tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11813659583899039992024-02-18T20:55:25.629-05:00The Staten Island Band GuyThe one stop shop for all your favorite bands and local artists, from the perspective of a fellow performer in a quest for great music.Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18406352209104455489noreply@blogger.comBlogger303125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1181365958389903999.post-31451641289659795272014-03-30T02:50:00.000-04:002014-03-30T02:50:35.169-04:00One Month of Beatles and How I Discovered the Greatest Band of All Time (50 Year Anniversary)<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Sorry for the prolonged absence, but I was conducting a little experiment with myself. The experiment: listen to nothing but the Beatles for a month straight. To be quite honest, this was a bit of an unexpected journey because prior to February, I was not a fan of the Beatles. Yes, I know, blasphemy to music fans! Justin, how can you be a musician and not listen to the founding fathers of modern rock? It was simple, I listened to what was in my era...or that was my excuse at least. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">A child of the 90s, and a music fan of the early 2000s, I was pretty ignorant to classic rock, and hearing it would make me cringe a bit. For me, everything was dated, and I liked what I grew up on naturally. The Beatles were always obviously there, and I gave them the respect and reverence they deserved and even knew some of the greatest hits. However, with that being said, I had no interest in digging deeper, and boy was I wrong.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">This idea sparked from the Beatles 50th anniversary of the Ed Sullivan show performance that kicked off Beatlemania. I watched the whole show with my father, and slowly got introduced to John, Paul, George, and Ringo. Seeing their impact on music, and how one legendary talk show performance changed the world, I thought at 25 years of age that it was a good time to get acquainted. I made it a goal to listen to a few albums at work the next day.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Well, with so many classic albums to choose from (all of them), I decided to begin with one of the more popular ones, <i>Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.</i> From there I bounced around. It took around two or three days to listen to every album, and I decided I would listen the rest of the week after posting my thoughts on Facebook. Many people suggested I listened to an album two or three times before I made a decision. One week of Beatles stretched into two weeks, then into three weeks, and finally I decided to go the whole month listening to nothing else unless it was required of me for work, or it was on where I was. I did not consciously put on anything myself, other than music I worked on with my band.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Curiosity turned into creativity, as my song writing began to transform in front of my band one practice. At a time when I am normally listening to the group play a song and thinking of lyrics, I began conducting the song in my head. I heard drums parts, breaks and stops, guitar chords, harmonies – it was pretty awesome. An impromptu jam, became a solo song. The juices were flowing, was it the Beatles? I don't know, but I felt especially inspired.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">At this point of my month, I had listened to every record around eight times, and really grew to love the Beatles from 66-69, the experimental years. It was amazing to hear the birthing of the very music I listened to in their songs. The first metal, the first punk, the first progressive – it really was an amazing thing, and I made a connection to everything I listen to now. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Even now, as I am back on "regular" music, it sounds so different to me. Some of it does not seem worthy, and some it really reminds me of the Beatles, which is a funny thought. I tend to find myself looking a little deeper into songs now to see what the song actually is sonically and technically, rather than the words and lyrics. Hip-hop has been weird so far because it is far removed from the Beatles, and it took me a while to build back in. Again, I am looking for content and context.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">What the Beatles managed to do, was evolve with every album they put out. Sure, some albums were similar, mainly ones that were back to back, but they still had their own distinct quality and sound. I couldn't get enough of the music.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">I scoured the Internet for every back track, demo, studio session, unreleased song; and I found them. I heard all the live tracks, all the special editions, and even their records as the Quarrymen. I became obsessed really. It seemed a bit crazy, but the music just hit me and affected me. Wikipedia was my best friend as I looked up every song meaning, album break down, and who did what track per track.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">But enough about me, lets talk the music. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">My top Beatles albums changed many times during my journey, but I think I am able to round out my favorites based on the amount of times I have revisited them since February.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><b><i>1. Rubber Soul</i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">There is just something about this album that I can't stop listening to. As a whole, every track hits me perfectly. This album was the end of the friendly boyish stars, and the beginning of the trippy hippy music revolutionaries. <i>Rubbersoul </i>provided the perfect blend of both eras of the Beatles. From the iconic opening riff of "Drive My Car" to the controversial but so bad it's good closing of "Run For Your Life," this album is flawless. Other highlights for me include, "Michele," "I'm Looking Through You," and "Nowhere Man." I can basically pop on this album at any point of the day, and I'll randomly be singing one of these tracks, so fair warning.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><i>Sgt. Pepper</i> gets a ton of the shine as being arguably one of the best Beatles albums, but I believe their follow up is even better. Unfortunately some great singles that should be on Pepper, wound up on here, and because of that, Mystery Tour edges it out. The opening "Magical Mystery Tour" sets the tone for the entire album, "The magical mystery tour is waiting to take you away..." "The Fool on the Hill" is an often forgotten classic. "Blue Jay Way" is my favorite Harrison song, and perhaps one of the trippiest and most fun musically. The non-sense of "I Am the Walrus" and the imagery of "Strawberry Fields" is fantastic as well.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><b><i>3. Abby Road</i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">This album was the end of the Beatles, and they sure went down in style. Despite many problems and internal conflicts within the band, the guys managed to churn out a timeless album that until this day serves as a wonderful farewell. The bass line of "Come Together" carries the album right in. "Something" is the next highlight track, and is one of the band's best ballads. "I Want You (She's so Heavy)" is perhaps the simplest song lyrically written by the band, but it happens to be my favorite song. This song really is "heavy," the bass line is incredible, and the force and passion behind the few lines is unmatched. "Here Comes the Sun" is a great cut, and of course "The End," the only track to feature a solo by Ringo, and a solo for everyone on the same track. Had <i>Let it Be</i> not been released, this was the goodbye they were looking for. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><b><i>4. Revolver</i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><i>Revolver</i> also frequently makes in into the top spot of greatest albums ever, but for me, it just did not resonate as much. As an album, it feels so complete through and through, but I think what it is lacking for me is the ability to captivate me in every song. With that being said, the production qualities and effects used on this album were ground breaking for the time. The maturity and overall creative approach to recording an album was unbelievable, and many techniques used here are amazing even now. <i>Revolver </i>like <i>Rubbersoul</i> opens up in grand fashion with "Taxman," which is followed by the huge "Eleanor Rigby." "I'm Only Sleeping" follows, which is in my top five Beatles songs. For me, <i>Revolver </i>has one of the best openings of any of their albums, but it loses me a bit in the middle. I'm not too found of the Indian influenced songs, but appreciate their sentiment. The second half of the album's "Good Day Sunshine" is my only other top song on here.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><b><i>5. The Beatles "White Album"</i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><i>The White album</i> is essentially a collection of Beatles inspired solo work. As a whole, this album does not really have continuity, but when picked a apart and played with the notion that the entire band began falling apart, it picks up a whole other meaning. On this album you see John's experimentation, Paul's vocal and creative range as his voice goes through the motions of many different styles, and George's wonderful ability to craft timeless songs on his own. A bunch of the songs on this album display sounds that were previously unheard before, and they essentially invented genres on the spot within the walls of the studio. The Beatles really were master craftsmen at starting off an album, "Back in the U.S.S.R." is another example of this. The softer "Dear Prudence" is a nice cut, while the silly catchiness of "Bungalow Bill" seems to draw me in every time, even if it does feature a rickety verse by Yoko. Another classic by George is on here, "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" and Lennon's journey into drugs and progressive rock, "Happiness is a Warm Gun." The old timey feel of "Rocky Raccoon" is fun, and "Helter Skelter," is a nice surprise and a warm welcome to metal in its earliest form. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><b><i>6. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band</i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Having this album at the halfway point for some may be considered lunacy, but this is my opinion! As a whole, this album flows beautifully, but the best songs were taken off the album. For me, "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" and "Strawberry Fields" are magnificently surrounded by "good" songs but not great. The best part of this album is the final song, and how it switches from John to Paul, and becomes a completely different song within one listen. "A Day in Life" is one of my favorite songs by the band, and honestly is just perfect.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><i>Please Please Me</i> is a foray into perfect pop sensibilities, and the introduction to the Fab Four. The relative ease and smooth listening of these tracks makes them fun. I originally thought most Beatles music sounded like this...was I totally wrong. After so many listens, though not my favorite genre of Beatles, it is something I enjoy because of the catchiness. "Twist and Shout" is amazingly performed by John. The raw subtle screams and rasp of his voice is captivating. "It Won't be Long" and "She Loves You" can get caught on the brain for hours. Other tracks such as "Misery," "Love Me Do," and "Please Please Me" are just so genuine and convincingly awesome.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><b><i>8. Let It Be</i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">To me, <i>Let It Be </i>is a sad album because of the lost potential. Couple that with the movie, and it is essentially the end of the band. The Beatles were able to seek some sort of redemption with <i>Abby Road,</i> but the end was here. It is basically a rough demo cut of songs that could have also been on <i>Abby Road. </i>The release of <i>Let It Be...Naked </i>does a better job of capturing that raw sound they wanted to go back to. With that being said, the album features some great songs. Harrison's "I Me Mine" and "Don't Let Me Down" are a cut above the rest for me. "Dig a Pony" is great, and of course the mighty, "Let it Be."</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><b><i>9. Help</i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><i>Help </i>was the last of the classic sounding Beatles albums. It was a soundtrack for their second movie, and spawned one of their most well known songs of all time. While the album only has a a few songs I would consider some of my favorite's, the album works well together in its track-listing. Aside from "Help," "She's Got a Ticket to Ride" is a lot of fun, and of course the most covered song of all time, "Yesterday." McCartney kills it with "Yesterday" and it is no wonder the song has taken on a whole legacy of its own.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><b><i>10. With the Beatles</i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">The band's second album is a little tighter than their first musically, but not as memorable as their debut. With that being said, the reason why it is so low on my list is because everything else is so great. The standout's of this album are the contagious, "It Won't be Long" and "Please Mister Postman," along with their more upbeat love ballad, "You Really Got a Hold on Me." I have grouped in "I Want to Hold Your Hand" because it was the single that was floating around at the time of the album, and of course, everyone knows this track.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><b><i>11. Beatles for Sale</i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><i>Beatles For Sale </i>is kind of a thrown together album for the group. In the midst of the band's constant touring they essentially had to put together an album because of their demand. The album features mostly covers, and the title plays on them being a hot ticket item. The best cuts from this album include "No Reply," "I'm a Loser," and the infectious "Eight Days a Week." This record squished between to movie soundtracks still holds up well on its own </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><b><i>12. A Hard Day's Night</i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Despite having one of the group's most beloved songs, and being the soundtrack for their first movie, <i>A Hard Day's Night</i> is a little boring for me, and when I went track by track of every album, had the least amount of songs I truly loved on it. Of course the title track is the best song! "I'm Happy Just to Dance with You" is another solid number by the group, and remise of the old school Beatles.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><b><i>13. Yellow Submarine</i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Although some do not view this as a full album, it is often included in box sets as an official one, so for arguments sake, it is here. <i>Yellow Submarine </i>is a scrapped together incomplete album. While being a good and cool album, it does not hold to the Beatles standard of good. "Hey Bulldog" is really the only take away here, while most of the other tracks appeared else well. The second half of the album is movie scoring by their producer George Martin, and although very cool, it is not the Beatles.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Of course this is all subjective as nearly everyone's list is completely different, and to be honest there is no right or wrong answer because no matter what order of albums you pick, it is still all fine. In the grand scheme of things it is incredible to think Beatlemania lasted less than a decade. Every album put out in a seven to eight year span is a certified classic, along with it being an almost genre bending work. The creativity that existed all while touring over 200 days a year and being given a handful of days to go record is incredible. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">The later years of the Beatles were filled with experimentation and landmarks in song writing and recording. It was also filled with tons of drugs, solo workings, and no touring. People say Yoko broke up the Beatles but as someone who has been in a band nearly seven years, I think it was the lack of shows. There is a certain closeness and camaraderie built when performing with band mates and being together all the time. It becomes like a family atmosphere, even if tension rises, it is settled. In the case of the Beatles, they all did their own thing, and then got together after long periods of time to sit down and try to write in the studio. At first this worked, as everyone harbored their creativeness. We saw this in <i>Revolver, Sgt. Pepper, and Magical Mystery Tour</i>. However, the time away became evident on <i>The White </i>album when everyone returned to the table with vastly different songs; basically a batch of solo workings. Nearly half of the songs on the album were not even played with the full band. