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THE PEW PLAYLIST: NEW AMERICANA MUSIC FOR AUGUST 8, 2020
This week’s Pew Playlist takes advantage of the stylistic diversity of the Americana music scene. Folk, blues rock, country, bluegrass, and even alternative rock have some influences on this lineup. That’s what makes the genre so much fun!
Without further ado, here is this week’s Pew Playlist presented in the order they were added to the list. Music is sorted for an enjoyable “mixtape” experience. But feel free to shuffle it up!
“SEASONS CHANGE” – FRANCESCA LOUISE
Each season is a new beginning and Francesca Louise captures that optimism in her latest single. On “Seasons Change,” graceful vocals are sung over a buoyant acoustic guitar melody. It’s a reassuring sentiment that we all need right now.
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“I SHOULDN’T GO ANYWHERE” – JILLETTE JOHNSON
Jillete Johnson‘s voice has a special quality that allows it to pack more emotional punch into a single lyrical line than most artists can manage in an entire song. On “I Shouldn’t Go Anywhere,” Johnson uses her expressive power to turn lyrics written in a dark place into an anthem of fierce resolution. Full of electric guitar edge, this song presents a bolder, more expansive musical sound for Johnson.
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“I SHOULD BE ON A TRAIN” – FERRIS & SYLVESTER
Don’t let the opening gentleness of “I Should Be On A Train” fool you. Just under a minute in, you’ll realize that Ferris & Sylvester are bringing you an epic authentic folk-infused blues rocker. The song is full of soaring vocal harmonies, organ, a ton of roaring guitar, and a powerfully raw fire.
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“BLACK MUDDY RIVER” – GLENN THOMAS (GRATEFUL DEAD COVER)
From our Mother Church Pew Premiere of Glenn Thomas‘s take on “Black Muddy River”: “Thomas lets gentle, crisp acoustic guitar carry the melodies while building on the song’s inherent folk qualities with touches of dobro, mandolin, and strings. Full of reverence, it connects to the legacy of the Grateful Dead graced by the personal connection that pours from Thomas’s vocals.”
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“FIND MY WAY” – SHANE CASEY
A blend of folk and country-rock, Shane Casey will have you tapping your toe along to “Find My Way.” The tale of self-reliant optimism is a quick-moving, good time, jam.
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“CAST SPELLS” – JEREMY SQUIRES
A dark, mysterious soundscape provides the background for haunting vocals on “Cast Spells” by Jeremy Squires. The song takes folk music in unexpected directions and simply must be heard to be understood.
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“YOUR BODY” – MIPSO
A song full of instrumental joy, “Your Body” showcases Mipso‘s individual musical talents like no other work of theirs has done. A melody led by acoustic guitar, supported by fiddle, banjo, and energetic drum beat, comes together for a folksy sound with hints of bluegrass influence.
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“ALL I EVER DO” – GREAT PEACOCK
Bold, expansive, southern rock that has the slightest edge of guitar twang: that’s the calling card of Nashville’s Great Peacock. For those familiar with the band’s live performances, “All I Ever Do” manages to captures their dynamic energy and bottle it into a recorded track.
Photo By Harrison Hudson Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Spotify
“CAPE ELIZABETH” – DARREN JESSEE
A seemingly simple guitar lick is the starting point for the captivating melody that pulls you into the sonically beautiful “Cape Elizabeth” from Darren Jessee. With poetic lyricism, the song makes you feel like you are floating along with Jessee as he takes in the cape’s waters and experiences the joys of new beginnings.
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“PINK LEATHER BOOTS” – KAREN JONAS
We have a neon sign advertising ‘dancing girls,’ a pair of pink boots, and of course, the artistic vision of Karen Jonas to thank for this lively throwback, country swing influenced number. The lively bass, classic rock n’ roll electric guitar chords, and Jonas’s expressive vocals combine into a nostalgic sound while the lyrics add a bit of fun to our shut-in weary lives.
