The Archives
N. T. Wright sings The Beatles
by The Rabbit Room 11
2012
And finally, here's our video of N. T. Wright serenading us with his (and Francis Collins') version of The Beatles' "Yesterday." Enjoy, and have a great weekend. Watch the other videos here: Dylan's "When the Ship Comes In" and Sydney Carter's "Friday Morning."
N. T. Wright: “Friday Morning”
by The Rabbit Room 10
2012
Bishop Wright sang three songs for us. You've already seen his performance of Bob Dylan's "When the Ship Comes In." Here's a look at the first song he played, "Friday Morning," by Sydney Carter (who also wrote the folk song "Lord of the Dance").
Waterdeep Covers Paul Simon! (I just fainted.)
by Andrew Peterson 09
2012
On this fine Tuesday, allow me to brighten your day with this beautiful cover by two of my favorite people (and neighbors, more-or-less) of one of my favorite songs by one of my favorite songwriters. That's FOUR favorites in one video. Seriously, Don and Lori Chaffer are delightful and crazy talented. If you've never dug into Waterdeep (or Paul Simon), here's a good reason to correct that. Check out Waterdeep's website here.
CD Release: Birds of Relocation
by Pete Peterson 01
2012
Eric Peters' Birds of Relocation CDs are now shipping. Head into the store and pick up one of the best records you'll hear this year. Here's a brief glimpse of what people are saying about the album. And don't miss this great interview at The Sound Opinion (Part I here and Part II here). "Mature but not morose. Fun but hardly frivolous. Honest yet optimistic Self-assured but no where near self-absorbed. Eric's newest album is a toe-tapping, sometimes tear-jerking, joy to listen to." --Thomas McKenzie, pastor "Eric has written a really beautiful collection of songs here. I’m proud of him. I would say that the theme of this record is a movement from darkness to light–which might also be the theme of Eric’s soul at the moment. We tried to capture that in the recordings. There are definitely some dark moments (fittingly so), but the songs always seem to step into the light. Anyway, I think you’re really going to like Birds of Relocation. I do." --Ben Shive, producer, singer-songwriter "Eric Peters is a chronicler of his journey; he's been a faithful steward of the story God is telling through him, and this newest chapter, Birds of Relocation, is Eric's testimony that along the way there are moments of deep joy and gratitude--they may seem brief, but they're bright, and they're worth singing about. The joy I hear on this record heralds a long and welcome peace." --Andrew Peterson, author, singer-songwriter "I have been a huge fan of Eric's music for a long time. The beautifully personal and revealing songs on this new record not only make me love Eric's art even more, they make me love Eric more. Birds of Relocation is an open window into the heart of a brilliantly broken man." --Andy Gullahorn, singer-songwriter, producer "Birds of Relocation is a soul-awakening, triumphant, honest survey of a year of life and loss. Eric's tell-it-like-it-is voice combined with these aching melodies come together to pronounce both heartache and hope, bringing these two opposite sides of the same coin into view simultaneously. This musical offering is a needed spark of inspiration in a cultural moment heavy with cynicism. These songs speak. They lift. They comfort. Eric skillfully blends melancholy with sunshine. And the end result is magnetic." --Sandra McCracken, singer-songwriter "In painting, chiaroscuro is the effect of depth and luminosity created by sharp contrasts between light and shadow. I kept thinking of this word as I listened to Birds of Relocation. I heard a portrait there--a canvas swathed in bleak tones of past troubles, out of which emerges a brilliant face illumined by thankfulness. A searingly honest songwriter, Eric has earned the right to sing of light and hope because he knows how deep the darkness can be." --Jennifer Trafton, author "Eric has been writing great songs for a more than a decade, but his newest album, Birds of Relocation, feels like a much-anticipated arrival. It feels like the culmination of a life-long journey through the highs and lows of the human heart. Each time the last notes of the record fade, I feel like I've stepped back from a window, having been, for a short time, a voyeur peering into the epic and ultimately victorious struggle of another soul." --A. S. "Pete" Peterson, author "I've come to expect this sort of thing from Eric Peters--yet another amazing collection of songs, each one it's own journey. It's whimsical in ways but in an instant becomes the cry of every man's heart to be loved with songs like "Soul and Flesh." I can pretty much bank on the fact that every two years or so another Eric Peters record will wind up among my top choices for the year. But this one might well be his best ever." --Bebo Norman, singer-songwriter "Birds of Relocation is an inspiring album for so many reasons. The inspiration that sticks with me between listens is that