Plenty of thoughts swirling these days, some more tumultuous than others, so again I turn to music to get at least some of this expressive urgency off my chest.
It was February 2006, I ran away from my miserable job one night with my friend Nate to Atlantic City to see Sigur Ros play in a casino. Four women took the stage, but I thought for sure Sigur Ros was four men. With no announcement, they started quietly playing their odd array of instruments and toys. I don't want to use the word "chemistry" but I'm not sure how else to describe the way they worked together. Professional, like they knew what they were doing, and not a single one fighting for the spotlight, but graciously letting each one take their turn as they shifted from one instrument to the next. It was more like a gracious conversation, an even-handed dialogue, a dance of sorts. A decrescendo led to the final note and they left the stage, again with no announcement, and all of us were left wondering who they were and where they were from and where they went and why they had to leave so soon. To call them "mesmerizing" or "enchanting" would be fitting.
I fell in love that night with the musical saw and the desk bells, both of which I now own (thanks to my wife and Nate, respectively).
Some internet research after the fact confirmed they were known as Amiina, aka the girls who play the stringed instruments for Sigur Ros. From Iceland also, with only one hard-to-find EP to their name at that point in time, with shortly after a new album called Kurr.
I was excited to recently discover a new album, and smiled at the thought of it being called Puzzle. I can think of no better way to describe their music. Not because it's puzzling, but because of the magical way a puzzle unfolds when we agree to work together. So many of their songs begin with each one tinkering their way into a theme in their own corner. As pieces connect, those individual themes take shape. Look across the table and see how one theme relate to another, how they come together, how they fit. The song comes alive, and all in one moment, a burst of energy, each one connects and the full picture becomes visible as we race to end with excitement.
Personally, puzzles drive me crazy, but I've always found them easier and more fun when others are helping. And that, with the air these ladies have about them, seems to be exactly what Amiina is about. It's a lovely ode to community, teamwork, unity, inclusiveness, or whatever you want to call it. "You've got a bizarre instrument to play? Then join in. You can make this song even better. Just take some time to find your place and see where you fit. Come on in when the moment's clear."
And of course, that which seems to be the common theme in most of what I listen to is often here too. If I have to try and describe it, it's the tension between melancholy and joy, wistfulness and hope, a beautiful and precarious balance that seems to reflect this life we're living in.
As I type this, I realize this is all the stuff I want to start a church with.
To my ears, this song "Mambo" is the highlight of this new album. I love the little melody, a reworking of this previous boisterous song with a much different feel but equally as fun. Listen for the moment the puzzle comes together at 3:00.
Amiina, "Mambo" from Puzzle
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Thursday, September 08, 2011
Do it Yourself, Do it Together
This is an interesting age of saturation and inundation. Absolutely everyone, it seems, is cutting a CD, writing a book, filming a movie. The options for creating and dispersing are endless, not to mention relatively easy and inexpensive. On one hand, this is exciting as it levels the playing field, democratizes the process, and allows just about anyone to offer their voice and perspective. On the other hand, it feels a bit hopeless and seems incredibly hard to get noticed or go anywhere. A guy like me asks, “Why bother?”
But something else interesting happens. The art gets more honest. It becomes art for art’s sake, in a sense. People go to the trouble to record, write, film, and distribute not so much to get noticed and hit it big, but simply because there is something else more sincere pushing them to do it. For some it’s a creative urge that isn’t satisfied until expressed. For others it’s a message or a more concrete purpose. The focus becomes personal or local, a humble offering for anyone interested, and thus a bit more communal as well. Indie bands quit wasting their time sending demos to big labels and choose instead to tour the country on their own playing in living rooms. It’s not about being rich and famous, but about sharing and connecting. It may not impact the universe or be talked about in art history courses years later, but it has great potential to be beautiful in its own right and influence the immediate community. I believe that’s no waste.