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PREMIERE: GLENN THOMAS COVERS THE GRATEFUL DEAD’S “BLACK MUDDY RIVER”
Some bands become more than the sum of their creative parts. They define a sound that inspires and influences generations of future artists. It’s hard to think of such a band with a stronger cross-genre ripple than the Grateful Dead.
The beginning of August serves as a memorial for fans of the Dead. It marks both the birth and death of the band’s iconic frontman, Jerry Garcia—August 1st and 9th respectively. Sometimes called “Jerry Week,” fans connect with their passion for the beloved artist not just by appreciating the Dead’s rich history, but also through creative expression.
It’s not easy to stand out in a world full of Grateful Dead covers. It takes something sung from the heart to embrace the soul of the song, while giving it a life of its own. With a love for the Dead that stretches back to his childhood, singer-songwriter Glenn Thomas presents us with such a song with his interpretation of “Black Muddy River.”
Growing up, Thomas benefited from being part of a musical family that led him to his connection with the Grateful Dead. “I was listening to The Grateful Dead when I was really young,” Thomas remembers. “American Beauty was among the few CDs I listened to on the bus ride to and from school.” Just like the sound of the Dead evolved over time, Thomas’s appreciation for their works progressed. “As a kid, I loved the songs and the vocal harmonies. As I got older and started playing guitar, their songs shifted into a rich musical landscape that has stayed with me and informed my own music ever since.”
Often known for their ‘psychedelic’ works, many of the Dead’s more sentimental offerings get overlooked in Google searches. These songs would easily be considered among the folk greats but for the Dead’s jam-band label. Fortunately, Thomas is well aware of the band’s depth. “‘Black Muddy River’ is a later song in their catalogue,” he reflects. “[It’s] lyrically a resonant, timeless reflection on life.”
Inspired by his bond with the song and embracing the expressive nature of Dead fans, Thomas is releasing his take on “Black Muddy River.” “The Grateful Dead are such a participatory band in the multitudes of ways their fans share in the music, even after Jerry’s passing. This is my interpretation of what I feel is one of their most beautiful songs,” Thomas shares.
Thomas lets gentle, crisp acoustic guitar carry the melodies while building on the song’s inherent folk qualities with touches of dobro, mandolin, and strings. Full of reverence, it connects to the legacy of the Grateful Dead graced by the personal connection that pours from Thomas’s vocals. With ingrained devotion, Thomas’s “Black Muddy River” feels like it is being sung directly to Jerry Garcia—flowing with veneration from one artist to another.
Glenn Thomas’s take on the Grateful Dead’s “Black Muddy River” will be officially released tomorrow (8/7), but Mother Church Pew readers can check it out now!
Featured Image Credit: Deven Bussey
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THE PEW PLAYLIST: NEW AMERICANA MUSIC FOR AUGUST 1, 2020
From outlaw twang to crisp ballads, pedal steel to electric guitar, and toe-tapping to head-nodding, this week’s Pew Playlist spans across all of the elements that set Americana apart.
Without further ado, here is this week’s Pew Playlist presented in the order they were added to the list. Music is sorted for an enjoyable “mixtape” experience. But feel free to shuffle it up!
“DON’T CRY” – CHARLEY CROCKETT
Classic country and rock & roll get a touch of R&B in the latest single from Charley Crockett. Classic country is certainly going through a revival, but Crockett’s distinct voice makes him stand out in the crowd. Between his soulful crooning and the flourishes of piano, the song has a grand feel.
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“UP TO NO GOOD” – INDIA RAMEY
Exploring serious topics over toe-tapping country-western inspired rythms is a trademark of India Ramey. However, on “Up To No Good,” Ramey looks to escape the heavy and gives us a night to remember (or to forget) anthem. With an electric guitar riff adding some rock n’ roll intensity and lyrics that inspire you to take another swig of your drink, Ramey provides some welcome relief from difficult times.
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“SUGAR HOME” – GIULIA MILLANTA
“Sugar Home” is a gently sung, yet powerfully emotional ballad exploring the bonds of love. Giulia Millanta‘s crisp, authentic vocals paint a vivid picture of the human relationship: doubt, faith, omission, forgiveness, and intimacy.
