sound of souls

home sweet home (#12)

2012-02-27T06:56:00.004-08:00

what is it about the word home? it stirs up so much emotion & memory. some good & some bad. i just spent the better part of the last 2 days packing, moving, cleaning & making a new home for myself. but home is more than just the space that's carved out for me in this old house. this playlist is dedicated to all the people & places that have been home to me & all the people i've shared a home with.

1. There's No Home For You Here by The White Stripes - ever lived with someone you just wish would go away? this song is smangin'. smashin' & bangin'.

2. This Is Home by Switchfoot - i think home is about belonging & this song describes it so beautifully.

3. Walking Far From Home by Iron & Wine - this guy has seen some crazy $#%!... but seriously... the first time i heard this song i was so pleased. and each time after.

4. Home by Jack Johnson - this is gonna be one of those playlists where it's more important to remember the artist than the name of the song...

5. Home by Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeroes - "home is whenever i'm with you."

6. Home by Mumford & Sons - just stumbled on this one! love me some mumf!

7. Home by LCD Soundsystem

8. After We Have Left Our Homes by MethMouth - inside jokes are the worst. this song is actually by MuteMath. "when can we start over?" such a cool interlude!

9. Honey Come Home by The Head and the Heart

10. Home by Sherwood - when i was a youth pastor for a couple years, i had to listen to a lot of music like this... make myself as relatable as possible. this band actually rubbed off on me.

11. Home by She & Him - "it doesn't get better than home, now does it?"

12. Find My Way Home by William Fitzsimmons - this guy makes some incredibly sweet music. he sings in almost a whisper which packs each song with such strong emotion.

13. I Was Young When I Left Home by Antony with Bryce Dessner - originally a bob dylan tune! dylan covers rule!

14. Is There a Ghost by Band of Horses - this is the only song on the playlist without home in the title, but i believe it's earned a spot. sometimes you just need a few simple lyrics to create an amazing song.

i'm glad to be home again... & when i leave this place, i'll be glad to be home again.

looney tunes (#11)

2012-02-19T14:40:00.001-08:00

Artists have always been looking for new and creative ways to make music. There is a constant and natural evolution that happens; a building and feeding off of one another. The boundaries in which popular music exist are ever morphing; expanding here, shrinking there, and so on and so on. This week we'll focus on the artists and bands who don't play by everyone else's rules. They sing goofy at times, and use strange instruments. They take their cues from no one, except for maybe each other. Buckle up kids! This is gonna be a fun one!

1. In the Flowers - Animal Collective, This is one of my favorites! It starts off all dreamy and atmospheric and then BOOM!!! Am I allowed to say "Eargasm" on here?

2. Clipping - MuteMath, That.. show.. was.. AWESOME! This track in particular blends a pulsing electro noise with classical instruments. So nice!

3. Come Alive (War of the Roses) - Janelle Monae, This girl can do, and will do, whatever type of music she feels like, and she'll do it VERY well. Hip Hop, R&B, Jazz, Rock... it's all there.

4. Hljomilind - Sigur Ros, These guys are so over the top creative and imaginative, that Icelandic and English just wouldn't do. They had to go and make up their own damn language called Vonlenska. It's untranslatable and (to quote Wikipedia) "uses the melodic and rhythmic elements of singing without the conceptual content of language" This song is sung entirely in Vonlenska.

5. The High Road - Broken Bells, Dangermouse + Shins lead James Mercer = Musical gold

6. Rental Car - Beck, Beck is another one of those artists that can pretty much do whatever he wants. He tinkers and plays with multiple genres and styles.

7. Mouthful of Diamonds - Phantogram, This Trip Hop duo out of New York describes their sound as "street beat, psych pop". Apparently I'm a massive "street beat, psych pop" fan. Who knew?

8. It's Oh So Quiet - Bjork, There's a thin line between Genius and BS Crazy. I'm pretty sure she toes that line when she's cooking breakfast, let alone making music. I can't tell if she's on to something, or just on something... probably both.

9. Kids With Guns - Gorillaz, A virtual cartoon band from a fictionalized universe cranking out Rap, Rock, and Dance tunes... enough said.

10. Blackout - Muse, Muse is one of the biggest bands on the planet today. While they mostly stick to the rock category, they do tend to bring it in a fresh and creative way every time. Their next album, for example, is described by Matt Bellemy as "christian gangsta rap jazz odyssey, with some ambient rebellious dubstep and face melting metal flamenco cowboy psychedelia". That's obviously not to be taken too serious, but they do mix it up! This track sounds like it should be performed on a Venetian river boat. Enjoy!

