Written by Ellen Marie Hawkins

According to their website and facebook, Mistakes were Made was written about the demise of relationships, both romantic and within (or out, since they’re no longer part of) the band.  On first listen, it’s difficult to get to the meat of it all.  MK4 is high energy, in your face, addicting.  They’ve got a tight sound, a cohesive one, and the faster tempo songs are made for singing along to, specifically with the windows down and the volume really, really loud.

Upon closer inspection of the lyrics, though, these aren’t happy tunes.  I lost track of how many times I heard the word hate.  But here’s the thing…that’s what I loved about them.  These songs are reflections of some terrible moments, but there is not a lot of wrath or even anger.  They just are.  All the phases of grief have been experienced, and it’s like they’re in the acceptance phase.  And so they tell their story with a little distance, enough to explain how things were.  Or are.  The emotional glasses fogged with pain have been lifted and they’re seeing it all clearly.

This was an album I listened to repeatedly and wasn’t tempted to skip any of the tracks.  I didn’t care for the lyrical content of “Digital Voice,” and its subject matter didn’t necessarily seem to fit in with the other ten, but there was something about the music that kept me listening.

As for a favorite, it was difficult to narrow it down to a few.  I loved the opening song, “Down Is Up,” a song about someone is always the victim, often by her choice.  It set the stage for the tracks that followed, all of which kept my attention.  There’s something about the song, “Sleeper Hit of the Summer” that makes it stand out, but what that “it” is is undefinable.  And, oddly enough, the one song that I wanted to repeat was “I Don’t Want You to Want Me.”  The anti-thesis to Cheap Trick’s “I Want You to Want Me,” it is that lovable.  While it does feature the full version of bs in the chorus, it’s the closest I got to hearing that there’s a little emotion simpering in the fire.  I also appreciated that these words were said to them, not the other way around.  What better way to get revenge than take what was meant to be hurtful and turn them into one of the best songs recorded here?  I have a weakness for a good kiss off song, but this one is memorable on a different level.  Oh, and there’s a rhythm to clap along to on this one.  I dare you to not get your hands up in the air.

What may be a soundtrack to the last few months or years of their lives, this really does play out to be a movie in your own head.  Well produced and well written, I enjoyed the crispness of this, that fact that there is little murkiness here.  Whether I was totally into the rhythms that the drums and the guitars played off of each other like in the latter half of “Born to Explode” or the longing riffs in “Love to Rust” or the texture of the vocals throughout, I was always entertained.  I didn’t always agree to the cynical viewpoint sometimes like in “Love Takes A Toll,” but I did appreciate that they accept their own blame for their failures like in “Mistakes Were Made.”  And really, if the disappointments in life always led to albums like this one, they’d be far from “mistakes.”

Please visit www.mk4music.com for more information and be sure to download legally from iTunes or cdbaby.

Written by Ellen Marie Hawkins

Kristian Dambrino’s history reads like a script for a CW or even ABCFamily drama; girl competes in pageants, can’t handle the pressure and struggles with alcoholism; succumbs to image discrepancies (who she is v/s who everyone else wants her to be), etc.  I naively expected her to have a weak voice at best and an album full of auto tune and Britney Spears’s reject songs.  This debut, however, is anything but weak, and there’s nothing about this record that screams cutting room floor leftovers.

Dam Brino has a rich voice and a beautiful tone.  I loved that her lower register is just as luxurious as her higher notes, and the absolute best quality about her singing is that it is all so unexpected.  It’s not just that her immense talent is shocking; it’s the fact that she is so very different.  The narrow scope of a CW writer couldn’t have dreamed her genre up; she doesn’t fit into any one of them, and she’s least of all a cheap cliché.  Sometimes, she has something old fashioned about her, whimsical and romantic like in “Kissing In October” and “Good Night White Knight” and other times she is closer to mainstream like in “Leave the Light On” and “One Foot Out the Door.” The other songs on the album are anything in between, but there is nothing to pigeon hole here.