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><i>Let it Be </i>was the head of the worst time, which is evident in the movie. There is no unity, and no general sense of urgency or interest in playing together. Ringo wanted to do movies and have more creative input, George did not want to be the third wheel anymore, John wanted to make avant garde music with Yoko and made her a constant presence in the studio, and Paul wanted to seize control of the band. Many blame John's insistence of Yoko and waning substance abuse along with Paul's overbearing take over of the band as the two heads clashing to end the band. However, again it goes back to the group. Had they been a cohesive unit that played shows and stuck together, each one would not have stepped out into their own attitudes and ideologies. Every action stemmed from one another. Paul took over because John did not care. George worked better with John and not Paul, and Ringo got pushed further to the back because of the feuding egos.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhneu1CFsH-cYoyHM65ulsofzEtC9gA5zw2oHWrVGulsVnpCNGqsXPQCXHawBTC628-aECPMX-c54uLO79vmw3JD-Dz-IyY8N5d7sC_tKLjgEGaeWS1CHO8eav93E8aZXhaZXz1PUuy5lE/s1600/AbbeyRoadalbum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhneu1CFsH-cYoyHM65ulsofzEtC9gA5zw2oHWrVGulsVnpCNGqsXPQCXHawBTC628-aECPMX-c54uLO79vmw3JD-Dz-IyY8N5d7sC_tKLjgEGaeWS1CHO8eav93E8aZXhaZXz1PUuy5lE/s1600/AbbeyRoadalbum.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><i>Abby Road </i>saw the band pull it together for one more shot, and from the sounds and the feelings of the album it was easy to understand it would be their final curtain call. From the bass line of "Come Together" to the fleeting one time solos of the band in "The End," this was how it was to be. Had John lived longer, this still probably would have been the last record put out by the four piece. There was no other way for them leave. The real last great tragedy of the band is the amount of quality that came from the studio only years. None of these songs were ever played live outside of solo performances by the members and that rooftop performance. With improving technology and bigger stage productions, a show could have been epic, but for now we are only left to wonder what could have been.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">So now, 50 years since Beatlemania, and over 50 years since the band started, the Beatles are still arguably the best band of all time. People can say Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones, Queen, whatever, the Beatles did it first, and they did it best. It is amazing to hear music today and see what grew out of those pop melodies and catchy "she loves me, yeah yeah yeah." None of the band members on their own truly stand out as the best at what they do of all time, but together, they created an unmatched team of timeless bottled up creativity, and music that is just as good now as it was in the 60s. There will never ever be another Beatles, there will only be bands that aspire to one day capture a glimpse of a moment in time where everything would just "Come Together."</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><b>My Ultimate Beatles Playlist:</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><i>DISC1 1962-65</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><u><i>Please Please Me</i></u></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">She Loves You</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">I Saw Her Standing There</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Misery</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Twist and Shout*</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">It Won't be Long</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Love Me Do</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><i><u>With the Beatles</u></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">It Won't Be Long</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Please Mister Postman</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">You Really Got a Hold on Me</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">I Want to Hold Your Hand</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><i><u><br /></u></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><i><u>A Hard Day's Night</u></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">A Hard Day's Night</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">I'm Happy Just to Dance with You</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><i><u>Beatles For Sale</u></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">No Reply</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">I'm a Loser</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Eight Days a Week</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><i><u>Help</u></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Help*</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">She's Got a Ticket to Ride</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Yesterday</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><i><u>Rubber Soul</u></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Drive My Car*</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Nowhere Man</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Michele</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">I'm Looking Through You</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Run For Your Life*</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><i>DISC2 1966-70</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><i><u>Revolver</u></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Taxman</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Eleanor Rigby</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">I'm Only Sleeping*</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Good Day Sunshine</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><i><u>Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band</u></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">A Little Help From My Friends</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds*</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">A Day in the Life*</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><u><i>The Magical Mystery Tour</i></u></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Magical Mystery Tour</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">The Fool on a Hill</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Blue Jay Way*</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">I Am the Walrus*</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Strawberry Fields</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><i><u>Yellow Submarine</u></i></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Hey Bulldog</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><i><u>White Album</u></i></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Back in the U.S.S.R.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Dear Prudence</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">While My Guitar Gently Weeps</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Happiness is a Warm Gun*</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Rocky Raccoon</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Helter Skelter*</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><i><u>Let it Be</u></i></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Dig a Pony</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">I Me Mine*</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Let it Be</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Don't Let Me Down*</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><i><u>Abbey Road</u></i></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Come Together*</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Something</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">I Want You (She's So Heavy)*</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Here Comes the Sun</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">The End</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><i>*Top 15</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ADH9kyYiQ00" width="560"></iframe>
Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18406352209104455489noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1181365958389903999.post-43357726924579945512014-03-17T01:57:00.002-04:002014-03-17T01:57:31.221-04:00Link Drop - Bella Muerte, Face the King, Diet, The Nayo, FreeStyle Fam (NEW MUSIC)<b><u>BELLA MUERTE</u></b><br />
Bella Muerte are no strangers to this blog. Check out their newest acoustic release below!<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/jA3GVJyuHgY" width="640"></iframe><br />
<br />
<b><u>FACE THE KING</u></b><br />
Another band that has frequented the site quite a bit, check out Face the King's newest single below. Download the single below for a minimum of one dollar!<br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<br />
<iframe seamless="" src="http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/track=2609017216/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://facetheking.bandcamp.com/track/the-sea">The Sea by Face The King</a></iframe>
<br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<b><u>DIET </u></b><br />
Wonderful punk/grunge. Diet's easily one of my favorite local bands! Listen to their new single, "I Can't Sit Still" below.<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/8yVtQRo7Bdw" width="640"></iframe><br />
<br />
<b><u>THE NAYO</u></b><br />
Looking for some free awesome hip-hop? Well look no further, this is Shameless Plug of the Yes yesy Yall's side project. Listen below.<br />
<br />
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3082306709/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 470px; width: 350px;"><a href="http://thenayno.bandcamp.com/album/ill-minds-think-alike">Ill Minds Think Alike by The Nayno</a></iframe><br />
<br />
<b><u>FREESTYLE FAM</u></b><br />
No explanation necessary. Just watch....<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Wxn77k8UtZc?list=UUo_kkGhQCwCx8fnpxmUjdrg" width="640"></iframe>Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18406352209104455489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1181365958389903999.post-66568350794792768652014-02-28T22:56:00.002-05:002014-02-28T22:56:34.478-05:00300 Posts! Message from The SI Band Guy<div style="text-align: center;">
Well well well, 300 posts it took long enough!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
First and foremost I would like to apologize on the lack of posting. I received a promotion at my current job that bumped me up to Assistant Editor, so my responsibilities shifted from writing a billion articles to now writing, managing, social media, and helping other writers. Check out <a href="http://Breathecast.com/">Breathecast.com</a> to see my new digs. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Originally started as a class project, this blog took on a life of own, and bands and musicians started coming to me for posting. It is awesome, but unfortunately is a side thing for me because SIBandGuy does not pay the bills! So now I'm going to try and implement a better posting system so life does not get away from me and this gets left in the back burner.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So for 2014 I won't make any promises of a daily fully awesome blog, but I will do my best to update the page with all of your favorite local news, industry interviews, album reviews, photography, and quick trips into journalism, film, and the occasional thought provoking music article.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As always, send an email my way to JSarachik@gmail.com if you would like to be featured or even guest blog. Better yet, throw me some cash too! Just kidding...but seriously...</div>
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- Justin "The SI Band Guy"Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18406352209104455489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1181365958389903999.post-2800208789743198312014-02-28T22:46:00.000-05:002014-02-28T22:46:19.098-05:00Kari Jobe on Helping People Connect to God, 'I'm Just Being Obedient to Fulfill the Calling I Have on My Life' (Interview Part 2)<i>Read the original interview on BreatheCast <a href="http://www.breathecast.com/articles/kari-jobe-majestic-new-album-grammys-worship-interview-14085/">here</a>.</i><br />
<br />
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Kari Jobe had a chat with BreatheCast about her thoughts on this
year's Grammy Awards, being a light in the dark, and finding God's
calling of obedience in her life and sticking to His "faithful" plan.<br />
<br />
Jobe has become a prominent voice for worship in Christian music and
is using her talents as a songwriter and passionate singer to spread the
gospel of Jesus. She also knows that with her role as a leader and as
someone with a platform to be an example toward Christ, it is important
to exemplify that standard.<br />
<br />
"I believe there are people connected to our obedience in our lives,
and I'm just being obedient to fulfill the calling I have on my life and
I'm passionate about it and it's helping people connect with God and I
couldn't ask for anything better," Jobe said to BreatheCast.<br />
<br />
When questioned on the backlash Natalie Grant received for her
comments concerning leaving the Grammy Awards early because of certain
events not agreeing with her faith, Jobe stuck to the same mantra
despite admit-tingly not knowing of the controversy.<br />
<br />
"We are all going to be in places that we feel are dark. You can walk
into a restaurant and feel darkness, or airport, whatever. We live in a
fallen world and thankfully we have the spirit of God living inside of
us to be protected," she said. "I don't blame her for leaving. I mean I
fast forwarded things, so to get up and leave is probably the same sort
of idea."<br />
<br />
Jobe was aware of singer Mandisa's decision not to go to the Grammy's
because it put her in line with temptations and in an atmosphere she
did not want to be in. Jobe respected the decision of both ladies.<br />
<br />
"I honor them for it. I think it's important to guard our hears, our
minds, and ears spiritually. When you are in a room, and clearly the
presence of God is not welcome there, I would probably say I would get
up and leave as well. I love the presence of God so much I feel it is
worth protecting. It's not worth grieving the Holy Spirit over."<br />
<br />
Jobe mentioned that she watched the Grammy's and enjoys music outside
of the worship realm. She appreciated the performances by Pink and John
Legend the most because the artist's used their natural singing talent
without crazy gimmicks and huge stage productions.<br />
<br />
When asked how the Dove Awards or the K-Love Awards stack up next to
the Grammy's. Jobe mentioned they were shows to "celebrate with each
other" because of God's calling on their lives.<br />
<br />
"Of course the Grammy's are always fun to watch and we get to see
certain genres of music that we like and connect. I like that the K-Love
Awards and the Dove Awards are more about the presence of God, and even
in this last year, they felt more worshipful than I remember in years
past. The atmosphere of the other shows are a lot more God centered and
sweet," said Jobe.<br />
<br />
Referring to the Grammy Awards, "I have to fast forward through so
many things on the Grammy's because that's like, 'Woah' because I don't
like it or it seems dark, not everything, but some of the things are
awesome. But it's also good to be real and watch those things because so
many people connect with that music and I would say that people connect
with things that are real, and give them things that are inspiring
hope. Songs about hope and love people are always going to connect
with."<br />
<br />
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With secular music on topic, Jobe said it is not hard for her to be a
Christian artist because her peers are all doing the same thing as her.
She admitted it becomes more difficult to share the gospel and her beliefs when the situation does arise outside of the comforts of church
or a concert.<br />
<br />
"I don't think it's hard at all. It might be harder if I was in
non-Christian circles a lot, you know where I'd have to defend my faith.
