acquire it.
Alright, so if you are reading this right now,I have a challenge for you. You see, I spend a lot of time working on these news posts. About 1-2 hours a day. I do my best to post a wide variety of links for a lot of different artists so that there is something for everyone to read. As our knowledge of the Christ-centered music scene has grown, so have these posts in length and diversity, so i hope you guys are enjoying them.
Here is my challenge: find someone in this post that you have no idea who they are. Then click on the link for them, dig in, and really try to get into them. I promise that you will find something that is at least interesting, but the whole point of these news posts is to make you, the reader, aware of new things. If I can achieve that, then the work is all worth it.
Let us know if you think we missed anything this week, fill out that Contact Us box over there. Stay close with us this next week, Chuck has got some more American Idol stuff coming up, we have lots of artists to share with you, and we will be announcing some cool stuff coming up in the near future, including our journey through the Austin music conference, SXSW.
Anyway, here is your news for the week:
Solid State newcomers The Ascendicate have posted a variety of reviews on their latest effort, To Die As Kings. Indievisionmusic even did an interview with them recently…
Rush Of Fools recently talked about their latest tour and all the events that have taken place since they have been on the road. Read Rush Of Fools update.
Paramore posted a video of them getting some new holes in the face…that’s piercings, folks…Watch Paramore video.
The nominees for the GMA Dove Awards were announced this week. Hopefuls include Chris Tomlin (go kid!), The Afters, Jon Foreman (Switchfoot/Fiction Family), Canton Jones and many more. Read the complete Dove Award nominee list.
For Today posted a huge update including details on thier new album, tour dates, and general future plans. By the way, you DID read our interview with them, right? Well read our interview with For Today. Then read For Today update.
Country artist Dan Evans was featured in an article about the Change Your Life weight loss program. Read about Dan Evans.
Metalcore giants Haste The Day posted their video for the song “Mad Men”. Altpress is also running a contest in conjunction with the band, top prize is a sweet guitar.
According to Indievisionmusic, Sever Your Ties has been hitting the studio as of late. Read Sever Your Ties update.
August Burns Red are having a little contest to win some of the equipment they are using to record their latest CD. Read about August Burns Red giveaway.
Facedown Records has a bunch of stuff going on this week. First up they have their own contest with prizes ranging from free CDs to a Nintendo Wii. Second, the label unveiled its plans to focus on a different ministry each month in need of support as part of their More Than Sound program.
Austin’s own Quiet Company have a new music video up for their song ” Its Better To Spend Money Like There Is No Tomorrow Than Spend Tonight Like There Is No Money”. Watch Quiet Company music video.
To channel Randy Jackson, “I don’t know dawg, American Idol Season 8 is a little weird for me. “ Last night was pretty bad. What is up with these ultra talented singers picking these bad songs? I know these guys can sing, I heard them. Some of it can be attributed to the big step of these inexperienced performers stepping onto that stage for the first time, but that does not account for those songs.
One21 Music is covering Christian music artists competing on American Idol Season 8. Last night Matt Giraud, Mishavonna Henson and Kris Allen performed on the second installment of the semi finals. Front runner Matt Giraud fumbled his position as one of the favorites by unsuccessfully wrestling with” Viva La Vida”. Mishavonna and Kris were near the top of last night’s performances for me but their performances were not thrilling enough to overcome their lack of face time in the auditions and Hollywood Week.
To recap my predictions
Top guy: Adam Lambert
Top girl:Allison Iraheta (if there is any justice)
Next top: I don’t know. It could be any of five (Mishavonna, Kai, Kris, Meagan, Nick)
So as Ryan says lets get to the votes.
Top girl:Allison Iraheta prevails over Jessica Langseth and then sings “Alone” again, showing comfort on the stage beyond what you expect from a 16 year-old who had just made it to American Idol Season 8′s Top 12. She certainly handles it better than her mother who may need to be hospitalized sometime during the season if this continues. Oh, and yes she can sing. Note to Adam Lambert: Watch how she belts the big note but does not over sing and does not act out the song. She is the best girl to perform so far.
Top guy: Adam Lambert wins out over Nick Western. Congratulations to the next Sebastion Bach. Can we see Norman Gentle just one more time? To give Adam his props, he has a tremendous voice. Congratulations, Adam.
Next Highest: Kris Allen made it through what a well deserved surprise. I guess America likes interpretive depth over histrionics. He recreates “Man In the Mirror” but I think he is genuinely surprised. It takes him tome to get into it, but finishes well. Yeah, Kris! Way to go, you 25 million voters.
