Evangelism.

What a sticky word.
We've been so burned, annoyed, and numbed by the idea of evangelism, and it's become a bit of a joke in my neck of the church. Even at our Sunday meeting a few weeks ago, when Seth brought this topic up, I could feel the air shift in the room. Backs were straighter, eyebrows hinting at skepticism, resisting an inner rolling of the eyes while we were trying our darndest to get ready to hear truth pulled from weeds.

One of Seth's questions to us was:

How do we respond when we love what we see, or what we're experiencing?

We pull ourPhones out, snap a couple of super artsy pics, frame them up digitally with cool vintage looking effects, and "share" them immediately online with our FB friends, thoughtfully captioned so that we can try to get our viewers to feel even for a moment what we just felt when we saw that sunrise, ate that cupcake, kissed that baby's face, heard that super impressive musician, etc. Or those of us without smart phones use the low tech (arguably more effective) alternative - our mouths, our hands, raised eyebrows, fantastic adjectives.. whatever we can use to express and share what we've experienced.

Photo by Justine Armstrong

So what do we do when we encounter God??
A very beautiful and natural kind of evangelism can happen when we see some sort of evidence or glimpse of our living God, and that experience or encounter compels us to share it with someone else. We as a faith community believe that God is doing something amazing, that right now He's growing something lovely, true, and eternal. And somehow He is making a way for us to see it, experience it, and even choose to join Him in it.

All of that to say, I've listened to Karla Adolphe's new album, Honeycomb Tombs, several times now, and I think I would describe this new work as a simple, true, and ultimately life-giving example of good evangelism. It's a collection of songs inspired by witnessing the death of a dear friend's daughter and it's become an album meant to join, comfort, and restore people who've found themselves in the midst of grief. These songs seem to me to be a natural response to the appeal in Romans to "rejoice with those who rejoice, and mourn with those who mourn." 

Album art by Caleb Friesen

Take 3 minutes to give her #2 track, Flying Low, a quick listen.

Wake up, love! Wake up, love! Wake up, love!

I know I'm alive.

Raised from the dead inside.

Breaking out of honeycomb tombs.

Growing gardens out of my wounds.

I know I'm alive.

--
There are lyrics, harmonies, and movements in this album that I want to Instagram, Tweet, put up on Facebook, write across my chest, tattoo on my arm, and sing on Sunday morning.. Ultimately I think it's totally worth sharing, not just with our people who are in the midst of grief, but it's for all of us who "carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body."


Karla has chosen to make this album available FOR FREE at http://www.karlaadolphe.ca/. I'll be promoting the heck out of this beautiful piece of work to all of my friends and family and I encourage you to do the same, after picking up the free download and listening to the album yourself. I pray that Honeycomb Tombs would bless you and bring you new life. I pray that through this album, God would use His Holy Spirit to act as Lazarus' friends and help remove from you your grave clothes, to remind you of the restored life he has for you.

Photo by Joanne Abraham Photography

Therefore we do not lose heart.

Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 

So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

 -----------

Download Honeycomb Tombs FOR FREE.

Find Touring/Booking info at http://www.therustycaravan.com/

Aaaaaand, like her on Facebook.

Sound of Seoul (#23)

::S o u n d o f S e o u l:: (^_^)
by Bethany P. Tweeten

Listen to Bethany's Playlist!

1. “Party Rock Anthem”
I will forever think of Korea when I hear this song. I’ve probably heard it every day since I’ve been here. It can be heard in the streets blaring from speakers outside makeup and cell phone stores, choreographed into countless Taekwondo routines, even used as businesses strategy, such as the “Party Rock Hotel” on the outskirts of town. I will walk through the halls of my elementary school and often hear students singing “everyday I’m shufflin…” and breaking out into dance. It still hasn’t gotten old for me yet...

2. “Headlines” ~Drake
I’ve gone through a major Drizzy phase since being here…for a while I couldn’t handle listening to anything remotely slow/sad and therefore had hiphop on lock. (Also had Jay-Z and Kanye’s “Watch the Throne on heavy rotation.)

3. “Bad Boy”~Big Bang
This wouldn’t be a “Sound of Seoul” without some Kpop up in here! (Korean pop= Kpop) This one is by my personal favorite Kpop boy-band: Big Bang! Many of their choruses are English words mixed with Korean and then verses in Korean. There are 5 members and each have their own lil personality...The most famous is probably GD (G-Dragon) who has taken on sort of a Lady-Gaga-esque weird-outfit image thing. To me, he is quite feminine. But anyway what am I talking about, check out their videos on youtube for more!

