Jammin' Online

The biggest way that I've discovered new music and artists over the past two years has been through online platforms. I'm sure there are a million and one places you can listen to music, but here are my 3 go to places to listen to music for free (or super cheap):

Pandora

This was the first place where I started listening to music online. I like that with Pandora you can create different stations based on artists or genres that you like, then they'll automatically generate a playlist based on your preferences. This was a great way that I found a lot of new artists while I was rockin' out at work (AND working of course:-)).

Imeem

Initially I went to Imeem to search for specific artists or songs, then create playlists, but the user interface is extremely aggravating, so I don't go there often unless I really want to hear a specific song, and I'm too cheap to buy it on iTunes.

Lala

Lala on the other hand has become one of my favorite places to listen to music. The user interface is clean and easy to use, and I love that along with listening to thousands of artists on their site, you can also upload your own music library and discover new music through following other users and their music tastes. They also have the option of creating 1 hour mixes of a specific genre.

All in all I'd say Lala is the best, but check them out for yourself.

Happy jammin'!

Defying Gravity

Recently I had the opportunity to see Wicked the Musical at San Francisco's Orpheum Theater. Based on Gregory Maguire's book "Wicked: The Life & Times of the Wicked Witch of the West," which is a twist on the "Wizard of Oz," the stage show presents the life of Elphaba, the girl who became the Wicked of Witch of the West.

The show blew me away. The cast, set, storyline and music were witty, fun and probing as it explores how the definition of whose good and bad sometimes depends on whose telling the story. I particularly loved the main character, Elphaba, the misunderstood girl with green skin who gets marked as a villain. In one scene of the show, Elphaba stops trying to measure up by the standards placed on her by everyone else, and in true musical form declares so in song:-D.

The song she sings, "Defying Gravity," is surprisingly inspirational for me. I don't live in Oz, I don't have green skin and I can't fly as Elphaba can, but I resonate with the decision to take a bold risk as I've recently done so in my life. Hope the song inspires to defy gravity a little in your life.

Milestones of Hope

There are some songs that captivate me because of the emotion they're soaked in. There's something about The Fray's "You Found Me" that pulls out my emotions around desperation, disappointment and that last sliver of hope that feels like it comes too late. I especially love the first verse, and the way he describes meeting God "on the corner of First and Amistad." 

I'm particularly drawn to the song as I find myself reflecting on my disappointments from the past that in retrospect have become milestones of hope for me. The disappointments were moments where the things I really wanted seemed like they would never come, and painful situations felt like they would always be with me. But looking back I'm thankful to see hope and life  birthed out of brokenness. Not that brokenness is the source, but I've experienced God's power to stir up life in places that seem dead, wounded or forgotten.

"You Found Me" by The Fray

GLEE!

Glee has officially joined Ugly Betty, America's Best Dance Crew and The Office as a show I follow. To give a quick run down: it's about high school teacher with a passion for music who takes over the school's glee club full of misfits trying to be somebody. It's a bit of a tongue in cheek mini musical every week.

I was totally hooked once I saw the final scene from the show's pilot episode. It features the song "Don't Stop Believin" by Journey. Enjoy!

Talent in My Very Own Backyard

One of the things I've thoroughly enjoyed this past year has been discovering local talent in the Bay Area--of which there's a lot! Actually it's quite possible that the most talented people are not necessarily the most famous, but that's a discussion for another time...

My most recent local discovery is Justin Phipps, a guitarist that performs in two bands--Vintage Music Collection (also amazing fyi!) and Baba Ken and the Afro-Groove Connexion.

Check him out!

Table for Two

I had another one of those moments where I acutely felt my "empty hands." That is, I felt the great gap between what I want and the reality that I don't yet have it.

Just as I was knee deep in the moment, "Table for Two" by Caedmon's Call came up on my iTunes. A song that perfectly expresses the vulnerability, hope and hurt of waiting for something, or more accurately, someone that you want.

Gotta post the lyrics for this one!

Danny and I spent another late night over pancakes
We talked about soccer
And how every man's just the same.
We made speculation
On who's and the when's of our futures
And how everyone's lonely
But still we just couldn't complain.

And how we just hate being alone

Could I have missed my only chance
And now I'm just wasting my time
By lookin' around

But ya know I know better,
I'm not gonna worry 'bout nothin'.
Cause if the birds and the flowers survive,
Then I'll make it okay.
I'm given a chance and a rock;
see which one breaks a window.
See which one keeps me up all night and into the day.

Because I'm so scared of being alone
That I forget what house I live in.
And it's not my job to wait by the phone
For her to call.

Well this day's been crazy
But everything's happened on schedule,
from the rain and the cold
To the drink that I spilled on my shirt.
'Cause You knew how You'd save me
before I fell dead in the garden,
And You knew this day
long before You made me out of dirt.

