This Year: The indie artists year

It should be noted that I have an extreme softspot for the independent artist. I am always in awe of the kind of spirit it takes to not only write and produce your own songs, but to promote, brand, and manage yourself all while touring the country and somehow making a living. I am always fascinated to hear how the independent musician makes their way in the world.

It's no secret that one of those artists, JJ Heller, is a favorite of mine. Maybe it's because she learned to play the guitar at my alma mater, or she is a DIY queen, or can pull of short hair like nobody's business. Whatever it is, there is something that is quite magical about her. Even more magical, is the month that she is having.

After coming off of a long, and I am guessing probably exhausting, Christmas tour, she spent a little time celebrating Christmas with her family. On New Year's Eve, she and her husband Dave sat down and penned the most amazing song about starting the new year off right. On a whim, they decided to record a live video of them (in their entryway) singing it. I love an artist who is so excited about a piece of work they create that they simply cannot wait to share it. In 3 days, it went viral and over a million people watched it. What??? Yeah, it was that good.

Here's what I love about the rules of being an indie artist: there are none. So, she and Dave took to the studio JUST DAYS after the viral video and recorded it. Of course they added a cello piece that can make you melt into a pile on the floor and within a week of them writing a song in their livingroom, it was recorded and available. Not only that, but radio stations were calling and requesting it. For an indie artist that is HUGE. Usually they have to go door to door like traveling bible salesman to get radio stations to play their singles.

I think the thing that is so fascinating about her story is that in a matter of 3 weeks, an artist who works incredibly hard and is incredibly genuine  not only created an incredible song, but took a chance and shared it with the world. The results have been astounding. There was nothing commercial about her approach. It's certainly not the way a label would do things. It's the kind of art that we should be supporting more. Because what we support matters. It makes radio stations and executives take notice that we're fed up with over-produced and underwritten songs. That we want fresh perspectives and positivity out there. We want choices. JJ Heller is a voice for that; it's one of the many reasons why I love her. That and the fact that she can also be doing a giant entryway project in her home at the same time.

Here's the original video she posted (and her cute entryway). If you like the song, go purchase it on itunes and let's support the indie artists who are brave enough to challenge the system and make this year the best one yet for JJ.

Raising music nerds: how I choose to musically educate.

You open the doors, you strap everyone in and by the time you hit reverse your kids are already happily chattering and debating over one thing: The soundtrack.

I guess I never thought about how controversial a car's soundtrack would be as a parent, or how much it would differ from family to family. I got on the subject with a friend a few weeks back and it got me thinking. She had said that she tried to always play christian radio while the kids are in the car but after a while, her kids get tired of it and ask for pop music.

I have to admit, I'm with the kids on this one. Christian radio stations can get so daunting for me. I think it's the fact that the music is mass-produced and lacking dynamics (highs and lows). It all just starts to run together to me and even though the messages are positive, I lose them sometimes in the monotonous 4 chord progressions that fill hours of the christian airwaves. 

I sat in a car with another friend who had classical music on and her two year old was incredibly content and calm. She smiled at me and said "This is the only station we agree on. He HATES it when I play country, but he tolerates this." 

All of these conversations going around in my head made me think: What do I do with my kids? When they were babies, I tried to expose them to the most amounts of different kinds of music that I could. I found that they gravitated more towards certain bands and certain albums. They don't particularly care for the jazz that I sometimes make them listen to, but they oblige it simply because introducing them to new music is something that they've done since they were inutero. It's as normal as breathing.

The thing about the radio is... they don't care that children are listening. When you turn the dials and start to hear the adult content that is in most songs it can make your stomach churn. So, as my kids have become more self aware, I've started to just make large playlists that I put on my phone for them. The playlists offer a wide-range of sounds. Some of them are songs from movies they love, some of them are (clean) pop songs. I also have a few albums of christian pop songs that they like equally and, of course, some new indie songs that I deem worthy enough for my kids to listen to.

One of my favorite things to do while listening is teaching my kids about the music. I challenge them sometimes to tell me what instruments they hear, or if they can feel a build up or a slow down. We can just as easily belt out the lyrics to Frozen as we can to Radiohead. I love immersing them in the world of music that is out there. I don't want them to get stuck in that 4 pop song loop just because it's what people are listening to. I want them to be music pioneers; to know all kinds of different music and where it comes from and, eventually, how to play it.