4. "I AM THE BEST" (내가제일잘나가) by 2NE1
It’s only fair to showcase the ladies of Kpop as well. While I find most female Kpop to be incredibly annoying, I do like me some 2NE1 :) Although it could be mostly because of one particular night where I found myself surrounded by sparklers (lit for someone’s birthday) INSIDE a bar with everyone dancing around and singing this at the top of their lungs..obvs only the Koreans could say most of it, but we (foreigners) caught on to the chorus by the end and now I can say “I am the best” in Korean. Useful.

5. So Good to Me ~Cory Asbury
This is my new favorite worship song. I recently found this amazing church, New Philadelphia, and I’ve been attending their new church-plant in Busan. I recently went on a retreat with all their church campuses and everyone sang and danced to this song...one of those awesome moments.

6. “Your Faithfulness” ~Jon Thurlow
I also heard this on the retreat with New Philly. First they sang the song how it is, then changed the names to the names of leaders in their church…really powerful. I immediately looked it up on my phone and it’s been on nonstop since :)

I remember your faithfulness to Noah


I remember your faithfulness to Moses


I remember your faithfulness to David

I remember your faithfulness to me

7. “Thinking about You” ~Frank Ocean
Love his falsetto. His voice is smooth like butta. I listened to this about a million times on repeat. Also pretty much anything by Miguel… But for realz, “I been thinkin boutchu.” Boutchu all!

8. “Midnight City” ~M83
Korea is a midnight city if I’ve ever seen one. People are so incredibly hardworking here...morning till night. High school students stay at school until 10PM then go to after-school academies. Even many of my elementary students go to academies until 12AM. On the weekends, the clubs don’t get hoppin until at least 1AM. I don’t think people ever sleep here. So Midnight City it is!

Waiting in the car

Waiting for a ride in the dark

Drinking in the lights

Following the neon signs…

9. “Lighthouse” ~Patrick Watson
This is a recent discovery and wowzers! His album, “Adventures in your own backyard.” SO good. This song is gorge. Listen to it on headphones. Loud. Just wait for that trumpet…mindblown. Also love that we don’t have to go far to find adventure!

Leave a lighthouse in the wild,
Cause I'm coming in a little blind
 Dreamer of a lighthouse in the woods


Shining a little light to bring us back home

Or to help us get back into the world

Won’t you shine the light in your own backyard….

10. “I Love You Always Forever” ~Donna Lewis
I like to listen to this on the bus and pretend I’m in the last scene of a 90’s movie as the credits start to roll….don’t judge me! Try it sometime :) Also, Korea is a country of and for couples. Wearing matching clothes. And I like it.

11. “The Reeling” ~Passion Pit
Also a great cruisin on the bus on the way downtown song  So city.

And all at once I feel this

Oh, how it clings to me

It reels and calls me towards some

Confounding destiny…

And I can feel the madness inch by inch

The more I run, the more I am convinced

I’ve coloured all these like the branches twist

Just like we settle in the frothy mist...

Korea is built on Confucianism. Respect for elders is built into their language and shapes everyday life. The streets are full of ajummas (technically means ‘married woman’, but especially refers to a certain style of grandma.) They are literally bent over and usually carrying bundles of plants, vegetables, etc…and they WILL run you over.

And with that, 안녕히 계세요! Goodbye and thanks for listening!! Miss you all and I’ll be back in the land of lakes soon!!

happy museum month! (#22)

that's right y'all. it's museum month. and what better way to celebrate than with a stellar playlist featuring the top 10 museums in the US! don't think about it too hard... just go with it.

Listen to Danny's playlist!!
------


#10. The Frick Collection: All the Rowboats by Regina Spektor - are you frickin' kidding me? just the fact that there is a museum in the world called the frick collection is frickin' amazing. one of the Frick Collection's mission statements is to preserve and display for the public the Collection, and to augment its holdings in fields established by Henry Clay Frick, reflecting the uncompromising levels of quality that he embraced, and maintaining the historic tranquility of Mr. Frick’s house. awesome. ok, and to be honest, this is probably the only song that will reference museums. like i said, just go with it.


#9. Norman Rockwell Museum: Blue Blood Blues by The Dead Weather - I don't know how Norman could NOT rock well to this song. one of the great charms of the museum is its location. many of Rockwell’s world-renowned images were drawn from the surrounding community and its residents.


