AOTW / Brandi Carlile

Let's call this a little preview of the upcoming StSL Ten Favorite Albums of 2009, seeing as how Brandi Carlile will most certainly make the list. She's been a favorite songwriter of mine for a long time and her new album, "Give Up the Ghost", is just brilliant. Below is the music video for my favorite track off the album, "Dreams". Enjoy the video then do yourself a favor and head on over to BrandiCarlile.com to learn more. Also, check back here next week to see the other nine albums that made the list!

Questions w/ John Paul White (part two)

Here is part two of "Questions" w/ John Paul White. Enjoy the interview and be sure to visit the links at the bottom to learn more about John and The Civil Wars.

StSL – Where did the name, “The Civil Wars”, come from?

John – Well, the literal interpretation of the phrase resonated with us - it symbolizes all the little battles of the mind we encounter every day. We feel that every decision made in life has its spoils and consequences. But the most obvious meaning (and the one probably most central to what we do) is the constant push and pull of the human relationship.

StSL – There’s been plenty of discussion on this site about how (thanks to the internet, TV show placements, and digital music sales) doors continue to open up more and more for independent artists. Along with that comes a whole new set of freedoms and challenges. How has your experience been navigating those waters?

John – For artists like ourselves, it's become 'radio'. We're fully open to embracing the radio format, but the reality is that it's not a medium well suited to an independent artist. There's not a large enough team or financial base to fully promote a single properly. TV/film placements give us the opportunity to reach a very broad audience in one fell swoop. And, in the case of our Grey's Anatomy placement, it also receives a visual backdrop that further accentuates the power of the song.

StSL – As a songwriter, where would you say you generally draw your inspiration from?

John – I honestly have no idea. It's the strangest thing. I'm sure it's a concoction of love, heartbreak, loss, gain - old and new. I read quite a bit; comedy, classics, fantasy, biography, you name it. Sometimes things will pop up in the midst of writing that I honestly have no idea where they're from. My life, someone else's - it's all fair game.

StSL – Let’s step away from music for a second. What’s your favorite movie quote?

John – "I know I have a heart, because I feel it breaking." Tin Man, The Wizard of Oz

StSL – Let’s talk about your solo work. For those who may be new fans, what can you share about your record, “The Long Goodbye”?

John – I made that record for Capitol in LA. I'm intensely proud of it, and I believe capitol was too, but as we were finishing, the head of the label and the A and R staff were all fired. Not a healthy recipe for the success of a new artist. So we parted ways, and they actually gave me the masters back. I owe them for that, and for letting me make the record I wanted. So I just sell it from my website now, and plan to start a new solo record this year.

Thanks so much to John Paul White for taking the time to talk with us! Please check out the links below and join us right back here next week for the StSL Ten Favorite Albums of 2009 list! Also, be ready for "Questions" to return in the new year with interviews from Andrew Osenga, Rachael Cantu, Jeremy Casella, and more!

John Paul White Official Site
The Civil Wars Official Site
The Civil Wars on Noisetrade
The Civil Wars on iTunes

Questions w/ John Paul White (part one)

If I had to pick a favorite new artist for 2009, the choice would be easy. I'd give it to The Civil Wars in a heartbeat. That should come as no surprise if you've followed StSL for any length of time. John Paul White and Joy Williams have created something really special and their new EP, "Poison & Wine", is on a seemingly endless repeat cycle on my iPod. I had the chance to interview Joy Williams back in October, and now I'm really excited to complete the "Civil Wars" circle and bring you the final installment of "Questions" for 2009. Here is part one of "Questions" w/ John Paul White...

StSL – As The Civil Wars, you and Joy Williams have been enjoying some great success with the release of your free live album, “Live at Eddie’s Attic”, and your single and music video for “Poison & Wine” (which is SUCH a brilliant song). Now you’ve released your first studio EP of the same name. What can you tell us about that?

John – We joined Charlie Peacock at his place, The Art House, for tracking. it's a converted old church in Nashville. We recorded all our parts live in the tabernacle together, then reconvened later to add some atmosphere with the help of Tim Lauer, Jerry McPherson, and Ken Lewis. Richie Biggs engineered and mixed.

StSL – I had the chance to interview Joy a couple months ago, and she relayed the story of how you two met. However, I’d still love to hear your version.

John – Yeah, she remembers it differently than I do. I was an injured GI in Korea. I came to in a mash unit to the beautiful song of a Red Cross nurse two cots away. The rest is history.