We now have three Christian performers through to the Top 12: Kris Allen, Michael Sarver and Danny Gokey.
So, Mattand Mishavonna did not make it through. I certainly hope they get a shot at the “Wild Card” show but I don’t know. My final thoughts on the American Idol “Wild Card” is that I hope that Nick Western gets through for calling Simone “sassy pants”.
An aside, Brooke White performed her new single and it was very nice. Off to iTunes everyone, this song is what we expected of her as an artist.
The last group to perform next Tuesday is now easy to figure out.
Christian Performers we are following on American Idol:
Kristen McNamara
Felicia Barton
Scott MacIntyre
The remainder of the Final 36 on American Idol’s Season 8:
Alexander Wagner-Trugman
Arianna Ayesha Afsar
Jorge Nunez
Junot Joyner
Kendall Beard
Lil Rounds
Nathanial Marshall
Taylor Vaifanua
Von Smith
Best wishes to them all!
Join us next Tuesday, March 3rd as we live blog American Idol Season 8.
from left to right: David (drums), Mattie(vocals), Brandon(bass), Ryan & Mike (guitars)
Iowa’s For Today have been making a huge name for themselves ever since they popped up on the hardcore scene over a year ago. After signing to Facedown Records, they released their first full length CD, Ekklesia, in 2008 to widespread positive response. Their combination of brutal mosh hardcore with harmonic metal overtones was well received all over the country by metal and hardcore fans alike. At the eve of their next chapter, with the upcoming release of their latest effort, Portraits, in June, For Today are ready to take over the game.
I recently was able to catch these guys on their tour with fellow Christian metalheads, MyChildren MyBride, at EMOS here in Austin (that’s TX kids). After putting on devastating show full of high energy and evangelism, I got a chance to get to know the guys a little bit, and asked them a few questions. Due to time constraints, I wasn’t able to interview them live, but they were kind enough to answer my questions through correspondence. What follows is my interview with bassist Brandon and drummer David:
One21: Tell us about the bands story, how did you guys get together, how long, why and so on?
Brandon (bass):Well we pretty much started as David (our drummer) and two other guys. They wrote 2 songs and then Ryan joined and there was a bassist named Jon. Then mike joined on guitar. When Jon left the band to go to college, I started playing bass in the band. It made sense since Ryan and I are brothers. Me, Ryan, David, and Mike have all been in the band for the past 3 years at least.. pretty much since the beginning. We had a singer named Matt for about a year and a half. He left to get married, and then Mattie joined. And there you have it..
One21:You guys were working on an album not to long ago, how do you feel about the finished product?
David (drums): Technically, it’s not a finished product till April when we get the recorded, mixed, and mastered version. I am, however, VERY happy and excited with the songs that we wrote. We literally did EVERY single thing that we wanted to do on the album. The breakdowns are heavier, the lyrics are catchier and way more blunt and in your face, and the metal parts are way more metal!!! We’re all dying to hear it recorded.
Brandon: We love it. It turned out awesome. I love all the songs. Definitely tops everything we’ve done.
One21: What is your writing process? Who does what and so on..
David: Ryan & Brandon (brothers) work on lead parts, riffs, and other ideas at home, while I would be at home writing rhythm parts, patterns, breakdowns, crunching transitions, etc. and then would meet with me 2-3x a week for a few hours to work on it all. Then when we would complete a song musically, we would actually record each song on my webcam and send them to Mattie to write lyrics for, and Mike to learn the riffs and make the harmonies for the leads, etc…
Mattie, the newlywed was in Alabama 90% of the break with his wife. When he came back to Iowa with his wife, Candice, we started practicing every day with all 5 of us for about 2 weeks. It was pretty intense!
One21: How would you describe your sound?
Brandon: Let’s see.. Lots of breakdowns, kind of ridiculous guitar parts at moments, and still trying to be catchy.. Some awkward time signatures and lots of guitar harmonies.
David: Heavy, passionate, technical.
One21: How would you describe your live show? Do you think that your sound works well live as
well as on disc?
David: We’ve always been told that our live show is better than our album. I couldn’t agree more, and I see that as a compliment. We make sure we don’t put any fake drums, or record stuff that we wouldn’t’ be able to play live -- because that would be L-A-M-E.
We’re pretty bold and up front about who we are live -- Mattie & Mike do an incredible job at conveying the true purpose of life to the kids at our show -- and that is being sold out for Jesus Christ and doing all that’s in your power to bring his Kingdom back to this earth.