11. Too Much - Sufjan Stevens, You can't blame Jess for putting Suf on this playlist, but you can't blame me either. Listen to this! "Too Much" might take the cake when it comes to "weirdo music" but damn if it ain't catchy in between all of the chaos!

12. I Can Change - LCD Soundsystem, Try this for boundary pushing... this Dance-Punk band frequently incorporates Spoken Word into their music. Yep! Unfortunately LCD Soundsystem decided to go out on top and called it quits this past year, but not before putting out 3 fantastic albums.

13. Love Me Girl - Yeasayer, Did I hear a Loon....? Yep. That was a Loon.

14. Fight Test - The Flaming Lips, Track 6 off of their 1999 album "The Soft Bulletin" is entitled " "What Is the Light? (An Untested Hypothesis Suggesting That the Chemical [In Our Brains] by Which We Are Able to Experience the Sensation of Being in Love Is the Same Chemical That Caused the "Big Bang" That Was the Birth of the Accelerating Universe)"..... I don't really know what else to add here.

15. The National Anthem - Radiohead, How about we just let these modern day pioneers take us home.

There are SO MANY other artists and bands we could've included on this list. There's S.O.S. regulars like Poliça with their ambient vocals and double drums, or Bon Iver with their auto tuned folk music. Other bands too like Cults, Foster The People, and MGMT are always mixing it up to ensure things don't go stale on us. Enjoy!

Give us a kiss (#10)

2012-02-12T14:17:00.001-08:00

I've got mixed feelings about love/romance and all things related - and so does this playlist.

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1. I Walked by Fol Chen
I might as well start out with the Sufjan cover. Because you guys know I don't make a playlist without batting my eyes in his direction atleast once.
How about this for a break-up lyric - "When you went away, I went crazy, I was wild with the breast of a dog."
Brutal and totally attractive, right?

2. Don't gotta work it out by Fitz and the Tantrums
Rolling Stone labeled these guys Band to Watch and I think this song seals the deal for me.
It's some nice indie-soul pop that gives me all kinds of attitude.

3. You make me wanna by Usher

4. Weak by SWV
Summer of '93, baybee.
This one's for you, Katie and Bethany.

5. Two Lovers by Rural Alberta Advantage
"I hope your heart's good and strong, if you find yourself in my arms."
Also, "I'll hold you tight enough to crush your veins."

I'm tucking this one away for the remote possibility that I'll ever feel gooey for someone again.

6. The Walk by Mayer Hawthorne
But until then, BAM. Mayer, from Detroit, has got me covered.

7. Glycerine by Bush

8. Cherry by Ratatat
Mid-playlist makeout sesh.

9. Mona Lisa by Wyclef Jean
This album (The Carnival) absolutely blew up the charts in '97. Guantanamera, Trying to Stay Alive, Gone til November, Sang Fezi - so many great songs!
Also, if Aaron Neville doesn't make you feel like kissing just a little bit, I don't know what will.

10. Love Interruption by Jack White
Don't get too comfortable all you valentines out there.

11. End of the Road by Boyz II Men
Slow daaance. How dramatic did junior high suddenly get with this song floating around?

12. I have Nothing by Whitney Houston
Dang it, Whitney.

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I know V-day is super commercialized, overly cheesy, and can seem like a consumeristic waste of time - but I'm telling you, even when romantic love is further from me than the moon, I will always love this day. Give me an excuse to tell you I love you and I'll take it. Give me permission to be a sap, and I'll pour it right out.
Let yourself have a beautiful, romantic, hopeful, lovie sappy annoyingly cheesy valentines WEEK. Life's too short for anything less.

super bowl sunday #9

2012-02-05T15:19:00.001-08:00

that's right. it's super bowl sunday. the day where men all around the world huddle around their televisions, drink beer, eat pizza & watch football. so i thought it'd be fitting to dedicate this playlist to all the women out there. in alphabetical order... my top 15 artists or bands that have a female lead. this one's for you ladies (in a non-creepy voice).

1. Bad Things by Cults - did i mention i was upset that these folks didn't end up opening for foster the people when i went to see them?

2. A Commotion by Feist - this whole album (metals) is incredible! get it if you haven't.

3. The Lion's Roar by First Aid Kit - might be going to see them in the near future... if you're interested in going you might want to give some money to matt axelson... just sayin'...