#8. The Tech Museum of Innovation: Lotus Flower by Radiohead - this song just feels techy & innovative to me. try to not move to this... i dare you. the tech museum's mission is to inspire the innovator in everyone. how neat is that?!


#7. Museum of Fine Arts: Real Hero by College - The Museum's ultimate aim is to encourage inquiry and to heighten public understanding and appreciation of the visual world.


#6. Museum of Modern Art: Modern Man by Arcade Fire - had to be done. The Museum of Modern Art is a place that fuels creativity, ignites minds, and provides inspiration. With extraordinary exhibitions and the world's finest collection of modern and contemporary art, MoMA is dedicated to the conversation between the past and the present, the established and the experimental.


#5. National Gallery of Art: Movement and Location by Punch Brothers - The Gallery limits its active art collecting to paintings, sculpture, and works of art on paper, from the late middle ages to the present, from Europe and the United States.


#4. American Museum of Natural History: Magic by Ladyhawke - i'm kind of on an 80's vibe kick recently (see track #7, #4 & #3). The Museum is renowned for its exhibitions and scientific collections, which serve as a field guide to the entire planet and present a panorama of the world's cultures.


#3. Metropolitan Museum of Art: Polish Girl by Neon Indian - and it don't stop. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, which includes its Main Building on Fifth Avenue and The Cloisters museum and gardens in northern Manhattan, dates back to 1866.


#2. The J. Paul Getty Museum: Two Against One by Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi Feat. Jack White - poor j. paul... nobody likes coming in 2nd. The J. Paul Getty Museum seeks to further knowledge of the visual arts and to nurture critical seeing by collecting, preserving, exhibiting and interpreting works of art of the highest quality.


#1. Smithsonian: I Won't Be Found by The Tallest Man On Earth - felt like the #1 museum in the US needed an artist with a BIG name... not to mention this is probably my #1 song at the moment. and the irony being that the most popular museum in the US will never not be found. sorry for the double negative there... founded in 1846, the Smithsonian is the world's largest museum and research complex, consisting of 19 museums and galleries, the National Zoological Park and nine research facilities.


and there you have it! enjoy the rest of your museum month!

I am Joey Churchill's mustache (#21)

Sound of Souls turns 21 this week! Hooray!!! We can now belly up to the bar and order a frothy one with all of the adults (responsibly, of course). To mark this momentous occasion I invited someone very dear to me to do this weeks playlist.... my mustache. Yes, it's true! Mustache even agreed to sit down for a few minutes and chat about it. Here's how it went down.

Listen to Joey's mustache's playlist!!
----

Joey: Thanks so much for doing this. It really is cool of you.

Mustache: No problem. I'm a big fan of the blog. Especially Jessica. She's great. Really, the pleasure is all mine.

Joey: Alright. Awesome! Well, let's get right to it. What'ya got?

Mustache: Well, first off I have Cause For Alarm, by The Heavy. It's a lurking Reggae Rock song that forces you to bob your head.

Joey: Oh, that's nice! You're right! I'm totally bobbing my head.

Mustache: Well I hope your neck doesn't get sore cause up next is Glorified High, by Sarah Jaffe.

Joey: Sweet! I've never heard her stuff before but she sounds great! I want more, right now.

Mustuche: Too bad. No more Sarah Jaffe for you, but I do have some Hussle And Cuss, by The Dead Weather. This song is like a cool pill. If I could actually get this song into a pill and sell it, I would be a billionaire.

Joey: Just what the doctor ordered.

Mustache: Hahaha. That's cute. So, my next selection is Summertime Clothes, by Animal Collective. The core of this song to me kinda sounds like a alien spaceship landing! I can relate to this song because it sounds really aggressive and intense, but it's really just a sweet song at it's core about wanting to spend time with someone.

Joey: That's so true. Thanks for sharing that Mustache.

Mustache: No problem. Champion, by The Chevin is number five on my list. If you are a fan of Keane you should love these guys. Big time UK buzz band at the moment.

Joey: No doubt helped by their SXSW show. The Chevin is officially on our radar!

Mustache: You know, I'm real fortunate to have a lot of friends out there to keep me company. I do realize that not everyone is as lucky as I am. This one goes out to all of the lonely souls... Lonesome, by Dr. Dog

Joey: I am REALLY warming up to the Dog!

Mustache: Who's up for a classic? I know I sure am! Paper Planes, by M.I.A.

Joey: Awww yeah! It has been only four years, but I totally agree. Classic!

Mustache: If there is such a thing as the perfect fusion of soul, hip hop, and rock, it has to be Saint John, by Cold War Kids. There is something about this song that grabs me!