Maybe it's controlling of me to meticulously spend hours creating playlists of music on my phone. But you spend so much of your day in the car, it might as well be a positive and educational experience. If I don't teach them about music, then who will? Miley Cyrus? Lady Gaga? No thanks I got this one ladies. 

The funny thing about being a music nerd is... it's actually kind of cool to be a music nerd.

Beauty in the Chaos

Well, Mylo Xyloto came out this week, and you knew I was going to HAVE to write a blog about it. Well, I'll skip the musical termonology and go straight into the application. So, as you guys know so well now, Coldplay is connected to the Warkentin family by so many threads. With each album, it tells a story about what we're going through, or what we're feeling. I have no idea how they do it. This album was no exception. It's obvious that things haven't been easy for this young family this year. There have been a lot of struggles, a lot of tears, a lot of growing (babies and otherwise). When I listened to the track "Us Against The World", I almost cried.

"And sing slow it down .Through chaos as it swirls, it’s just us against the world."

There's something so beautiful about the chaos that is my life. I forget to take the time sometimes amidst all the crying, the dirty diapers and the dishes to hear all the giggles, the cuddles and the wonder that is my life. Though I've tried to just get through this year, the one thing this song reminded me was that I am truly living in the middle of the best time of my life. We may be broke, and loud, and even a little crazy, but we've got each other and that is the greatest blessing we could ask for. And all I can do is just hope that these moments just slow down, so that I can keep them in my heart forever.

Thank you Coldplay for reminding me.

I heart country music

The older you get, the more you look back. Truer words were never spoken, paritcularily when you become a mother. When you see your nose on someone else's face, you begin to think about where that nose came from.





In public, I am an indie-pop music fan, but in the quiet of my heart, when no one is around, I am a country music fan. Mostly, because as much as I try to hide it, or run from it, I am a steel magnolia. I come from a long line of strong southern women. I come from cotton fields, spanish moss, and boiled peanuts. And even though I'm a California girl, there's a little piece of me that will always be southern. And when I miss that part of me, or if I'm being totally honest, when I miss my mama, I listen to country music.

The sounds of a hard day's work on a tractor, a small town, and going to church on Sunday are so familiar to me, with a slide guitar and a southern twang it hits the spot whenever I start to miss my roots.

Sometimes I wonder if my kids will ever understand this part of me? If they'll ever even know it? I don't really know the answers to these questions. But I do know that until I can reveal that part of me to them, I'll introduce them to a little downhome music (while they're dad ISN'T in the car).

The February Curse

February is my birthday month, which most would see as a great thing. I see it as a cursed thing. Because, you see, every February without FAIL something always goes wrong and we end up having to spend all our money on fixing something, replacing something, or paying something and my birthday gets shoved in a box under my bed somewhere.

This year, in it's unfortunateness, is no exception. When the tire blew in the middle of January I just KNEW it was going to be a disasterous February. And, though it is MY fault that I spent the remainder of our money on groceries, I can't help but sigh and raise my fists up to the heavens. Ofcourse. February is cursed.

Recently, I was getting ready to go out and was listening to the radio. I heard this AMAZING song by the Script called "For the first time". If you haven't heard it, you should check it out. The song is all about how times are financially difficult and it really wears on a couple who have been together for a while. I must admit, I nearly cried the first time I heard it.

The last 10 years of my life have been much, much more than financially difficult. They have been financially impossible. But through it all, no matter what two things have happened: God has ALWAYS taken care of us, and Tim has ALWAYS stuck by me. That's what matters.

There's a line in the song that particularily gets to me and it's what I am now making my anthem this month:

"Oh these times are hard, they're making us crazy don't give up on me baby."

A very Coldplay Christmas

If you know me at all, you'll know that nothing gives me as much pleasure in life than a new Coldplay song. And this holiday season, they wowed me with a Christmas song.

Now, I know that perhaps I am just a TAD biased here, but I have to say it is fast approaching one of my new favorite Christmas songs. Why? Other than the obvious: Chris Martin's mezmorizing vocal tone. Because it's not a song about happy reindeer, or old saint nick. It's a beautiful poetic symphony about Christmas when you're in a fight and depressed. Still, somehow hoping that Christmas Lights will make everything better.

Ofcourse, the line "When your still waiting for the snowfall...Doesn’t really feel like Christmas at all" just hits right where it hurts. Being in Redding, that is exactly how I feel.

And I must say that you can't grasp the awesomeness of this song until you've seen the music video- true story. Okay, enough of this verbal PDA. All this to say it's a great song, hope you enjoy.

Don't hate me, but.....

