Joanne Brokaw: July 2008 Archives

David Byrne and Brian Eno have teamed up for a new project inspired by gospel music. Byrne wrote the lyrics, Eno wrote the music.

Eno is quoted at thecelebritycafe.com:

"I was surprised by how little attention Americans paid to their own great indigenous musical invention: gospel. It was even slightly uncool - as though the endorsement of the music entailed endorsing all the religious framework associated with it. To me gospel was a music of surrender, and the surrendering rather than the worshipping was the part that interested me."

I found that comment interesting, because so often we forget that the act of praising and worshipping can only come after total surrender. How often do we overlook the surrender in our music? I can't wait to hear the album.

The new project, Everything That Happens Will Happen Today, will be available at www.everythingthathappens.com and staring August 4, listeners can download a free preview of the album.

Here's a great way to check out cool new Christian music: Every week, iTickets offers members a free download from one of the industry's hot artists. This week it's I Am Terrified's "To The Service" from their upcoming self-titled debut.

Head on over to the iTickets free download website and get your free music!

I got a press release this week with this lead - I've removed the name of the artist and the ministry, as well as some details, because I really am not venting about him, per se:

"Platinum-selling Christian recording artist Mr. Nice Guy today announced the formation of The Mr. Nice Guy Company--a new entrepreneurial venture with a mission to proclaim and demonstrate the values of the Kingdom of God to the world--as well as, AnotherWorshipMinistry--a 501 (c) (3) ministry designed to give Christians tangible opportunities to serve the poor. "

Uh ... does that mean, exactly

Several times this week I've seen a press release reprinted on several websites, (a release which originally I read on a newswire but ignored), about a new Christian album that claims to, and I quote, "Change the Shape of Christian Music."

I've heard some broad claims before, but that's a tall order. So I decided to check it out and see what it was all about.

Well, turns out it's just a cleverly written press release touting a project that can't possibly live up to its claims.

Since their beginning it's been a wild ride for the Colorado-based quartet, theRide, who last week released their sophomore project, The Story of People.

In 2004, the band took second place in the GMA in the Rockies band competition. In 2006, they released their debut indie album, an unusual process that took them to six different recording studios only to have the finished product stolen from a Vancouver, Washington studio.

They've opened for bands like Kutless, Jimmy Needham, and even Edwin McCain, and performed at venues from churches to Denver's Coors Field. This Friday, August 1, theRide will open for Third Day when they play a special free acoustic show at Crossroads Church in Denver, sponsored by KLOVE. (Seating is limited; for more info, visit the KLOVE website.)

They're back with a second albumThe Story of People, filled with radio-friendly modern rock. Like their last album, New Day, theRide's latest album is produced by Hyper Static Union lead vocalist Shawn Lewis. It's well-written, well-performed and well-produced, with catchy hooks, funky beats and solid vocals, and should help the band capture even more industry attention.

And now you get to be part of the fun.

The band is asking fans to help them decide which of the album's songs should be the first single promoted to radio. Head over to theRide's MySpace page and vote for your favorite song.