There are times when I have to explain that, like on the airplane, or
someone who doesnt listen to Christian music, or they are jaded by the
church. That's when it's hard.<br />
<br />
When sit there and say, 'God is faithful'
and they are like, 'I don't see that, he hasn't been faithful to me,'"
she explained. "It's then that it's hard to answer and all I have to say
is well, 'Give him another chance because he healed my life. I chose
forgiveness and I chose to press in to who he is.' That's probably when
it's most hard, but usually in the circles I'm in, we all do worship and
Christian music."<br />
<br />
Jobe then shared one of her favorite testimonies on how God changed someone's life through her music.<br />
<br />
"My newest favorite is about a motorcycle dude. He rides in a bike
club and he was on YouTube and found my music. He used to go to church
but he got jaded by church. He wrote in and said, 'You have a grown man,
a biker man in his leather and I'm crying because I feel the presence
of God in my house and just wanted to thank you for being a godly woman
and leading worship the way that you do.' I thought that was really
cool," she said.<br />
<br />
As far as what is in store next for Jobe, she is going to head out on tour with Rend Collective and promote her new album <i>Majestic</i>. After that, she will continue on to play a few summer festivals and begin planning the fall leg of the tour.<br />
<br />
"My brother is getting married too, never a dull moment," she concluded.<br />
<br />
<i>Majestic</i> releases on March 25, and her tour starts on Feb. 27.<br />
<iframe height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/huFra1mnIVE?rel=0" width="640"></iframe>
Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18406352209104455489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1181365958389903999.post-12711270940980341042014-02-28T22:37:00.001-05:002014-02-28T22:37:44.503-05:00Kari Jobe Interview Part 1: Insight Into the Creation of New Album 'Majestic'; Maintaining Grace-Filled 'Church-Like' Worship Every Night<i>Article originally for BreatheCast. See original <a href="http://www.breathecast.com/articles/kari-jobe-s-majestic-shows-the-passion-of-worship-i-love-to-be-in-the-presence-of-god-13976/">here</a>.</i><br />
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Recording artist and worship pastor Kari Jobe recently spoke to Breathecast about her new album <i>Majestic</i>, her experiences on tour, her feelings on the Grammy's, and being a light in the darkness through her ministry.<br />
<br />
Jobe will be releasing <i>Majestic</i> along with an accompanying
live DVD on March 25, and will embark on her tour with the Rend
Collective Experiment on February 27. Jobe spoke of her excitement for
the new album, and gave an insight into the writing process she went
through in creating the new album.<br />
<br />
"I've been a worship leader for over 15 years and grew up leading
worship. It just made sense to do a live project and just write for the
church and to do songs that are more congregational, just with people in
mind that are going to be singing these songs in church," she said
about the thought that went into the songs.<br />
<br />
Expanding further on the amount of time spent writing this album, she
mentioned how her contributors were key to the completion of the album.<br />
<br />
"So having relationships with Tomlin and Matt Redman, and some of the
Hillsong crew like Ruben Morgan and the Bethel Crew; just amazing
songwriters and worships leaders, helped me write for this project. I
wrote for about two years for this album so, just working hard on making
sure these songs worked for church."<br />
<br />
It is easy for Jobe to communicate through worship because of the
love she has for it. Worship music is something that flows out of her
very being, and she has captured it perfectly, especially when creating a
new album.<br />
<br />
"Leading worship is my number one passion. You know when you are
full-on passionate about something, it doesn't even feel like work. I
just wrote for two years out of relationship too. Got together with
friends and was like, 'Hey you want to write with me for this album?' or
'Do you just wanna write a worship song?' I wound up having around 50
songs to pull from this project. So it's special too, because there
wasn't a lot of pressure. The Lord was just really faithful to help me
have good songs that were ready to go for this project, so it just felt
like fun."<br />
<br />
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Jobe also gave an insight into her experiences on tour, and she
explained that her concerts are like "big nights of worship" where she
wants people to enter into a church-like atmosphere to feel the presence
of God.<br />
<br />
When pressed on this "church-like" feeling, and how she could
possibly stay in that mindset every night, Jobe offered an honest look
into her relationship with God and music.<br />
<br />
"Worship is so important to me. I love to be in the presence of God.
Even on the tough nights, once you get in the presence of God, nothing
else matters. God always shows up," she revealed.<br />
<br />
She continued, "In my humaness, I might say, 'Lord please help me'
but He always shows up. When two or more are gathered in His name, He is
there. You kind of get this grace for it once you're out on the stage
and you're going and his presence comes and you're like, 'Oh, this is
why I do this.' Other than that, I love who I travel with, that's
important, having friends and family support."<br />
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<iframe height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/aN5hm1P2SnM?rel=0" width="640"></iframe>Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18406352209104455489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1181365958389903999.post-44330250794658050362014-01-05T00:02:00.003-05:002014-01-05T00:02:56.824-05:00Steven Curtis Chapman Interview: 'The Glorious Unfolding' Brings His Smile Back After Tragedy Left Him 'Shut Down' <div class="p1">
<i>Article originally for The Christian Post, it can be seen <a href="http://global.christianpost.com/news/steven-curtis-chapmans-the-glorious-unfolding-brings-his-smile-back-after-tragedy-left-him-shut-down-106949/">here</a>.</i><br />
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Steven Curtis Chapman has been a Christian music staple for the last 25 years plus, and in that time frame has used his wonderful gift of music to not only proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but also to help inspire and bring God's people closer to their Savior.</div>
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Now, in 2013, it was Chapman who could have used a bit of the inspiration after a trying last couple of years.</div>
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"My family and I has been on a very difficult and painful journey walking through the loss of our youngest daughter in May 2008," Chapman told the Christian Post.</div>
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The greatest example we have of God's love is the love of a father has for his children, and as Chapman and his family suffered a horrific tragedy that was sure to shake the character of any man and make him curse God, Chapman instead, leaned on him.</div>
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"God is faithful even in the hardest places. Then to actually walk through the valley of the shadow of death, and to have that depth of despair of hopelessness and that sense of how can that be, and all those questions, and wrestling with God at a level deeper than I ever would have wanted to…You continue to walk through the darkest days and are able to say, God you're my Savior. Having walked through what I've walked through, I now have an infinitely deeper love than before. It deepened my awareness of how much of God I don't understand," he said.</div>
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Chapman said this new record, <i>The Glorious Unfolding</i>, is the album where he got his smile back. People have told him the "joy and celebration" is back in his voice.</div>
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Understandably everyone takes time to heal, and Chapman said it was a process.</div>
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"I shut everything down creatively and musically to slowly see what's going to come from this. Am I ever going to feel like I can write another song," he said.</div>
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And while he did write again, the songs were deep and introspective. He said he was "wrestling with God."</div>
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The last few albums have been very different. They were specific recordings, greatest hits, a Christmas album, songs redone; they were projects for a purpose, but not necessarily a "Steve Curtis Chapman" record.</div>
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His life is slowing getting to a better place he said.</div>
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"We've been through and still are living with a broken heart, but there is new life and new beginnings."</div>
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"There is much new life to celebrate," Chapman said as he spoke about three of his children getting married since the accident, and grandchildren coming into the picture.</div>
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He told of a story from when he was young about what he thought the biggest roller coaster was. It was in his hometown, and he was fearful of it growing up. Once he got older and experienced one of the coasters at 6 Flags, he knew that small one was not nearly the same or as bad.</div>
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Chapman used that story as an analogy for the little roller coasters in life. They may seem big at the time, but much scarier one's can be in the future, and sometimes we do not know why God puts them in our path.</div>
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"God does know the plans he has for us, he does know the story he's writing for our lives. I really do believe God will finish what he started. He is a God that redeems and restores, and is telling a great epic story of our lives. He is a God of hope and will restore," Chapman said.</div>
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"I don't know if it's a transformation or a deepening to depths that I never imagined and would have if given a choice to not even go to this deep of an understanding, or this deep of faith because I would have taken the option of an easier path," he candidly admits about the whole situation.</div>
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The beauty of music is its healing abilities, and how it can reach emotions and the soul like nothing else.</div>
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"Music is a supernaturally powerful thing. I believe in God creating the art form of music to transform people. I've watched the power of a song, words said to music in line and meter, go to a place in people's heart that a spoken word can never go to," he said.</div>
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"I've seen it save my own heart, and in ways my own life."</div>
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Chapman explained God's use of musicians in the Bible. He told the story of Joshua and the battle of Jericho, where the army marched around the city singing and playing music until the walls came down. Also, of when the Israelites went to war sending in musicians before the frontline.</div>
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When asked about some of the limitations of Christian music, Chapman explained that Christian music has come a long way. He cites artists such as Amy Grant, Jars of Clay, Sixpence None the Richer, and Switchfoot as being musicians who paved the way for Christian music being accepted in the mainstream.</div>
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"I've had that opportunity, and performed in places I would have never imagined playing Christian music before," he said.</div>
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He continued, "Are there times that it limits the reach of a song? Yes. If I wasn't the CCM guy, would my songs have the opportunity to reach other places? Yes, I think that's the case. But, we as people think we need those labels to try and qualify and organize, and I guess over the years I've taken the position of rather than sort of be frustrated, more to go, this is what is and how do we use it in the most effective way?"</div>
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"I've seen so much good and so many positive things by listening to Christian music and Christian radio stations. The good far outweighs the negative aspects of labels and those kinds of things," he said.</div>
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Chapman's next great adventure is "The Glorious Unfolding Tour with Jason Gray and Laura Story.</div>
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"Jason's story and his message is so consistent with what I'm really communicating especially with this tour, that God knows the plans for your life and even in the mess and brokeness that he'll bring something beautiful out of that if we trust him with it," said Chapman.</div>
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"Laura's song 'Like Blessings' is a song that encouraged and was such a healing song in our darkest days," he said explaining now he sings a duet with her everyday. "That alone is a powerful testimony to me. Laura's been through so much and she shares it on stage."</div>
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"It's an incredible tour to be encouraged and ministered to."</div>
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<i>Chapman has 16 studio albums, and 20 total in his career. He has sold more than 10 million albums, has two Platinum records, seven Gold, 46 No. 1 Christian radio hits, three Grammy Awards, and just won his 58th Dove Award.</i></div>
<br />Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18406352209104455489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1181365958389903999.post-88063862778166204392013-12-04T23:53:00.002-05:002013-12-10T22:33:47.326-05:00Greg Kallor's 'Broken Sentences' is a Work of Art Throughout the 5 Boroughs<span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Musician Gregg Kallor released a concept video for his song, "Broken Sentences," that sees him traveling throughout the Five Boroughs to play all 88 public pianos for the organization, Sing For Hope Pianos. Filming throughout the summer, Kallor, is seen at many notable places around the city including some great footage of him in Staten Island!</span><br />
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Kallor's piano playing is top notch and superb. He is able to make the music come alive with there being any words. The way expressing, feeling, and emotion comes reverberating off of the key strings is simply amazing.</span><br />
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Here's what he had to say about the video:</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"'A Single <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_711857198" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Noon'</span></span> is a musical tableau of life in New York City, and I thought it would be exciting to present a visual component that captures the buzzing, exuberant energy of the city. My first music video collaboration with cinematographer and director Alan McIntyre Smith was 'Espresso Nirvana' (think caffeinated hijinks), the sixth movement of the suite. Alan thought that the Sing For Hope Pianos program, which took place in June, would make for a stunning new music video to complement 'Broken Sentences' - the frenetic second movement - so we ran around the five boroughs chasing pianos," said Gregg Kallor.<br /><br />He continued, "Creating a music video gives me a fantastic opportunity to make the music tell a story and, hopefully, to engage with people who might not yet have found their way to my music. The response to 'Broken Sentences' has been fantastic - it's gotten over 50,000 views in the first two months since its release! When we reach a million views, I'll make another video. Maybe two!"</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Gregg will be performing as part of a specially assembled holiday "house band" at SubCulture's 1st Annual Holiday Concert Series between</span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_711857194" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">December 17th - 22nd</span></span><span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. More info at the following link here: </span><a href="http://www.subculturenewyork.com/holiday" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank">http://www.<wbr></wbr>subculturenewyork.com/holiday</a><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He will then be performing on <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_711857195" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">February 2nd</span></span> at the Firehouse Space in Brooklyn. Information for that show can be found here: <a href="http://thefirehousespace.org/event/hannah-collins/" target="_blank">http://<wbr></wbr>thefirehousespace.org/event/<wbr></wbr>hannah-collins/</a></span></div>
Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18406352209104455489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1181365958389903999.post-25500439483588793892013-12-04T22:37:00.001-05:002013-12-04T22:37:32.597-05:00Bella Muerte Release Shiny Toy Gun's Cover for 'You Are the One'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Bella Muerte released a music video for their cover of Shiny Toy Gun's song, "You Are the One."<br />
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<a href="mailto:bellamuertemusic@gmail.com" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;" target="_blank">bellamuertemusic@gmail.com</a><br />
<a href="http://facebook.com/bellamuertemusic" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;" target="_blank">http://facebook.com/<wbr></wbr>bellamuertemusic</a><br />
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watch the video below!<br />
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Check out a previous posting I did on the band <a href="http://thesibandguy.blogspot.com/2013/11/bella-muerte-release-guilty-pleasures.html">here</a>.Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18406352209104455489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1181365958389903999.post-11257381107053074052013-11-21T23:38:00.001-05:002013-11-21T23:38:12.575-05:00A Vegas Marriage Self-Titled EP Review<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A Vegas Marriage is a three band from Staten Island consisting of Matthew Pelli on vocals/bass, Justin Imperatrice on guitar, and Vincent Rizzo on drums. They recently released their self-titled EP on September 20.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A Vegas Marriage kicks open their EP with the pounding sounds of "Don't You Ever." I couldn't think of a more perfect way to start the album. The driving guitars, steady pulse, and the accompanying drum beat light a fire in the listener. The vocal performance of this track is reminiscent to Dave Grohl as far as style, and the way it is sung, more so at the end.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"The Outside," is more melodic all around. It is a good change of pace from the first track, but still has the same feel and root as the previous. Call me crazy, but there is something about this song that makes me think of a Western themed music video with saloons and everything. Maybe keep that in mind guys…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Breakthrough" is the slow ballad of the EP. It has a very 90s STP, Pearl Jam type feel, especially vocally. The vocalist has a great voice, and this is a track that really helps him showcase it. The harmonies add superb layers, and the guitar solo over the bridge fits so well.Towards the end of the track the song picks up and the vocals get belted out; nice touch.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The next track, "Something to See," dives right back into the heavier rock elements of AVM. This is probably the most rocking song on the album, as the vocals are stretched and the guitars are crunchier. I enjoyed a lot of the background vocals in this song, "ah-ahs" were a good touch behind the singing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Freight Train" again brings out some of the twang from "The Outside," and feels like some sort of epic train chase, hence the name. It is hard not to imagine the scene of events playing out in your head as this song plays through. Again, just another solid song, with a little more classic rock sensibilities than the others.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To close off the EP is, "Presence." The song opens up with strummed acoustic guitar work with light airy vocals. The chanted background vocals work well for this song and add more depth and dynamic to the song. Mid way through the song, and out bursts the electric guitar over the acoustic. It is a perfect spot and well executed until the end.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I agree with the acoustic jam closing out the album because it stands out from the rest of the tracks. A lot of bands choose to go with the power and energy to close out an album, but "Presence" does exactly what it is called, creates a presence to send AVM out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">All in all this EP is great! I have not seen A Vegas Marriage in a few years, and this EP shows me exactly what I've been missing as well as how much they have grown. The band takes an already well established sound and manages to put their own twist to it. One moment they sound like Jet, at other times they are as aggressive as the Foo Fighters, and the next minute they rock out like Queens of the Stone Age. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The band's next two shows are at the Cup on December 6th, and the 21st at Scout Hall.</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Avegasmarriage"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">https://www.facebook.com/Avegasmarriage</span></a></div>
Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18406352209104455489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1181365958389903999.post-59702141911943007392013-11-20T23:49:00.001-05:002013-11-20T23:49:31.470-05:00Emergency Protocol Release Single 'Social Butterfly'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6gSMYSDUdWQvjOgJ2rXR9aqlItTeHUFuF7RfA6te5Akp4_OCd4lhoctn0O3Z-CGtuK3Es4gF967RaDJc-2b5zCTHp_zTPp3VKaHEFCsepXeLm79dkMjhFTNt-CmUouSTTwkGbYlAtR_g/s1600/954725_599417680091158_1773240038_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6gSMYSDUdWQvjOgJ2rXR9aqlItTeHUFuF7RfA6te5Akp4_OCd4lhoctn0O3Z-CGtuK3Es4gF967RaDJc-2b5zCTHp_zTPp3VKaHEFCsepXeLm79dkMjhFTNt-CmUouSTTwkGbYlAtR_g/s1600/954725_599417680091158_1773240038_n.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
Emergency Protocol is a local Staten Island fusion band that blends many too many different styles to count! They recently released a single track called, "Social Butterfly."<br />
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The song changes up quite a bit from slow to fast, heavy and light, and even more technical. Musically the song is solid. The guitar solo at the end is great, and the airy almost haunting keys over certain points are fantastic.<br />
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The vocals go almost throughout the entire song, and have many parts to it between mostly two vocalists who take turns rapidly or come in together. At times, I feel the vocals are too much and it may take away from the music at at certain times, however, based one track it's hard to figure the dynamic.<br />
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I would love to hear a complete body of work from these guys and gal, and I am excited to see what Emergency Protocol can come up with next.<br />
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Check out "Social Butterfly" below, and give them a LIKE on Facebook.<br />
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<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3203761364/size=medium/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/t=1/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://emergencyprotocol.bandcamp.com/album/silent-sounds">Silent Sounds by Emergency Protocol</a></iframe><br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/EmergencyProtocol">https://www.facebook.com/EmergencyProtocol</a>Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18406352209104455489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1181365958389903999.post-45440962307851360732013-11-20T23:18:00.000-05:002013-11-21T23:13:03.640-05:00A Wake in Providence Release new Single 'Psycho'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrEzwDV01bqSU1pCVG7yqyXPTA-mswgRZIhdKNtHSuhysKak_CJXvtUfr-NVc6hLoadptDH1rFc5t6R9KpFZRvmQ7i-WnYdMTMLCHm9maKZxnQtb19NhcRuFKrpqktDPlFmgPgvue9t7g/s1600/539729_617820941596958_1988111685_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrEzwDV01bqSU1pCVG7yqyXPTA-mswgRZIhdKNtHSuhysKak_CJXvtUfr-NVc6hLoadptDH1rFc5t6R9KpFZRvmQ7i-WnYdMTMLCHm9maKZxnQtb19NhcRuFKrpqktDPlFmgPgvue9t7g/s1600/539729_617820941596958_1988111685_n.jpg" height="235" width="640" /></a></div>
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One of Staten Island's biggest hardcore/metal bands, A Wake Providence, released a lyric video for their new single,"Psycho," which is off their upcoming EP <i>Insidious.</i> The track features Davis Rider of Immortalist lending screams to the song.<br />
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To put it simply, the song is brutal. It kicks you in the face, and then curb stomps you as you get up. It has all the heavy guttural noise AWIP is known for as well as the insane chug chug of the guitars, china ridden double bass breakdowns.<br />
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Thematically, the song is very dark as the American Psycho inspired song talks about becoming the monstrous thing they hate. The song look inward to failure and life choices that essentially self inflict pain and torture...you know, light stuff.<br />
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Listen to the song below:<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/OYzOmk5GNwM" width="560"></iframe><br />
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Download the song <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/psycho-feat.-davis-rider-single/id757640233">here</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AWAKEINPROVIDENCENYC">https://www.facebook.com/AWAKEINPROVIDENCENYC</a>Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18406352209104455489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1181365958389903999.post-79893045967327323882013-11-11T01:08:00.000-05:002013-11-11T01:09:41.944-05:00Local Update - Backslashes and Bad Ideas and Antonio Yhap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUkI4KCMYcOE2UxJqcxiz6EJq55kJkwmqjwQJjqaMCjvZFVuJV9K1JQbFuryHNeb3vV-BZWpk_ONGQFjJbltz5sSGrtR3Lngm5Xzn9DcYoWlzy-ZXrI9aHvOrB4h5ba1kYizvN5snuYyg/s1600/601564_643412379022403_423631805_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUkI4KCMYcOE2UxJqcxiz6EJq55kJkwmqjwQJjqaMCjvZFVuJV9K1JQbFuryHNeb3vV-BZWpk_ONGQFjJbltz5sSGrtR3Lngm5Xzn9DcYoWlzy-ZXrI9aHvOrB4h5ba1kYizvN5snuYyg/s640/601564_643412379022403_423631805_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Staten Island locals, Backslashes & Bad Ideas recently made their second appearance Absolutepunk.net. The popular punk site posted their new EP, <i>There's No Place Like Home</i>.<br />
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See the posting – <a href="http://absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=3525351">http://absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=3525351</a><br />
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Check out local S.I. rapper, Antonio Yhap. He recently released a mixtape called, <i>Maturation</i>. Listen below.<br />
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<iframe class="embedded-mixtape" data-length="17" frameborder="no" height="336" scrolling="no" src="http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/m/90129/2/" width="100%"></iframe>Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18406352209104455489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1181365958389903999.post-74367631801030518652013-11-05T23:02:00.001-05:002013-11-05T23:02:08.097-05:00Cody Miles Releases 'Figure You Out' and Open House Indie Horror Flick Needs YOUR HelpCody Miles releases "Figure You Out (Featuring Heath McNeese)"<br />
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Check it out below!<br />
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<iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/116090451" width="100%"></iframe><br />
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Support Indie Film makers!<br />
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A former co-worker of mine, and Staten Islander, is out in L.A. making movies, cool right? He is about 75% done with his film, and could really use some help via donation to fund the rest of the film. Check out the Kickstarter project and all the cool perks - <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/292284710/open-house-1">http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/292284710/open-house-1</a><br />
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Open House is a horror movie starring two kids who with their father move into a house with some peculiar things going on...<br />
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See Thomas Della Bella's film below.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/MuVQujVO-Yo" width="480"></iframe>Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18406352209104455489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1181365958389903999.post-47332166310536770302013-11-03T22:03:00.000-05:002013-11-03T22:04:18.854-05:00The Atlicic EP Review for 'Over the Atlantic'<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsAJGWoRfd9FAYnS9EkrhwBqtiLFgLt0WbBpSzl0bTWBzLuPiULAzzVQJsZ8WERZZhglkWaH95_j5Nylea_NZhQUw-0jMFibUNcTA-rYIy3YT7H2fD6BAA6dqPpWU2sSDb44ucYPHtRq4/s1600/1379678_458212090963831_1641775516_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsAJGWoRfd9FAYnS9EkrhwBqtiLFgLt0WbBpSzl0bTWBzLuPiULAzzVQJsZ8WERZZhglkWaH95_j5Nylea_NZhQUw-0jMFibUNcTA-rYIy3YT7H2fD6BAA6dqPpWU2sSDb44ucYPHtRq4/s400/1379678_458212090963831_1641775516_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Atlicic are a local Staten Island indie/alternative band comprised of three guys and a girl. Indie/alternative is being modest as the band rocks through a number of well played genres throughout this six song EP, </span><i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Over the Atlantic.</i><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Ricky Boyance - Lead Guitar</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Emilee Barrett - Rhythm Guitar/Vocals</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Jason Seelal - Bass/Lead Vocals</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Justin Caputo - Drums</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Leading off the EP, "Intro" has an ominous feel and a great build up that seems to be coming to a head as it flows right into the next track.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"Can't Breathe," picks up right where the intro left off and hits the listener with a steady pulse of bass, tom hits, and intricate guitar work. It is a bit mellow but has a Incubus like feel to it both musically and vocally. From the jump, listening to this song prepares the listener for what is sure to be a short punch in the face of music.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"Let Me Go" rips right in with a super fast paced metal-esque riff, before settling into a more progressive/post hardcore part. The chorus then comes in suddenly, and its really punky. I am honestly having a hard time deciding what this song is as far as genre, because "really dope" does not cover it. This song does a great job at mixing up multiple influences.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Whatever Makes You Smile" brings the band back to halt, and layers on an Incubus </span><i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Light Grenades </i><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">style of music. The nice "Woo's" add a nice layer over the already great chorus. This song takes elements of every song on the EP and kind of jumbles them together into a solid mixture of what the band is.</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Next up is "So Long" has a calming almost pop like beginning unto it transforms into a full out pop-punk fest off open high hats and fast riffs. This song would fit nicely on one of Yellowcard's albums post Ocean Avenue. "So Long" would make for a great radio single, and I could definitely see it as a sort of summer jam anthem.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Closing out the EP is "Running On Batteries." I love this song! The guitars and tone are excellent. The bass and drums really drive the song along, and the vocals are just so catchy. The chorus is fantastic, and honestly, I want to keep playing this track over and over. What an excellent way to close out the EP.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Over the Atlantic</i> is very very impressive. It seems every album I review this year becomes my new favorite, but this one has a different feel to it. It has lasting power, and I can't wait to see what else these guys and gal come up with. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Check them out on </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1405192883033024/" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">November 9th</a><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> as they release their EP along with Backslashes and Bad Ideas.</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Follow them on <a href="https://twitter.com/TheAtlicic">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheAtlicic">Facebook</a>.</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ooy7EL7fJns" width="420"></iframe>Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18406352209104455489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1181365958389903999.post-12590561913194280072013-11-02T00:30:00.001-04:002013-11-02T00:30:45.354-04:00Bella Muerte Release 'Guilty Pleasures, Desperate Measures'<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Bella Muerte</b></span><br />