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“DANDELION” – CAROLINA STORY
Carolina Story brings us an inspiring message of resilience on their latest single, “Dandelion.” The song’s bright acoustic guitar and flourishes of harmonica give it a classic folk rock feel while well-placed touches of twangy electric guitar add a country edge.
Photo Cedit: Chrissy Nix Photography Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Spotify
“MISFIT PARADISE” – EVELYN COOL
Where do we all fit in? Do we fit in? On her latest single, “Misfit Paradise,” folk singer Evelyn Cool explores those feelings of joy we all have with connecting to the world around us–and the disappointment of isolation. “Misfit Paradise” shines thanks to its willingness to let Cool’s smooth vocals take center stage, bolstered by a guitar-tinged, orchestral glow.
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“THE STRANGER YOU’VE BECOME” – IZZY HELTAI
Reflections on becoming who you are meant to be come with unique perspective for trans songwriter Izzy Heltai. There’s an undeniable emotional connection between artist and song on “The Stranger You’ve Become.” However, that’s only part of the story. Heltai sings with an emotional maturity that we all need and can all learn from. Empathy, absolution, and acceptance are sought and expected in return.
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“BEAT OF A BAD HABIT” – THE JENSEN SISTERS
Modern country sounds get a kick of retro peddle steel and outlaw twang on “Beat of a Bad Habit” from The Jensen Sisters. With a gallop in its rhythm and singalong worthy lyrical hook, the song’s classic style will draw you in, while its crisp production makes it feel right at home in today’s country playlists.
Photo Credit: Mallory Craik Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Spotify
“PALE HORSE RIDER” – THE ALLMAN BETTS BAND
The Allman Betts Band‘s earthy southern rock style builds on their latest single “Pale Horse Rider” from rock ballad to guitar-fueled jam. The sons of rock royalty give us a song minimal enough to keep the story in focus, yet bold enough that it should be ringing out over music festival crowds this summer.
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“ALL ROADS LEAD TO YOU” – CHRIS ISING
Soul influences meet classic country rock ballad on the latest from Canadian singer-songwriter Chris Ising. Ising’s gritty, honest vocals give this song about long-distance love an authentic feeling that stands out, while his guitar work perfectly sets the mood.
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“HOW TO BE GOOD” – DOLLY VALENTINE
A soundtrack for any journey, Dolly Valentine’s contemplative lyrics are given a lighter touch thanks to bright electric guitar and a drum rhythm that make the miles flash by. You can read our Mother Church Pew Premiere of Valentine’s recent double release here.
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DOUBLE PREMIERE: “HOW TO BE GOOD” & “THE TIME WILL COME” BY DOLLY VALENTINE
Roads can lead us to amazing places. Not all of them are on a map. When you’re in a car, you think about things. You are a captive audience and your mind finally has time to explore the feelings pushed deep inside. Fortunately, for Dolly Valentine (Leslie Schott, formerly of Holy Golden) such introspection inspired art. We get a taste of those creations this week with the release of two singles from Valentine’s upcoming album, How To Be Good.
The album, produced by Grammy-nominated Ryan Hadlock (Brandi Carlile, The Lumineers), gets its first single with the title track, “How To Be Good.” A soundtrack for any journey, Valentine’s contemplative lyrics are given a lighter touch thanks to bright electric guitar and a drum rhythm that make the miles flash by. Valentine shares:
The melody for “How to be Good” came to me in a meditation. I had already decided to call the album “How to be Good” as a remark on the process of making an album – the process of trying to make something “good.” The song is inspired by my own search for happiness and my faith in following your intuition. I believe everything is connected. I believe in the power of kindness.
Valentine’s determined, yet questioning, lyrical delivery projects the listener into her world of self-reflection.
“How To Be Good” is followed by another slice of musing exploration on “The Time Will Come.” An outsider looking in, she balances isolation with optimism. Valentine shares how the song is influenced by the past, but has a view towards the future:
Growing up, I never felt like I fit in, I compared myself to others – wondering why I didn’t have what they had or couldn’t do what they did. We are all individuals on a unique path. When we focus externally we take the power away from our true voice and perspective.