One21:You guys are on a decent size tour (with MyChildren MyBride and The Ghost Inside) right now, is this typical for you guys? How do you think it is going?
Brandon: Yeah we’re out with Mychildren Mybride right now.. It’s been an amazing tour so far. All the shows have been awesome, and the bands are really cool dudes. We’re not used to touring with bands bigger than us though. Usually we’re always drawing more than the bands we’re on tour with, even if we’re not headlining. It doesn’t always make sense to me. I think because we haven’t been on huge tours yet, we aren’t expected to have a draw, even though we’ve been touring non stop for the last 2 years. But this tour is a little different. We’re definitely winning over new fans at every show, especially because MCMB fans will most likely be into our band. It’s a really good tour for us.
David: Things like tours, shows, etc. have been getting bigger and bigger for us in the last 6 months or so. It’s been really incredible and we’re honored to be touring with the band’s that we’re out with. It’s going VERY well and we’ve been getting incredible responses every night.
One21:Do you see a purpose for your band, or is it about the love of music?
Brandon: We are definitely a band for the purpose of spreading the gospel. I love music.. but I think it’s amazing that I can play this style of music for the glory of God. This music scene is one that REALLY needs more of that.
One21:What is the hardest part about being in a (the) band? What is the best part?
Brandon: For me, the hard part isn’t missing home or friends (most of my friends are in other bands anyway), the hard part is staying focused on what the band is called to do. It’s so easy to get caught up in worrying about the crowd, or looking cool or something when i really should be listening for God’s voice. Sometimes it’s easy to forget that we wouldn’t be anywhere without God. The best part though.. man, I really just love everything about tour. I get to hang out with my best friends, see new places, and meet some of the most awesome people ever on an everyday basis. It’s the best.
David: Best -- Never ending adventures, God’s glory being displayed constantly, making new friends, seeing new places.
One21: What is memory that has stuck with you that makes being on the road worth it?
Brandon: There’s so much… I’ve gotten to see so many kids come to Christ since we’ve been doing this. I think that is enough motivation to keep doing this.
David: One word -- Healings
One21: What do you guys do for fun on the road? To let off steam and relax..
David: On off days, myself and a couple of the other guys like to find adventurous outdoorsy things to do -- hiking, climbing, exploring, swimming, etc… For some of the guys it’s just nice to get out of the norm and spend some time alone, etc.
Brandon: I sleep a lot in the van. And I eat more candy and drink more soda than anyone *takes a drink of mountain dew*. We’ve been playing lots of C-Lo with the MCMB guys and the Ghost Inside on this tour. Mostly I lose money haha.
One21: What kind of music do you guys listen to? Who is at the top of your playlist right now…
David: Right now I’ve been listening to a lot of Sleep For Sleepers, Winds of Plague, Copeland, etc.
Brandon: A lot of the stuff I listen to on tour isn’t metal or hardcore at all. I get sick of it after seeing so many bands that sound like that every night. Lately I’ve been listening to Between the Trees, Copeland, Sigur Ros, We the Kings.. stuff like that
One21: Who is Jesus Christ to you?
Brandon: God in the flesh. A man who came to the earth, lived a perfect life, and set an example for us.
David: DA MAN!
One21: What is Christian music?
Brandon: Anything that glorifies God.
David: A music industry run by rich non-Christians out of Nashville with a bunch of fake artists and a few good one’s….they sell thousands and even millions of records to naive comfortable church goers that get something out of it.
One21: What is your opinion about the Christian music industry as a whole?
Brandon: I think people, including myself, and bands need to step it up. If you’re calling yourself a Christian, your purpose in life should be spreading the Gospel. If you’re calling your band Christian, your band’s purpose should be spreading the Gospel as well.
David: We are proud to be a part of what we feel is one of the only legit Christian record labels (Facedown) that focuses on ministry as a whole, and thankfully in the hardcore and metal realm of the music industry -- Facedown Records and our family.
One21: Do you think that it is hard for bands who are Christians to integrate their faith in their art? Is it hard to use that faith as part of making the band successful?
Brandon: I don’t think so. If you’re passionate about something, it should be apparent in the way your art is.. Sometimes people won’t listen to something just because it is “Christian” even if it’s better than the non-Christian version.
David: It really comes down to your faith and bravery. You can’t tell me it’s an issue of your calling, it may be an issue of your initial gifts (ex. public speaking, wisdom, etc), but God already called us to The Great Commission at the end of Matthew, so I think it’s definitely VITAL to integrate it within your music and take it beyond just worshipping him. Don’t hog Jesus to yourselves!
