Our Wednesday Set-list
Love Found Me - Revive
Say So - Michael Gungor/Israel Houghton (we do it more like Gungor)
A Thousand Amens - Tim Timmons
By Faith - Keith & Kristyn Getty
Shine On - Carlos Whittaker
I Will Follow - Chris Tomlin
Send Me Out - Fee
Earth is Yours - Gungor
promo pic
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Sunday Set Lists
Each week we will posting our "Sunday Set List" and even though we are not having worship on Sunday mornings yet I thought I would I would get that started with one important caveat, this week worship is not on a Sunday!
For those that are unfamiliar with the term, a "set-list" is the list/order of songs that a band plays during their set or performance. Rock concerts, jazz club gigs and the vast majority of music performances do not have printed programs so it is necessary for a band to write out a set list. This usually comes in the form of a handwritten list, on the back of some other piece of paper, written in black sharpie and taped to the floor. Next time you go to a concert take a look and see if you can find one, many bands or their roadies will just give it away after the show and it makes for an awesome souvenir.
We will be posting the set-list for a number of reasons; 1) we want our faith community to know the songs we sing, we want people to dig deeper and read the text 2) we want to have an online record of what songs we are doing 3) we want to share our set lists with other worship leaders and learn from them in return 4) we want to credit and promote the people who's music we use 5) it is a good discipline and keeps us honest.
At some point, probably slightly before our official launch of the Crossing we will be posting our current list of songs in our repertoire at which point I will probably try to attach links to as many of the songs on YouTube, MySpace (yes bands still use this) or artist web sites. We will not be re-posting other people's words or music on our blog because it isn't ours. The very least we can do is direct you to the artists own website for stuff like that.
Side note: If you like a song please purchase it, it's the right thing to do. We're not just saying this because we feel obligated, we really do want you to buy the music. Think of it this way, a song on itunes is less that $1.30, if a single song which you will listen over and over again is not worth less than a cup of coffee (which is a one time deal) then maybe you need to consider what it is worth. Just sayin.
We hope you enjoy the music and that it gives you fuel for your continued faith journey.
Juan
For those that are unfamiliar with the term, a "set-list" is the list/order of songs that a band plays during their set or performance. Rock concerts, jazz club gigs and the vast majority of music performances do not have printed programs so it is necessary for a band to write out a set list. This usually comes in the form of a handwritten list, on the back of some other piece of paper, written in black sharpie and taped to the floor. Next time you go to a concert take a look and see if you can find one, many bands or their roadies will just give it away after the show and it makes for an awesome souvenir.
We will be posting the set-list for a number of reasons; 1) we want our faith community to know the songs we sing, we want people to dig deeper and read the text 2) we want to have an online record of what songs we are doing 3) we want to share our set lists with other worship leaders and learn from them in return 4) we want to credit and promote the people who's music we use 5) it is a good discipline and keeps us honest.
At some point, probably slightly before our official launch of the Crossing we will be posting our current list of songs in our repertoire at which point I will probably try to attach links to as many of the songs on YouTube, MySpace (yes bands still use this) or artist web sites. We will not be re-posting other people's words or music on our blog because it isn't ours. The very least we can do is direct you to the artists own website for stuff like that.
Side note: If you like a song please purchase it, it's the right thing to do. We're not just saying this because we feel obligated, we really do want you to buy the music. Think of it this way, a song on itunes is less that $1.30, if a single song which you will listen over and over again is not worth less than a cup of coffee (which is a one time deal) then maybe you need to consider what it is worth. Just sayin.
We hope you enjoy the music and that it gives you fuel for your continued faith journey.
Juan
Thursday, February 17, 2011
What do they sound like?
Describing what your band sounds like is one of the most important things an emerging band can do. We humans love to categorize things and put them in mental boxes and music is no different. We are constantly looking to assign labels to music or associate certain artists with other artists or styles, it's just natural. Often times when we can't find a label we like we just make up new ones.
Most young musicians, and many older ones as well, like to think of themselves as being something new or fresh or unique. Sure no one else is doing the same songs you do or if they are you should be up front about it but the truth remains that there are probably other groups that sound like you even if you don't know it. At the very least you should be honest about your influences even if you don't think they weigh heavily on your sound. In doing so you may just learn something about yourself or even clarify your own vision for your sound.