The arena of writing only expounds these complicated issues. In the age of texts and tweets, who wants to read a book anymore? And when Amazon posts so many thousands of new books each year, who can even choose a book anymore? Again--that's the place a guy like me gives up. But the same counterpoint applies: if someone is writing and publishing, they must have good reason to do so, even if the reason is just for the fun or the beauty of the thing.
I’ve got two friends with good reasons dabbling in the fascinating world of independent publishing, considerably different, but both of whom I am proud.
Kyle Page is carving out his niche in the Valley with his bookstore that seems to double more generally as an art center. His little press has seen several releases already, and of course I am partial to the handmade binding process. Nothing like feeling traces of tender loving elbow grease on the cover of your book.
Dan Schmidt is toying around with things I still don’t understand yet, newfangled gadgets like SmashWords and CreateSpace and FontSquirrel and whatnot. This has become a platform for his own work, and I love that he has this year opened the door to a humble little community of writers, most of whom have not yet been published anywhere except their own blogs. I'm referring to the advent guide I mentioned a few weeks back, which now has its own blog-in-progress, on which (as of today) I have a little post introducing myself.
The DIY ethic seems to be alive and well, stronger than ever. And yet it seems to be morphing these days into more of a do-it-together ethic. All the better.
But something else interesting happens. The art gets more honest. It becomes art for art’s sake, in a sense. People go to the trouble to record, write, film, and distribute not so much to get noticed and hit it big, but simply because there is something else more sincere pushing them to do it. For some it’s a creative urge that isn’t satisfied until expressed. For others it’s a message or a more concrete purpose. The focus becomes personal or local, a humble offering for anyone interested, and thus a bit more communal as well. Indie bands quit wasting their time sending demos to big labels and choose instead to tour the country on their own playing in living rooms. It’s not about being rich and famous, but about sharing and connecting. It may not impact the universe or be talked about in art history courses years later, but it has great potential to be beautiful in its own right and influence the immediate community. I believe that’s no waste.
The arena of writing only expounds these complicated issues. In the age of texts and tweets, who wants to read a book anymore? And when Amazon posts so many thousands of new books each year, who can even choose a book anymore? Again--that's the place a guy like me gives up. But the same counterpoint applies: if someone is writing and publishing, they must have good reason to do so, even if the reason is just for the fun or the beauty of the thing.
I’ve got two friends with good reasons dabbling in the fascinating world of independent publishing, considerably different, but both of whom I am proud.
Kyle Page is carving out his niche in the Valley with his bookstore that seems to double more generally as an art center. His little press has seen several releases already, and of course I am partial to the handmade binding process. Nothing like feeling traces of tender loving elbow grease on the cover of your book.
Dan Schmidt is toying around with things I still don’t understand yet, newfangled gadgets like SmashWords and CreateSpace and FontSquirrel and whatnot. This has become a platform for his own work, and I love that he has this year opened the door to a humble little community of writers, most of whom have not yet been published anywhere except their own blogs. I'm referring to the advent guide I mentioned a few weeks back, which now has its own blog-in-progress, on which (as of today) I have a little post introducing myself.
The DIY ethic seems to be alive and well, stronger than ever. And yet it seems to be morphing these days into more of a do-it-together ethic. All the better.
Monday, September 05, 2011
inquietude
God's been teaching me about my problem with anxiety.
The kid is at his first day of preschool, in another language, just barely potty-trained.
The kid is at his first day of preschool, in another language, just barely potty-trained.
Sunday, September 04, 2011
Thought #736
Blaise Pascal was a pretty interesting dude, French genius mathematician, inventor of the calculator for one, and a Christian, philosopher, theologian in his later years. On my to do list is to get to know him a bit better.
Also on my to do list is to read his work Pensées in French. If I understand correctly, it's a compilation of "thoughts," mostly written on scraps of paper, each one numbered. Sort of like a 17th century blog, I guess. Left unfinished for editors to piece together and make sense of.
Well, I'm still stuck reading a juvenile fiction book called Petit Nicolas meant for 10 year olds, so I'd say I'm a little ways off from this goal. I cheated today, getting a head start in English. Only read a few quick pages, but found this gem.
