Hey guys.  Nathan here.  I have three simple questions for Michael Gungor and everyone else:

1. Why are we having worship nights at bars, knowing full well that Christians are going to come and stiff the bar, but also expecting them to stiff the bar because, hey, maybe you should NOT drink at a worship night? Let’s be honest: it’s mainly Christians that go to these worshippy shows in bars. I say worshippy cause I don’t really know what they are. They’re like… quasi-worship but more but not… I don’t know, I’ve always been really confused at these events. I saw Gungor in Toronto earlier this year at a church. I’ve always loved his worship stuff, but I didn’t get his show. It was so damn good but it felt confusing. I was wishing it was less Christian or more Christian. I know that makes no sense to some people philosophically, but practically, it makes a lot of sense. I just think the guy belongs in the general market AND church worship market, and not a mix of both. I also think that would eliminate the frustration at the alcohol toting venues.  I don’t have a problem with alcohol and Christians, or people who have achieved wisdom and righteousness superior to Jesus and therefore abstain.

2. Can you decipher the authenticity or reasons of the heart by genre or sonic? If you sound like Sufjan Stevens does that mean you’re disingenuous? It sounded like Gungor doesn’t like CCM. Who does? CCM doesn’t even like CCM. They’re like their own dirty secret. And screamo? Bro, I think Underoath were legit, not a bone of insincerity in the whole band. And let’s be honest, 50 years ago Rock N Roll was considered the devils music and Christians who adopted the genre were considered anethema. Mike both Rocks AND Rolls. Unfair.

3. Should Christian music that isn’t congregational or overtly devotional even exist? I don’t think so. I think Christians that don’t do music expressly for spiritual devotion (Keith Green) or congregational worship (Chris Tomlin) should just do general market stuff. Why? Influence and Creativity, two concepts antiquated evangelicalism has given up on and almost completely abdicated in society altogether. And THAT is a completely different topic.

If you’re a Christian worship leader, please don’t do a Christian side project. No Christians want that. Just do worship music and general market music. Your general market stuff will be enjoyed by both Christians and non-Christians alike, and maybe God will give you influence in places you never dreamed.

Nathan…

OK Ragamuffins…DIVE IN…Thoughts?
Los

But i mean seriously, Nathan plays Father Abraham on a daily basis. He’s a softie.

Happy Christmas Father Abraham from The Paradigm Collective on Vimeo.

Family.
These guys are it.
I don’t ever beg.
But if there was a time, it would be now.
Why?
Because there is so much getting pimped on the web a lot of time gold gets overlooked.

Put Nathan and Gabe on the middle of your radar.
Like the center.
The game is about to change.
Pick up Royal’s EP here.

You’re welcome.
Los

My friend Brandon is celebrating his new album, A Love Better Than Life, and it is great!

You can download a free track HERE.

And buy it on iTunes HERE.

I love celebrating what other artists and worship leaders are doing…it’s better that way.

My friend Keith, and an OG Creative Coaching alumni has just released a new album.

And I guess he learned something in our creative coaching, because he has an idea that I think is a fantastic way for artists to get their music out.

Will you play along in our little social experiment?

To be a part and to check out his new music,  simply comment below with your name and email.

Keith will “gift” you the album from iTunes.

Then it’s your turn.

You gift the $4.99  album to someone else in iTunes

Then, they get the chance to “Play it Forward” too.

You make friends, you get new music. It’s a win win.

Let the experiment begin.

Seriously. It will haunt you and move you all in the same moment.
Who is the band we all need to hear that no one has told us about yet?
Los

Obviously, it’s a winner chicken dinner.
Go buy it please cause I love that man.
I don’t have a hit song, but I feel like I do present many great lyrics on this blog or at lease ideas to wrestle with.
What is that phrase?
What is the phrase that sums us all up?
I’m stuck.

What phrase that describes or IS my world would you sport?
Los

Gimme Shelter | Playing For Change from Playing For Change on Vimeo.

A man in India sits playing his drums, CUT TO: a woman singing, the blue hills of Jamaica as her backdrop, CUT TO: a street musician standing in a New Orleans park playing a washboard…
CUT TO: Mark Johnson, a man who has spent 6 years traveling and filming musicians from around the globe to create Playing for Change, a band and a foundation that inspires people to connect and bring peace to the world through music.

