Christian music is huge all around the world, yet it rarely receives the coverage of secular tunes. If Christian music floats your boat, or you just want to check it out, there’s no better place to start than b5media’s Christian Music Fan. We caught up with the blog’s editor, Jason Bean, to learn more about what makes him tick.
What blog do you write?
I write for Christian Music Fan. I’ve grown up in the church all my life so there’s an obvious connection to Christian music. I’ve also spent some time living in Nashville and Franklin, TN so I’ve got some contacts in the industry as well.
How long have you been blogging?
I’ve been blogging now for about three years seriously. It’s been a terrific ride but there’s been a lot to learn and some discipline to be developed.
What do you like best about blogging?
I love the conversation and freedom to just share what you’re thinking with people. It’s great if people read and respond to what you share to both challenge and confirm your own assumptions, but even if nobody read the process is very cathartic for me.
Describe yourself in five words.
Detailed, procedural, humorous, demure, determined.
What is the last song that you heard that made you say “Wow!”?
Whoa! Good question. For me it would probably be “A New Law” by Derek Webb from his Mockingbird album.
What album is currently taking over your rotation?
I’m not sure if there’s a single album. I’ve been taking advantage of grabbing free music downloads from a variety of sites lately so my playlist is usually a compilation of all those songs and that’s what I’m listening to actively now.
Favorite quote?
Today is the tomorrow we worried about yesterday. I’ve come a long way in my outlook on hurdles and challenges that come along your way through life. You can either freak out over them and get stuck mired down in the emotion of it, or just hit it head on and realize that for the most part our lives are easy compared to lots of other people around us that are working through much harder challenges in their life. Just be thankful and understand you’re blessed.
The buzz surrounding Perth rockers Gyroscope is massive at the moment as they prepare to release their third album Breed Obsession next month.
The album’s first single “Snakeskin” recently won WAMI Awards for best single and film clip. Its follow-up “1981” is the most requested song on national radio network Triple J. And the band are whipping crowds into a frenzy on their Pre-Obsession tour.
I recently caught up with Gyroscope’s guitarist Zoran Trivic to chat about Breed Obsession, life on the road, and why Western Australian bands are some of the country’s best.
How would you describe your latest album, Breed Obsession? We really tried to push the envelope of Gyroscope with this record. We have a feeling that this could possibly be the most important record of our music careers. So we wrote songs like our lives depended on them. This record has a lot of different shades from the super heavy to the really light and I’d like to think it tells a good story from start to finish.
You recorded Breed Obsession in the UK. What made you decide to work so far from home?
We didn’t really decide to travel afar purposely. We loved Dave Eringer’s work [producer on Breed Obsession] for his previous records with Idlewild. His sounds are broad and varied and raw but still precise. He lives in London so we had to travel to work with him. And he was a godsend to tell you the truth. A great experience.
We all read their words, but how much do you really know about the bloggers in the music channel? I work with a really great bunch of people here, and I’d love you to learn more about them. So from time to time I’ll post some interviews with some of my esteemed colleagues, starting with Deb at She Plays Music.
What blogs do you write?
For the Music Channel I blog She Plays Music. I also maintain about ten other blogs, The List Maven, Simply Thrifty and Burning the Scale are my other blogs with b5. I also have a couple of celebrity blogs, a food blog and a couple more in the works.
How long have you been blogging? I started my flagship blog, Freelance Writing Jobs, three years ago. I’ve been blogging on a full-time professional basis for a little over a year now.
What do you like best about blogging? It’s a toss-up between freedom and community – I love the freedom I have to say what I want. I worked in publishing for a long time and there’s not as much freedom there. Even when I was writing on a freelance basis someone was always editing my words and changing my voice. With blogging my voice is apparent and I can convey the tone I wish without getting red pencilled.
Plus being able to network with such a wonderful and diverse community makes the job a real pleasure.
Describe yourself in five words. Addicted to my computer keyboard.
What is the last song that you heard that made you say “Wow!”? The last song that truly blew me away was Amy Winehouse’s “Rehab.” It was before she was in the news all the time and I heard it in my car and just said “woah … this is awesome.” Then I listened for the rest of the day to find out who was singing it so I could download the song.