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Kansas City, Missouri electronic/post hardcore band Bella Muerte has been quite busy releasing a number of new tracks including their music video, "Guilty Pleasures, Desperate Measures" on Halloween.<br />
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Check out these songs!<br />
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Ice King Remix<br />
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Ice King (Original)<br />
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Download the song <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BellaMuerteMusic/app_204974879526524">here</a>.Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18406352209104455489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1181365958389903999.post-25561124523036385132013-10-28T21:27:00.001-04:002013-10-28T21:49:09.453-04:00Backslashes and Bad Ideas 'There's No Place Like Home' EP Review<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCNmsm08xSyX0Yp7MMTWQlnWJblhHsL1TxSSsZ_FdgZ2v0ihl07hyphenhyphenUKoXGrFom3n-u_aWy8hTy1d_jLglEvptLMVw05dpEoAIoYr5cCzy8Ofgn_OLcub3xgh2cGCZkplUQPyXYFYfcPY0/s1600/601564_643412379022403_423631805_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCNmsm08xSyX0Yp7MMTWQlnWJblhHsL1TxSSsZ_FdgZ2v0ihl07hyphenhyphenUKoXGrFom3n-u_aWy8hTy1d_jLglEvptLMVw05dpEoAIoYr5cCzy8Ofgn_OLcub3xgh2cGCZkplUQPyXYFYfcPY0/s640/601564_643412379022403_423631805_n.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Local Staten Island band, Backslashes and Bad Ideas, are gearing up to release their second EP, <i>There's No Place Like Home, </i>off of Harbor Records<i>, </i>November 9.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The band is:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">Nick DePalo - Vocals/Guitar</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">Josh Crono - Vocals/Guitar</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">Ricky Abolt - Vocals/Guitar</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">Nick Colella - Bass</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">Ed Mone - Drums</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With the musical stylings of post <i>Tell All Your Friends</i>, Taking Back Sunday and early Brand New, B&BI make the music of mid 2000s teenagers "mix CDs," but with updated flare for 2014.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"North By Noreaster" is a great intro instrumental track. It features nice acoustic guitar work, and a happy feel good bass line that eases the listener into what is sure to be something fantastic.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Defend Josh's Life Choices," speak of the Devil, it's an ex-Taking Back Sunday member on a track! Fred Mascherino, former guitarist and secondary vocalist of TBS, makes an appearance on this track and fits perfectly. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am throughly impressed with this song for several reasons. 1) The song rocks. 2) B&BI have Fred "I've gotta bad feeling about this" on a track! 3) I prefer DePalo's vocal performance on this, and think he outshines the feature. Kudos Nick!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next track is, "No Matter What Happens, Don't Ask Who." The opening is pretty cool because it is kind of mellow, but punky at the same time. Mone's double bass gallop throughout the song is most welcome, as is the guitars that weave in and out seamlessly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This track has several different parts to it with the real highlight coming in the bridge over some guitar shredding and dual vocals.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Conditions" follows, and is a perfect example of everything that is on this album. Depalo's smooth, calm vocals contrast nicely with Crono's more heavy and raspy background vocals…Then, just as you're ready to get to the end of the song, enter the female vocals!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The ending of the song is pretty awesome, three vocals going on, three distinct guitars going on, really strong start, and and even better ending to the song.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/3gfEhHeYkcY" width="420"></iframe></span>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Following in vein of the last track, "Southern Tea" is an acoustic track that in its own way feels like a stripped down single reminiscent on something from </span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pop Goes Punk. </i><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I would love to hear this song with the full band just to gauge it. However, it is great as is!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Closing out the EP is "Wearing Thin." Shout out to Staten Island in this song! This is probably the most aggressive song of the album, and actually my favorite as well. Depalo and Crono showoff the throaty sing songy rasp scream, which makes this track all sorts of awesome. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">During the bridge Depalo speaks over a small musical break before gang vocals burst onto the scene and bring the EP home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Backslashes again does a phenomenal job on this EP. Their sound has matured and evolved as well since the last release. The addition of the third guitar is evident as well. The drums are great, the strings are good all around, and the vocals stand up and stand out. The dual smack of DePalo's low with Crono's highs add a perfect dichotomy that this band needs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The boys of Backslashes are making moves, and if their first EP was a step in the right direction, this one is a leap onto the highway. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Keep up the good work fellas!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pick up <i>There's No Place Like Home </i>November 9 at the Atlicic and Backslashes and Bad Ideas EP release show.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">See B&BI's last review for their EP, <i><a href="http://thesibandguy.blogspot.com/2012/08/backslashes-and-bad-ideas-album-review.html">Nothing Left to Give</a>.</i></span>Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18406352209104455489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1181365958389903999.post-73626469870552062052013-10-28T13:48:00.000-04:002013-10-28T13:50:49.788-04:00Dying Eyes of Sloth Reunion Show and New Music<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26woJAwpw7hPq2Q_rfs9VTO_dp9THhvCK_KzmOht5DQjMq3J8JuOqVVY3sP9Jy6h7NezcwQMHCzqQWptpRjqv-q5b6OzyLUdwFefRqOguVyCzGLmSAY0MLeY3DeozFq6h9kIUAyl3EvY/s1600/1174361_10152143051544829_351156217_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26woJAwpw7hPq2Q_rfs9VTO_dp9THhvCK_KzmOht5DQjMq3J8JuOqVVY3sP9Jy6h7NezcwQMHCzqQWptpRjqv-q5b6OzyLUdwFefRqOguVyCzGLmSAY0MLeY3DeozFq6h9kIUAyl3EvY/s640/1174361_10152143051544829_351156217_n.jpeg" width="412" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Metal heads Dying Eyes of Sloth are back and reuniting November 17th after a few away in various projects such as Incognito Theory and InDisguise.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They re-released and remastered their 2010 EP, <i>Book of Blood. </i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Listen to it and purchase it for $4 at - <a href="http://dyingeyesofsloth.bandcamp.com/">http://dyingeyesofsloth.bandcamp.com/</a></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Also available are pre-sale tickets for the reunion show - <a href="http://dyingeyesofsloth.com/">http://dyingeyesofsloth.com/</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Show info - <span style="line-height: 15.454545021057129px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dying Eyes Of Sloth will be playing with "SIX FEET UNDER" and "JUNGLE ROT" at Dingbatz in Clifton, NJ. Advance tickets are $25 and $30 day of show. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 15.454545021057129px; white-space: pre-wrap;">All those who pre-order will be given a free download code for the EP as well as entered in to win a free t-shirt and physical EP.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15.449999809265137px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/BvssvYMzGZI?rel=0" width="480"></iframe></span></span>Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18406352209104455489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1181365958389903999.post-30050092936011230062013-10-22T21:56:00.002-04:002013-10-22T21:56:20.989-04:00Matthew West Brings to Light God's 'Chosen,' in Stories of Redemption, Love and Forgiveness (INTERVIEW)<br />
<i>Originally this article was for the Christian Post, <a href="http://www.christianpost.com/news/matthew-west-brings-to-light-gods-chosen-in-stories-of-redemption-love-and-forgiveness-interview-106517/">read it here</a></i>.<br />
<br />
Matthew West, an artist known for his vivid storytelling and in-depth
musical stories, chatted with The Christian Post to speak about his
newest release, <em>Into The Light: Life Stories & Live Songs</em>.<br />
<br />
After
a series of life changing turns including a lost dream for baseball, an
almost career-threatening guitar playing arm injury, and problems with
his vocal chords; West has managed to find provision through God's favor
and has pushed on.<br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQ_0yZGz9FYS_K7V8Gmp3twKTWXCwyxcfxPc2vME1dV-fnl3quOIr1eyq9DugMpy23gjfVgJslCP53nvJZ7svTGbwy8WXD2EhmOEZPs2MkIVXUxMJ3t5ZvtJUlx43nsyx1MOJJlvLQmk/s1600/matthew-west.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQ_0yZGz9FYS_K7V8Gmp3twKTWXCwyxcfxPc2vME1dV-fnl3quOIr1eyq9DugMpy23gjfVgJslCP53nvJZ7svTGbwy8WXD2EhmOEZPs2MkIVXUxMJ3t5ZvtJUlx43nsyx1MOJJlvLQmk/s400/matthew-west.jpg" width="266" /></a><strong>Christian Post: Your newest release, <em>Into The Light: Life Stories & Live Songs;</em> why was it something you wanted to do as far as the CD/DVD combination?</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>Matthew West:</strong> Over
the past few years, I've been on a mission to tell a story of a
different kind. Instead of writing songs inspired by my own story, I
have given people everywhere an invitation to tell me their stories and
inspire my songs. Three years and 25,000 stories later, I have now
recorded two projects inspired entirely by these peoples' stories. The
live DVD was an opportunity to allow people to take these powerful
stories home with them.<br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>CP: Do you perform any of the songs differently live than you would on the album?</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>MW:</strong> Songs
always take on a new form from the studio to the stage. There may be a
song that is fully produced on the record that I decide to just play how
I wrote it – with an acoustic guitar or piano. Some songs just
translate better with a more intimate delivery, and others are received
better by the crowd if the whole band is rocking. All in all, the show
is like a roller coaster by design. I want it to rock a bit more than
you'd expect from me, and still get just as personal and intimate as you
might expect from a singer/songwriter.<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>CP: Can you please speak on some of the themes represented on
the album, and how would you like people to come out of listening to
the album?</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>MW:</strong> The overall theme of the
record comes from 1 Peter 2:9. The scripture calls us a "chosen people."
It says we are a "people belonging to God who called you out of the
darkness into his wonderful light." The people who have inspired songs
on this record are individuals who have bravely brought their story out
of the darkness and into God's perfect light so that he might shine
through them and bring hope to a hurting world.<br />
<br />
There are stories
of a broken marriage being restored, a victim of abuse who found God's
healing in her broken past, a woman who learned the power of forgiveness
from tragic drunk driving, and the stories go on and on. One by one,
the common thread of God's redemption at work in peoples' lives comes
through loud and clear.<br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>CP: Do you think music is a good evangelism tool, why or why not?</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>MW:</strong> Music
has a unique way of helping to unlock the doors of a heart and let that
heart begin to feel again. Time and time again, I've seen how God uses
music in someone's life who may never darken the door of a church, but
will turn on a radio station or listen to a CD. God's voice is not
limited to the confines of a church. With that said, I think it is
important for Christian artists and songwriters to be mindful of the
potential impact the music we make can have, and to make sure that the
songs we write are real, authentic, and clearly communicate the message
of the gospel.<br />
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<strong>CP: How hard was the decision to pick music over baseball and
how do you think your life would be different if you chose the other
way?</strong><br />
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<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>MW:</strong> That decision was made for me! I
couldn't hit a curve ball and I didn't get one single scholarship
offer. God used that experience though, to remind me that His plan for
my life is ultimately better than any plan I could come up with on my
own. I've learned that even if it looks different than we might have
planned it, ultimately there is no better or more fulfilling place we
could be than the center of God's will for each of us.<br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>CP: How important do you think it is to find God's calling on your life and stick it through?</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>MW:</strong> It
is essential. John 10:10 assures us that God has come to give us life
to the fullest. But sadly, many of us miss out on a full life because we
never fully surrender to God's dream for us.<br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>CP: How have
you evolved as an artist since your first release, and is there
anything you wish you have done differently over the years?</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>MW:</strong> Well,
I hope I've evolved for the better; better songwriting, better singing,
more effective communicator from the stage. But more importantly than
that, I do feel like I have greater clarity as to why I do what I do,
and I don't take lightly the fact that this is not some singing career.
This is a ministry. Every song and every show is an opportunity to tell
someone about the God that can change his or her life. I'm more mindful
of that now than ever. I have even started a non-profit ministry with my
dad that offers prayer and counseling to people online and at my shows
so that each person gets the chance to grow deeper in their faith and to
know they are not alone.<br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>CP: You've written songs for a
number of artists. Who was your favorite to work with, and how do you
approach writing a song for someone else?</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>MW:</strong> Writing
with and for other artists requires an entirely different mindset than
when I'm writing for my own projects. I just sort of switch thinking
caps, and my whole focus is how to serve that artist and their platform.
With Casting Crowns, Mark Hall knows exactly what God has laid on his
heart to communicate. I'm just there for musical purposes and maybe some
lyrical perspective.<br />
Sometimes, it's about getting out of the way
and being an encourager when needed. Songwriting can be a painfully
isolated process. Many times, we don't need a co-writer to get the song
written, we just need a cheerleader! Someone handing us a cup of water
and cheering us on to the finish line. Sometimes I feel like that when
I'm writing with another artist. Whatever role I need to be in, I try to
ebb and flow to help the process and not hinder it.<br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>CP: Anything else to add?</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>MW:</strong> My
new book is called "Forgiveness: Doing the Impossible." Thomas Nelson
was kind enough to let me write it, and this is another way people can
experience some of the stories that I have read over the past few years.