Joey: Wow. I am really pleased with this playlist so far Mustache. Keep going!

Mustache: Ok! Death By Diamonds And Pearls, by Band Of Skulls.

Joey: Oooo... Aggressive. I like it.

Mustache: You remember the days when Rock music was just drums, bass, and vocals? Those were the days.... Gun Has No Trigger, by Dirty Projectors.

Joey: I'm pretty sure Rock music was never just drums, bass, and vocals, but whatever. Good song.

Mustache: You know, as a mustache, people just assume that my music of choice is either straight rock, classic rock, or country. What?! Because I'm a mustache I can't like Rap? Man, that's whack.... Sleep Rules Everything Around Me, by Wugazi

Joey: Big fan of that project! A couple of local artists splicing and mixing away to create something unique and awesome. What's next?

Mustache: I got U.R.A. Fever, by The Kills. You like?

Joey: No. I love. Double dipping on Alison Mosshart too. First with The Dead Weather and now The Kills. Never a bad thing.

Mustache: No words for this next one. Just puttin straight vibes out there. Dub The Mic, by The Beastie Boys.

Joey: More Hip Hop flava in my ear. We're rollin. Don't stop now Mustache!

Mustache: Some people think mustaches are really creepy. Some people think they are awesome. This song is both creepy and awesome. Enjoy! Running From The Cops, by Phantogram.

Joey: That is really creepy and really awesome. Well, here we are Mustache. Take us home, it's been a good ride.

Mustache: Well Joey, as you know the most vicious natural predator a Mustache has is the dreaded wife, and yours is closing in on me right now. My time left now is short, but before I go I wanted to leave you with one last song. I think you know what song I'm talking about.....

Joey and Mustache: You're My Best Friend, by Queen.

Joey: I love you Mustache, til November.....



Wow. That got a lot more emotional that I expected. Laughs and cries all compressed into one little blog entry. Uffda! Well, there's a good chance Danny and Jessica will fire me with no severance package after they read this so, it's been fun sharing music with you. Keep it real, y'all!

Spring forward!! (#20)

This is a mix of what I'm listening to lately and also a little of a playlist a new friend gave me - so you and I are discovering some of this together!  Also a lot of these bands will be playing in Minneapolis over the next few months - want to go check out some music together?

Listen to Jessica's Playlist!


1.  Bright Whites by Kishi Bashi
I'd never heard of these guys, but I think I love them fifteen seconds in.  They just opened for Of Montreal last month, DANG.  He also works with Regina Spektor.  I think this cd is going to carry me right into warmer weather. 

2. Welcome Home by Radical Face

3.  Truth by Alexander Ebert
I love a good solo project.  This is the lead singer from Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeroes and Ima Robot.  He recorded the album Alexander while on tour with the Zeroes - quite a change since the Zeroes are a ten man band, while on this solo album, he literally did every bit of it himself.  I'm interested to hear more of it.

Because light's blinding, no way dividing
What's yours or mine when everything's shining?
Your darkness is shining, my darkness is shining.

4.  Your Ex-Lover is Dead by Stars

5.  Don't Think Twice, It's Alright by Bob Dylan
I ain't saying you treated me unkind.
You coulda done better, but I don't mind.
You just kinda wasted my precious time.
But don't think twice, it's alright.

6.  Sabali by Amadou & Mariam
This song makes me SO HAPPY.  And they're from Indonesia, a place I have so much fondness for.
The translation for the lyrics at the end is:
Baby, I give you a great big kiss.
I give you a great big kiss.
I hug you hard.  
Bye bye!

7.   Love Will Save Your Soul by Grouplove
Another happy tune - not sure how long it will stay on my radar.  This band is super fun, they'll be here in May, and they met while living in a commune.  So...

8.  The Way You Wish You Could Live in the Storm by Moonface
This is another band I ran across when I was digging through the Jagjaguar site. 
Yay keyboardists!  Yay Canadia!

9.  Om Nashi Me by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes
Sharpe is apparently Alexander Ebert's alter ego, whom he developed into a messianic figure, saying
"He was sent down to Earth to kinda heal and save mankind, but he kept getting distracted by girls and falling in love."  Ain't that the truth.
Om nashi me, I love you
And I love you forever 
And I'm loving you now

10.  Surgeon by St Vincent
Golly I'm really loving her new album.  This is probably going to be the hardest show to miss this summer.  If you're around, GO, for goodness sake. 