Okay so I am writing this blog in risk of getting seriously made fun of, but.....

I just checked out the new Jason Castro CD and, actually, it's pretty good. Before you judge me, check it out for yourself: Particularly "That's what I'm here for"

http://www.jasoncastromusic.com/album/lets-just-fall-in-love-again/

Black Eyed Peas

Tim says that the Black eyed peas write music for dumb people. I am not sure what to think of that statement as I often find myself tapping my toes to the song. Though really, sometimes the lyrics are ridiculous. And watching Fergie dance around half naked and that weird Indian guy do strange karate moves is not exactly appealing to me. Even so, I actually had the brilliant idea tonight of re-creating a black eyed peas song that seems to get stuck in my head quite often.

Tonight, Tim and I sat with the guitar and wrote an acoustic song to "I've got a feeling". It was reminiscent of a Damien Rice song. Written in a 6/8 time signature (coincidentally Tim's favorite time signature)I was actually pretty happy with the end result. Though I did still have to use the phrase "Tip up my cup, Mozaltov" because it was too strange not to include. One day I will record this masterpiece and let the world hear, but for now I am content just to blog about it.

We would like to call it "What I've got a feeling SHOULD have been".

"God is Great, beer is good, and people are crazy."

I was listening to my radio today because I currently don't have a CD player in my car. I turned the station to country. Now I don't usually listen to country mostly because Tim HATES it. But I happened upon a most delightful song. It was, ofcourse, about a man at a bar talking with a complete stranger. They talked about a lot of things, but the key phrase was:

"God is Great, beer is good, and people are crazy."

Isn't it just the truth? So simple, so profound.

But it also made me think:

Isn't it interesting that there are so many different kinds of music: pop, jazz, metal, indie, and not a one of them talks about God? Yet, you can turn it to a country song, and hear about God within 30 seconds? Why is it that? Does that mean that only southern people think about God? Of course they also think about beer and loose women, but that's hardly the point :)

The Coldplay Experience: Tim & Erin style

So much to blog about, I scarcely can find clarity of thought. First things first: Coldplay.

We were blessed to have our parents come in from Arizona, and they graciously offered to babysit the boys. Oh boy, a whole night without children? We were elated! We had a lot of fun being able to drive their minivan. Our car is slowly dying and has no air conditioning. Words cannot describe the joy and elation one feels when cold air is blowing on their face in 110 degree heat.

We made it in record time and scurried along to our VIP parking, which the Pagans so lovingly got for us. We were escorted in through the VIP entrance and found our way to the merch table. You simply cannot go to a Coldplay concert without buying a t-shirt to commemorate the experience. Then it was up the 400 steps to the lawn seating.

Now I must admit, I actually enjoyed sitting on the grass picnic-style with my blanket sprawled out over the lawn enjoying the scenery with all of the other people who couldn't afford better tickets. However, that joy quickly left me when I was greeted with the overwhelming smell of cigarette smoke. Yeah, that was unpleasant. Once the concert started the group of 4 people in front of us smoking, quickly escalated to 17 people all puffing away. Then they pulled out the marijuana. We definitely got a second-hand high from sitting next to them. Ofcourse the marijuana made everyone happy, so the R rated makeout sessions began and then one or two fights ensued. That's when we were really wishing we had gotten better seats.

But the CONCERT was incredible. I love how Coldplay makes their concerts an experience, not just a bunch of people playing music on a stage. The lights, the props, the giant yellow beach balls that came out during "Yellow" the confetti that shot out of canons on "Lovers in Japan". Incredible. But still, Chris Martin was a tiny stick figure from where I was sitting.

After much of the concert had commenced, they took a quick intermission and filed up the 400 stairs I had walked. Just 15 feet away from us, they took their spots on a tiny make-shift stage. And played "Green Eyes" (a song that Tim says was made for me). And a wonderful acoustic rendition of "Billy Jean", paying hommage to the late, great Michael Jackson. It was incredible. They were so close I could see the beads of sweat pouring down Chris' face as he played the harmonica. It was incredible.

There are a few nights in my life that stick out to me as great. One, ofcourse, being my wedding night. Another the first night I held my tiny babies in my hands. But I have to say, this night was right up there in my top 5. If you ever get a chance to see Coldplay, do not pass it up. Watching those guys on stage made me really kick myself for not naming my son Noah Coldplay Warkentin. Oh well, maybe the next baby....

My musical inspiration

I love things that inspire me, and this video did.

There is something about the innovation of beautifully written music that melts my heart and has me tapping my toes.