This is the stuff…
Los

There is not much I can’t say about creative block when it comes to writing music.
Because I live in it.
I am not a natural music writer.
I am a story teller.
How to make a story fit inside a melody frustrates the hell out of me.
But here are some areas of focus I use to break out of that life long bondage to squeeze out a song that just might change the world.

1. Stop listening to music that sounds like yours.
This would seem like a no brainer. But it is not. When writing a song, if you want to sound like John Legend, don’t listen to John Legend.
Why?
Because your natural tendencies will ALREADY take you that direction. Let those tendencies flow while allowing other influences to seep in and make you unique.
2. Change instruments.
Now I know some of you are screwed.
You only play one instrument.
So go down to Toys R Us and pick up a kazoo.
Seriously.
This change will explode new and fresh ideas into your lame G C D chord brain.
Then put the instrument down all together and just sing.
3. Ask a 5 year old to sing back your melodies.
It may be a whack idea…
But I honestly think that if a 5 year old can’t remember your melody, then neither will I. Keep it simple and as you simplify your ideas will begin to flow.

4. CoWrite.
I know. It’s kinda like walking into a room with another person naked and asking them to judge your body.
And honestly, it is that bad.
Sometimes. Not all the time.
Great ideas come in sets.
Use this to your advantage to flow off of each other.
If it is not working…then don’t force it, just find someone else.

5. Write a song, verse, hook, chorus, or bridge every day for a month.
I’m serious.
Even if it sounds like Twinkle Twinkle Little Stars or Ice Ice Baby.
I GUARANTEE you that if you get 30 ideas, at least ONE of those is gold. You just have to empty the trash before you can find the treasure.

So there you have it.
Spread the love and share your song writing creative block solutions in the comment section!
And don’t forget to hit up the other amazing bloggers in this little blog group hug day sharing their creative block solutions!
Share…
Los

Today I am taking part in a synchro-blog covering the topic of creative blocks. Below is the list of participants joining me in writing about creative blocks.
Be sure to click the “Read More About Contributors Here” graphic.

Bryan Allain- Creative Blocks In Blogging

Pete Wilson-Blocked Or Empty

Rachel Held Evans-Writers Block

Keith Jennings-Suffering Creative Block?

Matthew Paul Turner-A Letter To Christianity From Creativity

Mandy Steward-The Block Pays You A Visit

Stephen Brewster-Creative Block In Church Creativity

Sarah Cunningham-Dreaming Blocks

Jeff Goins-Why Creative Blocks Aren’t Always Bad

Kyle Reed-Creative Block For 20 Somethings

Carlos Whittaker-Creative Block In Music

Check out the first part of this review here…

The Glory Of God
He goes right for the knockout with piano and strings.
6/8 time.
I think. With a mix of something else. It is confusing…But I think it is supposed to be. The music is smarter than I.
I love how the piano scales the chords in sets of three.
It’s all so lovely…
Until the pre chorus.
Or chorus. I can’t tell what it is.
But it leaves the lovely stage and gets down right magical.
The timing doubles…The melody rises…which leads you to a good chorus.
Not as good as the pre. But that is ok because the pre rules me…
What the chorus lacks the instrumental more than makes up for.
I hate making comparisons.
But I’m going to make one.
This song sounds very similar to Leeland’s better songs from early in their career.

Let’s get into the lyrics.

There?s a song that is sung by the saints that have come
and have gone from under the sun
Those that are present before your throne
Sing endlessly the glory of God

Let’s be honest…anytime I an think of myself as a Saint…I romance it.
This song quite honestly be one of the thickest songs, lyrically speaking, on the album.
And the pre-chorus makes me want to sprint.
I love it

Passover
Bring it Joe. Nice change of pace.
I swear, only someone in the pacific NW could have made this record.
It has Seattle written all over it.
I’m not thinking this is going to work well in any cooperate gatherings I am in. But I’m also not a worship leader for Mars Hill.
It is a beautiful acoustic journey through the scripture and Passover journey.
Now as far as a great listening experience…
It is charming, quaint, and perfectly snick into the middle of the record.

More Joe Day song reviews coming soon.
In the meantime…
Go pick it up here. Listen to the whole thing here…

What was your set list yesterday? Sunday…
Los