11.  Kanske är jag kär i dig by Jens Lekman
My words are just c c c coming out all wrong
I sure could use a little help
I think I'm gonna drop my cool now
The best way to touch your heart is to make an ass of myself.

Cute. 

Matt's Playlist (#19)

Hello, all! I'm glad to be making a guest appearance on the Sound of Souls blog with a playlist of my own. I tend to make playlists for the heck of it, but I thought I would (since this is my first entry here) choose a list of songs that have taught me about music, or ones that have represented some key events or people in my life. Enjoy!

Listen to  Matt's Playlist (#19)

1.     For The Widows In Paradise, For The Fatherless In Ypsilanti – Sufjan Stevens

I have called you preacher, I have called you son
If you have a father or if you haven't one
I'll do anything for you, I'll do anything for you…
I did everything for you, I did everything for you

Of course, this begins with a banjo tune. But more than that, we’re getting right into the deep stuff. I largely grew up without a father, and I realized over time that I’m pretty sure that has affected my view of God. However, as beautifully voiced by Mr. Stevens, I’ve felt that God is able to take that and show me that He’ll do anything for me… and that he has. 

2.     Another Day – Jamie Lidell

I was planning on including lyrics for all of these entries. BUT, a lot of times it’s more than just the lyrics, or I’ll love a tune DESPITE the lyrics. This is definitely a case of the former, but just enjoy. This is fun.

3.     Three Little Birds – Bob Marley

Don't worry 'bout a thing, 
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right.

That’s all that was needed to get me out of a funk… and it was a deep funk. It’s strange that you can hear a song dozens or hundreds of times, but it only takes that one time to make a difference. I really needed to hear this at the time. Not gonna lie, I teared up. Thanks, Bob.

4.     Torches Together – mewithoutYou

We'll be like torches
With whatever respect
Our tattered dignity demands
Torches together
Hand in hand

It’s hard to pick out just one chunk of lyrics from this song to highlight, but this song, written by an always-vulnerable Aaron Weiss, has to be one of the best I’ve ever heard about community. It just takes active listening. Try not to skip over this one.

5.     Brand New Colony – Postal Service

I'll be the platform shoes and undo what heredity's done to you...
You won't have to strain to look into my eyes
I'll be your winter coat buttoned and zipped straight to the throat
With the collar up so you won't catch a cold

This is a song I judged… by the first few notes.  There were a number of times I just passed right over it because it sounded like a video game. Seems like that would be appealing, but for some reason it wasn’t for a while. Then I listened to the song and loved the poetry Ben Gibbard used to let a gal know that he’s there for her.

6.     Mad Tom of Bedlam – Jolie Holland

Another song that isn’t about the lyrics for me. This was one of the tunes I first heard on The Current and my roommate and I at the time kept expecting additional instrumentation to kick in… and it didn’t. Then I knew we had something different here. I have since found out that Jolie is kind of pretentious, but this song still holds a special place for me.

7.     Mute With A Bullhorn – Ben Sollee

And a blind man with a brush,
Paints the trash he finds on the street.
The art collectors love his work,
And fetch money that he’ll never see.

Yes, and we all need to be heard.
There are some that will need to be found, 
But we don’t always know how.
No, we don’t always know how.A cellist singer/songwriter from Kentucky. One of the best shows I’ve ever seen live. He could have played all night long, and I'm pretty sure all of us there would have stayed. Love his voice, love his work.

8.     New Law – Derek Webb

don’t teach me about moderation and liberty
i prefer a shot of grape juice
don’t teach me about loving my enemies
don’t teach me how to listen to the Spirit
just give me a new law

i don’t wanna know if the answers aren’t easy
so just bring it down from the mountain to me

Derek Webb’s album Mockingbird has probably been one of the most influential that I’ve ever had the pleasure of hearing. This definitely got me to question a lot of the options often provided by the Church, but absolutely for the better.

9.     Echo – Incubus

There's something about the look in your eyes
Something I noticed when the light was just right
It reminded me twice that I was alive
And it reminded me that you're so worth the fight

One of my favorite bands in high school. Actually, they were flat out my favorite. I felt that this song highlighted their versatility and once I listened to it after beginning to date Damaris, the lyrics seemed to fit perfectly.

10. Brother – Annuals

I fell down in a creek bed.
Brother wept.
In his face I met fear; 
that I could die right there.
But I climbed right out.