The self-titled debut begins with “Good Night White Knight” which features whistling and the line “You had me at goodbye.”  Wanting to develop an image that told her story, Dam Brino “wanted to create a character that was a more satirical version of myself…sort of a reincarnated rebel queen who maintains vulnerability and self-effacing humor.”  And in the process, she reveals a depth and strength needed to rebuild and move on.  While “Swallow the Key” explores the fact that she doesn’t feel at all lovable and even reachable, she has discovered by the last song, “One Foot Out the Door” that there’s victory in leaving what otherwise would destroy her.  Whether she realizes it or not, she’s telling all that will listen that it is herself that will make the decisions to save her and that there is no reliance on someone else to do it for her.

Favorite lyrics were found in “Original Face” (everything that she sings) and “Kissing In October.”  Questioning a relationship that ends as the leaves fall from the trees, she sings, “Do I have a great future behind me/Or is the past still present with me?”  Absolute favorite song was “One Foot Out the Door.”  The entire song is so honest and beautiful, but the chorus captures a realization that determines a future, “I can’t stand here/With one foot out the door/And the other in sinking sand.”

There’s a lot to love here.  The only gimmick used is her voice, which is flawless.  And while there’s a little bit of a character drawn up here, it is her own creation, with her rules…or the lack thereof.  And while some of it might be a joke to poke fun at herself, I believe the old proverb that many a truth is said in jest.  Dam Brino reveals what she wants to about who she is, and I admire her strength.

Dam Brino will be available for purchase on March 30.  Please visit www.dambrionmusic.com for more information.

Written by Ellen Marie Hawkins

photo by Corey Hayes

I’ve been eagerly anticipating the arrival of Simon’s album since I asked him a few questions in November.  While I may have been inspired by his thorough answers that told me this isn’t a fly-by-night pop singer who just wants to enjoy fifteen minutes of fame, it really was the strength of the lead track, “Liberate Your Love,” that had the name Simon Spire within easy reach at the back of my mind.  I wanted his music right where it belongs:  easily accessible on my iTunes list.

“Liberate Your Love” is ear candy that is enjoyed from the very first listen.  And while the pop hook makes it evolve into the ear worm that you can’t dislodge no matter how hard you try, the lyrics aren’t fluff that you’d be embarrassed to sing out loud.  While it may be easier to live a life in the shadows, that’s far from how we are intended to live. The right thing and the easy thing are hardly ever the same thing.  While I would normally highlight my favorite lyrics, I’ll refrain this time, because I’d be writing them all out.  Plus, it’s the music and Simon’s voice that sells this so well.

The rest of the tracks weren’t a disappointment, either.  “Knocking On an Open Door” appears twice on the five song EP, but I didn’t get tired of hearing it.  It’s another one of those songs that it is difficult to hear enough of, and the message is universal.  We’re all looking for something.  We all have that longing.
“No Solid Ground” and “The Blue Pill” are the two slower tempo songs, both introspective and searching.  “No Solid Ground” begins with lyrics hinting at a desire for stability, but as the song progresses, it transforms into a song about being comfortable with who you are.  “Even with all I want to be I might just end up me.”
“The Blue Pill,” with its childlike piano notes sprinkled throughout, makes this song about honesty interesting to examine from different perspectives.  Realizing that the truth sometimes hurts, Simon comes to the conclusion “And one day you will finally see/That you don’t really want to be free/So much nicer instead to be happy/So why bother?”  That, in fact, would be the biggest lie of all.  Even if this song contains the heavier lyrics, and a sad heart that comes with knowing that while people say they want the truth, they don’t always mean it, there is also a feeling of doubt.  He’s lying to himself and he doesn’t seem to like it enough to want to continue to believe it.  If he did, after all, it would be completely straying from the person he’s looking for in “No Solid Ground.”  Truth is a bitter pill indeed.  But lies are even harder to swallow.
With his heart on his sleeve, thoughtful and creative lyrics, and enough originality to stand out in the world of mainstream pop, Simon’s No Solid Ground has enough substance to hold onto.  While the energy and the positive messages are the most attractive thing about this EP, the thoughtful and relatable lyrics are a sturdy foundation that can maintain a long term career.
Be sure to download from iTunes and visit www.simonspire.com for more information.