It helps me to remember that music isn't just something I listen to, it's a part of me.

An organ that has no name but is vital to my life.

And for that, I am grateful. So without further adieu, I give you my inspiration for today:

Warkentins go worldwide...someday

When I was in high school, I used to dream that my husband and I would be like WATERMARK and write songs together on our bed at night. I drempt that we would ride a tour bus during summer (while school was out) so that our kids could tour with us, and then eventually take over the family business. Silly? Maybe... but everybody has got to have dreams.If Tim and I wrote an album, I'd like to think it would be called "3000 miles or the story of us". Catchy huh? I think it perfectly describes our physical journey and what would be our musical journey. The title track would be 3000 miles. I have already thought of a chorus. Wanna know what it says? Too bad, you'll have to wait for the album release.

3000 MILES OR THE STORY OF US

SET TO BE RELEASED: TBA

The Melody

As a child, I used to have great symphonies and soundtracks in my head. They were always buzzing around and fit whatever mood I was in. I guess I thought that everyone was like that and thought nothing of it.

Recently, I have lost touch with music. There is no outlet to use my gifts and talents and as a result my guitar and my voice have become dusty. I often have thought of music as a medafore for my walk with the Lord. It is so creative and memorable. It can be loud and pulsating, and tender and gentle. But lately my walk with the Lord, like the music in my life, has also lost it's luster.

Funny though, while my voice has not been used, and my fingers have lost their calluses.. the music is still there somehow. So I wrote this song as a testimony that the music, like the Lord, has never left me.

The Melody:

There is a melody,
I sing familiarly.
The music soft and sweet
That song you gave to me.

Though I tried to sing a different song, the music wasn't clear.
And when I thought that I had lost the tune, you always let me hear.

That simple melody
I sing familiarly.
The notes so soft and sweet,
The song you gave to me.

And when I tried to cover up the piece and never sing again.
You simply wouldn't let that melody out of my head.
Though this song be led by orchestra, or just one small guitar.
I know the music that you gave to me embodies who you are.

My little melody
The one that's just for me.

You are what you hear

The other day, a friend of mine was thumbing through my CD collection. After a few minutes she announced that I had a rather ecclectic taste in music. I, ofcourse, never realized the range of music I listened to or how dramatically different each CD was as compared to the other. But upon further reflection, a thought popped into my head:

What if we were judged solely by our CD collection?What if our entire existence, our very beings were simply summed up by a song, an album, an artist- what we listened to?

Ofcourse, this would be rather odd- I can just see the obituary now.         

She was survived by: Jack Johnson, Coldplay, The Killers, etc.                  

But can you imagine if you looked into a strangers music collection, what you would instantly think of them? How you would describe them?  As odd as it sounds, music is like a diary of the soul. It expresses very real emotions, ideas, and beliefs in a much more poetic way than we can. It really is a testament to a life.

The strange thing is, though we are all different, we can connect musically somehow. I'm sure there's been a time when we've all looked through someone's music collection and found a common bond, a shared delight. Perhaps you've found a similar favorite band, or song that changed your life, or an artist you would never admit to owning but when the doors are closed and no one's watching you secretly love to DEATH.

As strange as it sounds, we are all connected musically in some way. And while I refuse to let one artist be the theme to my life, I believe that music as a whole really does define my life.

24

Have you ever felt like a failure in your life? Like you didn't seem to be complete? I feel that way all of the time. Sometimes I wonder if I should have done things differently, or if I have ever really been good enough to do anything meaningful with my life at all. This is not a self-pittying blog, it's just something I've been going through lately. It's just a look into my brain full of self doubt and uncertainty about my future. I was again listening to music driving home from Atlanta the other day and found solice in a song I heard. Though I am not yet 24, the song explained exactly how I felt:

Twenty four oceans
Twenty four skies
Twenty four failures
Twenty four tries

Twenty four finds me
In twenty-fourth place
Twenty four drop outs
At the end of the day
Life is not what I thought it was
Twenty four hours ago


Twenty four reasons to admit that I'm wrong
With all my excuses still twenty four strong

See I'm not copping out not copping out not copping out
When You're raising the dead in me
Oh, oh I am the second man now

And You're raising these twenty four voices
With twenty four hearts
With all of my symphonies
In twenty four parts
But I want to be one today
Centered and true


I want to see miracles, see the world change
Wrestled the angel, for more than a name
For more than a feeling
For more than a cause
I'm singing Spirit take me up in arms with You