I hope people will check it out and be encouraged by it.<br />
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<br />
<em>West has five albums since 2003, and has been nominated for eight Dove Awards, winning once for his 2003 album, Happy.</em><br />
<em><br /></em>
<em>He is currently out on the Into the Light Tour with Jason Castro and Sidewalk Prophets.</em><br />
<br />
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Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18406352209104455489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1181365958389903999.post-24835668848000006292013-10-14T20:48:00.000-04:002013-10-14T20:48:00.195-04:00Former Superchick Frontwoman Tricia on Family, Going Solo and Real Beauty
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<i>This original interview was done of the Christian Post. <a href="http://global.christianpost.com/news/former-superchick-frontwoman-tricia-on-family-going-solo-and-real-beauty-interview-106291">Read it here.</a></i><br />
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Tricia, the former frontwoman of Christian pop-punk band Superchick, released her second solo album, <em>Radiate</em>, in August and just finished up a tour in support of it.<br />
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Tricia
chatted with CP in an email interview and spoke about her views on
being a role model, transitioning from rock to pop, healthy self-image
and being a mom.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQbM34jxxCP-GIBc5CubipnX8Y4g6qb4liswiCzBxuhpvAwps8KIthIgbG2QVVZdjsPre3DLbovXrQ9FQeQMZEg_Yw8Lyx6uDrGRrF56Di8zPPnddeR0B-bGy9catfQNOYMxwyhRAz5pQ/s1600/542243_605305309527941_1224701342_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQbM34jxxCP-GIBc5CubipnX8Y4g6qb4liswiCzBxuhpvAwps8KIthIgbG2QVVZdjsPre3DLbovXrQ9FQeQMZEg_Yw8Lyx6uDrGRrF56Di8zPPnddeR0B-bGy9catfQNOYMxwyhRAz5pQ/s400/542243_605305309527941_1224701342_n.jpg" width="400" /></a><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">From punky rockstar to pop star. Is it tough musically to write for yourself as a solo artist than as a band, and how did you transition into the style of music you are doing now?</span></i></b> </div>
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The whole transition has been harder than I imagined it would be. I was used to writing as a band, and in Superchick, Max was the main writer. Being solo has stretched me, but I'm becoming a better writer. I'm not really even sure how we came into this sound. It's definitely more pop than a lot of Superchick albums. We knew going into it that's what we had planned. I guess albums tend to be reflective of the season we're in. We had just had our little girl (our first) and I think it was a happy, pop music season! </div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">How is Radiate different from The Road, and do you feel you have progressed as an artist since your first release?</span></i></b></div>
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As different as they can be! I had always hoped to record a worship album. It was kind of how I found my voice in worship as a kid. So that was a really special thing for me to do all around. My dad, sister and husband all sang on the album with me and I'm so proud of those songs because they were from our heart. I definitely think Nick and I are constantly learning as writers and him as a producer. I'm learning what I love to sing live; that's always important to me to – loving the songs that I sing live!</div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">What's it like working with your husband on the album as far as the writing and production work?</span></i></b></div>
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We had to learn how to communicate, how to work and not take things personally. You have to be honest and try to be perfectionists, so that was the hardest part, I think. And sometimes the fact that our studio is here in our house, it's hard for us to walk away from it like a normal job. </div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">What are the themes of your album, and what overall message are you trying to convey?</span></i></b></div>
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God’s faithfulness, self-image, being an individual, dependence on God, acceptance of who I am and where God has me in this moment, choosing to be grateful for the good every day, choosing joy today no matter the circumstances around us and the list goes on!</div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">In August Superchick announced their breakup. Was this a necessary step towards the future for your development to move forward as an artist, or more of "the right time?"</span></i></b></div>
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It was definitely the right time. When our drummer Chase passed away, I think we felt like there needed to be a goodbye and kind of an explanation to our fans. After 15 years there is such a relationship with fans and radio teams and everyone who's a part of your career. We didn't want there to be rumors or have it be anything it wasn't to our fans. It definitely helped our fans understand why I was going out on my own and that I hadn't broken up the band to do my own thing. </div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Do you perform any Superchick material in your sets, and do you see possible reunions in the future?</span></i></b></div>
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Yes, I play a few of the favorites in my full sets! These songs have never gotten old to me and I still love that I was a part of something so special for so many years. I still hear stories of how our songs helped someone through a season when they were broken or hopeless. I love that songs are sort of a legacy and they will go on long after bands stop touring. </div>
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I keep saying that I wouldn't be surprised if the chance came to tour together again one day, and I would be the first to sign up! I look back at the time with Superchick and feel so blessed by God choosing us and letting us travel the world and be a part of something really special as well as becoming family in the process. For me to have been able to do this with my sister, no words can describe how much fun we had together!! </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>How important do you feel it is to be an example to young woman as someone with a platform to do so?</i></b></span></div>
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I believe that we all are leaders and each one of us chooses whether we will take that role seriously. But I do think we are accountable with what we do with our positions of leadership in life. I love that I have a chance to speak into girls’ lives! I remember vividly what high school years were like. I remember struggles and fears and insecurities and I want to be an example of a strong, courageous woman who is willing to be vulnerable about my faults and my struggles. Trying to appear perfect just doesn't work and it's exhausting. </div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">What would you say to girls who try to be the embodiment of perfection because of what they see in magazines, TV, etc?</span></i></b></div>
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My song “Mirror Mirror” really says a lot of how I feel. It angers me that the way beauty is portrayed is almost that it's the beautiful, "perfect" people who are happy. That happiness or wealth is a result of outward looks. There is not such thing as “perfect” and beauty is so much more than our reflection. I had people who really spoke those truths into me as a teenager and it helped me re-focus when I would start to obsess with how I looked and to think that who I am is just my reflection.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Do you feel music is a great tool for evangelism and why?</i></b></span></div>
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Music seems to be able to speak to people in a way just words can't. I know God uses it at just the perfect times in our lives to heal and encourage us. I love to be a part of that in someone's life! I get to meet people who were strangers and they share their heart and their stories of awful times in life and that I was a part of healing for them. I am so humbled by it and I love how it connects us as people from all over the world.</div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">What would you like God to say to you about your career when it is all said and done?</span></i></b></div>
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I imagine what we all want to hear – “well done, my good and faithful servant!” I'm sure my heart hasn't been right every moment of every day, but when I pause and have God moments I know in my heart why I have stayed in this ministry for this long and still don't feel like God has moved me yet. I love to be a part of changing people's lives. Of making someone smile when they haven't for so long. Thinking that my songs can reach someone I haven't and may never meet, such a gift! </div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">What's in the immediate future for Tricia?</span></i></b></div>
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I just did a month of touring this record and had such a great time! This winter I am mostly home being a wife and mom. And at this point, we just pray that these songs start to connect with people. Next year the plan is to tour as much as we can! We will just keep writing in our down seasons and we will see where God takes us this year. I've gotten kind of used to a lot of working and then trusting and waiting in this career. We can only do our best and then see what happens and what doors open. </div>
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Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18406352209104455489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1181365958389903999.post-74096698163024647702013-10-09T00:47:00.000-04:002013-10-09T00:47:01.340-04:00Sara Groves Interview 'Seek Out Things that are Inspiring, Whole, and Noble'<i>This is an original interview I did for the Christian Post. Read the original post <a href="http://www.christianpost.com/news/sara-groves-the-collection-interview-seek-out-things-that-are-inspiring-whole-noble-excellent-praiseworthy-104624/">here</a>.</i><br />
<br />
Christian singer/songwriter Sara Groves is releasing a compilation album on Sept. 17 called <em>The Collection</em>, which will highlight what she feels is the best music of her 15-year 10-album career.<br />
<br />
Groves
exclusively debuted her first promotional performance video, "All Right
Here" on the Christian Post two weeks ago, and now has answered a few
questions about her upcoming album, her life right now, and her thoughts
about her career s a whole.<br />
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<strong>Christian Post:</strong> You are releasing <em>The Collection</em> on
the 17th. Why did you feel it was the appropriate time to put together
this album, and will it differ from the standard versions of them?<br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>Sara Groves:</strong> We
hit ten records and fifteen years on the road I thought it was a good
time to reflect back and celebrate that time. I won't claim that it is
much different from other best-of albums, but we did work to assemble
the list ourselves, so it is not just a list generated by our label; it
was lovingly assembled! And then there are four new songs on the record.<br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>CP:</strong> Why
did you choose for the first video to be "All Right Here" and do you
think these live performance videos offer a different side of you?<br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>SG:</strong> "All
Right Here" basically says that my life is a collection of all of the
experiences that have happened to me, so it seemed fitting to feature
that song in a stripped down version. I have always loved singing,
"every heart has so much history/ that's my favorite place to start /
sit down a while and share your narrative with me / I'm not afraid of
who you are."<br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>CP:</strong> When played in the order you
have the songs, do you feel the music carries a theme or flows in a
different way than they did apart?<br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>SG:</strong> Yes, I
think with this collection you see themes emerge. Some of my most
visited topics would have to be marriage, our role in social justice,
the integration of faith into our everyday lives, the intimacy of a walk
with God, and letting grace abound!<br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>CP:</strong> How have you grown or changed as an artist since releasing your first album?<br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>SG:</strong> Well,
I've just gotten older! That has brought children, and now a teenager
even, and life change – but I think my goals for myself have changed a
great deal. I feel a real desire for simplicity, and to lean into the
things that I am made to do and be. I feel in my gut a desire to make a
record that really takes it out of me, to write something that goes
beyond my ability. I have always written from a very emotional place.
The craft of songwriting has always been a secondary thought. But when I
read good literature, and hear good songs, I see a lack of self-
consciousness by the author that I have not yet attained. I have been
moving in that direction, but I wonder what that would be like for a
whole album.<br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>CP:</strong> How do you feel the four brand new songs hold up against some of your best work?<br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>SG:</strong> Yeah,
it was hard to write songs to put on a 'best-of' collection. I decided
to think reminiscently instead about those 15 years. We have lived on
the road for a decade and a half on the kindness of strangers – that
felt like a good complimentary theme. "Blessed Be the Tie" is one of the
only hymns written about Christian community and also felt like a good
fit to our journey with other artists, and with the people listening to
the music. "Strangely Ready" is also a fit for that place of reflection
and vision – I don't know where I'm headed, but I feel a strange
preparedness for what comes next in this spot in St. Paul that God has
led us to. "Lay it Down" rounds out these same ideas – our struggles are
common to all men, so don't go it alone.<br />
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<strong>CP:</strong> Now
that you have the greatest hits out of the way, what is next for you,
and can you see yourself going another 15 years or so?<br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>SG:</strong> I
hope to take some very intentional time in making my next record. I
feel something inside that I don't have language for and I sense a real
challenge in getting it right. Aside from that, Troy and I are still
enjoying our work with Art House North in St. Paul, MN and plan on
bringing more thoughtful people to the Twin Cities. I haven't ever
followed a big career plan. I will keep making music, and if people keep
listening, that's great. And if they don't, I will probably still be
playing and writing anyway.<br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>CP:</strong> Do you think music is a good tool for the gospel? Why or why not?<br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>SG:</strong> I
will say yes, but with a caveat by Charlie Peacock who once said – "the
Gospel is the ocean, and we keep writing about a cup of water." We
could also have a longer conversation about music as tool, where I would
heavily quote Makoto Fujimura's thoughts on art as utility!<br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>CP:</strong> What would you say to young girls or teens whose only role model for a woman is what they see on television?<br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>SG:</strong> I
think I can't fill voids by talking about what is missing – I have to
seek out things that are inspiring, whole, noble, excellent,
praiseworthy and expose my kids to those things. Then they are drawn to
what is, instead of standing at the edges of this chasm that I have
created by telling them what everything isn't.<br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>CP:</strong> After all these years playing music, does the purpose and focus of creating music ever waiver or change?<br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>SG:</strong> Sure.
I go through seasons of great frustration and doubt, and then ride the
euphoric waves of creativity and vision again! But the role that music
plays in my life hasn't changed much – this is how I sort out my life.<br />
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<em>Groves
released her first album, Past the Wishing, in 1998, and earned an
Album of the Year title for 2005's Add to the Beauty by CCM Magazine.