Written by Ellen Marie Hawkins

According to their face book biography, Garden Window was created with two purposes.  The first was to merge all their influences which include, but are not limited to, Blonde Redhead, Sigur Ros, and Radiohead.  Their other goal was to reflect on who they are as people and let what surfaces describe who they are and what they believe in.

Regarding the first purpose, O’Brother succeeds victoriously at making a record that escapes the walls of genres.  Sometimes writhing with anger like Metallica, sometimes ambient and illusive like Sigur Ros, and sometimes simply satisfying rock, they excel at being unique.  I don’t even begin to understand how they make this work.  But it does.  And while they strive to be the “loudest band ever,” don’t be fooled.  This isn’t a mess of noise thrown together.  It is anything but.

As for their influences defining who they are and what they believe in…this is not so easily explained or understood.  The album begins with “Malum” where they demand, “How great is my debt that my penance should be endless?”  The very question saddened me, the perspective that life is nothing but trials and tribulations and can be considered nothing more than a “penance.”  They respond to their own asking with the repeated vow, “Lo, my eager eyes will behold the truth.”  The song then softens somewhat into a more upbeat “Lo,” the mood transitioning from one of wrath to one that is a little more eager, as if they are searching with more urgency rather than with so much despair.

That search and the questions they have for God are never far from their focus.  “Lay Down,” appearing almost halfway through the album, has the chorus that repeats, “So abba, father, are you sleeping/As we toil through your gardens keeping/I’ll lay down and begin to grow/Right beneath your garden window.”  Coupled with the music and the vocals, this is a band that doesn’t question God’s existence.  They question His abandonment.

In the last song, aptly titled “Last Breath,” they have yet to come to any real conclusions.  They label G.O.D. as an acronym-giver of damnation and then demand to know why He has even bothered with human existence.  As a Christian, it hurt to hear this, for obvious reasons.  And often times, it felt personal.  When they finish the song with the lyrics, “You are the only thing I hope is real in a dark world,” all I felt was confused.  While they acknowledge that sin is rampantly running amok, their picture of God for the entire album is this entity who has become despondent and isolated.  If O’Brother’s real vision of God is something they hope they will see in the end, they’ll open their eyes to a different perspective.  He is alive and around us, and while sin is out of control, He is the light to the believers that makes it all worth it.

This, really, is my opinion and my perception of an album that is very wide open to interpretation.  And, I accept a questioning, even doubting reflection every now and again.  But, as my thoughts wondered, the music encouraging my own exploration of what I think and believe as this album is so much more than their philosophy forced down the listener’s throat, I often felt defensive and even angered.  Not by their vision, but by their overall conclusion.

He is not sleeping.  We are.

If the music alone was being evaluated and recommended, I would say O’Brother’s Garden Window is one of the most creative albums that I’ve heard in awhile.  The lyrics, however, and the darkness of what they believe, shed very little light on what I believe.  In essence, it only weighed me down.

Written by Ellen Marie Hawkins

Awakening has soul seeping from every note on this album.  I never considered myself a huge fan of Stevie Wonder or old school, seventies style rhythm and blues, but because soul never gets old and James does such a beautiful job of putting his heart out there for us to hear, I loved this record immediately.  There was no warming up to it.  Absolute instant gratification.  But even better yet, once I read the history and listened more intently to the lyrics, I was blown away by the depth and the character of these songs.  This isn’t an album you listen to in passing.  You’ll want to hear them again and again, and you’ll make them your own, whether your story is similar to his or not.

Many of these songs were written about Morrison’s father who recently passed away after suffering from alcoholism and depression.  “In My Dreams” was specifically written about James’s desire to see his dad again in his dreams, but while this is an emotionally charged song, there’s enough whimsy to the string arrangement and enough reflection on what James would do with his dad in happier times that the song never sinks into complete despair.  And so this first song on the album sets the tone of the following tracks:  James loved his dad, and even if the relationship was difficult, these are the songs of a singer who is surviving the heartache with enough integrity to become a better man because of it.