So the question is, what do we sound like?
Well, we are a new band and while we are working on original material, we are currently playing a lot of other peoples music and believe it or not we actually trying to sound like those recordings. This may seam bizarre but I believe that as bands form, grow and change that recreating other peoples music (cover) is an incredibly valuable way to learn about each other, our strengths and our limitations.
Our vision for the band at this point is to do new and innovative music with a depth of artistry, musicality and theology. Stylistically we run the gambit from folk-rock to urban gospel and from alternative to pop. The list of people who influence and inspire us is a long one but certainly worth posting our favorites
Gungor - He is bringing in the influences of some of secular music's better innovators from Sufjan Stevens to Audio Slave
David Crowder Band - Constantly reinventing their sound and concept. This music would stretch anyone and recreating their latest record would be a huge accomplishment.
Switchfoot - Just won the Grammy for best "Gospel" album, debatable whether or not they should even be in the Contemporary Christian Music Category but their music definitely spreads "good news" and that's what we are called to do.
Future of Forestry - One word: Amazing. Progressive and artsy music with themes of redemption and love, how can you go wrong. This band can't come out with music fast enough to satisfy us.
Israel Houghton - Can't promise that we can pull of his music with his flare or style, but we'll be trying.
Enjoy!
Juan
Most young musicians, and many older ones as well, like to think of themselves as being something new or fresh or unique. Sure no one else is doing the same songs you do or if they are you should be up front about it but the truth remains that there are probably other groups that sound like you even if you don't know it. At the very least you should be honest about your influences even if you don't think they weigh heavily on your sound. In doing so you may just learn something about yourself or even clarify your own vision for your sound.
So the question is, what do we sound like?
Well, we are a new band and while we are working on original material, we are currently playing a lot of other peoples music and believe it or not we actually trying to sound like those recordings. This may seam bizarre but I believe that as bands form, grow and change that recreating other peoples music (cover) is an incredibly valuable way to learn about each other, our strengths and our limitations.
Our vision for the band at this point is to do new and innovative music with a depth of artistry, musicality and theology. Stylistically we run the gambit from folk-rock to urban gospel and from alternative to pop. The list of people who influence and inspire us is a long one but certainly worth posting our favorites
Gungor - He is bringing in the influences of some of secular music's better innovators from Sufjan Stevens to Audio Slave
David Crowder Band - Constantly reinventing their sound and concept. This music would stretch anyone and recreating their latest record would be a huge accomplishment.
Switchfoot - Just won the Grammy for best "Gospel" album, debatable whether or not they should even be in the Contemporary Christian Music Category but their music definitely spreads "good news" and that's what we are called to do.
Future of Forestry - One word: Amazing. Progressive and artsy music with themes of redemption and love, how can you go wrong. This band can't come out with music fast enough to satisfy us.
Israel Houghton - Can't promise that we can pull of his music with his flare or style, but we'll be trying.
Enjoy!
Juan
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Two Videos, One Song
Today's post is about a new(ish) band, an old(ish) CCM artist, the future and the ability to stay fresh or renew one's self. I've never really done this before so I'm not sure if this will come through the way I hope but there is only one way to find out.
I'd like to draw your attention to a new video by Michael W. Smith. The song is from his newest album "Wonder" and the video was released sometime last year.
Save Me From Myself
When I first heard this album my thought was that it was very retro sounding, almost as if Michael W Smith had stayed in the same style long enough for it to more or less come back around. I'll admit that this song stood out as something I would have interest in doing. I won't go so far as to say you won't catch the band doing something else off this record but nothing has jumped out quite like this track.
I decided that I did want to start working on this with the band so I went on my usual search for charts (word, chords, sheet music, etc.) and came up blank. It turns out that this song is not actually by MWS it's by some Danish guys. Ok, not just any Danish guys, it's from a band called Carpark North, whom I had heard of before but decided at the time that they weren't accessible enough.
Here is a video of Carpark North performing the same song live.