One21: Do you feel that the body of Christian artists have evolved over the years? Is more diverse and talented, or is all just the same?
David: We’re definitely seeing more amazing music every day come out of all scene’s, and the Christian scene is no different. if you look at the quality of recording studios, band’s, guitar players, drummers, etc. -- seems to constantly progress. Here here for good music!
Brandon: I think right now, some of the best artists out are Christian bands.. But it definitely hasn’t always been that way. There’s always the lame, less good Christian version of secular bands.
One21: Why do you think Christian music is important?
Brandon: Everyone listens to music.. If people can get into a band, they’re more likely to be influenced by the lyrics or what the band says from stage.. Which is hopefully something about Christ.
David: Myself included, it’s sucky to really like a band’s music and disagree 110% with everything they sing about.
One21: Do you think that the mainstream public is more receptive to Christian artists today?
David: Much more so than they used to be referring to the mainstream public -- meaning top 40 radio and CCM music hasn’t been too against Christian music as much as the bold kids we see in the hardcore and metal sub-culture music scenes. It seems now-a day that there are fewer neutral scene’s in the underground music scenes. They’re usually either wearing “f**k God” shirts or “Our God reigns” shirts!! Think about it……
Brandon: I think it’s always pretty much the same. The style we play isn’t mainstream, but i think a lot of non-Christians like our band. Non-Christians probably always skip over the K-Love type of radio stations and dismiss them as “weird Jesus music” haha
One21: What would you want to see happen in the Christian music industry in the next ten years? What would you like to see change?
Brandon: I’d like to see more bands that aren’t ashamed of their faith. I’d also like to see the whole “God Free” trend disappear, as I’m sure it will.
David: Politics removed, passion integrated.
One21: What does the future hold for you guys?
David: We finish this tour with MyChildren MyBride in 11 days and then go straight into the studio in North Carolina with Jamie King to record our new CD which we’re STOKED about!! After that we do a headlining tour with Recon and our buddies in A Plea For Purging, etc… That includes Facedown Fest in Pomona (LA)! After that we head out to a fest on the east coast, and before you know it PORTRAITS will hit shelves on June 9th!
I don’t know what to say. That is just an expression don’t you know. I always know something to say. I know these are really good singers. I have been dazzled by many of them, yet they take this step to live television and they seem to fall apart. I have only seen two performances so far in Round 2 that equals what these performers did during Hollywood week.
As you know by now we are covering the Christian music artists competing in American Idol Season 8. None of Wednesday night’s three Christian music artists exceeded expectations, but that was par for the show.
Matt Giraud was the first to perform and, to be frank, I think he squandered his position as one of the favorites. This funky soul singer chose “Viva La Vida”. He tried to squeeze some soul out of a soaring, Anglo, concert performance anthem. It just did not work. In pushing the song, Matt’s vocals became shaky and he struggled to bring the song to life. The judges pretty much agreed. I hope he built up enough goodwill during American Idol’s Hollywood Week to get a Wild Card chance.
Kris Allen followed a few performers later, singing Michael Jackson’s “Man In The Mirror”. He showed a lot of soul for a southern white protestant. After watching it again, I think he was one of the three best male performances. While he did not make us forget Michael Jackson, he sang the song very well and displayed some very good stage presence. He looked quite comfortable without his guitar. I think by the time he performed the judges had worked themselves into a negative moog and were supportive of Kris, but lukewarm on his performance.
Mishavonna Henson finished off the triumvirate of Christian music artists on tonight’s episode of American Idol. She sang “Drops of Jupiter” by Train and I think she gave the second best performance of the night. She is a very good singer, with good stage presence. She owned the song, but did not do anything crazy with it. I think for me, she just showed us that there is something very deep in this girl’s talent. The judges spent most of their time talking about how old she presented herself and that they want her to act more her age. I think they missed a strong, subtle performance.
Here is how I would rank the performances on American Idol’s Semifinal Round 2:
Allison Iraheta- No one was even close to this performance. A show stopper!
Mishavonna Henson- As I said above, a commanding, subtle performance.
Kai Kalama- A very soulful performance of an old standard
Kris Allen- Another soulful performance that was a little funkier than Kalama’s
Adam Lambert- An undeniable vocal talent that is way over the top
Meagan Corkery- Quirky, but unstable performance of “Put Your Records On”
Jessica Langseth- When will she unleash that voice?
