Hi all,
Apologies about the lack of updates as of late! Just to let you know, if you live in or around Chesterfield, I will be playing a set on the 6th of April at RISE, which takes place at S41 bar in Chesterfield.
RISE is an event aimed at young adults, kind of 20s and 30s I think, so if thats you! Then it would be great to see you, I think its a 7:30 arrive for an 8pm start. I’ll be playing about 45 minutes or so… So yeh, I look forward to seeing you there!
Just watched an incredible documentary on the band, ‘Sigur Ros’. Called hiena I think, all about their homecoming tour.
Man it was incredibly fascinating. For so many different reasons!
Number one: Iceland is incredibly beautiful! Such incredible landscapes, so remote, small villages with pretty houses and buildings. Certainly on my places to go list now!
Number two: they play such beautiful music. Now I knew this before watching because obviously I have heard there music before. But there was something about seeing them in their home country, in the places which inspired them, the places and towns where they grew up, and started making music together. It was like watching a puzzle being formed, but the wrong way round. The peace and awe that their music seems to provoke, just oozes out the pictures of iceland, the lakes and the mountains, and the desert like spaces.
Seeing them play in open fields with hats and big coats on, in old run down fishing factories by big lakes, in tiny village halls, seeing the local community come out to watch them, whole families travelling down together, just seeing them play, as one, as if the music was being made by every single person in the room, not just the 8 band members. Truly beautiful.
Number three: it’s natural. There is nothing forced about sigur ros’ music. They aren’t producing music that radio will approve of, infact they almost go against every ‘rule’ in music… Their intros are far too long, it takes too long to get to the chorus, is that even a chorus? The songs are all about 7 minutes, they are playing too many slow songs, they dont smile or open their eyes, they don’t ‘connect with the audience’. But, quite frankly, who cares? It’s incredible music.
As in the documentary, they write songs by finding some space, sit down with instruments and just play. They explained that they don’t do much talking, or planning, but just play. And when it feels good, it works!
People love it because they are expressing who they are. They are 8 humble, shy, quiet icelanders, who are playing music because thats what they love to do. They haven’t been changed by the western music industry, they haven’t been told to play louder, or if they have they haven’t listened, and rightly so!
It makes me think. How often do we box ourselves in? Try to fit in with things around us?
I think try so hard to impress others, that it takes the enjoyment out of it. I know I feel like that sometimes playing music in church!
The fact is, when Sigor Ros are on their own, in an empty room, are they planning on ways they can conquer the music world, and win people over? No. They are playing music in the exact same way that they do when 100,000 people are watching. Maybe that’s where we’re going wrong.
The past few days have been interesting. Much kicking off at Church after we decided to let a Homeless night shelter use our meeting room as shelter for the next 3 weeks.
It has made me realise how selfish we are. And actually what a horrible, judgemental, prejudice culture we live in. Now this is an issue that, lets be honest no one is comfortable with. I’m not going to pretend I am some perfect person that speaks to every homeless guy I see, or stops to have a conversation with the Big Issue man every time i’m in town. Because, i’m not going to lie, i’m rubbish at that. But long to improve.
But I always kind of thought as a culture we were a little better at coping with it than I have seen these past couple of days. I honestly thought that the main opinion around Chesterfield and England, is that most people don’t want to get involved, but do look kindly to such help being given to human beings in need.
But how I was wrong. In all honesty, I have learnt a lot more about Brampton, the area that I live in than I ever have before. I have been completely disguisted by the pregudice some people have against these people. Words coming up such as ‘these people are scum’ and people saying things like ‘There’s no excuse for being homeless in this country’! Quite frankly, I am horrified by how people can be so selfish, inward looking, middle class toffs!!!
Quite frankly, people don’t care beyond their own front door. As long as their own son or daughter gets a perfect education, a Nintendo Wii and a lovely puppy to cuddle at nights – But don’t worry, she won’t have to walk it herself she might get cold, we’ll just let it run round the garden.
I apologise if I am expressing my opinions seemingly harshly, but it has really made me realise even more that we as a Church are called to minister to the homeless. We spend so much time making sure the rich are happy, as long as it looks like we have a few poor people in our congregation then thats ok. But thats not Ok. I honestly don’t think Jesus would settle for this.
When we actually do as Jesus did, it’s messy. And trust me, I found that out this weekend. But this doesn’t mean we should quit, or do it half heartedly to make sure the ‘decent people’ (as one person refereed to themselves!!!) are happy.
They are not ‘Homeless people’, they are ‘People without a home’.
What are we going to do?
When will we learn to actually do as Jesus did?
[Please note, none of the comments which I have quoted were said by anyone who is actually part of our Church.]
Check out my new online shop HERE.
You will find the EP for only £5, delivered to your door. And if you order before the end of February I will include a free copy of the Resound Media sampler CD which I am featured on, alongside some other great songs by artists such as Philippa Hanna and Roo Walker.
Alternatively you can also buy the Sampler CD for a bargain price of £2.
All in all I’d say thats some top bargains there! So check it out and spread the word!
I would like to introduce you to 2 more of my friends blogs.
The first of these belongs to a Mr Laurie Woodgate. Who is one of the ‘Youth’ at my Church, as well as being a fantastic singer in the Youth Band. You can find his blog here where he writes honestly and openly, in a very inspiring way about his life, faith, and other things. A great read, and don’t miss out on ‘The Banter Blog’ page!! Laurie Woodgate, ‘The Think Blog’
And the 2nd is a friend from Church, Helen Murray, who is working twice as hard as anyone else and bringing us 2 wonderful blogs! The first of which, is a really great read of Helens prayers which she has humbly made public for us to join in with, be inspired, and motivated by. Helen has a really fresh way of praying, which moves away from all cliches and religious phrases which can, if we’re honest often make us lose interest in praying! Helen Murray, ‘Are we nearly there yet’
And the last one of today is Helen Murrays personal blog of great thoughts from a wonderful woman of God, Wife to Bryan, and Mother of 2.
I hope you find these blogs as helpful as I do.
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