So, it wasn’t a creek bed, but my brother and I went on a couple of “adventures” while growing up. One was to a park that we were explicitly told not to visit, but we did and I crashed my bike pretty badly down the hill out there. My brother saw me disappear behind a different hill, only to not show up out the other side. I hit the “death-wobble” and flipped over my bike and probably slid 15 feet down the pavement. I got up with a decent amount of blood and such. Helmet saved my life, though, or at least protected me from major head/brain damage.

The main reason I included this track though was just to reminisce of how, after having horrible fights and nearly hating one another at times growing up, music is what brought us together. We haven’t discussed this song at all, or listened to it together, but this goes out to him; a very dynamic song for a very dynamic brother.

11. Fire & Rain – James Taylor

Won't you look down upon me, Jesus, 
You've got to help me make a stand.
You've just got to see me through another day.
My body's aching and my time is at hand 
And I won't make it any other way.

This one goes out to my mom. Though not a musician, she introduced us to some great music growing up. There are a few other reasons to include this song for her, but that’s a whole other rabbit hole.

12. Oh Happy Day – Sister Act 2 Soundtrack

I was a choir kid. I loved this song.

13. After All – Sondre Lerche

You daren’t define which has happened to us
Well, I’ve had a name for it for some time
You try to find what it is that you feel
I long to tell you so truly

Another tune for my lovely wife. This was on a mixtape I made for a party at her old ministry. She was convinced this song was on there because of her, but it wasn’t. However, it did take on a Damaris-flavor once I really started liking her.

14. Beautiful Children – Jeremy Messersmith

I’m not going to put any of the lyrics on here for this one. I first heard it at one of his shows, and had a moment at the end where everyone just let out a sigh and didn’t want to even clap. Just listen.

15. Prelude to a Kiss – Duke Ellington (*I grabbed the version from the album "Digital Duke")

Although this isn’t the exact version with which I became familiar, Duke did something special here. I was quite moved once I heard the soaring sax and such. I later found out that there are lyrics to this song, but I can’t even bring myself to listen to them.

16. Tailor – Anais Mitchell

When he said, when he said he was leaving
I took up the violin
When he said, when he said that my body he'd not miss
I became a sculptress
When he said, when he said that my face he'd soon forget
I became a poet

I figured I’d put a recent addition onto this playlist. As with most of Anais’ songs, she draws you into the lyric pictures she paints. She speaks about her identity being in a person, and explores what happens when that person is gone. I just love the symmetry in her lyrics and the twists she puts in there. There is a bit of a shocker line near the end… just go with it. Also, she’ll be at the Entry on the 22^nd if anyone is interested…

17. Everything – Lifehouse

You calm the storms, 
And you give me rest. 
You hold me in your hands, 
You won't let me fall. 
You steal my heart, 
And you take my breath away. 
Would you take me in, 
Take me deeper now.

This song has been with me on and off since high school. I first thought it was about a girl, and then I realized it was a different kind of love song. I have a moment with this song where I distinctly remember sitting on the bathroom counter singing it aloud when it clicked and made so much more sense. Again, I got teary-eyed.

18. April – Scattered Trees

Help me to speak how you spake;
Help me to live how you lived.
Help me to see as you see; 
Help me to dream as you dream.
…please help me to live as you’d ought me to.

Seems like an appropriate way to end this. Nate Eisland set out to make an album of songs for each calendar month of his school year. One song per month – no more, no less. This is what he wrote in the month of… can you guess it… April! And it is beautiful.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this… at least a little bit. Next time there will be a tighter theme, but a good introduction to where I’ve come from seemed to be apt for a first attempt. Thanks, all!

he is risen (#18)

this playlist has nothing to do with easter... or does it....? i'm feeling upbeat right now. i like these songs. maybe you will too. no funny business this week y'all. short & sweet! enjoy!

Listen to Danny's Playlist!



1. State Of The Art by Gotye - uhn!


2. Tongue Tied by Grouplove


3. Disparate Youth by Santigold - oh ah!


4. California by Delta Spirit


5. Two Way Street by Kimbra - can't believe how incredible this chick was live. BLEW. MY. MIND. she let us come inside her mind.


6. The Grand Experiment by Doomtree - Dessa happened to be at the Gotye/Kimbra show. i think she waved at me cause i was staring at her. maybe she was waving at matt though... not sure. either way i froze & just tried to play it cool & nod at her. awesome.


7. A Commotion by Feist


8. Midnight City by M83 - the city is my church.


9. Marrow by St. Vincent - H.E.L.P.


10. Get Real Get Right by Sufjan Stevens - barricade the bathroom doors!


11. Faces by Yeah Yeah Yeahs - i. i. i. i. U!