“Up” was the most surprising track for me.  Jessie J. appears, lending vocals I didn’t even know she had because her acid tongue has established a reputation that casts her talents in the shadows.  Fortunately, James wrote an explicit free song, and I was impressed that she matched his emotion note for note throughout this song that journeys from abandonment and anger “Why do I even try/When you take me for granted” to hope.  “When it all falls down/The only way is up.”

The dance inspiring “Slave to the Music” was also highly enjoyable as the vocals rival anything Michael Jackson could have ever done.  “Beautiful Life” and “Forever” reveal a happier James, putting his optimism front and center as he realizes that he has blessings to live for.  And “Awakening,” written for his three year old daughter, is not only lyrically driven but musically driven; as a listener, I felt myself yearning, stretching, and reaching to be/feel/dream more right along with him.

But, really, I have two favorites.  “Person I Should’ve Been” is one of them.  While it may have began as a poem James wrote following a conversation with his dad, his refusal to accept shortcomings as status quo is inspiring.  He yearns for more and resolves to become it. “Right By Your Side” was my other favorite.  While his loyalty is touched upon in several songs (“I Won’t Let You Go,” “Forever”) James points out that every time he is asked why he left or he had meant what he said, James insists that he was always there.  The attitude of this song, the urgency and the delivery, the emotion and the pain, reveal a soul that was pushed away, but still, he stayed.

The talent, the substance, and the heart of this collection place it above a vast majority of the albums I’ve listened to recently.  There is no gloss, nothing manufactured.  This is soul, pure and simple.  A fascinatingly resilient musician and inspiring album, not to be missed.

For more information, please visit www.jamesmorrisonmusic.com for more information, and be sure to download legally from a digital retailer of your choice.

Written by Ellen Marie Hawkins

Francesca Battistelli wrote on Facebook that “Kari Jobe is anointed, anointed, anointed.  Amazing worship,” after seeing her at Winter Jam in Atlanta just this past weekend.  I don’t know about what Kari offers live, but considering she’s the worship minister at Gateway Church and has lead conferences across the country, my expectations are high.  Based, however, on what I’ve experienced from listening to this latest release, her sophomore effort but first with Sparrow Records, I’d agree with Francesca.  Anointed is the perfect word to describe Kari.

Merging worship and radio friendly pop, Kari has released an album that is pleasant and stirring. Wanting to create a record that reflected all that God is, has done, and will continue to do, she succeeds in shining a light on His glory.  This is an album to listen to when perspective is gone and reminders about who He is are needed.  These songs help put the problems and distractions of this world into their proper places.

Where I Find You has a balanced mix of faster tempo songs to worshipful ballads.  “Love Came Down” sounds like a love song, and it is, but it’s praise and worship for the One who should receive all of our devotion.  “Stars in the Sky” reminds the listener that He truly has control while “Find You on My Knees” is about seeking Him for the grace and the healing that He provides, even when there’s “nothing left to offer You/But my brokenness.”

The most powerful song for me, every time I listened to the album, was “What Love is This.”  While it may have be difficult to imagine what that Centurion who was “standing here beneath the shadows of the cross” was feeling when he realized the identity of the Christ, trying to reconcile the magnitude of what Jesus did with our unworthiness is not a stretch.  This song takes those conflicting emotions and puts it into perspective:  “You made a way for me to know you.”  It’s all about seeking that relationship with Him.

“We Are,” the first single, is also a personal favorite, reminding me of the childhood song, “This Little Light of Mine.”  Calling us to our responsibility to be a beacon and representation of Christ, I am motivated and encouraged by this anthem.  Other highlights include the song, “Savior’s Here.”  Also a faster tempo, this song is a celebration, and I love the listing of what He does for us, including erasing our fear, breaking our chains, and freeing us to live a new, more meaningful life.  I enjoyed the added emphasis of the piano in the second half of the song.

“Here” finishes the album on a memorable note.  This song is all about finding rest in Him.  I loved the piano as I felt myself guided to a vision of what He truly is.  Refuge.  Comfort.  Peace.  Just as Jesus healed with His hands before His crucifixion, the Spirit heals with His presence.  “Come and rest here/Come and rest your burdens down.”