intangible feeling that comes after listening to a great collection of well-crafted, well-produced songs. Makes me wanna relocate back into my studio and create, think, ponder, and worship the God of ALL creation. The sonic landscape that accompanies Eric's earnest and honest vocal performance is rich and tasteful. The sounds on this album not only affirm Eric's creativity, but also Ben Shive's instinct as a producer." --David Spencer, producer "Eric Peters' music is at the top of what gets played around my house, in my car, and while I'm running. I am a big fan. He writes incredibly honest and poetic lyrics coupled with memorable pop melodies, and I can think of no better combination." --Jill Phillips, singer-songwriter "The bright, summery nature of Birds of Relocation gives Eric Peters' incredible vulnerability a new level upon which to fly. A beautiful, soaring record that deserves to be heard by many." --Matt Conner, pastor, writer "This is Eric's best record, and I've been a fan of the earlier records. Birds of Relocation has a brightness to it, not a false naivete, but a fresh-breeze-after-a-storm kind of clarity. He gets bits of truth stuck in my head all day. Can't ask for more than that." --Andrew Osenga, singer-songwriter, producer “Eric Peters doesn’t write songs so much as he opens up a vein and bleeds them. That’s why his songs feel more like a transfusion than anything else. His music is most meaningful, I think, to others who have lost some blood of their own. To them his songs are life-giving and life-saving. I think we live in a culture that by and large refuses to bleed or otherwise enter into the gift of pain. But the slow death of denial keeps us from finding our hearts and ultimately from truly coming alive. Into this world, then, comes the gift of Eric Peters’ music--a gift that wounds while it heals. Eric’s audience is likely to be that brave but small group of people who aren’t afraid of the sight of blood because they recognize it as the life-giving force that it is. It falls upon the living to care for the dying. Most of the hymns of our pop culture are broken anthems to self-indulgence and escapism, and they lead to a literal dead end. In a culture that sends Katy Perry’s 'I Kissed A Girl’ to the top of the charts, the humanity of Eric Peters’ ‘Voices’ is especially meaningful. The more I hear Eric’s music, the more I'm aware of how generous he is, always giving away every bit of hope for the journey as he finds it. When I buy an Eric Peter’s record, I’m not just adding to my music library, I’m participating in his artistry and making space in the world for songs that bleed life, truth, hope, and beauty.” --Jason Gray, singer-songwriter Birds of Relocation is now available in the Rabbit Room store. You may have missed our listening party a few weeks ago, but here's a recap: Track 1: "The Old Year (of Denial)" [audio:1_birdsofrelocation_clips.mp3]
Because Two Albums are Better Than One
by Jill Phillips 27
2012
Hello, friends. I released my latest album, In This Hour, back in November, and I'm excited to announce a new limited-time offer ("limited-time" sounds fancier than "we don't know when this is going to end but it won't last forever"). Here's the deal: If you buy a CD or download of In This Hour you'll also get a free download of my last record, The Good Things. I am very proud of these projects, both produced by Cason Cooley, and would love to see them reach some new ears. If you can help out by spreading the word to your friends I would be incredibly grateful. Thanks for your support, and thanks for helping me get the word out! "That's Not Who You Are" from In This Hour by Jill Phillips [audio:ThatsNotWho.mp3]
RR Interview: Andy Osenga Talks Leonard
by Matt Conner 24
2012
[Editor's note: Today is the final day to buy the Rabbit Room exclusive pre-release of Leonard, the Lonely Astronaut.] If it seems the Rabbit Room has been abuzz with a lot of new music lately, that's because two of our favorite artists have just released their best albums to date within a short span of each other. Both Eric Peters and Andy Osenga have graced our ears with beautiful, inspiring albums in the last few weeks that we just can't get enough of. For Peters, Birds of Relocation is a hopeful, joyous refrain that warrants repeated listens. For Osenga, Leonard, the Lonely Astronaut finally showcases the fantastic rock artist that had yet to emerge -- all encased in a sci-fi theme, of course. We recently took some time out to talk to Osenga about his new record and what it meant to finally release an album comprised of music he'd want to listen to. Osenga's journey is a frightening but compelling one about the freedom of realizing that you can't please everyone. In the process, he's crafted his finest music yet. Matt Conner: It seems the overall buzz is that this is your best album yet, and I would have to agree wholeheartedly. This is a great album, but I'm curious about your take. I'm sure it's hard to say that an entire collection is better or the best.