"By His grace, I await death in peace, in the hope of being eternally united to Him. Yet I live with joy, whether in the prosperity which it pleases Him to bestow upon me, or in the adversity which He sends for my good, and which he has taught me to bear by His example."
Also on my to do list is to read his work Pensées in French. If I understand correctly, it's a compilation of "thoughts," mostly written on scraps of paper, each one numbered. Sort of like a 17th century blog, I guess. Left unfinished for editors to piece together and make sense of.
Well, I'm still stuck reading a juvenile fiction book called Petit Nicolas meant for 10 year olds, so I'd say I'm a little ways off from this goal. I cheated today, getting a head start in English. Only read a few quick pages, but found this gem.
"By His grace, I await death in peace, in the hope of being eternally united to Him. Yet I live with joy, whether in the prosperity which it pleases Him to bestow upon me, or in the adversity which He sends for my good, and which he has taught me to bear by His example."
Thursday, September 01, 2011
Save the Queen
Just got back from England. Hearing and reading English was nice and all, but the few impressions of British culture I got were just a bit too stuffy for me. Too regal, maybe. Crowns and lions and British flags everywhere. Fun to pretend you're on the set of Harry Potter or Narnia, I will give them that. E did most of the driving since I'm too high strung, and in the one short trip I took I forgot which side of the road to be on only once when making a left-hand turn. Quick swerve and no harm done.
But I'm trying to say that I like France better. I felt more uncomfortable there than I do here, and that was surprising. And I guess it's a good thing.
But I'm trying to say that I like France better. I felt more uncomfortable there than I do here, and that was surprising. And I guess it's a good thing.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
How Marvelous
This place seems to be quickly becoming a music blog these days, and I hope that isn't alienating any of my three readers. I guess music is easier and faster to think about than most anything else in these hectic days.
But I noticed recently that the 'recordings' tag over there on the right looked a little pathetic with a meager (1) sitting behind it. And then I noticed the link on that lonely 1 recording wasn't even working. So I fixed that, then set out to find old, unfinished recordings to add to the collection, since time and space to record is hard to come by these days.
This version of "How Marvelous" was recorded in the dining room (listen for the clank of a dish coming from the kitchen at the start of the second verse) of our beloved Bethlehem apartment in September 2007 and was finished being edited and mixed last night. I guess that means it's almost exactly four years old.
You can stream it here or download by clicking the little down arrow on the right. Free of course...take your $0.99 to 7-11 and drink a slurpee in our honor, telling them we'll return someday soon.
How Marvelous by nshorb
But I noticed recently that the 'recordings' tag over there on the right looked a little pathetic with a meager (1) sitting behind it. And then I noticed the link on that lonely 1 recording wasn't even working. So I fixed that, then set out to find old, unfinished recordings to add to the collection, since time and space to record is hard to come by these days.
This version of "How Marvelous" was recorded in the dining room (listen for the clank of a dish coming from the kitchen at the start of the second verse) of our beloved Bethlehem apartment in September 2007 and was finished being edited and mixed last night. I guess that means it's almost exactly four years old.
You can stream it here or download by clicking the little down arrow on the right. Free of course...take your $0.99 to 7-11 and drink a slurpee in our honor, telling them we'll return someday soon.
How Marvelous by nshorb
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Men and Old Dandelions
I found her in the bathroom, cutting her hair again.
N: "Is this therapy?"
E: "No, just trying to look like less of a man."
I looked at myself in the mirror and winced.
E: "You need a touch-up too?"
N: "No, just wishing I looked like less of an old dandelion going to seed."
E: "Maybe we should start getting professional haircuts."
N: "Is this therapy?"
E: "No, just trying to look like less of a man."
I looked at myself in the mirror and winced.
E: "You need a touch-up too?"
N: "No, just wishing I looked like less of an old dandelion going to seed."
E: "Maybe we should start getting professional haircuts."
Monday, August 22, 2011
Et toi, tu es
It's a blessed Sabbath when I can understand the sermon in French. I'd say it happens about 40% of the time. This is my loose short-form interpretation and expansion of yesterday's.