StSL – As solo artists you and Joy have very distinct styles and, when you come together as The Civil Wars, a whole new feel emerges. Did you put focused effort towards a certain sound or was it all completely organic?

John – We've totally stayed out of the way of it. It's been a bit mind boggling; the vein of creativity we've tapped into. It's almost like she had the dynamite, I had the detonator. Together we're going places we never would have considered possible given our backgrounds. Although, Joy grew up with a healthy appetite for crooners, and I for Appalachian and country music. So somehow that's showing up.

StSL – I love learning the stories behind songs. Can you share the story behind “My Father’s Father”?

John – We try to keep a bit of mystery and vagueness to our songs, so that the listener can inject his/her own images and meanings and have it feel personal. But this song was written on inauguration day. That should sum it up.

StSL – A stranger comes up to you and says, “Play me the best song ever written.” What do you play?

John – The Psalms. In Modern Terms, "For the Good Times" – Kris Kristofferson

Visit TheCivilWars.com or JohnPaulWhite.com for more info, and be sure to check back here tomorrow for part two!

AOTW / Jeremy Casella

Jeremy Casella manages to walk that very thin line between the comfortable and the progressive. You get great acoustic-based folk songs, but extra sounds, percussion, and often surprising melody lines take you someplace entirely new. Jeremy is not only a fantastic singer/songwriter, but he's also a card-carrying member of The Square Peg Alliance. His most recent album, "Recovery", was released in 2007 and is a shining example of what makes him a great artist.

We'll be hearing more from Jeremy in February when he joins us for a "Questions" interview where he'll share all about his upcoming new E.P. and 2010 Spring Tour! Visit JeremyCasella.com for more information.

Questions w/ Andrew Peterson (part three)

Here is the third and final part of "Questions" w/ Andrew Peterson; the special "Fan Questions" portion! All of these questions came directly from StSL readers. Enjoy the interview and please check out the links at the bottom to learn more about Andrew Peterson and to see where you can catch him and a host of other great artists on the Behold The Lamb of God Tour; out on the road right now!

Cate asks – Do you already have the future of the Igiby family mapped out?

Andrew – I have the rest of the (Wingfeather Saga) books (three more, probably) vaguely mapped out. I have certain scenes in mind, but part of the fun of writing is that I don’t know how I’ll get there.

Kaisara asks – Do you find that writing songs and writing for your books inform or inspire each other?

Andrew – So far there hasn’t been much overlap. They both scratch the same creative itch, but I only have enough brain space to work on one at a time. Right now I’m in songwriting mode. In February, when the new album is in the can, I’ll joyfully write chapter one of the new book.

Caleb asks – How different is it creating and "supporting" a novel in comparison to an album?

Andrew – If by “supporting” you mean touring and telling people about it, it’s very different. I can’t really book shows and sell tickets for a book reading. So I end up visiting some schools to talk to the kids about writing. I had no idea how much I’d enjoy that part of the writing life. And creating an album is a community effort. Writing a book is solitary until the editing process begins.

Jay asks – Who is your favorite Battlestar Galactica character and why?

Andrew – Now that’s a question. Andrew Osenga may be the only person who loved Battlestar more than I did. I’d have to say Colonel Tigh was my favorite, because I randomly bumped into him at a Comfort Inn in Cocoa Beach earlier this year. I was more nervous meeting him than Mel Gibson or Bill Cosby. Here’s a picture for proof—the stinker was that the camera had been in our cold hotel room and we’d just brought it out into the humidity.

Diana asks – (in reference to your song “Catch 22”) Has your brother’s luck improved?

Andrew – It has! And I’m glad you asked, because it’s the perfect opportunity to plug his new book. The Rabbit Room Press published his first novel The Fiddler’s Gun, a story about an orphan girl swept into the Revolutionary War on a pirate ship. It’s really, really good, and you can pick it up in the Rabbit Room Store. Read more about it at www.TheFiddlersGun.com. I guarantee you’ll enjoy it.

Major thanks to Andrew Peterson for being a part of StSL! Please check out the links below and pick up some of Andrew's music for yourself. You won't regret it! Also, join us right back here in two weeks for "Questions" w/ John Paul White of The Civil Wars!