Kari often took breaks while recording this album to have a few minutes with Him.  She sought His guidance and His vision through the process, and these songs reflect that focus.  Where I Find You reminds me that God is everythwere.  He’s never further than a heartbeat, a breath, a tear, a smile, and a thought away.

Please visit www.karijobe.com for more information and be sure to download on January 24 from a digital retailer of your choice.  She is also currently on tour with Winter Jam so be sure to see her in venue near you.

Written by Ellen Marie Hawkins

Bethel Music: Loft Sessions

Worship leaders Brian and Jenn Johnson, Jeremy Riddle, Steffany Frizzell, Hunter Thompson, and Matt Stinton recorded the Loft Sessions live in a refurbished, rustic loft.  I love the urgency that live recordings provide, but this album also has an intimacy and immediacy that enveloped me as I listened repeatedly in the chaos of the past holiday.  And while it was recorded in what can be considered an “artistic” and trendy environment, I was reminded again and again that while God is above us, He is anything but “lofty.”  He is accessible and reachable, not at all detached and cold.

The best example of this is the lead single “Come to Me.”  The lyrics “Though you feel I am far away/I am closer than your breath” puts the theme of this collection of songs in a nutshell.  While written about the devastation of natural disasters, and the fact that unbelievers question how a loving God can let them happen, this song is about turning to Him and allowing Him to be the comfort we all seek.  “I am your anchor in the wind and the waves/I am your steadfast, so don’t be afraid” are sung with such emotional outpouring, I was comforted and moved.

My personal favorite, however, was “You Know Me.”  The piano and the breezy, yet powerful vocals delivers the lyrics, “You hung the stars/And you move the sea/And still you know me,” which puts it all into perspective.  We serve a loving God who gets not only the embellishments but the details of every flower exactly right; He cares about each one of us just as much.  It’s a powerful truth that can wipe away feelings of insignificance and loneliness and despair.

The faster tempo songs, including the opening song “One Thing Remains” delivers lyrics just as majestic as the introverted songs.  “Your love never fails, it never gives up, it never runs out on me” is repeated throughout the song, but they could have sung it a hundred more times and it still would not have been too many.  “This is What You Do” is a fun song to sing along to and also closes out the album before “Angels” and “Fall Fresh” appear again as acoustic bonuses.

The lyrics to the worship hymn “Draw Near” describe what this album does best for me.  “Draw on the strings to my heart for I long to respond to you.”  I want focus.  I want to be reined in so that I’m not distracted by the world’s attractions.  This album did that for me.  I felt renewed and refreshed each time I listened, and every song was personal and comforting to me.

Be sure to download from iTunes on January 24 or visit www.bethelmusic.com/theloftsessions for more information.

Written by Ellen Marie Hawkins

Jesus Culture: Awakening- Live from Chicago

When I think of Jesus Culture, I think of counter-culture, and contrary to what most people associate with the word (the “free spirits” of the 60’s), I think of John the Baptist.  He didn’t exactly fit in.  I love how in John 1:35, he points out Jesus as the Messiah to two disciples, and they went to follow Him.  If you read on, Andrew is so excited about what he’s learned, he tells his brother (Simon) about who he has found.  Our faith can’t be contained.  It spills over.  We should be excited about our relationship with Christ and should be excited about sharing it.

The Jesus Culture doesn’t exactly fit in, either, and they are passionate about their faith and getting a generation of believers ecstatic about their relationship with Christ.  Yes, I said ecstatic.  No more hiding in the shadows.  No more passive believers.  Jesus Culture’s passion for God is undeniable.  Other bands have energy, but these worship leaders are Spirit filled.  There is no other way to describe them.  When they beckon God and the Spirit, I feel His presence all around me, when they urge me to pray, I know that I am heard.  Listening to worship albums like this isn’t like listening to other albums.  These sixteen tracks aren’t just songs; they’re experiences that draw me closer to God.