"But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church..." Matthew 16:15-18
Simon Bar-Jonah confesses that Jesus is the Christ, the anointed one, the Messiah. As God the Father has revealed it to him, he proclaims the true identity of Christ. "You are the Christ."
Curiously enough, Jesus returns the gesture, immediately turning around and proclaiming the true identity of Simon Bar-Jonah. "Yes, and you, you are Pierre...and you are une pierre, a rock. In me and because of me, you will be solid, firm, and steadfast, a leader in building my church."
"You are the Christ." Tu es le Christ.
"And you, you are..." Et toi, tu es...
When we come to confess that Jesus is Lord, we too like Peter receive a new identity, our true identity in Him. He calls us by name, our new name, with a purpose and a place. A name lovingly given, chosen before the beginning of time. Abram becomes Abraham the father of many nations. Jacob becomes Israel the one who wrestled with God and prevailed. Simon becomes Peter a foundational rock in the start of the church. And you?
The old you has passed away, the new has come. As you confess Jesus is Lord, hear him say to you, "Yes, and you are..."
"If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." 1 Cor 5:17
"But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine." Isaiah 43:1
And we now bear his name, his family name, adopted as his secure, loved, and cherished children.
"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" 1 John 3:1
"Bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the ends of the earth—
everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.” Isaiah 43:7-8
"For he chose us in him before the creation of the world...In love he predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace..." Eph 1:4-6
And like Peter, this new identity in the family of God is always meant for bringing him glory, unifying and edifying the body, and growing the church. After all, we have brothers and sisters in this new family.
"For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully." Romans 12:4-8
And you, you are...
"But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church..." Matthew 16:15-18
Simon Bar-Jonah confesses that Jesus is the Christ, the anointed one, the Messiah. As God the Father has revealed it to him, he proclaims the true identity of Christ. "You are the Christ."
Curiously enough, Jesus returns the gesture, immediately turning around and proclaiming the true identity of Simon Bar-Jonah. "Yes, and you, you are Pierre...and you are une pierre, a rock. In me and because of me, you will be solid, firm, and steadfast, a leader in building my church."
"You are the Christ." Tu es le Christ.
"And you, you are..." Et toi, tu es...
When we come to confess that Jesus is Lord, we too like Peter receive a new identity, our true identity in Him. He calls us by name, our new name, with a purpose and a place. A name lovingly given, chosen before the beginning of time. Abram becomes Abraham the father of many nations. Jacob becomes Israel the one who wrestled with God and prevailed. Simon becomes Peter a foundational rock in the start of the church. And you?
The old you has passed away, the new has come. As you confess Jesus is Lord, hear him say to you, "Yes, and you are..."
"If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." 1 Cor 5:17
"But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine." Isaiah 43:1
And we now bear his name, his family name, adopted as his secure, loved, and cherished children.
"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" 1 John 3:1
"Bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the ends of the earth—
everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.” Isaiah 43:7-8
"For he chose us in him before the creation of the world...In love he predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace..." Eph 1:4-6
And like Peter, this new identity in the family of God is always meant for bringing him glory, unifying and edifying the body, and growing the church. After all, we have brothers and sisters in this new family.
"For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully." Romans 12:4-8
And you, you are...
Friday, August 19, 2011
Mix Tape: The Sound of Trading Dreams for Cubicles
I was walking through the old part of town towards the train station when this song came on. The sun shone brighter, a bounce in my step. I sent it to my sister when I got home just in time to amp her up for her half marathon run.
2010 was the year of albums that had to grow on me. The National's High Violet was one. It took me a while to like these fellows, even before this album, but it helps to know what they're about. They're about rich texture, layers, building thick walls of sound, fuzzy and forceful soundscapes, long crescendos founded on an impeccable sense of rhythm. They are about taking your feelings of melancholy, regret, and wistfulness and giving them a definitive soundtrack. Some days it's not what I'm looking for, other days it's exactly what I'm looking for.