She has three Dove Award nominations and had a contribution to the book,
The Art of Being, in 2004.</em>Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18406352209104455489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1181365958389903999.post-12691940753846119972013-09-30T22:49:00.000-04:002013-09-30T22:49:18.075-04:00Sanctus Real Interview with Mark Graalman<br />
<i>This is interview was originally done for The Christian Post. Read the original article <a href="http://www.christianpost.com/news/sanctus-reals-mark-graalman-music-is-a-language-god-gives-to-his-people-interview-105420/">here.</a></i><br />
<br />
Christian rock band Sanctus Real has been pumping out heartfelt
powerful music since they got signed in 2002, and now with their latest
release, <em>Run</em>, they are ready to show the rest of the world what they are doing.<br />
<br />
Founding
member and drummer Mark Graalman was able to chat with the Christian
Post about the new record, multiple tours, Dove Awards, the future, and
hitting the studio.<br />
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The band just embarked on The Run Tour last
week, which will run until November. Graalman said this tour is perhaps
the most ambitious for the band because they will be incorporating a lot
of different functions into the show. Ultimately it will be a unique
fan experience.<br />
<br />
"We come up with ideas on how we want the show to
look. We set up at a rehearsal warehouse type place in Nashville. We
bust through three days of rehearsal and make any changes in the set
list we want to make," he said. "It's going to be a really different
show for us … particularly in the area of audience participation. How do
we make the audience literally a part of the show? … I'll just say people need to have their drumming skills brushed up on."<br />
<br />
Sanctus Real says the album title of <em>Run</em> does
not necessarily mean they are running from anything, but rather running
forward and on to the future. The other meaning could be running to God
as well, but there is no sense of running for escape.<br />
<br />
When asked
about the symbolism of the circles on the album cover having to do with
the theme of running, Graalman said, "[The] circles look like they are
chasing each other. It just felt like run to us," before explaining the
cover was one of almost 20 that was offered to them. A woman named Sarah
came up with the designs for the band, and the abstract circles were
what they felt was best for the record.<br />
<br />
Going with the second theory of the title <em>Run</em>, Graalman traces music back to God and our constant pursuit of Him.<br />
<br />
"Music
is the most powerful way to express any kind of message. I think music
was created by God as a gift to us. A sort of language to use as a way
to get back to him. Throughout the scriptures music was mainly used to
worship God with. It's meant to bring him glory," he said before
explaining he feels making music is a human's way of reconnecting with
the Father.<br />
<br />
Sanctus Real recently released their video for the
track "Run," and Graalman said although the video was simple, they were
looking more to make an impact on the listener, rather than have an
elaborate sequence of events.<br />
<br />
"We'd prefer to have some sort of
storyline going with it. Tricky part is coming up with a storyline and
then executing it. The goal … getting the message of the song to be as
impactful as it can be and just hit<br />
that place in the heart we're trying
to hit," he said.<br />
<br />
The new album has also been nominated for a
Dove Award. The band previously won in 2005, but things were very
different back then. Sanctus Real had different members, a different
sound, and their heads were in a different place.<br />
<br />
"Obvious changes
have been lineup changes. Matt, Chris, and I are the founding members.
New bass player, added a fifth member. It's technically a different band
in that record. We've grown a lot in our singing, and just trying to
say what we want to say," he said, including that they are just trying
to make art, and not hold themselves so high. "We were grungier when we
were younger, and def have been all over the map since then. [We've]
been able to experiment musically over the years."<br />
<br />
Graalman said the band has been in a constant evolution in sound and in growth and maturity.<br />
<br />
"When
you're a young band everything is new and fresh. You can't help but
evolve. Put out a record and do all these tours 200 days a year, and you
are in this writing space and recording music. So you are constantly
playing music, and eventually you just get better at what you do. You
get a lot more practice and hours under your belt. Another big thing
that changes is musical influences as you start to grow up. I certainly
don't listen to the same stuff when I was 18 when the band started and
now at 35.<br />
What you want to hear plays a big part for what you want to
hear. People could hear us grow up."<br />
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Graalman says the band
approaches song writing in generally two ways. Sometimes the band just
gets together and jams out on one guitar riff and everyone adds a part.<br />
<br />
"Matt
(singer) will hear melodies vocally and just sing along to it, and for
whatever reason that turns into lyrics. Themes pop into his head of what
this music sounds like and what it's trying to say. Then he starts
writing lyrics to what we're doing," he said.<br />
<br />
In other occasions,
Graalman said Mark Hammit will come to them with things he wrote at
home. They have also worked sessions with a few other songwriters in
Nashville.<br />
<br />
He even hinted that Sanctus Real would be back in the studio after a winter tour to start a record in January.<br />
<br />
"We'll
go a week at a time and record three or four songs at a time and take a
break. Always writing throughout. Hopefully by next spring or summer
we'll have a new record ready to go," he said.<br />
<br />
When asked how the
band has anytime to write with such an extensive touring schedule, he
said they are "really intentional with time." Between balancing life,
and being married with children, they prioritize family over the band.<br />
<br />
"Rock n' roll won't be there when it's all said and done-- family will," he explained.<br />
<br />
Lastly,
Graalman wants Sanctus Real fans to know about Compassion
International. The band had always talked about joining the organization
to see what impoverished kids live like around the world, and they were
given that opportunity this year.<br />
<br />
Hammit and Graalman went to El
Salvador and met children they were sponsoring, and got to see what life
is in third world country.<br />
<br />
"It's a hard experience to see that
there really are people who live like that … very eye opening. Puts your
priorities in a better place," Graalman admitted.<br />
<br />
He said his bandmate Hammit said it best, "It's help me so much to be able to see who we are fighting for."<br />
<br />
Catch Sanctus Real on tour this fall and check out <em>Run</em> on <a data-mce-href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/run/id575893677" href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/run/id575893677" target="_blank">iTunes</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18406352209104455489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1181365958389903999.post-34187903771705242232013-09-29T23:16:00.000-04:002013-09-29T23:16:05.260-04:00Dustin Kensrue Interview on Songwriting 'The Water and Blood'<br />
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<i>This article was written for the Christian Post. It was a part two for an interview I conducted two weeks ago. <a href="http://global.christianpost.com/news/thrice-frontman-dustin-kensrue-on-songwriting-its-like-structured-poetry-104964/" target="_blank">Check out the original here.</a> </i></div>
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Dustin Kensrue recently chatted with The Christian Post about his debut worship album <em>The Water & Blood</em>, and about being a Worship Pastor for Mars Hill Church after 14 years with hardcore-experimental band Thrice.<br />
<br />
Read the first part of the interview where Dustin exclusively speaks on the new album and his transition to worship leader <a data-mce-href="/news/dustin-kensrues-mars-hill-album-the-water-blood-makes-worship-art-interview-104860/" href="http://www.christianpost.com/news/dustin-kensrues-mars-hill-album-the-water-blood-makes-worship-art-interview-104860/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
Kensrue
broke down the way he approaches music writing and how he distinguishes
between writing worship, writing for himself, and writing for Thrice.
For him, music is poetry, and the musician admitted his love for reading
is the perfect place to get "fodder" for his lyrics.<br />
<br />
When asked about how he approaches his song writing, he spoke of a process that is strict in detail and perfection.<br />
<br />
"The
way I write is very much focuses on whatever that song is has to be
what that song needs to be," he said, speaking about the differences
between writing for Thrice and writing worship for church.<br />
<br />
"I
really try to let it have an internal harmony and consistency.
Especially in the last 7 or 8 years I've been really writing letting the
music even inform the lyrics as I'm writing and that really shapes the
music. There are times I've had this idea and as I'm building ... I
either have to push the lyrics one way or the music one way. A lot of it
is I like to read a lot. A lot of times that stuff is not even
conscience.<br />
It's like you're building a pallet," he continued.<br />
<br />
Between
2006 and 2008, Thrice put out four EPs combined into two albums based
on the Earth's elements: Fire and Water, Earth and Air. These were
compiled into <em>The Alchemy Index I-IV</em>.<br />
<br />
Every song from
each of the elements contained songs that either had to do with the
element thematically, or had the tone of what it would sound like in
music. For example, the Fire album was very heavy, while the Water album
was very dissonant and effected, and actually had songs about the
ocean. Earth was very soulful and folk rock like, and featured beautiful
acoustic and piano-driven songs. Air was, for lack of a better word,
"airy," and powerful musically. Most of the songs had to do with flight.<br />
<br />
Even more amazing was the format of the last track of each of the EPs.<br />
<br />
The
final song on each disc is written in the form of a sonnet, depicting
the relationship of man with each of the particular elements. Each of
these songs is in iambic pentameter, with a concluding rhyming couplet.
These final couplets also contain the same vocal melody and chord
progression as each other, although they are in different keys.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "Water & Blood" will be released October 1.</td></tr>
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<br />
"That's
the beauty of structured poetry. Constraints foster creativity. They
are an awesome first person perspective of the elements. Those were a
lot of fun for me, and putting this constraints on myself," Kensrue said
as those albums fostered a change in style and direction for the band
that set the tone for later work.<br />
<br />
He concluded the interview with giving fans some hope for whether there is a future for Thrice or not.<br />
<br />
"There's
definitely a future for Thrice I just have no idea what it looks like
or when it looks like. I think it'll definitely be a couple of years
before it even begins to make sense. I look forward to the day in
whatever form we start doing stuff together again," he explained.