4. Earth by Imogen Heap - even though this is an instrumental version, the instruments are all her voice. this chick is SO talented & creative.

5. Dance or Die by Janelle Monae - she can rap and sing. obviously the next lauryn hill. (don't hate me for saying that)

6. Settle Down by Kimbra - just now starting to get into her music, but she accompanies gotye on "somebody that i used to know"... and it just so happens that she'll be joining gotye in concert when he comes to mn!!!!

7. Pursuit of Happiness by Lissie - ***WARNING! EXPLICIT LYRICS!!!*** dang. this chick does some amazing covers.

8. Rich Kids Blues by Likke Li

9. Pull Up The People by M.I.A. - pull up the people, pull up the poor.

10. Don't Move by Phantogram - probably my favorite song right now. REALLY fun to dance to!

11. Dark Star by POLICA - couldn't get through this playlist without some POLICA... which actually happens to be the band that ended up opening for foster the people... so all in all it was a pretty damn good concert.

12. In The Sun by She & Him - she can act, she can sing, she's funny & she's a fox. done.

13. Cruel by St. Vincent - this chick's music is really strange and wonderful.

14. Bizness by tUnE-yArDs - !!!!!!!!!!

15. Down Boy by Yeah Yeah Yeahs - i've been such a huge fan of the yeah yeah yeahs for quite some time now. karen o is a complete nutcase and i love her for it. listen to "tick" from the "fever to tell" album & you'll know what i mean.

there you have it folks. happy super bowl sunday!

music from mn #8

2012-01-29T16:03:00.001-08:00

When I say "Music from Minnesota" what's the first thing that jumps into your head? My guess is that it's probably Prince or Bob Dylan, maybe even Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. That's not a bad thing either. Those are some huge names in music history. Music from Minnesota has grown though. The Twin Cities is a flourishing musical hotbed on par with all of the traditional greats like Brooklyn, L.A., and Seattle. Don't believe me? Watch and listen as we explore an entire playlist of Minnesota music acts without having to use any of the obvious Heavyweights (Prince, Bob Dylan, Semisonic, Soul Asylum, and Atmosphere).

1. Sound Asleep by Solid Gold featuring P.O.S. - Are you hearing this?!?! Sheesh this is good! I just recently discovered this song, but it is already one of my favorites. I like it more every time I hear it!

2. Raggedy Man by Haley Bonar

3. Not The Kid by Communist Daughter - For me, this song has a 60's Donovan vibe to it. Goes down smooth like Mellow Yellow. (wink, wink)

4. Wandering Star by POLICA - Like Jessica said last week, this band is blowing up! They seem to be gaining steam by the day and for good reason too. These tracks are moody and haunting. So SOO good!

5. Bright Bright Bright by Dark Dark Dark - Please don't let the absolutely comical band and song title combo fool you. This song is gorgeous.

6. Freak Out by Tapes 'n Tapes

7. Settling It Off by Peter Wolf Crier - Another one of Jessica's professed loves. What a great band name too, huh?

8. Victory by Trampled by Turtles - Palomino was one of my favorite albums of 2010. If you didn't think it was possible for Blue Grass to melt your face off, listen to "Wait So Long". You've been warned! These guys are also releasing a new album in April, so keep a look out.

9. How Deep Is That River by Mason Jennings

10. Dillinger Eyes by Jeremy Messersmith - Mr. Messersmith is one of the more Successful acts to come out of Minnesota lately. His past couple of albums have been really solid, with his most recent "The Reluctant Graveyard" probably being his best work to date.

11. Back of Your Neck by Howler - Howler is another band that is blowing up, but these guys are doing it on a global scale. NME named them the #3 best band of 2011. They also recently just signed with a major British label (Rough Trade) and are now label mates with the likes of My Morning Jacket, The Strokes, and The Decemberists. Look out for Howler!

12. The Gaudy Side of Town by Gayngs - They're not as much of a band as they are a collection of awesome artists jamming together on one long, coooool, smooooth, album. Gayngs is a who's who of local and Midwest indie artists including Justin Vernon and Mike Noyce of Bon Iver, Har Mar Superstar, P.O.S., Dessa, Channy Moon Casselle of POLICA, members of Solid Gold and many, many more.