Highlights for me included, but aren’t limited to “Dance,” “I Surrender,” and “The Anthem.”  My body loves “Dance” on a sluggish morning when the treadmill is my worst enemy, but my soul loves this song even more.  No more stifling the Spirit. Cleaner and clearer than the 2008 version appearing on Everything, I find myself wanting to hear this song every time I turn on my iPod. And while “Dance” is about releasing inhibitions, “I Surrender” is more about releasing control and fears.  One of the slower songs, it is no less powerful and moving.  And, as a relatively newer fan of Jake Hamilton, I was happy to see he’s on this record, drawing it to a close with both his vocals and his infectious passion on “The Anthem.”  The 16 tracks prove that God isn’t dead.  Neither is this generation’s love for Him.  This unabashed praise, unapologetic worship, and unstoppable energy is influential and powerful.

Since this is Jesus Culture’s sixth release, there are certain standards that listeners expect from them:  passionate and genuine, invigorating and raw, inspiring and enthusiastic.  This newest release doesn’t fall short on any of those criteria.  If anything, they are only getting better.  I look forward to the day when the Christian music genre is so saturated with worship music at this level that Jesus Culture no longer stands apart but blends in.

Please visit www.jesusculturemusic.com for more information and be sure to download from a digital retailer of your choice.

Written by Ellen Marie Hawkins

Simon Spire, photo courtesy of simonspire.com

Originally from New Zealand but now living in New York, Simon is as generous with his  answers as his lyrics are poetic.  His second full length album, Four Letter Words, will be released in early 2012, but until we have that release to enjoy, take a few moments to get to know this musician who knows a thing or two about the perseverance it takes to make his dreams a reality.

Relate:  First memory of music:

Simon:  Sitting by the living room speakers listening to “La Bamba” by Ritchie Valens, a recording that I had discovered in my parents’ music collection.  I played it over and over again, trying to learn the lyrics. Unfortunately, I didn’t speak Spanish.

R:  Name one song you wish you had written.

S:  Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.”  The sense of disillusionment that the song captures is hauntingly beautiful.  My favorite version of the song is by k.d. lang

R:  To you, what is the difference between chasing music and chasing fame?

S:  Chasing fame seems like an attempt to fill some kind of void within ourselves from the outside, which I think is always doomed to failure one way or another.  Following the music, however, to me means something more aligned with what one truly wants, and with an authentic desire to share, discover and express.  Whether or not a level of fame is eventually attained, you’ve already succeeded by discovering a deeper part of yourself if you’re following the music, and if there’s a real desire to reach people, then hopefully a level of success in that respect can eventuate too, but often that’s out of our control.

R:  I read that “‘Liberate Your Love’ is a call to free ourselves from our conditioning and step into the truth of who we are.”  Do we share the same truth or do you think it is different for everyone?

S:  I think that we all have the capacity to discover deeper and truer parts of ourselves, and that it’s possible for each one of us to touch the core of who we truly are.  This is what the song is about—taking the risk of embracing our full potential.  I think that where this leads in a life, and what is revealed, is different for each person.  But at the same time, as we open more fully to ourselves and connect to what’s ultimately driving us, we may discover that the core of what’s driving us is the same for us all.  Perhaps we find that, when we’re free of everything else that holds us back, we’re connected to and fueled by inspiration, or love.  That’s where the title of the song comes from.

R:  Where did the concept of the video for “Liberate Your Love” come from?

S:  The director of the music video (Ivan Slavov) and I were discussing different ideas for the video, and at one stage Ivan mentioned the concept of using light bulbs as a symbol for our potential.  As we explored the idea further, it seemed like the perfect vehicle for the message of the song.  Not only did the theme of light work with the song’s lyrics, but discovering and bringing to life the light that had been previously hidden really served the themes of the song.

R:  I also read that Lenedra Carroll has helped you a bit in your career.  Describe how your music has evolved from that demo that she heard, and what advice has she shared that you would like to pass on to other struggling musicians.