Andrew Peterson Official Site
Andrew on MySpace
The Rabbit Room
The Square Peg Alliance
The Wingeather Saga
The Fiddler's Gun
Centricity Music

Questions w/ Andrew Peterson (part two)

Here is part two of “Questions” w/ Andrew Peterson…

StSL – Even though StSL is primarily a music site, we have to touch on your fantasy novel series, "The Wingfeather Saga". The first two books, "On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness" and "North! Or Be Eaten" are available now, and there's more to come. Exactly how long have you had this whole other world brewing in your head?

Andrew – I used to read a lot when I was a kid. I was torn between wanting to write songs, write books, draw pictures, or make movies. This burn to create has been inside me for as long as I can remember. In high school I realized girls were more interested in guitar players than comic book nerds, so music took over. But in the back of my mind I’ve nursed the dream to write. I started this story five or six years ago, with a map. I didn’t have any idea what the story would be about, but I knew I had to have a map. After that, making the world of Aerwiar and Janner Igiby and toothy cows more or less came easy. The hard part was writing it.

StSL – I know you're an admirer of the writings of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. How much of a source of inspiration has that been for your different avenues of writing?

Andrew – I can’t overstate what an effect those guys’ works have had on my writing—but not just my writing. My faith has been deeply affected by their way of understanding the Creator, their thoughtful approach to the Gospel and the person of Christ. I know Jesus better because their books gave me better eyes with which to see him. That’s one of the many gifts of art.

StSL – Ben Shive and Andy Gullahorn, also known as "The Captains Courageous", have written and toured with you for years. What is it about that collaboration that remains so strong?

Andrew – I think those guys play with me because I bribe them with food. I feed them well. It’s not because we get along constantly, because we don’t. And it’s not because I pay them so well, because I can’t. It’s not because I’m such a great musician, because I’m not. It might be because we love each other, but since we’re dudes I can’t say that. It must be the food. As for me, I admire them. I admire their musicianship, their marriages, their writing, their commitment to their churches, their relationship with Christ. God knows, I need to be in community with men like that.

StSl – The Square Peg Alliance and The Rabbit Room are just two examples of one of the things I admire most about you; your emphasis on community. Why is that so important to you?

Andrew – I don’t know. I just enjoy bringing people together. I love watching relationships form in front of me, and I love watching the music that’s made when that happens. I don’t just mean actual music. Whenever I go to a movie with, say, Ben, I’ll think, “Oh, we need to call Ben’s brother. I bet he’d want to come. Oh, and Kevin. I haven’t seen him in a while. And my brother’s just down the drive. I should see if he wants to come.“ Sometimes we end up with seven or eight guys at the movie, and I wonder what happened. I think the Rabbit Room is a more official version of that. Art thrives in a Christ-centered community—and of course so does love, fellowship, service, and real life.

StSL – What are you focusing on right now and what can we expect in the near future from Andrew Peterson?

Andrew – I’m about to make a brand new album with Ben and Andy (as well as our friend Gabe Scott), and we’re doing it in a different way. In January we’re flying to Washington state, driving deep into the mountains, and recording most of it in a secluded studio. I want to do it just to change things up a bit, but I’m pretty sure they’re in it for the food. As of now, I have exactly four new songs I’m pretty sure will be on the album—“The Last Frontier”, “World Traveler”, “Fool with a Fancy Guitar”, and “Many Roads”, some of which I’ve played on the road for the last several months. I have six or seven more to write between now and January 17, so I’d better get busy.

But wait…before Andrew gets too busy, we still have more questions yet to come! There are many Andrew Peterson fans among the StSL community so we gathered five questions from our faithful readers, and we’ve got those answers coming tomorrow. So be sure to check back right here for part three of “Questions” w/ Andrew Peterson.

Questions w/ Andrew Peterson (part one)

I couldn’t be more excited about this edition of “Questions”. Andrew Peterson has been one of my absolute favorite songwriters for years. Many of you will need no introduction to Andrew, but for those of you who are new, here’s a quick overview. Over the past ten years, Andrew has released seven studio albums, written two novels, created the “Behold The Lamb of God” Christmas tour, and helped build community among artists through The Square Peg Alliance and The Rabbit Room. His influence is far reaching to fans and fellow artists alike and, be it in songs or books, his gift for storytelling is inspiring and encouraging. I could say so much more, but I’ll let this special three-part interview do the talking instead. I’m honored to bring you part one of “Questions” w/ Andrew Peterson…

StSL – "Behold the Lamb of God" celebrates it's 10th anniversary this year! For those who may not know about it yet, tell us about the tour and the special 10th anniversary edition of the album.