The Twin Cities music community is thriving thanks to talented, and creative acts such as these. You can go downtown almost any weekend and find a pretty great show. While we may have been cursed with some crummy weather, we have been blessed with a local culture that values some pretty amazing music, no matter what your taste.

gray days make me happy. (#7)

2012-01-22T15:32:00.002-08:00

I just can't help it.
Everything looks so dramatic outside, chalked up in lavenders silvers and powdery blues and it all makes me feel like I'm walking around in a movie. And I love music that fits that chilly gray. This playlist is a sampling of stuff I've been coupling with the dreariness, and while I don't think it will bog you down and push you over the edge into deep snowy depression or anything, these songs for sure aren't pretending it's 80 degrees outside. And neither am I. ------------------------------------

1. Island, IS by Volcano Choir
These guys are a collaboration between Justin Vernon and Collections of Colonies of Bees, recorded in Fall Creek, Wisconsin in Bon Iver's recording studio, 3 miles from the house where JV grew up, 10 minutes from the bar where his parents first met.
Aw.

2. Sign of Life by Kunek
It's hard to believe I used to go see this band in Oklahoma for $5, and now they're opening for RADIOHEAD as the band, Other Lives. This is from their album Flight of the Flynns. Now I'll get to go see them in Kansas City.

!!!!!!!

3. I missed the Point by Neko Case
"I have lightning if the stars dry out to guide me".

4. Old Gowns by Mount Moriah
A little bit more country for you - this band is from Old Gowns, North Carolina.

5. Lay Your Cards Out by Polica
A four-piece band with two drummers? That's right.
This girl, Channa, formerly from Roma di Luna, teamed up with 3 other artists connected with Vampire Hands, Gayngs, and Bon Iver. They're local and are kind of exploding right now. They're playing 2 sold out shows in Minneapolis in the next month and 1/2 and I'm missing both of them. Boo. But seriously, sold out shows when they're less than a year into debuting their first album, Give You the Ghost, is pretty impressive.

6. Daphne by Lia Ices
I first heard Lia through my roommate B Tweet.
She's signed under Jagjaguwar, the same recording label as Bon Iver, Volcano Choir, Pele, Gayngs, and Collections of Colonies of Bees. Have you noticed I've mentioned Gayngs twice now? You should probably check them out.

7. A Case of You by James Blake
"I could drink a case of you darlin, and I would still be on my feet." Thank you Joni Mitchell.

8. Don't Tremble by The Low Anthem
I absolutely love this entire album (Oh My God, Charlie Darwin). I like to play this song for my roommates so much, I'm a little worried they might start thinking I'm in love with them. I might be a little bit, in the sense that I want so much for them, and from them.
"If your heart is unemployed, do not rush but do not stall, 'cause I'm waiting."

9. Nothing by Mason Jennings
Heard it on the Current yesterday and I smiled and bobbed my head the whole way through.

10. Love is Won by Lia Ices
I'm breaking Joey Churchill's rule against having 2 songs by 1 artist in the same playlist. I just couldn't choose.
So I made that my choice.

11. Sea of Love by Cat Power
Some days, only the Juno soundtrack will do.

12. Impossible Soul by Sufjan Stevens
Let's be honest - I don't make playlists without Sufjan tucked in somewhere.

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Enjoy!!

coming in a little late #6

2012-01-16T14:40:00.001-08:00

so this week i decided to go all covers for the playlist cause covers are awesome and it's been really cold outside! as a musician, i really appreciate being able to take what someone else has done & give it a little tweek. creativity inspires MORE creativity & i think that's really what jess & i hope for this blog: that as y'all come see what we're up to, it'd inspire you to start doing something new too :)
let's do this.

1. Walk This Way by Run-D.M.C. - give it up y'all! this was a break-through cover that really changed music. i wonder what it was like to come up with the idea for this song and then get it done & watch people respond to it.

2. Killing Me Softly by Fugees - this is one i grew up on. lauryn hill & the fugees are probably one of the reasons i started listening to rap & hip hop.

3. In The Devil's Territory by Derek Webb - just recently stumbled upon this tune. i'm really impressed that a christian artist had the balls to touch something sufjan created, but this song wails! i love it!

4. No One's Gonna Love You by Cee Lo Green

5. Bad Romance by Lissie - didn't really like this song until i heard this version. now i can't help but like both. these two are freak bitches baby.