Nick Western/Norman Gentle- Made a complete mockery of the show, terrible vocals, but I never stopped smiling. Gets my vote for calling Simon “sassy pants”
Matt Giruad- In trying to make something out of “Viva La Vida” that is not there he stumbled.
Jasmine Murray- Never really found her way in “Love Song”
Matt Breitzke- He just never brought anything to the mid tempo rocker he sang.
Jeanine Vailes- she just did not have it tonight.
Here are my predictions for who will move on to the Top 12 in American Idol Season 8:
Top guy: Adam Lambert
Top girl:Allison Iraheta (if there is any justice)
Next top: I don’t know. It could be any of five (Mishavonna, Kai, Kris, Meagan, Nick)
DialIdol predicts winners from week to week by monitoring busy signals. Last week they got it 100% right. I want everyone to know that everything above this point was written last night. I made my predictions without benefit of DialIdol. Here is what they have to say about the winner of American Idol Season8 Semifinal’s Round 2 and it is pretty amazing. Adam Lambert will be the top guy, not a surprise. Allison Iraheta will be the top girl, as she should be. They will both win by large margins. The surprise is the neck and neck race between Matt Giraud and Jessica Langseth. I guess it really pays to get a lot of face time during the early rounds.
I think both Kris and Mishavonna have a chance to be invited to the wild card round, along with Meagan Corkery and whoever loses out between Matt G and Jessica.
Well, here we are for week two of the American Idol Season 8 semi-finals. We will see how tonight’s performances stack-up to last week’s pretty sorry showing. It is all about song choice, song choice, song choice. Last week I heard too much, “I was trying to show a different side of me”. Remember, tonight is your audition for America, give us your best shot.
At One21music, we are covering Christian music artists competing on America Idol Season 8. Tonight we have three singers who have declared themselves believers: Kris Allen, Mishavonna Henson and Kris Allen. It is going to be a tough night for them with some strong competition from Adam Lambert, Jessic Langseth and Jasmine Murray.
So here we go!
Ryan has dumped the Mr. Rogers look and is wearing a decidedly summer outlook. Danny, Alexis and Michael are in the audience. He introduces Randy, Kara, Paula and Simon. After a little judge banter he explains this season’s format and away we go with Adam Lambert .
It is the Billboard Hot 100 again tonight.
And, to start the night, Jasmine Murray is singing “Love Song” by Sara Bareilles. I really like this song. A slow pitchy start and she struggles with this song that is wrong for her voice. I don’t think it shows her strengths as a singer. She seems to take the song over at the end, but the singing is still all over the place.
Randy doesn’t really like it, wrong song. Paula says “Jasmine, Jasmine” and that is bad. Simon says she does not have a great voice and is hurt when he gets booed. He even says she is not ready.
Yeah! No parents tonight?
Coming back from commercial we get Matt Giraud, the second of our featured performers tonight is singing “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay. Really, Matt, did you not watch the show last week? If you pull this off you will solidify your position as one of the favorites and saunters up to the mike and starts very smoothly. The song doesn’t go anywhere and he really doesn’t take it anyplace new. The singing is all over the place. He didn’t pull it off.
Kara starts it off and she is not blown away. SONG CHOICE! Simon says horrible performance, jerky, uncomfortable.
I like the new rotating judge cycle.
Jeanine Vailes is singing “This Love” by Maroon 5, she brings a little reggae vibe, but she is really struggling to sing it. What is she wearing? Cut-offs and a blazer? This performance is really bad.
Paula follows the philosophy of if you cannot say something good, say nothing. Simon does not know that philosophy. They do all love her legs but hate the song choice. Randy says “best of the part of the song is that it is over.” Randy lobs several bombs at her.
Thank you American Idol for losing the creepy upper room interviews.
Nick Mitchell (Norman Gentle) is performing “And I Am Tellling You I’m Not Going” from Dreamgirls as Norman Gentle! This is great! He gets my wild card! He misses all of the big notes but who cares.
Simon is speechless. Simon prays? [that he does not go through]. Norman takes the stage back calling Simon sassy pants. Randy gets is right “one of the most entertaining performances ever”. Kara and Paula enjoyed it and everyone is smiling.
Allison Iraheta is next performing “Alone” by Heart. This is a song that makes me want to forget the 80′s. I think she may have the worst hair color I have ever seen. It makes my eyes hurt. Good start, very soulful and steady, but now the hard part and, wow girl! Where did that big growl come from? I think the best girl performance of the season so far. Awesome!
