Showing posts with label The Christian Post. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Christian Post. Show all posts

Monday, June 17, 2013

Kari Jobe Interview with 'Female Vocalist of the Year'



Here's an interview I did for my job at the Christian Post, enjoy!

Christian worship singer-songwriter Kari Jobe recently won "Female Vocalist of the Year" in the first annual K-LOVE fan awards and says she would strive leave a legacy "that impacts and touches lives" in her interview with The Christian Post.

The singer was overwhelmingly excited when speaking about the K-LOVE music awards and her time there.

"It was so exciting to share in a category with some of my beautiful friends and peers. It was a big honor," she said happily. "It was also exciting for all of my fans as well. I had fun with tweets playing little games and interacting with followers."

Overall she said the first K-LOVE Fan Awards was "well done and an excellent show," and promised it is an event she will look forward to every year. "It was perfect."

On speaking about some of the other winners of the night, Jobe was asked if she could share some of her thoughts about her fellow artists.

"He's so genuine and real and I feel his music just wants to bring you closer to the Lord," she said about Male Vocalist of the Year Chris Tomlin.

The 32-year-old had a funny thought about Artist of the Year TobyMac.

"He's just super cool, and boy can he rock a beanie. I wish I could wear a beanie like that, maybe in the future I can wear a cool headband or something like that," she laughed.

Big Daddy Weave left tears in her eyes when they sang their Song of the Year "Redeemed." "They are just so genuine when they take the stage and minister to you when they sing."

Group/Duo of the Year winners Casting Crowns are one of Jobe's favorites: "I love them. They are so kind and happy, and they are involved with the church and music like myself," she said.

Changing topics, the singer was asked about the constant mostly negative media attention Hollywood and music's young artists and actors are receiving. CP asked her what advice she would give to a young girl looking for a role model who only had negative portrayals of women in media and on television.

"Be inspired by Godly fruit. You are going to be surrounded by this stuff [the world] all the time," she said. "Value and leadership has to come from the Lord. Don't base everything in your life around other people, find value and intimacy in God as inspiration."

With that being said, Jobe was asked about the power of music as a communicator and evangelistic tool to which she replied: "Everyone loves music. It's an emotional thing. I use music as prayers and conversations with God to exalt him."

"At the mere mention of his name, every knee shall bow," she continued.

As far as being a good tool to express the gospel, she thinks pastors, church, leaders, etc are very important to the foundation of saving souls. "It's the meat to the potatoes," she said. However, she views music as an important tool to guide others to where they need to be.

"Music is absolutely powerful," Jobe said. "You hear a song with the peace and power of the Lord and it speaks to you."

Playing on that theme of music helping others, the next topic touched upon the victims of the Oklahoma tornadoes. A tragedy that felt close to home since she is from Dallas, Texas, approximately three hours away, according to her.

Jobe had recently toured with the duo All Sons and Daughters, who released an EP called Songs for Oklahoma. Jobe thought the idea was great and was happy to tweet and spread the word about the project.

"Their EP is awesome, and I just want to show support," she commented.

The worship leader's last album, Is Where I Find You, released in 2012, was a very successful album for her. "[It's] helping a lot of people, and that's what it's about," straying away from its success. "I was happy to hear it ministering to heart broken people and others in hospitals."

As for her immediate future, Jobe just finished a tour with Chris Tomlin and has a few festivals lined up toward the end of the summer. She is also preparing to record a live worship album in November.

When asked about the kind of legacy she would like to leave on this Earth, Jobe contemplated for a moment before answering.

"I want to be remembered as a godly woman and a worship leader who's music left an impact that touched lives and hearts," she said. "I would also like to be a wife and a mom when the time is right."

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Fireflight Album Review for 'Now'


The alternative rock and female fronted band, Fireflight, have been churning out inspirational heavy rock for a few years now since their hit single "You Decide" exploded on the scene. After a string of successful followup albums, they are now a mainstay in Christian rock.

Fireflight has grungy elements to them, with thick crunching guitars and heavy leads mixed with belting vocals and softer harmonies. Their newest release, Now, does a perfect job of showcasing all of these elements while adding something completely original to the mix.