6. The Kids by B.o.B feat. Janelle Monae - this one really surprised me too. don't hate me, but i'm pretty sure i like this one more than the original by vampire weekend. *ducking to avoid stones/tomatoes*

7. I Want You Back by Discovery - this whole album is incredible. just sayin'.

8. Tiger Mountain Peasant Song by First Aid Kit - these chicks did a video for this song in the woods. amazing!

9. Such Great Heights by Ben Gibbard - this is the ultimate cover song. this song was originally done by ben gibbard with postal service, then was covered by iron & wine. here it is... ben gibbard covering a cover of his own song! cool!

10. I Can't Make You Love Me/Nick Of Time by Bon Iver - COME ON!

also... a quick honorable mention. my bro just found this little goodie. check it out!

that's all for now. cover up... it's cold out there!

high five, #5.

2012-01-08T13:33:00.001-08:00

Is it Sunday already??

This week's playlist is simply what I'm listening to lately, so chances are if you've walked into i like you (NE Mpls - check it out) at any point in the last month, played pool with me, or basically given me any opportunity to be hangout dj, you'll have heard most of these.

1. Right Away by Peter Wolf Crier
These guys are local and have a new album out called the Garden of Arms - it's super dreamy to me, and ragged and beautiful.
2. Gangsta by tUnE-yArDs
who kill? They kill. Need a pick me up on the worst day ever? Google NPR's tiny little desk concert performance of theirs.
3. June by Motopony
Seattle based - this album totally sounds like they live in a place that rains 8 months of the year. But I like the moody stuff.
4. Jerome by Lykke Li
This young thang made our playlist 2 weeks in a row. What can I say, she's catchy.
5. Fall Creek Boys Choir (ft Bon Iver) by James Blake
I've decided that if I ever somehow spontaneously turn into a song, (because that sort of thing could totally happen), it (I) would be probably sound like something that's come out of Justin Vernon's mouth, or James Blake's brain.. or both.
6. He Lays in the Reins by Iron & Wine and Calexico
7. Chicago (Multiple Personality Disorder version) by Sufjan Stevens
Hey Suf.
8. Ceiling of Plankton by Givers
Personally, I like any song where you get to shout out "I'll give you all my guts!!"
9. The Case of William Smith by Astronautalis
I'm still trying to figure out if I like this guy. He just moved to Mpls to get into the local hip-hop scene, and that kind of makes me want to love him. I'm a sucker for transplants.
10. Falling in Love with Glaciers by Listener
Dan Smith's lyrics completely kick my ass. Amazing.
He says things like "Chop your own wood and it'll warm you twice" and "Everyone wants a revolution, but nobody wants to wash the dishes."

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Soul Team updates to come soon.
In the meantime, have a beautiful week!!

Joey's Top 10 of 2011 (#4)