And we get yo’s from Randy, “you just blew it out the box”. I agree with Kara, “this girl is serious”. Simon is smiling naming her the best tonight by a mile. I think her mom is going to pass out.
Kris Allen, a worship leader/ college student, is one of our featured performers. He will be singing “Man In The Mirror” by Michael Jackson. He is completely off pitch, can he pull it back? The song is eating him up. Toward the end he is showing off his soulful side but overall, I don’t know.
Kara hated it, But the other three liked it.
Megan Corkery is singing “Put Your Records On” by Corrine Bailey Rae. This girl has a soulful voice but is struggling to get the high notes. She kind of looks like a marionette up there. It is okay.
Paula loves her. I agree with Simon that she over sang the second half of the song. The jusdges lover her but were lukewarm on the performance.
Kara does not think this showed his talent, but Paula liked it. She said he nailed it and Simon agrees! Randy likes him as well. Very nice!
Matt Breitzke, the welder, is singing “If You Could Only See” by Tonic. Nice shirt. He is singing kind of weird at the first. I don’t know this song, is that how the Tonic guys sing it. It is okay, but nothing that blows us away. Kind of boring.
Simon is trying to be nice but absolutely hates that song. Randy likes the song but thinks the performance was boring. There are some contestants that the judges really seem to like. No of them liked this.
Jesse Langseth, one of the favorites, is stepping up to sing “Betty Davis Eyes” by Kim Carnes and what is she doing? Her voice is all over the place. Good stage presence and she is beginning to pick it up at the end. She is very soulful, but just okay tonight.
Randy thinks it is only okay, but not really big enough. Paula finds her captivating with unique phrasing. But Simon thinks she is forgettable. “Too cool for school?” Really, Simon?
Kai Kalama kicks off the last half hour with 60′s tune “What Becomes of a Broken Heart” by Jimmy Ruffen, a great, great soul song. And it looks like we have a soul singer singing it. Great pacing, nice big notes. He is actually taking a very cool song a performing it. Very good.
Judges are lukewarm using “old fashioned”,”wedding singer” and “pitchy” as descripters. Randy is screaming at the contestants about being safe.
Mishavonna Henson, one our featured Christian music artists, is singing “Drops of Jupiter” by Train. Very nice start with this soulful, contemporary song. Oh, very, very nice. She is showing off a big voice and is really controlling the song. Good job, Mishavonna, but no “oh wow” part.
Paula’s not exciting and Simon has been left cold. He thinks she acts too old. They all think she was a little boring and not as vibrant as she should be.
Adam Lambert closes the show singing “Satisfaction” by the Rolling Stones, as musical theater. I don’t know. This dude can sing but this feels like and Elvis impersonator covering the Stones. But he does have, as Randy would say, “a big old voice. Can anybody say Hair Metal cover band?
Paula loves it beyond words. Is he really in a league of his own, Paula? Simon is a little more mixed. Randy drops “da bomb”. Kara is going all crazy about his range.
Mostly disappointing tonight. One big standout, Allison Iraheta.
I am afraid that our Christian music artists did not stand out tonight but let’s see.
Check back in the morning for my wrap-up and predictions. It will be on your desktop by the time any normal person gets to work.
This is actually an old one. I don’t know how I happened upon it, but man am I glad I did. This is just great hip-hop with a great message. Rhema Soul is a three piece team with a female emcee. I don’t know why I told you that, but just to let you know they have a little different flavor than most. Its a solid album, you should definitely tear it up. Enjoy.
The link below will take you to a Mediafire page. Hit the Click Here To Download button. Save the .ZIP file to your computer, EXTRACT ALL FILES after it is done, and this sweet little EP is yours.
UPDATE: it appears that the link below is now password protected, and the band is no longer giving this album away. You can purchase the tracks through the band’s website. Sorry guys, this happens to some of the older links sometimes….
One21music is dedicated to introducing you to the full spectrum of Christian music. In our minds, that is music made by believers written from a viewpoint of hope and faith. We are doing this so that you can experience great, non formulaic music that expresses how we, as believers, live our lives in this world.
This article has nothing to do with music, but it does relate to how we live our lives as believers. Over the next few weeks I am going to take you through a recipe for dealing with today’s troubling financial times.
This past Monday, February, 23, 2009, the Dow Jones stock market index closed at $7,100, the lowest level in 31 years! A long, frightening period of economic retrenchment faces us and if we are not unemployed, we anticipate being laid-off any day. For most of us, our retirement savings have been wiped out and there is no safety net. Fear pervades believers and non-believers alike.
