There was a time, not that long ago, in which I was pretty sure I was the crap. I mean, I was right about everything, knew better than everyone else, and was fairly invincible. At least, that was the lie … Continue reading Leon Bridges’ River: An Invitation Into Truth
Apparently, asking questions was not okay. That’s what was confirmed for me recently in an online conversation with some of my Christian brothers and sisters as we discussed some weighty doctrinal/theological issues. In one of my posts, I began asking … Continue reading Walking the Post-Evangelical Path with Andrew Howie
I just stepped out of my boy’s bedroom. It’s 10:16 and he’s just now, finally, falling asleep. And I sit here, as I write these words, with a full heart and grateful I get to be his daddy. He is … Continue reading TS10: The “One of These Days” Edition
I will never forget my introduction to The Daredevil Christopher Wright’s music. First off, I knew if I was going to be a well-rounded local music appreciator, I would need to know their stuff. So, I got a hold … Continue reading Diving in Deep with Jonathan Sunde
A couple of years ago, a friend of mine told me about a band called Speedy Ortiz. I checked them out on Spotify, liked them right away, and then proceeded to (basically) forget them. That is, until this year… … Continue reading 2015 Tomme Suab Song of the Year: “Raising the Skate” by Speedy Ortiz
“The worse childhood you have, the better artist you become.” The renowned visual artist, Marina Abramovic, made this statement during an interview for CBS Sunday Morning some time ago. It made an immediate mark on me and rang painfully true. I don’t know much about the details of her childhood, but based on this statement and the little bit I do know, it doesn’t seem to have been a very good one. For her, the pain of her childhood is the fuel for her art. I think she is onto something very important with the above statement. For me, … Continue reading Brokenness, Expression, and Healing
I’m spending some time with Field Report’s new album, Marigolden, this morning. This is a new relationship and I’m just becoming acquainted with the album, but I think we’re going to be good friends. It is rich, full, provocative, and emotive. And Christopher Porterfield’s odd analogies and word pictures are ever present. I will never forget the first time I heard Field Report. In February of 2013, Kalispell, Shane Leonard’s project, was set to play a backstage concert at the State Theater here in Eau Claire. I was super excited about this show, as Shane’s music and friendship has … Continue reading The Emotive, Provocative Music of Field Report
I’ve been contributing articles for Volume One for the past couple of years. One of the first ones I wrote covered the emergence of a new band from the Eau Claire area called Softly, Dear (New on the Scene). Back then, Softly, Dear was just starting to figure out who they were musically. Even though the first tracks they released were a little rough, I could certainly here some significant talent and creativity at work. After writing that piece for V1, I honestly didn’t pay much attention to the band for a while. And then I saw them play at … Continue reading Softly, Dear, Sarcasm, and Sober Subjects
When I was growing up, heavy metal or hard rock was not okay in my house. It was the devil’s music. So, I never went near it until about 1986, when, in my youth group at church, I was introduced to Rez Band and Stryper, a couple of rock bands comprised by Christians. Rez (or The Resurrection Band) was gritty and raw, and I found that very appealing. And then there was Stryper, the opposite of gritty and raw, but still with a little edge (especially in light of the environment in which I grew up). These two bands were … Continue reading Anger, Grief, and The Civil Wars
Ever since I started listening to music as a teenager, there have been those albums that have just grabbed a hold of me, seemingly not wanting to let go. U2‘s Joshua Tree and The Unforgettable Fire were a couple of … Continue reading Captivated by J.E. Sunde’s “Shapes That Kiss the Lips of God”