S:  As I remember that initial home-demo and cringe, I’d like to hope that my music has changed dramatically since!  The truth is that, while anyone listening to that demo would say that I still had some way to go, it did capture the beginnings of my own musical voice and what I wanted to express through music.  Since that time, I’ve learned a great deal about working in the studio to create the sound I want, and I’ve also gained a great deal more experience as a performer.  Both of these factors have enabled me to develop and refine my own sound, and have impacted my music hugely.  Perhaps the most important change, to my mind, is what I’ve learned about myself and the clearer connection I feel now with my inspiration.  That’s fueled the evolution in my songwriting and the development of the music overall.

I was very lucky to have Lenedra’s help, and she was a wonderful guide.  I think that the most important piece of advice I received and would like to pass on is to be true to the discovery of your own unique voice or gifts.  Lenedra always encouraged me to follow my own direction, rather than trying to fit myself into what was considered marketable or trendy at the time.  This is invaluable advice for all of us, I believe; without being true to our own gifts, it’s hard for us to offer anything of real substance.  But in following our own direction, we can discover what we really have to offer.

R:  In many interviews, you’re described as a “nice guy.”  Do you think it’s possible to hold onto moral integrity and musical integrity at the same time?

S:  It can be a challenge, but I think that when integrity is what’s most important to us, both moral integrity and musical integrity will naturally follow.  I enjoy speaking and connecting with people, and I genuinely enjoy learning more about others, so maybe this is why I’m sometimes described as a “nice guy.”  While it’s important to me to always respect others, there are occasions when “niceness” isn’t always appropriate or possible when I’m doing my best to serve my genuine musical vision.  In that sense, integrity isn’t always compatible with being “nice.”  However, I do think musical integrity and moral integrity are compatible with each other; even when disagreements arise, for example, honesty and respect become even more important for serving the integrity of the music.

R:  Having chosen music over a “safe” career, describe a moment where you realized that pursuing music was the right choice for you.  Or do you still have doubts and wonder if you made the wrong decision?

S:  I remember preparing to travel from L.A. to Washington State to record my first professional demo with Lenedra.  I had only recently made the move to the U.S. for music, and I was still intimidated by the career I was pursuing and wondered if I made a foolish decision.  I had been experiencing problems with my voice, whereby I would often strain it and then lose my voice for several days, unable to sing.  As the start date for the recording neared, I again lost my voice, and started to give up hope that I’d ever be able to be the musician I wanted to be.  After an intense few days, I eventually gave up all hope of escaping failure, convinced I had already failed. Unexpectedly, this gave me  a sense of freedom from it.  It became clear to me that, even if I were to fail, there was still something inside me that was calling to this direction of music, and I had to honor that.  From then on, it became about being true to what was inspiring me, wherever it led, rather than trying to get somewhere or seeking some sense of safety.  That journey has been infinitely richer and more alive that anything I experienced before. It wasn’t long before things really started to develop and I began to discover new understandings which, for example, opened the way for learning so that I no longer strained or lost my voice.

Having said that, it’s certainly a challenging career, and at times I’m sure it would have seemed more comfortable to choose a “safer” career path. But then I wouldn’t have been honoring the inspiration inside me.  This musical journey has taught me so much, and continues to teach me every day; for me, the key is to stay connected to the inspiration that I feel, rather than falling victim to the fears that are always lurking when we take on challenges in our lives.

R:  Your album will be released in the US soon.  What is your biggest hope for this record?

S:  I’m so excited to begin sharing this new music with people—after spending a long time developing and nurturing this album, it’s great to be able to then start getting it out to people.  The music I love listening to has always awakened me to new parts of myself, or connected me to a deeper part of myself, and that’s always been something that I’ve treasured.  I hope that my music can do that for others, and that it can play a part in helping people connect to their own inspiration and gifts.  I hope that the music reaches the people who will connect with it.

Please visit www.simonspire.com for more information.

Written by:  Jill Sheets

Michael Addison, Photo Credit: Dennis Kwan

Recently I got to interview singer Michael Addison.  Continue to read on and learn more about him and his music.

R:  Tell us a little bit about yourself.

M:  I’m a die-hard musician that lives life to the fullest, every moment, one second to the next.  I love traveling all over the world and staying active, whether it’s climbing Lion’s Head in South Africa or gazing at the sunset atop the Eiffel Tower.  Other times I love spending days in the studio recording new music.

