Fun Friday Video!

It’s Friday isn’t it? Here’s the video Charly and I went crazy dancing to this morning – hope you love it!

Fun Friday Video!

It’s Friday isn’t it? Here’s the video Charly and I went crazy dancing to this morning – hope you love it!

It’s Friday – Dance to This!

Well, this Friday I don’t have a funny dance video for you. But I do have some great music to get your Friday started. And who knows, maybe you’ll create your own crazy Friday dance to it!

My husband, deeflash, did a remix for the song “Stranger, Among Us?” and it was just released today through the label Uncovered! Check it out below!

Also,  the original deeflash track, Game Over, is being released on Tuesday along with 3 awesome remixes! Check out 2 of the tracks here (plus some other music released by MK837, including a few unreleased deeflash tracks!):

Latest tracks by MK837

Christian Dance Music – Is it really?

An article I wrote for a website under the topic “Best Christian Dance Music.” I wasn’t planning on writing anything but I just got so annoyed by the 2 articles written that both had references to dancing to the Newsboys and Skillet. Feel free to discuss

When a song has no words, how can you classify it as Christian music?

This question is asked time and time again but the answer is never concrete. Christian dance music is a genre that is under appreciated, overlooked and misunderstood by many. Lost between the world of church-friendly Christian music and secular nightclub hits, there is a small yet passionate group of Christians producing beats that are worth recognition. Some are creating songs that have Christian lyrics but many are Christians producing music that goes beyond categorization.

When techno dance/rave scene frequents are asked what moves them, most will respond that it’s the music far above any other influence. But with no lyrics and a repetitive dance beat, it soon becomes obvious that the music is about more – it’s about the spirit and passion behind the production of the song. Most Christian musicians will gladly admit that they create their music for and under the influence of God. The Holy Spirit moves musicians like David Crowder Band and Hillsong United to combine powerful lyrics with moving guitar melodies. The Holy Spirit also moves producers to combine specific sounds with rhythmic beats that will take its listeners on a spiritual journey the way the best Christian worship music does.

The problem is that dance music as a generality is associated with the sins of the club world rather than the amazing spirit behind the songs being played. Christian dance music producers such as Andy Hunter, Shiloh, Tim Richards, Joel Armstrong, Stryke, Kenneth Thomas and Topher Jones are all composing chart topping tracks that carry God’s spirit into a world that is often left untouched by the Christian world. So to ask “what is the best Christian dance music?” and expect a list of artists as clear-cut as “what is the best rock band?” is an under appreciation of what makes a powerful dance track.

To find the best Christian dance music, whether you’re looking for overtly Christian lyrics over a dance beat, or a spiritual dance song with no lyrics, it’s best to expand your mind and stop looking in the Christian music section of your chain music store. Christian dance communities such as Tastyfresh.com and Godsdjs.com will give you a little insight into a world that you’re probably missing out on. The internet is a great way to discover Christian dance labels all over the world. Do a search, open your mind and enjoy the journey.

Music Tuesday Spotlight:Joel Armstrong

This week I have the privilege of sharing my interview with Vancouver’s Joel Armstrong. I’ve known Joel for a few years now and have always enjoyed his music. I hope you will too!

Real Name: Joel Armstrong

Band/DJ/Artist Name: Joel Armstrong

Genre of Music: House Music (electronic)

How/Why You Became a Musician: I first heard electronic music in 1994 and to this day it never fails to excite me.  I love how depending on the melody or groove of each track, the experience can be different each time.  I appreciate the complexity of writing music and when I hear music that has been written with care and an understanding of the audience, there’s just something amazing about it to me.  I started messing around with writing music in 2002 when I was lonely in a new city, it seemed natural to me and one of the only things that could keep my attention for more than a half-hour at a time haha.

Is There a Purpose/Vision to your music? Explain: The purpose has evolved slowly over time from more of a fun hobby to a vocational goal.  There’s a lot of risk but for some reason I get energized by the challenge to do well and succeed.  I feel there’s a place for me in the whole mess of club nightlife, I get a lot of chances to talk about my faith even though at times I fail.  People warm up to me, are much more open when they see that having faith in Jesus doesn’t make me more important or better than them.