2012-01-01T15:47:00.001-08:00

So Jessica and Danny asked me to be "Guest Blogger Guy" for this week and post my Top 10 songs of 2011 and I jumped at the opportunity. I LOVE music and I think the concept of this blog is awesome. I'm thrilled to be able to contribute! So, without further adieu, my Top 10 and a little something on why I like each song or why it's special to me... #10 Louder Than Ever, Cold War Kids The Cold War Kids are one of my favorite bands. They've had a pretty distinct sound that is gritty, messy, and a bit bluesy at times so I was worried when I heard they were going for more of a "polished" sound on their 3rd album. My fears were calmed when I heard this! Great song. #9 Make Some Noise, Beastie Boys There is no deep thinking involved with this one. This is just a super fun track with a funky beat by three Hip Hop pioneers from Brooklyn. Word homies... word. #8 I Follow Rivers, Lykke Li I was first exposed to Lykke Li last year when she appeared on the "Twilight, New Moon" soundtrack. She is Swedish, which is awesome because this is exactly how I picture Swedish Pop music sounding. Lucky Swedes!!! #7 Satellite, The Kills I love it when songs take on physical characteristics and mimic things like machines or animals. This song almost has a chugging effect, like it's a train barreling down on you. It is a brooding rock song that has a certain haunting quality to it. Alison Mosshart leads the way on vocals and the tone of her voice compliments the mood of this song perfectly. I love it. #6 Blood Pressure, Mutemath Like my brother, Mutemath is probably my favorite band. These guys are constantly looking for fun, fresh, and innovative ways to make records. You can hear an evolution from album to album, and while that's not always a good thing in this case it is. It's refreshing. Mutemath has fine tuned their sound and on "Blood Pressure" they flex their muscle. #5 Helena Beat, Foster The People Foster The People is an interesting band. In 2011 they gained enormous amounts of fans and popularity, yet there are those in the music industry who hate them and view them as everything that's wrong with Indie Music. They're an invasion of cheesy pop and cliched gloss that takes direct aim at the masses with safe and catchy songs. It doesn't help that they are lead by a former commercial jingle writer. One write up marks Foster' as the official tipping point for Indie Music from subculture to marketable commodity... Insecure much? To hate on a band just because your little sister also likes them, or God forbid your parents (GASP!!!) is just plain childish. KDWB and every other "Top 40" Pop farm did get their hands on "Pumped up Kicks", but maybe that's because it's just a good song. Either way, "Torches" is a fantastic album. "Helena Beat" is my favorite, but you could just throw a dart at the track list and hit gold. #4 Simple Math, Manchester Orchestra If you have ever wondered what it meant for a song to "soar" just give this one ride. I remember the first time I heard it. I was in my car in the parking lot outside my work. I was so desperate to hear the new Manchester that I pulled it up on my phone via a Youtube clip. Yikes! Add that to the fact that my expectations were sky high and you have a recipe for disaster... By the end of the song I was engulfed in goosebumps and giggling like a little boy. It is a rare and special thing when a song has that kind of immediate impact on you. "Simple Math" literally blessed me that day. #3 Calgary, Bon Iver Bon Iver was an enigma to me. They were one of those bands that everyone else seemed to love and I just didn't understand. I don't know if it was Justin Vernon's voice or the pacing, but something never quite clicked with me. When their self titled "Bon Iver" album dropped earlier this year I decided I would give it a couple spins and see if anything stuck. It would be on in the background while I was hanging with the fam or cleaning. Then, suddenly, I loved it. I truly, genuinely loved it. It was like one of those "Magic Eye" puzzles where you stare at a blurry page for a couple of minutes and then all of the sudden a Humming Bird jumps out at you! "Calgary" is patient and rewarding. SO happy I found it. #2 Abducted, Cults Cults, along with Foster The People, are my favorite new acts of 2011. Cults is a unique and retro band with a throwback sound. I was first turned on to them by their breakout hit "Go Outside" but was pleasantly surprised when this track jumped out and slapped me across the face! "Abducted" starts off with a whisper but quickly bares it's teeth and erupts! For maximum listening pleasure turn the volume up as loud as you can handle..... then turn it up just a little more. #1 Helplessness Blues, Fleet Foxes For my list I apply just a few basic rules. One rule is I won't put more than one song in from the same band. If I didn't apply this rule to myself things could've very easily spiraled out of control and turned into my "Top 10 Fleet Foxes songs of 2011". This album is packed with gem after gem , but the crown jewel here is the title track "Helplessness Blues". Society preaches "Individualism", "You! You! You! It's all about YOU!!!", and "Survival of the fittest" where lead singer Robin Pecknold hints that there might be a better way to live. A more communal way, where I can rely on you and you can do the same of me. A simple way of life where I can just go to work on my freaking orchard, enjoy the fruits of my labor, and provide for my loved ones. When the rest of the world is telling you to dream big, Fleet Foxes dares us to dream small, and I love them for that.

2011 was a SUPER good year for music and 2012 looks very promising! There are multiple heavy hitters, and personal favorites due to drop albums in the next 365 days. Allow me to get your musical mouth watering... Mumford & Sons, The Shins, The XX, Muse, MGMT, Animal Collective, Grizzly Bear, Yeasayer, Andrew Bird, Gnarles Barkley, and Sigur Ros all have new material due! Happy New Year indeed!!!

let's start the new year right (#3)

2011-12-26T11:28:00.001-08:00

alright kids. last week was the christmas playlist. this week is the new years playlist. don't get it twisted though... this isn't going to be one of those playlists that you'll wanna crank at a new years party so you can bump & grind with that special someone. these will get you in the mood for new years. so give it a listen this week.

1. Let's Start the New Years Right by Bing Crosby
2. Dirty Harry (Schtung Chinese New Year Remix) by Gorillaz - this song is awesome.
3. 1999 by Prince - classic
4. End of the Year by Other Lives - this is a new one i stumbled upon. beautiful song & a beautiful concept. it's the end of the year, but it's not too late :)
5. The New Year by Death Cab For Cutie
6. New Years Day by U2
7. New Year by Charlie Hall - this is a song about hope. i like the idea behind this song... a new day to point the way to God's great life.
8. Together We'll Ring in the New Year by Motion City Soundtrack
9. Our Time by Yeah Yeah Yeahs - this song makes me smile.
10. Long December by Counting Crows
11. In the New Year by The Walkmen - another new one i just recently discovered. the way this guy sings is so passionate & messy. i love it.

it's gonna be a good year.