"There's just so many factors, I can't say with any certainty or what
that looks like. I love playing with those guys, and it would be a blast
to do it again and it will be extra fun having had time away from it
because 14 years straight is pretty intense."<br />
<em><br /></em>
<em>The Water & Blood</em> will be released Oct. 1 off of Mars Hill Music/BEC Recordings.<br />
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Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18406352209104455489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1181365958389903999.post-6708921247693761212013-09-27T00:47:00.000-04:002013-09-27T10:28:55.601-04:00Hello, Seattle Album Review for 'Improper Greeting'<div class="p1">
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Hailing from Long Island and Oneonta, NY, Hello, Seattle just released their debut album, <i>Improper Greeting. </i></div>
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This female fronted group consisting of: Kimberly Berg (singer), Amy Maxwell (guitar), Frank Cicciarello (bass), Andrew Platt (drummer), and Jason Psanis (pianist), blew me away with some great alternative/awesomeness music.</div>
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The opening track, "Let Go," is a brief intro into the musical stylings of Hello, Seattle. The singer comes in about midway through and sings the name of the track over and over – powerful start.</div>
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"Camouflage" has a very familiar tone to it. I think the chords sound a bit like Cute Without the E by Taking Back Sunday, except this track adds piano and gives the song more of upbeat dance like feel to it before slowing down and changing tone. Berg's vocals are great on this.</div>
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"Broken Glass" is a bit heavier than the previous track and the singer is more aggressive to match. The song features killer piano that drives the song.</div>
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The next track, "The Divide" is an acoustic ballad. Her voice takes a lovely folky catchy tone to it. I love the harmonies and the airiness to the vocals. The subtle keys that come are wonderful, and then quickly followed with the rest of the band coming in. Almost as subtle as the piano is some really good bass work.</div>
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"Fire Eyes" prepares the listener for a quick tempo fun song right from the chattering hi-hats in the beginning of the track. The chorus is especially strong, and at times she sounds like a more indie rock version of Hayley Williams. The music over the bridge is great, the whole band comes together so well.</div>
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"Peter Pan" is another acoustic track featuring piano. I really dig the vocals and words in this song. It's a good concept, and simply puts the feelings of many people into something that is easy and relatable. </div>
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A slick bass line and an even better drum beat open this song. "Ghost In a Common Place," instrumentally, is my favorite track. You really hear their talent on this track. The song features a much different bridge then the others. I really feel the creativity is at a max here. The layering of the vocals with the effects, the drop out, and then guitar solo. Just really a brilliant song.</div>
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"The Cure" has prominent bass playing by Cicciarello, and continues the overall feel of the album. In my opinion this song does not resonate with me as much as the others, but it is still solid.</div>
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This next track sort of opens up like "Fire Eyes" with quick hi-hats hits and rhythms, but the overall feel is totally different. "Horizon" makes you feel like you are on the run and as I'm writing Berg began singing, "I'm already moving," so maybe I got the point! This song could definitely be a single, and I can also hear it as part of a soundtrack for a movie.</div>
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"Strides" is up next, and follows a sort of bluesy tone to it in the beginning. It is probably the most different of the tracks on the album, and has differing parts. Perhaps my biggest gripe on the whole album is that this song is only about two minutes long! I want more!</div>
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Closing out the album in "Leaving." It sort of has a march to it in the chorus. It is super catchy and mixes a few different styles on it. I love the string work on this song, and Berg sings with such passion here. It is the perfect closing song for an album because it sounds like the closer of a set. Well done on this track.</div>
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Hello, Seattle is super tight! Everyone in the band is on point and they definitely play well together and are comfortable writing together. Piano, bass, guitars, drums all hit the nail on the head with consistency and pin point fluidness. Maxwell is a great lyric writer, and knows how to engross the listener. Berg has a bit of Hayley and a bit of Avril, but yet is able to find her own voice among the comparisons to really deliver on all the songs.</div>
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<i>Improper Greeting </i>is a wonderful first step into music for this band, and as I told the bass player, I had no sort of idea of what the band sounded like coming in, and boy was I impressed!</div>
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Check them out at - </div>
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<a href="http://facebook.com/helloseattlemusic" target="_blank">facebook.com/helloseattlemusic </a></div>
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<a href="http://reverbnation.com/helloseattlemusic">reverbnation.com/helloseattlemusic</a> </div>
<a href="http://www.wix.com/helloseattlemusicny/home">www.wix.com/helloseattlemusicny/home</a><br />
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Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18406352209104455489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1181365958389903999.post-44938726579074879152013-09-26T22:35:00.001-04:002013-09-26T22:35:04.312-04:00Signal For Pilot Album Review for 'Man Eating Shark'<div class="p1">
Signal For Pilot is a band like I have never heard before, and upon checking them out, you'll probably agree too! The band considers themselves to be, Alternative Rock/Indie Electro-Pop Core, but I'm sure you can find your own mix of sounds in their too. Their newest release <i>Man Eating Shark</i>, is an excellent foray into a musical journey from these Long Island rockers.</div>
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The band consists of: </div>
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Chris 'Jaws'- Drums, Percussion, Vocals</div>
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Patrick Flanagan- Guitar, Vocals, Electronics</div>
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Scotty 'Tru' Truelson- Keyboards, Synth, Vocals</div>
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Keith Smith- Bass, Vocals</div>
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The album opens up with "Dangerous Waters," and from the get go I like what I am hearing. The song is super catchy and poppy, and has a good blend of synthy effected chords with heavy guitar riffs. I really love the synth at the end of this song! This song is definitely a single.</div>
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"Nosferatu" is for lack of a better word, a cool track. Musically, it feels themed, all most theater like as it is telling a story. Plus, who doesn't love an ode to old vampires with the name! The solo section over the pulsing bass drum hits into a softer bridge is superbly done.</div>
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The next track, "Mr. Parole," sounds like if My Chemical Romance and Family Force 5 had a baby. The verses and vocal style are really punky reminiscent of old MCR. The electronic sounds and hi energy vocals of the chorus and ending cover a totally different spectrum. This song is very mature in the way it blends together sonically. This is my favorite so far.</div>
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"Hot Chicks and Aliens" follows in the same vein of the previous song and kicks up the music a notch, and tones done the hi-paced energy. This is more of a straight up rock song and anthem, and could definitely hear this on the radio playing alongside anyone out there.</div>
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"Eerie Sounds of an East Coast Wreck" starts off with a burp…yes you read that right! This is a fun pirates/sailors anthem that talks about life on the sea. It features gang vocals that would make you feel like you are on the galley of the boat with them. I have never heard anything quite like this and have it be a serious song among the others. To clarify, I mean serious as in, the song is not a joke, it is very well done. It includes cannon sound effects, so what's not to love.</div>
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The next song brings the album back off the water on onto land for, "Surface and Back." The tone of the album switches right off the funny loving party song to perhaps the darkest of tunes on this record. The synth is gone in favor of a haunting piano over precise guitar riffs and intense vocal harmonies.</div>
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"Better Late Than Never," is a soft piano ballad that showcases the vocal flare of the lead single. Midway through the song it starts to build. Other instruments lightly playing are introduced and a number of harmonies begin to repeat and assemble in the foreground. This song is extremely well done and gives the listener a sense of intimacy as they enter into the lyrics themselves.</div>
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"No One Was There" picks right back up with crunchier guitars and has a Taking Back Sunday circa <i>Louder Now</i> feel to it. It has a good vibe, and motion to it, and then it hits you unexpectedly with some dub-step! This is the first time such an electronic breakdown was featured on the album. The fadeaway vocals at the end of the song back into the music are awesome!</div>
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Following the previous track is, "Uniform," which now brings me a Used comparison, but completely original. The music is very precise and again, almost singlehandedly paints the picture on its own. Included is a roaring, climbing guitar solo. The almost chanted like harmonization of the final chorus is a nice touch as well.</div>
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Closing out the album is "Collide-a-Scope," and say hello a more involved sound then the rest of of the album. This song is definitely mainstream, and has an aggressive alternative chorus over their electric infused rock. Also most noticeable in this song is the drums. The drummer sounds like he went all in and had serious fun on this one. It is a perfect finish to an album, "I don't want to say goodbye."</div>
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Overall this is a fantastic first entry to music for Signal For Pilot. <i>Man Eating Shark</i> nailed it on every front and contained no filler songs. Their unique blend of rock/electronic/punky-grunge is among the most diverse sounds I have ever heard. The band can be linked to so many others. First thoughts are Family Force 5, Chronic Future (without rap), Panic! At the Disco, and too many more yet they take these styles and make them completely original. The best part is most of the album is themed to water, and regardless of the song subject material, they all fit well together.</div>
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Look out for Signal For Pilot and their Man Eating Shark!</div>
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<span class="s1"><a href="http://www.purevolume.com/signalforpilot">http://www.purevolume.com/signalforpilot</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/aurora/id543620352?i">http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/aurora/...</a></div>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/signal4pilot">https://twitter.com/signal4pilot</a></div>
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signalforpilot@gmail.com</div>
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Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18406352209104455489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1181365958389903999.post-63401629974263588812013-09-20T17:33:00.000-04:002013-09-20T17:33:16.379-04:00Dustin Kensrue Interview on His New Project 'The Water & Blood'
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<i>This interview was originally done for The Christian Post. You can view the original piece <a href="http://www.christianpost.com/news/dustin-kensrues-mars-hill-album-the-water-blood-makes-worship-art-interview-104860/" target="_blank">here</a>. </i></div>
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<i>A little context to the story...This was a dream interview for me. Thrice is my favorite band of all time, and Dustin's songwriting ability amazes me, so this was truly an honor for me. There is a second part to the interview that I will post later.</i></div>
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Dustin Kensrue traded in his heavy rock chords and vocals as the frontman of Thrice for stripped down emotive and powerful church music as the Worship Pastor of Mars Hill Church in Bellevue, Washington, and is releasing his first album, <i>The Water & Blood</i>, on October 1.</div>
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Although Kensrue has released solo albums before, this is his first record comprised strictly of corporate worship songs to be sang specifically in churches. </div>
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"At Mars Hill music we are really trying to write music for the local churches to sing," Kensrue told the Christian Post. "We want to proclaim and celebrate the gospel in the sense of what God has done through Jesus Christ. We are here because of what Jesus has done. He's called the church into being. There's freedom in that and there's a lot to be celebrated. </div>
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Kensrue shared that writing worship music was a bit of a process for him as he always shied away from it in favor of what he was doing with his band or solo projects.</div>
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"I originally did not want to have anything to do with it for a long time. I grew up leading worship in my junior high group. I started playing guitar; I could barely play but none of the other leaders and kids could play, so I ended up leading. I was kind of fed up with it and frustrated. I had a real chip on my shoulder about it. It wasn't a healthy response," he revealed.</div>
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As a member of Thrice, Kensrue and his bandmates were known for challenging themselves musically as they put out eight albums of varying sound and themes. This time around however, the call to worship was a challenge issued by God Himself.</div>
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"I guess God challenged me on that. I told my wife I would never be a worship leader. He [God] trained me up to see it differently, and stop complaining from the sidelines. He brought me to where I'm at now."</div>
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Kensrue however, is grateful for all the work he was able to do with Thrice. Being in the band allowed him to portray a message through his music to "impact the broader secular world." The band was never labeled Christian, but it is quite evident in Kensrue's lyrics as to where his focus and devotion belonged to.</div>
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He now would have to use his gift for fluid and masterful songwriting and storytelling to capture the might of God, while also creating a song that many voices can sing out together. </div>
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"I really think the only difference should be that the music has a different purpose and function. We should be making good art, we should be doing our jobs well wherever we are. The way that we do those jobs should point to the excellency of Jesus," he said. "I really want these songs to be centered around the cross, and [I'm] writing with a purpose that this song needs to work well in corporate worship."</div>
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Kensrue also says there is a stigma that comes with Christian music. Sometimes people will not listen to it simply because of the label. It is because of this that he is appreciative of his time and ability to reach people while spending 14 years touring and recording with Thrice.</div>
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"I ended up having an impact in the broader secular world" he said regarding his decision to communicate a message through a non Christian forum. It showed in the music as well.</div>
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Thrice songs such as "Like Moths to Flame," chronicled the feelings of shame after Peter denied Jesus, and "Come All You Weary" touches on resting all heartache and burdens on the Savior – and those are just a few.</div>
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The importance of the power of music is not lost on Kensrue as he understands the opportunity to now minister to people who may have not ever listened to worship, but will now because of his history with Thrice. </div>
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"Music is something that has a lot of repetition...you hear a sermon once or twice, read your favorite book two or three times, favorite movie... How often do you listen to your favorite song? Maybe hundreds – a thousand times in a life time. If that song is true and helpful and good, it has a profound impact on the way you see things. Especially worship songs. This is the reason why we need to have great corporate worship songs." </div>
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He continues, "I don't want them to just be tools for other worship leaders. I want them to be amazing worship art so that people will want to listen to them, therefore have spiritual transformation."</div>
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Perhaps Kensrue's newest song, and the big single off of <i>The Water & Blood</i>, "It's Not Enough," is the perfect example of music as art. The song leaves the standard convention of what a worship song is and allows Kensrue to explore a bit more of his roots while opening himself up to the Lord. </div>
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"That song was originally going to be a Thrice song that I never got around to finishing. The song should work on either record because it is true and engaging on a different level," he said.</div>
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The video is powerful as well. It is a continuous shot of his face as he walks for what seems like forever with a background of events happening all around the world behind him. It is simple and to the point, but gets the message across crystal clear. </div>
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"There's something kind of engaging and uncomfortable and inviting by this lopped off shot. I thought it was compelling and would work really well with this song in particular. I think the main point was to capture the face to face to excentsiate the lyrics which adds another layer to challenge the listener of what's going to be talked about," said Kensrue.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/SeRSlQlPkpo?rel=0" width="480"></iframe></div>
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He came up with the idea of the video while at the gym. He said he was walking in step with the song while on the treadmill, and the idea hit him. </div>
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Kensrue is well known for the emotion and passion he puts behind singing some of his most emotional songs. "It's Not Enough," is no different, and when asked about it he quoted Dr. Bryan Chapell, "If the manner does not match the message, the manner is what we will believe."</div>
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In other words, he means, being engaged with the song makes the story powerful because it puts yourself in the characters place. "[It's like] Entering into the story and inviting others into that."</div>
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In the foreseeable future, Kensrue plans on continuing to lead worship every Sunday at Mars Hill Church. He also has a couple of musical endeavors in the works. </div>
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"As crazy as it sounds, I plan on putting another worship album out within a year. I've got two other records I want to make that are outside the church. One being a follow up to Please Come Home and one being something totally different. I don't know when I'll ever get to those. I have songs for it, I just need to finish them," he said.</div>
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He also offered a glimmer of hope for Thrice fans that are missing their favorite band since going on hiatus earlier this year.</div>
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"There's definitely a future for Thrice I just have no idea what it looks like or when it looks like. I think it'll definitely be a couple of years before it even begins to make sense. I look forward to the day in whatever form we start doing stuff together again. There's just so many factors, I can't say with any certainty or what that looks like. I love playing with those guys, and it would be a blast to do it again and it will be extra fun having had time away from it because 14 years straight is pretty intense."</div>
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<i>The Water & Blood</i> releases on October 1 off of Mars Hill Music/BEC Recordings.</div>
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Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18406352209104455489noreply@blogger.com0