Best/Favorite Music-related Experience (doesn’t have to be related to your music): I think my favorite music-related experience is actually coming next month when I’ve been asked to play a couple festivals down in New Zealand, one for New Years Eve called Rhythm & Vines, and the other a festival called Parachute.

What did you grow up listening to? I grew up listening to John Michael Talbot, Richard Clayderman, John Denver, Nicolas de Angelis and Michael Card.

Your music sounds like (ie: other bands/DJs people might like): Um, I dunno.  It changes all the time haha.  Um, artists/DJs I love though: Butch, Nima Gorji, DJ PP, Reboot, Ramon Tapia, John Digweed

Links to your music/Contact you:
http://www.myspace.com/joelarmstrong
http://www.joel-armstrong.com
http://www.facebook.com/joelarmstrongmusic
http://www.youtube.com/user/joelarmstrongmusic

Anything else you want my readers to know: Shortlist of my all time favorite movies: UP, WALL-E, The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Fall, The Mission, Star Wars: A New Hope, Return of the Jedi, The Empire Strikes Back, Little Miss Sunshine, Pan’s Labyrinth, The Royal Tenenbaums, Slumdog Millionaire, Princess Bride, The Life Aquatic, Rushmore, This is Spinal Tap, Snatch, Lock Stock & 2 Smoking Barrels, Pride & Prejudice (Colin Firth version)

Music Tuesday Spotlight: DJ Modulation

This week I had the privledge of interviewing someone I met this summer, DJ Modulation from Arizona. I really enjoy his music and think that you will too. So here we go, an inside spotlight on a great Christian DJ.

Real Name: Sandro Porres

Band/DJ/Artist Name: I go by many names…but I’m not like the other “goes by many names”. DJ Modulation is what I’ve kind of gone by for my solo/live PA sets. But I have two Christian Electronic bands: Modular 7 and KriSand. I also do remixes for other artists under my real name, Sandro Porres.

Genre of Music: The various sides of electronic music.

How/Why You Became a Musician: I was always around music and instruments. Pretty much from birth, if not before, lol. So I guess I was just meant to be doing this.

Is There a Purpose/Vision to your music? Explain: Yes! Very much. I’m on a mission. It’s a spiritual warfare mission for souls. I really believe that all music seeps into the subconscious and can very much influence us. That’s why It’s important for me to promote a good message and positive lyrics that point the way towards Jesus. Some of the remixes I do are not by Christians artists. But I am, so my hope is that people will still find a way to at least wonder why I like Jesus so much.

Best/Favorite Music-related Experience (doesn’t have to be related to your music): I’ve had so many. But I’d have to say the best experiences are when people genuinely get lifted up by the message.

What did you grow up listening to? I grew up listening to pretty much all types of music. From the Beatles to led zeppelin. Stryper and Amy Grant. Metalica..Classical, Dance music….

Your music sounds like (ie: other bands/DJs people might like): I’m influenced by royksopp, depeche mode…so some of that probably comes out in my music.

Links to your music/Contact you: www.myspace.com/djmodulation

Anything else you want my readers to know: I believe it all starts from God, our creator. You don’t have to look far, and everywhere you look, you will see how creative God is. He is the ultimate artist. From amazing sunrises to sunsets. To our planet and universe. The human body and all living creatures. God’s masterful artistry is everywhere and in everything.

So with that in mind, I feel that humans make God happy when we are creative too. I imagine God smiling and enjoying all his little creations attempts at creativity. I actually think that God wants us to be creative and has put a little different talent in all of us. It’s sort of each persons purpose to discover these talents and use them in a way that serves a good and Godly purpose.

I just want to thank Sandro for taking the time to share a bit more about himself and his music. Please take the time to check him out: www.myspace.com/djmodulation and download his set from Cornerstone Afterhours 2009: http://tastyfresh.com/rokdownloads/podcasts/specials_ah2009_djmodulation.mp3