Andrew – Well, we recorded one of the shows last year, at a church in Greensboro, North Carolina, and it turned out so well we wanted to release it. Around that time I realized that the first tour was in 2000, making the 2009 tour the tenth straight year of performing these songs. So we remastered the 2004 album (which is to say, polished it up a bit and added a little bit of percussion) and released a 2 CD set. Oh, and one of my favorite things about it was that I commissioned Evie Coates to create another piece for the cover. She knocked it out of the park.

StSL – Your latest studio album, "Resurrection Letters Vol. II", would seem to imply that there is a volume one. However, that's not the case (at least not yet). Can you give us a quick explanation of the title and theme of the album?

Andrew – We were halfway finished with Resurrection Letters and I had a feeling we were only telling half the story—I use “story” loosely here. The concept for the album was the idea that God has filled our world with pictures (“letters”, if you will) of the truth of Christ’s resurrection, as well as our own. But I wanted to back up a little and set the stage for the coming resurrection by writing some songs about the actual death and resurrection of Christ. It was too late to start over, so we pushed on and named the album “Volume Two”. I don’t know when the songs for Volume One will be written. I want to take my time with it.

StSL – The story behind your songs, "Queen of Iowa" and "Invisible God", is just amazing. Can you share that story with our readers?

Andrew – It’s a long story, so here’s the short version. I wrote “The Queen of Iowa” for Jody, a dear woman in Cedar Rapids who’s had AIDS for 17 years or so. She’s been close to dying for a long time, but somehow remains astoundingly alive—but not just alive. She’s full of life. Her love for Christ in the face of her suffering inspires everyone around her. I was blessed to play a bedside concert for her a few years ago and wrote the song about that day. “Invisible God” was one that I played for her on another visit. (A few of the songs on Resurrection Letters were written with her in mind.) At some point during this other bedside concert she wiggled her hand, an indication that she wanted to write something down. She’s mostly paralyzed and can barely talk. When she finished writing, I read the words, “I believe in the invisible God.” That paper is in my bedroom, and every time I see it I say a prayer for Jody.

StSL – Family is a definite recurring theme in your songwriting. How challenging has it been for you to balance your professional life with being a husband and a father?

Andrew – It’s not easy. I ache to be home, to be near my family. The older the kids get, the more I know them, and the more I know them, the more of them I miss when I’m gone. Part of the reason I started writing books was to be home more. I hope I never stop playing music, but until the kids are out of the house (in ten years or so) I’m trying to be more deliberate about spending time here. All that said, Jamie and I both believe God made me a singer/songwriter, and the only way to do that is to hit the road. We trust that He’ll work it out. So far, so good.

StSL – A stranger comes up to you and says, "Play me the best song ever written." What do you play?

Andrew – I’d probably play them “The Color Green”, by Rich Mullins. That, or “Calling Out Your Name”, or “The Love of God”, or “If I Stand”. If it wasn’t a Rich song it would probably be something by Paul Simon (“Boy in the Bubble”), or James Taylor (“Copperline”), or Bob Dylan (“Boots of Spanish Leather”). Or Randall Goodgame (“Peanuts: Part One”), or Ben Shive (“Out of Tune”), or Andy Gullahorn (“Resurrection”). Or, well, Eric Peters’ “You Can Be Yourself”. It just depends on what I have for breakfast.

Visit Andrew-Peterson.com for more info and "Behold The Lamb of God" tour dates, and be sure join us right back here tomorrow for part two!

AOTW / Ten Out of Tenn

Instead of one artist this week, let's go big and highlight eleven artists! I got to see my first Ten Out of Tenn Christmas show this week and it was an amazing time. Trent Dabbs, Erin McCarley, Butterfly Boucher, Andrew Belle, Andy Davis, K.S. Rhoads, Jeremy Lister, Tyler James, Katie Herzig, and Matthew Perryman Jones all work together so well on stage and form a truly cohesive group while still highlighting what makes each of them great. Now, I know what you're thinking...who's the eleventh artist? Well, it's the unsung eleventh hero of the bunch; the great Will Sayles on drums.

I can't say enough good things about this show, so I'll just encourage you to go experience it for yourself. The Christmas tour is still going on, so visit 10OutofTenn.com to see if it will be coming through your town! Also, check out the video below to get a glimpse into the tour!