Another fact people don’t know about me is that I’ve been swimming my whole life and was a Division 1 swimmer in college.  Later I won 2 USMS National Championships and currently train at UCLA.

R:  At what age did you start singing and writing music?

M:  I started writing at a very early age.  Middle school through college, I wrote endless poems and essays.  After I moved to LA I made a lot of those writings into songs.  I worked with some great music coaches to find my vocal sound and started singing my original works shortly after.

R:  Tell us about how you got discovered.

M:  When I first got started, I was playing at smaller bars and recording my shows.  I made DVDs and was passing them out to venues I wanted to perform at.  One of the DVDs ended up in the hands of a promoter who also had a radio show.  She invited me onto her show as a guest.  After I played a couple of my songs, she told me her boyfriend was a producer and I should get in touch with him to record my songs.
R:  Tell us about your album “Always You.”

M:  This is a great CD from start to finish with a wide range of moving sounds.  It’s a compilation of new songs I wrote for this album and past songs that I wanted to record and share with my fans.  Some of the song lyrics are very close to my heart, telling eventful stories that took place in my life.

R:  Tell us a little bit about it your single “Always You.”

M:  “Always You” is a song that I was very passionate about from the start.  I really wanted it to be catchy and fun.  The lyrics are about that awesome feeling when you fall in love at first sight, and you just know you’re always meant to be with that person.

R:  Where can people get your music?

M:  The best place is on iTunes.  Just type in “Michael Addison” in the search, my name and album “Always You” pop up.  My website AddisonM.com also has a link.

R:  I also read that you were an actor.  Is that true?  If so, do you have plans to continue acting or are you just going to concentrate on your music career?

M:  Yes, I’ve been acting since High School.  I would love to continue acting, but right now I’m blessed to be working on a lot of music projects and haven’t had the time to focus on acting.  But that is something I hope to never let out of my life.

R:  What do you look for in a girlfriend?

M:  One word: FUN!  There is nothing hotter than a girl that can make me laugh.

R:  What is the best advice you have ever gotten and by who?

M: “Let the music come to you.”
-Larry Marciano (my producer)

R:  What advice would you give someone who wants to become a singer?

M:  Today a lot of people getting started in the music world are perfecting their own cover of a popular song and posting it on YouTube.  This is a great way to get notoriety and a fan base.  From there you can set up a website with videos of your performances.  Also, be sure to keep up on your live performance skills.  Find venues that have open mic nights or have local acts perform.  The most important thing to remember is never give up on yourself and your dreams!  You are the only person who can stop you from achieving anything.

Michael Addison, Photo Credit: Dennis Kwan

R:  Do you have any charities that are close to your heart?  If so, which ones and tell us about them.

M:  My last show I worked with Harmony Project.  They are a non-profit that focus on the music development of underprivileged children.  Many schools do not have the resources to supply their students with music training and instruments.  Harmony Project provides an inspiring outlet for these gifted children.

R:  Other than this one, what is the strangest question you have ever been asked?

M: Do you bleach your teeth? (BTW, I never have)

R:  What are you future goals?

M: I’m filming a new music video for my song “Come Back to Me” and working to get it on the MTV networks in the US and Europe.  I’m also recording a new album early next year that will sound incredible, and take my music to a whole other level.  Down the line my goals include top 40 hits, Grammy’s, and my own label.

R:  Are you on any social networking sites?  If so, which ones and what are their address?  Do you have an official website?  If so, what is the address?

M: Yes, my facebook page is: facebook.com/addisonmjf and I’m on twitter @addisonmusic and my official website is AddisonM.com

I also have a You Tube channel: youtube.com/michaeladdisonvideos where you can see my new music video for “Always You”.

R:  Is there anything else you would like to add or say to your fans?

M:  It is an absolute honor and privilege to have the fans that I do.  I worked very hard starting from nothing to find each and everyone one of you and hope to keep inspiring you everyday.  Thank you so much for all the love and support and I promise to always give you my best!

R:  Michael, thank you for the interview.  Have a great day.