We, as believers, keep a stiff upper lip and profess to put our confidence in God. But I suspect that many of us put confidence in God’s willingness to protect our lifestyle and “provide”. I believe this is a recipe for continued fear and disappointment. Admit it, when you pay your credit card bill, sometimes you have a knot in your stomach. Haven’t you ever looked at your savings and wondered “how you will make it”.
We can be fearless in times like these. If we put our hope in Christ and Christ alone we can walk through these days with joy in our heart. But it is not easy. In reality, it is the most frightening thing we can do.
Matthew 6:25-29 tells us to look at the birds of the air and the lillies of the field and not be anxious. It is a beautiful passage. I sat in a MacDonald’s one cold December morning with tears in my eyes, reading this passage. I was in the midst of a long period of unemployment and, never having faced anything like this before, I was terrified and angry.
This passage brought me comfort that day, but I did not understand it. I thought it meant that I would be okay and God would take care of me. It means that, but not in the way I think most of us think the passage means it. Matthew 6:30-34 shows us the true meaning:
“But if God so arrays the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more do for you, O’ men of little faith?
Do not be anxious then, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “With what shall we clothe ourselves?”
For all these things the Gentiles eagerly seek; for your heavenly Father knows that you shall need all these things.
But first seek His kingdom and His righteousness; all these things shall be added to you.
Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will take care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
I think there are two key, powerful, phrases in this passage. First, … “first seek His kingdom and his righteousness”. If we put God’s kingdom first we should be willing to give up everything else. That is a powerful, gut-wrenching statement. Are you willing to give up everything (every dollar, every relationship, every comfort) for your relationship with God?
A man spoke at our church on Sunday. He told of the time that he had the dream life. He had a beautiful wife, he was a partner in his father-in-law’s highly successful business, he was a rising star in the church his wife had grown up in. He was a wealthy, respected man in his community, yet he was separated from God. He had an unconfessed affair from years earlier. Since his wife had repeatedly stated that infidelity was, for her, an unforgivable transgression, to confess meant losing everything.
But God made it clear that this man could go no further with Him until the sin was confessed. And this man was obedient. Like Abraham taking Isaac, as a sacrifice, to Moriah, this man went to his wife expecting to lose her, his family, his career, his reputation, all his worldly success. He did not go to his wife with hope of her forgiveness. This man was not playing chicken with God. He was willing to lose everything to ‘first seek His kingdom and His righteousness”.
The power that comes from surrendering everything is greater than any wealth you can possess. How can you fear losing anything that you will freely give away?
The second powerful phrase in this passage is ..”do not be anxious for tomorrow”. God says it throughout the Bible. Live every moment as if it is your first moment in eternity, follow Him step by step, do not anticpte a tomorrow that can disappear in a moment.
Two years ago I left the comfort of a 30 year career in corporate America to start a consulting practice. I did not know if it would work or if it would last. That consulting practice, executed day by day with no expectations, has funded my dream – One21music.
Will One21music ever support me? Will it ever even return the cash I have invested? I don’t know. I just get up everyday, thank God for making this possible, ask for his guidance and work as hard as I can. There is a lot of joy around here.
It is easy for me to say that the path to peace and joy is to be willing to sacrifice Everything (yes, with a capital E) and live obediently following God, step by step.
It is virtually impossible for us to blindly fall into the darkness that is our future on this earth . Next week I will explain why.
There is a fine line in music that few can walk. This line is the one that separates the familiar from the new. The easy from the difficult. The lite from the dense. The accessible from the talented. Most artists crumble under the pressure of trying to stay on this line. On one hand they want to be creative and innovative. On the other, they want people to be able to get into their music, to be accepted. Most go one way or the other, some never find either extreme. In the hands of a capable and talented artist however, this line is walked with seemingly effortless execution, understanding, and depth. One of these such artist’s is Louisiana born turned Nashville native Brooke Waggoner.
At only 23, and with only one EP and one full-length LP under her belt, Brooke Waggoner has carved a musical niche’ envied by musicians twice her age. Long before receiving degrees in music and composition, Brooke had played music since she was very young ( before age 10). Once she hit college, her aspirations of just simply writing faded, replaced by a new love of live music and performing. After relocating to Nashville, her first EP entitled Fresh Pair Of Eyes was released in 2007. On the surface, Brooke appeared to fit in to the piano-girl pop scene with Vanessa Carlton and others like her. It does not take long, however, to realize that Ms. Waggoner is miles ahead of her peers. Deep and soulful lyrics company with dense and beautiful piano/folk arrangements in a impressive display of song writing prowess. In 2008, Brooke released her first full-length, Heal For The Honey, to critical acclaim. Patrol Magazine named it “Best Faith-Based Album Of The Year”. The LP was a natural extension of the EP, but with new shades of indie rock and pop progression. All these sounds come together in a gorgeous display of balance and patience, giving listeners a lot to love in Honey‘s eleven tracks.