And You know the plans that You have for me
And You can't plan the end and not plan the means
And so I suppose I just need some peace,
Just to get me to sleep

God is Bigger Than the Boogeyman

When I was growing up, there was this song we sang in church that had one verse that said, "God is bigger than the boogeyman."

I'm being impressed with that thought here at the songwriter's conference. Not specifically the boogey man part :-), but the God is bigger part. Yesterday when worshipping through song, I felt even more emotionally moved than normal, and I found myself kneeling on the floor, praying and crying and being humbled by the words in the song that sang, "God can do anything."

There is what seems like a full mountain range of challenges and large decisions to make in my life in the next few weeks and months. Some of them surrounding this ever growing passion I have to use my voice and songwriting to express truth, life and healing. But just as the boogeyman reared his ugly head every time the lights turned off and it was time for bed when I was young, in the same instant that my heart lifts in thinking about developing this gift of song, I feel the boogeyman of fear and doubt whisper in my ear.

Is God still bigger than the boogeyman?

Life Light Up

I've been really digging the first solo offering from Christy Nockels, one half of the group Watermark, and a vet in the Passion movement. 

I like that her songs are still worshipful, but conceptually they go a little deeper than many contemporary worship songs. Also think she has a beautiful voice!

My faves are:

No Not One

Life Light Up

Choose

Enjoy!

Becoming a Song bird

Woo hoo! I'm on my second vacation of the summer:-). My vacations this summer have both been tied to my exploration of who I am as an artist.

In June I went to SALT 2009, a conference co-hosted by InterVarsity and Stoneworks. Hearing from Colin Harbinson, a gifted artist and leader who has done much to close the gap between artists and the church, my passion to see artists encounter Jesus and live out the full expression who they were created to be deepened.

For the past few months I've been discovering my joy for songwriting in addition to singing. There are melodies bouncing around in my head that for now are only heard on my head and my computer when I record them, but slowly I'm going to be learning the mechanics of composing and arranging music and lyrics (emphasis on the slowly!). I've always loved using words as a creative expression and putting them to music doubles my joy!

This week I'm excited to journey a little further on this path by going to the Mount Hermon Christian Songwriter's Conference. Four days with other people who have music floating through their heads and running through their veins:-D. 

Behind the Yashmak

"Behind the Yashmak" by Esbjörn Svensson Trio
http://www.imeem.com/jazzmusic8/music/9o8Y0Z9u/esbjorn-svensson-trio-behind-the-yashmak/

I'm posting this song in honor of my dear friend Lethabo. We were chilling tonight listening to music that inspires us and marveling at the power of music to touch the deepest part of ourselves. She shared this song with me as one that touches the deepest part of her soul and her love for instrumental jazz.

Feeling Stuck

In honor of feeling stuck.

"Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of" by U2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8opuBUjkcbU

I Receive

"I Receive" by Israel Houghton
http://www.imeem.com/popmusic/music/O5m0RdsY/israel-houghton-i-receive/

Dedicated to my fellow perfectionists in recovery learning to walk in God's perfect love.

He Won't Leave You

"He Won't Leave You" by Omega Bugembe Okello

God is constantly faithful. I was reminded of that today as He pulled through in just the right way to keep me strong at work. Over and over this year God has shown me that He is closer to me than my shadow.

This song by Omega is a great reminder of His constant and perfect love.

Just Wanna Say

"Just Wanna Say" by Israel Houghton

I just bought Israel's newest album "The Power of One." I love the way each song seamlessly flows into the next and the blend of different music styles and influences.

Right now, I'm all about "Just Wanna Say"--HOT!

Let It Rain

"Let It Rain" by Jojo
http://www.imeem.com/people/v1YB_M/music/glt6IsE_/jojo-let-it-rain/

I have no idea why, but when I woke up at 3am this morning this song was stuck in my head (good thing I like it:-p). As a result I found it at imeem and listened to it on repeat at work about 20 times!

Jojo is a little bit teenybopper, but I have to fess up that I like her nonetheless.

Introducing Muse(ic) Box (?)

This blog has been long neglected. Once I realized how stressed I got trying to write a polished, enlightened tid bit every week, I stopped posting:-P.

BUT I'm back with a much more simple concept. Monday through Friday I'll post a song of the day. I constantly have a tune playing in my head, so I'll just let the world take a sneak peek inside with the song of the day.

Today's song: Think of You by Ledisi
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6T94anrIp0 (my apologies for the low quality audio)

I had never heard of Ledisi until I went to a Christmas concert at Yoshi's, a jazz club in SF. I instantly fell in love with her beautiful voice and her spunk. Enjoy!

PS I'm not set on the name "Muse(ic) Box", so let me know if you have better ideas!