The first track, "Stay Close," is a very strong opener with a big chorus and excellent harmonies throughout. It has a nice heavy feel yet mixes well with the poppy vocals.

"Ignite" has an intro reminiscent to early Linkin Park and has great instrumentation throughout. The chorus has a superb back and fourth between main vocalist Dawn Michele and background vocalist, Justin Cox.

"Escape" does exactly what the title says. It takes the listener away from the heaviness of the previous songs. It is a power ballad of sorts with a nice drop out for the bridge.

The next song keeps the pace light, and really highlights Michele's voice. The song has a powerful message of God's love and speaks on how when we think He's not there, He's right there in the midst of trouble.

The slow and poppy, "Keeping Me Alive," talks about how God's love keeps us going through life. Immediately following is the uptempo and catchy, "Stronger Than You Think," as Fireflight brings back the gritty guitars as they sing, "I am stronger than you think, you'll never get the best of me."

"Prove Me Wrong" follows up with a mid tempo catchy riff and vocals. However, the following track, "Dying For Your Love," is one the best songs on the album.

The intro is heavy and then slows down for the verse. The chorus lands somewhere in the middle as both vocalist alternate between singing. The outro is heavy hitting, sounding more like alt/grunge rockers Breaking Benjamin. 

The softest song on, Now, is "Rise Above." The song is a straight pop song that sets to move and inspire.

"Now," the title track is a great way to go out on the album. The cool synth opening along with the mixed heavy guitars make the song worthy of a single.


Overall the album will not disappoint. If you are looking for some heavy music with softer female vocals and an occasional rock ballad; Now is the perfect thing for you.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

DJ Earworm Video for 2011 "World Goes Boom"


This year’s top 25 music videos have come together in one mega mashup song and video that has been flooded with so many views that the video counter froze at 303 views as of 9:00 a.m. EST, despite having thousands of comments and "likes" suggesting a viral video.

The song, "World Go Boom," by DJ Earworm, is the DJ's annual ode to the year's biggest dance hits and has been making "The United State of Pop" since 2007.


The artist, who's real name is Jordan Roseman, is offering the track for free download off his website (http://djearworm.com/united-state-of-pop-2011-world-go-boom-htm.htm).


In a statement from his website, Earworm wrote, "2011 gave us songs of regret and anger, pride and perseverance, and lots of fire. When someone’s taken everything from you, what do you do? WORLD GO BOOM."


He also noted some changes he made to his selection process of the songs. "In efforts to better reflect the year, I have a system that draws from the weekly charts from throughout 2011 that ensures that all the late-breaking hits (such as “We Found Love” & “Sexy and I Know It”) are included in the 2011 mix," Earworm stated.


The DJ appears to enjoy simplicity despite the complexity of his work. Under his about me section on his website, he wrote, "Basically, what I do is take a bunch of songs apart and put them back together again in a different way. I end up with tracks called mash-ups, which I post to this website."



Adding, "I also DJ with my laptop."
According to Global Herald, the DJ uses a songwriting approach to his mashups. He creates a theme and then selects certain words or phrases from the songs and cuts them up and layers them to make the song have its own message.


Watch the song below




The list of songs in the video is as follows (alphabetical order):
Adele – "Rolling In The Deep" and "Someone Like You"
Black Eyed Peas – "Just Can’t Get Enough"
Bruno Mars – "Grenade" and "The Lazy Song"
Britney Spears – "Till The World Ends"
Cee Lo Green – "F* You"
Enrique Iglesias – "Tonight (I’m Lovin’ You)"
Foster the People – "Pumped Up Kicks"
Jennifer Lopez – "On The Floor"
Jeremih feat. 50 cent – "Down On Me"
Katy Perry – "Firework," "E.T.," and "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)"
Lady Gaga – "Born This Way"
LMFAO – "Party Rock Anthem" and "Sexy and I Know It"
Lupe Fiasco – "The Show Goes On"
Maroon 5 – "Moves Like Jagger"
Nicki Minaj – "Super Bass"
OneRepublic – "Good Life"
Pink – "Raise Your Glass"
Pitbull – "Give Me Everything"
Rihanna – "S&M" and "We Found Love"





Original article published by me for The Christian Post