Brooke’s sound stems from a desire to wear her influences on her sleeves. Her weapon of choice is the piano, but her song writing abilities extend far beyond that. Where most performers in this genre hire writers to compose this and that for their songs, Brooke has her hand in every aspect of her music. Including the string arrangements found on Fresh Pair Of Eyes. Her lyrics are full of whimsical joy, but with tinges of sadness and thought. Every song seems to be a look inside but not so much that the listener cant see a little of themselves. The music lends itself in every way to the lyrical directions of the songs, letting the softer melodies remain, but also allowing the more progressive elements shine. As with every aspect of her art, the sound is creative without exclusion. Easy to understand without dumbing down. So many descriptions can be written, but two seem the most obvious and natural. Beautiful and talented.
Its just one of those things you have to see for yourself
Brooke Waggoner is our quickest hear-her-for-the-first-time-must-to-tell-people-about-her conversion. Artists like Brooke are the type that you might have gone through your entire life without hearing about, especially in the “Christian music” circles. However, those same artists are the ones you cant think of what you would do if they weren’t in your collection after you hear them. The classics you never knew were there. We highly recommend Brooke to fans of any music, because you wont be disappointed. Stop reading this and do yourself a favor, go listen to Brooke Waggoner right now!
Oh yea, you can. You can buy Brooke Waggoner’s music on
HEY, I almost forgot! Click on the link below to get the Fresh Pair Of Eyes EP for free after you sign up for her mailing list. How much better can it get?
Who does this Barack Obama think he is? I have heard he thinks he has a mandate from the American people, but let me assure you Mr. President that your mandate does not extend to interrupting American Idol. Deliver the State of the Union on Thursday night. Survivor is a tired franchise and Grissom has left CSI.
This week, Wednesday is American Idol night and One21music will be live blogging the second semi-final episode of American Idol Season 8.
Last week, two contestants we have identified as Christian music artists, Danny Gokey and Michael Sarver, were voted through to the Final 12. Read our coverage here. To recap, American Idol Season 8 started viewer voting with 36 contestants. For three weeks, they perform in groups of 12. Each week the top male and female vote getters, along with the next highest vote getter go straight to the finals. After those three weeks are completed, the judges will select a group from the remaining 27 to compete one more time for the final three spots in the Final 12.
At One21music we are covering Christian music artists who are competing on American Idol’s Season 8.
Kris is a worship leader from Arkansas. He has not received much airtime but he was part of the group White Chocolate from Hollywood Week that performed the rapping, beatboxing version of “I Want You Back”. Kris is a college student who leads worship at his church, for his on-campus ministry organization and on mission trips around the world.
Matt is the dueling piano player and singer/songwriter from Michigan. He has released two R&B recordings with strong Christian messages. He was part of White Chocolate as well and seemed to take leadership in arranging their performance.
Mishavonna is an 18 year-old singer, songwriter and actress from California. We have not seen much of her so far, but she made it to Hollywood week in Season 7. She has won awards at national youth group conferences and sings for her local church.
All three face some tough competition. Jasmine Murray is a terrific singer who seems to be the “it teenager” this year. Adam Lambert is a very theatrical singer with a great voice. And of course there is the most interesting contestant I have ever seen on American Idol, Nick Western (a.k.a. Norman Gentle). Western seems to be a good singer but who really cares. This guy makes me laugh.
I like the new format, it makes each of these four shows seem like the final.
I hope the contestants learned from last week’s show. This is the first time America wil really see you. Don’t try to show “another” side of yourself as a performer. Bring the best you got and worry about versatility later.
Christian music artists performing on Wednesday’s American Idol
Kris Allen
Matt Giraud
Mishavonna Henson
The remainder of the Final 36 on American Idol’s Season 8:
Adam Lambert
Allison Iraheta
Jasmine Murray
Jessica Langseth
Kai Kalama
Matt Breitzke
Megan Corkrey
Nick Western (a.k.a. Norman Gentle)
Jeanine Vailes
This is a tough group so it should be an exciting show. Join us while we live blog on Wednesday.