But I've often wondered why they are as wildly popular as they are. Not that they don't deserve the recognition they're getting, they mostly do, but to be selling out huge theaters and taking over the blogosphere and being praised by people outside the usual indie-hipster circle just generally surprises me. They are a long shot from Dave Matthews Band, after all.
I wonder if it's music for the working man. Take, for instance, the singer's everyday-joe personality, a deep-voiced and bearded commoner persona. Especially with the suit he's usually wearing, he's the guy you spent 9 to 5 around the water cooler with, and then after a few beers at happy hour he saunters onto stage. Something about this strikes a chord with grown up emo kids who have traded dreams of their band finally hitting big for the reality of being stuck in a dead-end cubicle. It's a sort of vicarious release for all of us.
So, thanks, The National, for giving us something to mope to during work and something to run to after work. We know life is tough for you guys too with the daily grind and all, the boss on your case, another year without a raise. But hang in there, we're all rooting for you.
This is The National, "Bloodbuzz Ohio," a song for walking or running or driving home from work on the first sunny day of vacation or just starting your long-awaited weekend.
2010 was the year of albums that had to grow on me. The National's High Violet was one. It took me a while to like these fellows, even before this album, but it helps to know what they're about. They're about rich texture, layers, building thick walls of sound, fuzzy and forceful soundscapes, long crescendos founded on an impeccable sense of rhythm. They are about taking your feelings of melancholy, regret, and wistfulness and giving them a definitive soundtrack. Some days it's not what I'm looking for, other days it's exactly what I'm looking for.
But I've often wondered why they are as wildly popular as they are. Not that they don't deserve the recognition they're getting, they mostly do, but to be selling out huge theaters and taking over the blogosphere and being praised by people outside the usual indie-hipster circle just generally surprises me. They are a long shot from Dave Matthews Band, after all.
I wonder if it's music for the working man. Take, for instance, the singer's everyday-joe personality, a deep-voiced and bearded commoner persona. Especially with the suit he's usually wearing, he's the guy you spent 9 to 5 around the water cooler with, and then after a few beers at happy hour he saunters onto stage. Something about this strikes a chord with grown up emo kids who have traded dreams of their band finally hitting big for the reality of being stuck in a dead-end cubicle. It's a sort of vicarious release for all of us.
So, thanks, The National, for giving us something to mope to during work and something to run to after work. We know life is tough for you guys too with the daily grind and all, the boss on your case, another year without a raise. But hang in there, we're all rooting for you.
This is The National, "Bloodbuzz Ohio," a song for walking or running or driving home from work on the first sunny day of vacation or just starting your long-awaited weekend.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Antiphony
The kid listens to music when he falls asleep. It just so happens the other kid has taken quite a liking to music as well, perhaps from the constant iPod stream during his first few days in the hospital; turn it on and he eerily instantly settles.
So bedtime is an interesting experience. Hymns from one room mesh with Chopin from another. Mozart overlayed with Icelandic. Lullabies and Six Parts Seven.
But just now, sitting in the middle room, "Be Still My Soul" came drifting in on one side, and seconds later from the other side too. It was a beautiful little polyphonic experience, echoing one another in antiphony, almost forming some sort of twilight zone canon.
If you haven't heard this version of the hymn, you need to. It's a favorite around here, calming all four of us down and often putting us right to sleep. I recommend opening and playing it in two different browser windows to get the same experience I just did.
So bedtime is an interesting experience. Hymns from one room mesh with Chopin from another. Mozart overlayed with Icelandic. Lullabies and Six Parts Seven.
But just now, sitting in the middle room, "Be Still My Soul" came drifting in on one side, and seconds later from the other side too. It was a beautiful little polyphonic experience, echoing one another in antiphony, almost forming some sort of twilight zone canon.
If you haven't heard this version of the hymn, you need to. It's a favorite around here, calming all four of us down and often putting us right to sleep. I recommend opening and playing it in two different browser windows to get the same experience I just did.
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