What album is currently taking over your rotation? As I type this I’m listening to Audioslave’s Revelations.
Favorite quote? “Music is what feelings sound like.” I don’t know who said it, but it’s so true.
The Last Town Chorus has captivated fans across North America and Europe with their sublime vocals and haunting melodies. Now the New York outfit is set to weave their magic in Australia.
The Last Town Chorus will play their first Australian shows in November, including sets at the Queenscliff Music Festival and supporting our own Kate Miller-Heidke.
I caught up with the band’s vocalist and lap steel guitar legend Megan Hickey to talk about 80s pop music, life on the road, and her love for Australia.
You don’t see a lot of women playing the lap steel guitar. What inspired you to take it up?
It was a random encounter, but the moment I heard the sound of it I knew it was my muse.
Your album Wire Waltz has become a permanent fixture in my stereo. What are you listening to at the moment? Musically, I’m all over the place at the moment: the new Jay-Z album (he’s from Brooklyn like me), Kelly Clarkson (recently saw her perform here in NYC – amazing), the new Tegan and Sara (I only caught onto them recently, oddly), the new Wilco, new Annie Lennox. Rachid Taha (arabic punk pop), Kanye West, more Chopin than usual, and as always, gobs of mainstream country.
You’ve had great success with your cover of David Bowie’s “Modern Love.” What inspired you to record the song?
I’m an 80s pop music freak, and have always performed at least one reinvented 80s song in my live shows. I worked that one up for a Bowie tribute here in NYC and it stuck.
Readers may know you because “Modern Love” was used in Grey’s Anatomy. Are you a fan of the show?
I watch way more TV than I care to admit in a public forum. Usually in big pre-recorded doses.
You’ve been touring relentlessly for the last year. How do you make each show exciting after so long on the road?
Good question. Every night remains pretty magical to me, because I get to play the lap steel guitar. When paired with the effects I use, the sound is dizzyingly beautiful and evocative to me. So I’m never less than thrilled to have it in my hands.
What do you miss most when you’re away from home? My dog Sailor (a Welsh Corgi).
Will this be your first time visiting Australia? And what are you looking forward to about your stay?
I freaking adore Australia. I visited my Brooklyn musician friend Greta Gertler when she was home in Sydney for holiday. I love the beaches in your country. We rented a tiny boat with an outboard motor and sped around Sydney harbor. I snorkled at Clovelly Beach. And I love the flat white coffee. I am hoping to meet people in each city we’re touring in who will show me around the water … and perhaps meet a couple people who will have me onto their boats … I can’t wait to be back over there.
You’re playing the Queenscliff Music Festival. Do you enjoy playing big events like this, or do you prefer more intimate shows?
I’m thrilled about Queenscliff Music Festival because of its coastal setting. I love playing when I can feel the space we’re all surrounded by.
What can fans expect from your Australian gigs? I’m bringing over a guitar player from NYC, and picking up a keyboard player (L.A. Mitchell) from New Zealand. The shows should rock. I’ll be documenting the whole tour on my online photo travelogue.
And finally, do you have a message for your Australian fans? Yes I do. 1) I’ve never met an Australian I didn’t like. So I probably like you already. 2) Do you have a boat and a spare hour or two when I’m in your town? Email me: megan@thelasttownchorus.com.
If you want to lend Megan your boat or just check out her fantastic music, make sure you catch The Last Town Chorus at one of the following shows.
November 24 – Queenscliff Music Festival
November 25 – Queenscliff Music Festival
November 27 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
November 28 – Ruby’s Lounge, Belgrave
November 29 – Hopetoun Hotel, Sydney
November 30 – The Great Northern, Newcastle
December 1 – Clarendon Guest House, Katoomba
December 2 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla
December 5 – The Zoo, Brisbane
December 6 – Sound Lounge, Currumbin (with Kate Miller-Heidke)
December 7 – Joe’s Waterhole, Eumundi (with Kate Miller-Heidke)
Wire Waltz is in stores now, but you can listen to The Last Town Chorus’ cool cover of “Modern Love” below.