Save Me From Myself
The video's couldn't be more different but the overall sound and arrangement of the songs isn't too far off. There is no doubt about it, the eighties are in right now and if we take any cues from the past, a nineties revival is just around the corner (heaven help us). Michael W Smith's video looks like it could have appeared anywhere between 89-91 by my estimation. I think it is kind of cool, honestly.
Carpark North are generally calling their style Electro-Rock, a heavily synthesizer oriented rock band. What to me is most gratifying is to see them pulling this sound off live (in a video). To hear all the different layers covered well raises the expectation of how songs transfer from the studio to the stage. They have and continue to push themselves and genre boundaries with their music and I look forward to what they come out with next.
I think this is a great song and I take away two important observations (at least for me); 1)a great artist, even if I don't always like his/her stuff, is able to keep reinventing themselves and stay fresh 2)highly polished and layered arrangements are totally doable in an exciting live show.
Enjoy
Juan
I'd like to draw your attention to a new video by Michael W. Smith. The song is from his newest album "Wonder" and the video was released sometime last year.
Save Me From Myself
When I first heard this album my thought was that it was very retro sounding, almost as if Michael W Smith had stayed in the same style long enough for it to more or less come back around. I'll admit that this song stood out as something I would have interest in doing. I won't go so far as to say you won't catch the band doing something else off this record but nothing has jumped out quite like this track.
I decided that I did want to start working on this with the band so I went on my usual search for charts (word, chords, sheet music, etc.) and came up blank. It turns out that this song is not actually by MWS it's by some Danish guys. Ok, not just any Danish guys, it's from a band called Carpark North, whom I had heard of before but decided at the time that they weren't accessible enough.
Here is a video of Carpark North performing the same song live.
Save Me From Myself
The video's couldn't be more different but the overall sound and arrangement of the songs isn't too far off. There is no doubt about it, the eighties are in right now and if we take any cues from the past, a nineties revival is just around the corner (heaven help us). Michael W Smith's video looks like it could have appeared anywhere between 89-91 by my estimation. I think it is kind of cool, honestly.
Carpark North are generally calling their style Electro-Rock, a heavily synthesizer oriented rock band. What to me is most gratifying is to see them pulling this sound off live (in a video). To hear all the different layers covered well raises the expectation of how songs transfer from the studio to the stage. They have and continue to push themselves and genre boundaries with their music and I look forward to what they come out with next.
I think this is a great song and I take away two important observations (at least for me); 1)a great artist, even if I don't always like his/her stuff, is able to keep reinventing themselves and stay fresh 2)highly polished and layered arrangements are totally doable in an exciting live show.
Enjoy
Juan
Monday, February 7, 2011
Welcome
Greetings and thanks for checking out our blog!
In the near future you will be able to all sorts of info including set lists, songs we're working on, pictures of us and even videos but in the meantime we will start with just the basics.
In Search of Grace is the house band/worship team for "the Crossing", an emergent worship community at First United Methodist Church, Chula Vista. Although still in formation the vision behind the band is that it will be a diverse group of musicians (vocal and instrumental) that will combine in different configurations depending on the needs of the occasion. In general the band consists of the usual guitars, singers, bass, drums and keyboard but could occasionally feature a vibraphone, cello, viola and various percussion instruments.
Currently the band is headed up by Juan Carlos Acosta, music director at First United Methodist Church, Chula Vista but the idea is that this one group my grow to be multiple groups with their own unique take on the music.
If you are interested in getting involved with this project please contact Juan juancarlosacosta@firstchurchcv.com
In the near future you will be able to all sorts of info including set lists, songs we're working on, pictures of us and even videos but in the meantime we will start with just the basics.
In Search of Grace is the house band/worship team for "the Crossing", an emergent worship community at First United Methodist Church, Chula Vista. Although still in formation the vision behind the band is that it will be a diverse group of musicians (vocal and instrumental) that will combine in different configurations depending on the needs of the occasion. In general the band consists of the usual guitars, singers, bass, drums and keyboard but could occasionally feature a vibraphone, cello, viola and various percussion instruments.
Currently the band is headed up by Juan Carlos Acosta, music director at First United Methodist Church, Chula Vista but the idea is that this one group my grow to be multiple groups with their own unique take on the music.
If you are interested in getting involved with this project please contact Juan juancarlosacosta@firstchurchcv.com
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