Amain.

2011-12-24T07:28:00.002-08:00

Thirdway community member, Eddie Oroyan, offered our worship music last Sunday with some pretty great Christmas songs. His leading of "I saw three ships" was my favorite for sure. We happily belted it out, strumming the guitar and banjo and clanging on the glockenspiel while Eddie walked around singing and playing his harmonica. Silly or not, it was refreshing to approach God with joy and playfulness.

Eddie told us that the song originates in England somewhere in the 1600's. People would wait at the ports, looking to the horizon, in anticipation for their sailors to arrive. There was so much joy there in the waiting for returning husbands, fathers, friends and news-bearers.

The final lyric is a shouting "Then let us all rejoice amain, on christmas day, on christmas day!" The word "amain" means "with full force, at full speed, suddenly, exceedingly, and greatly".

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I pray that as we celebrate Christ's birth, God will restore our anticipation of His kingdom coming in fullness and that we would look to the horizon with joy, ready to pump our fists into the air and shout "Amain"!

Merry Christmas!!

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Your trees wave branches high, like arms in church to grateful sky. - Aaron Weiss, mewithoutYou

#2

2011-12-18T14:44:00.002-08:00

Get christmassy y'all.

1. Put the Lights on the Tree - Sufjan Stevens

- The official video for this song makes me so happy. And makes me want to call my Memaw.

2. Little Saint Nick - The Beach Boys

3. Jing-A-Ling, Jing-A-Ling - The Andrews Sisters

4. Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy - Bing Crosby & DAVID BOWIE.

- That's right. David Bowie.

5. Sleigh Ride - She & Him

- I have a friend crush on cutie Zooey D.

6. Winter Wonderland - Ray Charles

7. Go tell it on the Mountain - Dolly Parton

- Love Dolly (said in the imperative). Or Else.

8. Holy, Holy, Holy - Sufjan Stevens

9. Last Christmas - George Michael

10. Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree - She & Him

11. Baby, It's Cold Outside - Louis Armstrong & Velma Middleton

12. Jingle Bells - Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters

13. I Saw Three Ships - Suffy baby.

14. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Bob Dylan

- If you get through this without smiling, there might be something wrong with you.

15. We're Goin' to the Country - Sufjan Stevens

- I think I might love him. Feel free to confront me.

16. White Christmas - Otis Redding

17. Christmas, Baby Please Come Home - Mariah Carey

18. Happy Holidays (Beef Wellington remix) - Bing Crosby

19. I Wish it was Christmas Today - Julian Casablancas

20. Christmas in Hollis - Run D.M.C.

- Die Hard? Anyone?

21. Silver Bells - Stevie Wonder

22. Blue Christmas - Bright Eyes

23. Merry Christmas Baby - Otis Redding

24. Let it Snow! - Lena Horne

25. All I want for Christmas is You - Mariah Carey

- Love actually IS all around.

26. Baby, It's Cold Outside - Ray Charles & Betty Carter

- Because I love both versions, you get to hear it twice. You're welcome.

27. You're all I want for Christmas - Bing Crosby

28. O Come All Ye Faithful - Bob Dylan.

- Again, feel free to smile until your cheeks fall off.

So our weekly playlists won't usually be nearly this long, but I figured it would be nice to have a list long enough to decorate a tree and eat a slice of pie. And wrap a gift. And drink a Christmassy beer with a friend or a Memaw.

Merry Christmas!!!

Good.

2011-12-17T10:00:00.001-08:00

"You ask if your verses are good. You ask me. You have previously asked others. You send them to journals. You compare them with other poems, and you are troubled when certain editors reject your efforts. Now (as you have permitted me to advise you) I beg you to give all that up. You are looking outwards, and of all things that is what you must not now do....

Go inside yourself. Discover the motive that bids you write; examine whether it sends its roots down to the deepest places of your heart, confess to yourself whether you would have to die if writing were denied you. This before all: ask yourself in the quietest hour of your night : MUST I write? Dig down into yourself for a deep answer. And if this should be in the affirmative, if you may meet this solemn question with a strong and simple "I Must", then build your life according to this necessity; your life must, right to its most unimportant and insignificant hour, become a token and a witness of this impulse....