Leonard The Lonely Astronaut Blasts Off
by Jason Gray 19
2012
From the beginning of time the night sky has fueled our dreams of traversing the stars, pioneering the final frontier. Deep calls unto deep as we lie on our backs looking into the vast ocean of space above us and feel the vast ocean of space inside us rise and swell. Like a transmission from the furthest reaches of the universe, or perhaps from somewhere further still within our hearts, the questions find us: “Who am I? Who is God? What does it mean to be human? Why am I lonely?” On a clear night we can see beyond the edges of our galaxy, and we are at once belittled and enlarged. Is our longing to touch the stars a wonder-filled embrace of the great mystery of existence? Or is it perhaps a kind of escapism, a desire to break free of the bonds of gravity and the Fall and the falling that goes along with it. Is it part of our romantic hope that the grass may be greener somewhere over the rainbow, beyond Alpha Centauri? Whatever it is, the night sky excites our imagination, confronts us with our humanity, and stirs within us the big questions.
Rabbit Room Exclusive: Leonard, the Lonely Astronaut
by Pete Peterson 17
2012
Today's the day -- launch day for a much anticipated (and lonely) astronaut. If you pre-ordered Leonard, the Lonely Astronaut in either CD or digital format, you can now log in to your account and download the album in its entirety. Simply redownload your pre-order purchase to receive the new files. CDs will ship the week of May 7th. If you ordered the Deluxe Download or the Custom Flash Drive Package, you can also log in to download the record, but check your email throughout the day for instructions on claiming the special features included in your purchase. If you've been on the fence about all this outer space madness, it might move you to know that Andrew Osenga's Leonard, the Lonely Astronaut is an exclusive Rabbit Room release that will only be available for one week. That's right, it will only be available until midnight on April 24th. After that cut off date, the album will no longer be available to the public and Andy will go into promotional mode in preparation for the album's wide release in the fall. So if you're interested, get it now, or settle in for the long wait. Enjoy the record, folks. We'll have a full review in a few days. In the meantime, be sure to leave your own review in the Rabbit Room store. 3 -- 2 -- 1 -- ignition.
Everything Broken and Everything Beautiful
by Ron Block 13
2012
Since late August I've been co-writing songs with Rebecca Reynolds (aka "Becca" here on the RR). As a songwriter, never prolific, and often completely mired in a swamp of doubt when writing, I have read many books on art and creativity; Art & Fear by Bayles & Orland, The War of Art by Pressfield, On Writer's Block by Nelson, On Writing by King, Walking on Water by L'Engle, The Music Lesson by Wooten, along with books like The Success Principles by Canfield, and The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Covey. In talking with Rebecca I quickly became interested in her research on creativity and how it operates, due to my personal search and frequent sense of lack in certain areas.
Record Executives Unite!
by Andrew Osenga 11
2012
[(Warning: Bad puns incoming) Launch is imminent for our faithful astronaut and his new record -- sort of. What follows is Andy Osenga's explanation of a new twist in the album's trajectory. Read on, and get the record while you can.] Years ago, making a record and actually getting people to hear about it took one thing: a record label. These days, the labels are mostly gone, and in many ways they're not missed. However, when you make a record that you feel has a ton of potential beyond your group of supporters, well, that's when it gets tricky. Artists in my orbit, making a living but not selling out huge tours or getting on the radio, have a hard time getting their music heard outside of their normal spheres. You see, what record labels did wrong (took more than their fair share, tried to water down great artists, held records under lock and key) were the unfortunate side effects of the good that they did, mainly fronting the money for records to be made and then doing the work of getting the music out there. Well, I believe in this record. More than anything I've ever done before. And I want people to hear it, and I want to be able to get enough people to shows to do some really fun stuff with production and band. So I'm trying to figure out ways to get there. And I've realized something.
Featured
The Shape of the Stories We Tell
[Note: This has been adapted from the Hutchmoot 2011 session of the same name. Click here for a portion of Travis Prinzi's contribution to that same session.]
What does the shape of a story look like? A lot of people might say it looks like a Bell curve: setup, rising conflict, and resolution. That’s the typical answer, and there’s nothing wrong with that, in fact, there’s a lot that’s exactly right about it, and there are a thousand and one books on the subject to prove it. But I don’t think that’s the whole picture. The reason for the question is that we want a way to predict whether a story is going to work. We want a pattern for our creation. We want rules to write by.
So what makes a story work? Every critic’s got a theory, me included—or you wouldn’t be reading this.
Because Two Albums are Better Than One
Hello, friends. I released my latest album, In This Hour, back in November, and I’m excited to announce a new limited-time offer (“limited-time” sounds fancier than “we don’t know when this is going to end but it won’t last forever”). Here’s the deal: If you buy a CD or download of In This Hour you’ll also get a free download of my last record, The Good Things. I am very proud of these projects, both produced by Cason Cooley, and would love to see them reach some new ears. If you can help out by spreading the word to your friends I would be incredibly grateful.
Thanks for your support, and thanks for helping me get the word out!
“That’s Not Who You Are”
from In This Hour by Jill Phillips
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