30 Days of Thanks - Day 18 - The Little Things

Someone holds a door for you instead of letting it slam in your face. Someone helps you pick up that package or paper or whatever you dropped so that you do not have to try and balance the rest of the stack while you get it [1]. Someone refrains from taking the last cookie or soda or appetizer or whatever so that you can try it. Someone waits so that you can pass through even though they had the right of way. Someone picks up or cleans up whatever was lying around - even though it was not their responsibility. Someone calls and says, "Hey, let's go to lunch - my treat." Someone picks something up at the store for you without being asked. You wake up to a sunny day after several rainy messes.

Love is the little things. Thank you!

[1] This has a high failure rate.

30 Days of Thanks - Day 9 - Music

I think the best way to explain this one is through a series of quotes (and a good song at the end).

"Music is, to me, proof of the existence of God. It is so extraordinarily full of magic, and in tough times of my life I can listen to music and it makes such a difference." - Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.

"Without music, life would be a mistake." - Friedrich Nietzsche, Twilight of the Idols

"Song opens a window to the secret places of the soul." - Habad

"He who sings frightens away his ills." - Miguel de Cervantes, Don Quixote

"God sent his Singers upon the earth

With songs of sadness and of mirth,

That they might touch the hearts of men,

And bring them back to heaven again." - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, The Singers

"In the darkness something was happening at last. A voice had begun to sing. It was very far away and Digory found it hard to decide from what direction it was coming. Sometimes it seemed to come from all directions at once. Sometimes he almost thought it was coming out of the earth beneath them. Its lower notes were deep enough to be the voice of the earth herself. There were no words. There was hardly even a tune. But it was, beyond comparison, the most beautiful noise he had ever heard. It was so beautiful he could hardly bear it." - C.S. Lewis, The Magician's Nephew

"There was Eru, the One, who in Arda is called Ilúvatar; and he made first the Ainur, the Holy Ones, that were the offspring of his thought, and they were with him before aught else was made. And he spoke to them, propounding to them themes of music; and they sang before him, and he was glad. For a long while they sang only each alone, or but few together, while the rest hearkened; for each comprehended only that part of the mind of Ilúvatar from which he came, and in the understanding of their brethren they grew but slowly. Yet ever as they listened they came to deeper understanding, and increased in unison and harmony. And it came to pass that Ilúvatar called together all the Ainur and declared to them a mighty theme, unfolding to them things greater and more wonderful than he had yet revealed; and the glory of its beginning and the splendour of its end amazed the Ainur, so that they bowed before Ilúvatar and were silent. Then Ilúvatar said to them: 'Of the theme that I have declared to you, I will now that ye make in harmony together a Great Music. And since I have kindled you with the Flame Imperishable, ye shall show forth your powers in adorning this theme, each with his own thoughts and devices, if he will. But I will sit and hearken, and be glad that through you great beauty has been wakened into song." J.R.R. Tolkien, The Silmarillion

30 Days of Thanks - Day 4 - NoiseTrade

I enjoy music. LOTS of music of many diverse genres. I especially enjoy music that defies a singular genre specification (such as much of David Crowder*Band's discography).

I am also cheap. I do not like to spend a lot of money on music (or anything other than books for that matter) especially when I am attempting to discover something new that I like.

This is where that beautiful website NoiseTrade enters into my life.

NoiseTrade is a lovely little slice of the Net that offers music for 'free' - legally. Various artists post their work there for 'free' download either in an attempt to drum up a new fan base, reward current fans, or just stick it to 'the man' and 'his' ways of holding artists down. I say 'free' because you do actually have to give them some information. Specifically you give them your e-mail (where they will send the download link) and your zip code. This has another benefit of getting you signed up for the band's mailing list and letting you know when they will be near you for a concert. I know that idea does not thrill most people but you can also easily opt out of the list when they send something to you.

The neat thing about this is that you can preview all of the tracks first so that you know you want them, you can share your find through various social media to help promote artists you like, and - if you really appreciate the music - you can leave the artist a tip from $1-100. So you get great music, a way to connect to the artists you like, and a way to share your passions while only offering up information that is readily available online anyway.

I am thankful for NoiseTrade because it helps to fulfill the nifty things mentioned above and it has helped me to find great artists like The Vespers and Josh Garrels.

30 Days of Thanks - Day 3 - The Vespers

Quite a few months ago I downloaded an album from Noisetrade titled Tell Your Mama and promptly forgot about it for a few weeks. I came across this gem in my music folder again in August when I was looking for some music to put on my mp3 player for when I walked. I was enamored by the beauty, quirk, and charm provided by the extremely talented set of two sibling pairs. Their lyrics had both depth and simplicity. Their music captured a sweet piece of American folk. They had spirit and they had steam, thus they were a band with which I identified. They were The Vespers and I was greatly blessed to run across their album.

I was additionally blessed to be able to attend a show they had at Natasha's Bistro & Bar in Lexington, KY back in September. Flat out amazing stage presence. They were worth going to see just to gain a true appreciation for the skill and soul that Phoebe, Callie, Bruno, and Taylor were putting into each piece. It was also a great experience as, being a small venue, they were able to come out and talk with us after the show. I found them to be genuine people - not big headed - wanting to socialize with the crowd and even express appreciation for our being a part of that concert experience.

I got to speak with Bruno and Phoebe the most, both of whom I found to be good-hearted, friendly, and joyful people. They were real, they had depth, and if I had not have had to leave as quickly, I would have loved to have spent more time chatting. Phoebe was a genuinely interesting person to talk to and one of those people who really made the effort to let God shine through her -beautiful inside and out. But I digress. There was life there that night that I usually do not find at concerts.

Another thing that I appreciate about The Vespers is related to what Bruno posted on Noisetrade when people were discussing if they should be referred to as a 'Christian band':

Thanks for the love yall! We don't label ourselves as a Christian band strictly... then we would only be playing for 'Christians'. We follow Christ, and play for all. It's music... Wires, wood, and words... Doesn't need a brand name. We did coin the term Indiecana 2 years ago in an interview however. before Mumford and Sons were famous. ;) ... Much love, please keep spreading the word! -Bruno from The Vespers.

They are Christians but they are not rushing headlong for the pitfalls of being a 'Christian band'. Their music conveys a spiritual depth and truth but they do not limit it to one audience. They can actually reach with it because of that. They can play in bars to people who would never show up to a 'Christian' concert. I admire this mission model of being inclusively Christian, not exclusively 'Christian'.

In addition to all of this, I like their website. It is laid out well, informative, and full of fun extras like videos, a movie mail-in program, and a store that features Phoebe's handmade flower hair clips (seriously, she is multi-talented). They also have a new free single up for grabs.

I say all of this and then want to ask that you support this great band by helping with their Kickstarter campaign: We need help paying our dues. If they meet their goal, we get to see another great album from this band titled "The Fourth Wall" and help them to maintain artistic control (read as: freedom from a label telling them what to sing). There are some great rewards for backers too so at least check it out. Thank you!