And if from this turning inwards, from this sinking into your private world, there come verses, you will not think to ask anyone whether they are good verses. You will not attempt, either, to interest journals in these works : for you will see in them your own dear genuine possession, a portion and a voice of your life. A work of art is good if it has grown out of necessity. In this manner of its origin lies its true estimate: there is no other."
-Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters to a Young Poet

-------------

My friend recently gave me this book, an early christmas gift prompted by a stout beer-steeped discussion of writing, soul-making, and the terror and bravery of reviving gifts and desires that have long been hidden, neglected or even forgotten. It was a timely and, I think even, God-inspired conversation that will deeply mark this turning point I feel myself to be in creatively.

This first letter by Rilke reminds me of the time when a man said to Jesus, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit the kingdom? Jesus said, "Why do you say 'good'? No one is good except the Father". There are probably a bazillion super deep lessons that are taught from this gospel passage, but for me, I always walk away from it reminded that my approach to God, and to life in his kingdom, isn't about being good enough. I guess that's part of what I'm coming back to creatively - a throwing off of being "good".

But the discussion, and above excerpt, isn't only for those with outward and obvious creative gifts that want to be revived. It's for all of us who have lost something of ourselves along the way of life.

--
I found myself in a beautiful little moment the other night, up way too late sitting in my bed, plucking at my guitar and singing song after song after song and at one point, I smiled thinking of Rilke and said, I Must.

What must YOU do?

#1

2011-12-11T07:24:00.001-08:00

so jess and i decided that we are going to be posting a weekly playlist of tunes. what we've been listening to that particular week & music that makes us excited to be alive. this first playlist was constructed mostly to get the ball rolling, but i won't hesitate to stand by it proudly. so... in no particular order...

1. Warrant By Foster The People
this band has completely blown up this year. i was privileged to see them in concert last weekend and it just so happened to be their last show of their tour. they put their all into their performance & it was a complete blast to see. check out the short clip from the concert at the bottom of this post.
2. Prytania By MuteMath
by far my personal favorite band and another group i'll be enjoying in concert come february. this song just makes me want to dance.
3. Meyrin Fields By Broken Bells
4. Somebody That I Used To Know By Gotye
this song is getting tons of radio play on the current and he is coming to the varsity early april... gotta get tickets (ahem... matt axelson)
5. Wide Eyes By Local Natives
6. Calgary By Bon Iver
originally i had Towers on the list, but playlist.com took it down... bummer. but calgary is still a great track off an incredible album.
7. Little Lovin' By Lissie
heard this song for the first time driving home from the airport one night. one of the best late night drives i've had in a while.
8. Lost In My Mind By The Head And The Heart
9. And If My Heart Should Somehow Stop By James Vincent McMorrow
i got to see james vincent and his band perform a couple months back. amazing live show. wow.
10. Fake Plastic Trees By Radiohead
jessica actually showed this one to me. she worked up an acoustic rendition that we were able to perform at the groundswell grand re-opening. such a great tune!

there you have it folks. enjoy!

Hello.

2011-12-08T22:01:00.001-08:00

hey.
how are you? good? good.
how are we, you ask?
well actually, we're doing GREAT. greater than great. because we're starting a BLOG.
i know you've never heard of that before. it's because it's never been done.

danny and jess are blogging? why the heck?
well.. we're not completely entirely sure why. we dont have a mission statement or anything.

but here's the deal, danny and i meet weekly on behalf of the "soul team" of thirdway church, and it's just turning out to be such good time together. and we want to share that goodness with you. i know it would probably be easier to just invite everyone to our meetings, but let's face it, who wants to come to danny's at 8:30 every friday morning? his apartment is cold, our skreeching morning vocals sound especially terrible, and i'm pretty sure we still stink from having just woken up.

SO if you'd like to hear thoughts and songs born out of those early morning discussions, sans morning breath, please follow our blog. we'll be keeping it fairly simple. our basic desire is to share our hopes for thirdway and god's kingdom from a musical context, highlight the creative endeavors of artists in our community and city, and.... lots of other really cool things too. (i.e. awesome weekly playlists, lyrics archives for thirdway music, and probably weird videos of danny being weird)

well that's all for now. i hope you have a beautiful and inspiring friday.
i pray that our hearts will be open to God's mercy today for everyone around us, and open to the delight He takes in everyone, even you.

alright, now let's walk away from our computers for a bit and interract with some real people today. don't forget to get that playlist going though, it's a good one. also please enjoy the art by incredibly talented joel hedstrom.

Start something new today.

2011-12-06T11:54:00.002-08:00