Valentine’s gentle vocals are lined with hopeful brightness, with just a touch of apprehension, letting you feel the discomfort she faced to find her clarity.
The two tracks feel like a perfect pair—both instantly familiar and enjoyable; both revealing increasing emotional depth the longer you listen. “I hope these songs can be a light for someone and a reminder to be patient and loving towards yourself,” Valentine reflects. “Choose to be good when you can, and you know in your heart what goodness is for you.”
The double release of “How To Be Good” and “The Time Will Come” is officially tomorrow, but Mother Church Pew is proud to present the Premiere of these two wonderful Americana treats a day early! Take a listen!
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The Pew Playlist: July 24, 2020 (The day late edition…)
A roundup of the latest in Americana, alt-country, folk, and bluegrass music.
Yes, the Pew Playlist is supposed to be published each Friday. But some things are worth the wait. This week we’re featuring plenty of traditional sounds, with a few appearances from their more modern counterparts.
Without further ado, here is this week’s Pew Playlist presented in the order they were added to the list. Music is sorted for an enjoyable “mixtape” experience. But feel free to shuffle it up!
“DON’T GIVE UP (YET)” – SKI TEAM
From its tranquil opening of isolated vocals and soft glow of organ, “Don’t Give Up (Yet)” slowly builds into a raw emotional firestorm. Ski Team, a project of singer/songwriter Lucie Lozinski, skillfully raises the song’s energy with transitions to reverberating piano, which gives way to an electric and drumset beat, and finally erupts into a spanning electric guitar riff. But that’s not the real magic of the song: “Don’t Give Up (Yet)” goes straight to your heart thanks to the bare vulnerability in Lozinski’s crystalline voice.
Photo Credit: Ryan Bednar Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Spotify
“10:18” – REV. J MIKHAEL SMITH AND THE BRIMSTONE MIRACLE
“10:18,” the lead single off of Rev. J Mikhael Smith and the Brimstone Miracle’s latest EP release quickly draws you in with lively banjo and toe-tapping rhythm. In the song, train wreck history comes alive through Smith’s vivid lyricism. You can also check out the full Mother Church Pew Album Review for Smith’s EP Dogwood Winter.
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“GATHER UP” – GRANT-LEE PHILLIPS
Gritty vocals beckon you to “Gather Up” with the fiery growl of a brimstone preacher in the latest offering from singer/songswriter Grant-Lee Phillips. Recalling his childhood feelings inspired by country church visits, you can feel the artist’s youthful imaginative past veer in wild directions as the song crescendos with a whirlwind of percussion and a strict rhythm.
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“LET ME GO” – ELIOT BRONSON
Written in what artist Eliot Bronson calls a “window of psychedelic lucidity” following a breakup, “Let Me Go” is a story of both loss and resolution. The wail of distorted guitar sets the plaintive mood which punctuates Bronson’s open-soul vocals.
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“SPACE AND TIME” – S.G. GOODMAN
From her aptly-titled album Old Time Feeling, S.G. Goodman’s “Space and Time” captures the influences of decades of folk, rock, blues, and soul music. The centerpiece of the song is Goodman’s powerfully rich voice as she masterfully shares her emotionally devastating struggle with suicidal thoughts following her community’s reaction to her coming out as gay.
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“GONE FOR GOOD” – ARLO MCKINLEY
With clear influences from country rockers of the 60’s and 70’s, Arlo McKinley reflects on relationships gone wrong. Full of electric guitar smolder and honest lyrical reflection, “Gone For Good” would feel right at home in any blue-collar, cold beer, country juke-joint.
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“CATCH THAT TRAIN” – THE HELLO DARLINS
Elements of classic folk rock combine with modern-influenced country notes in “Catch That Train” from The Hello Darlins. Vocalist Candace Lacina perfectly captures the song’s theme of a desperate need for change, charged by the optimism of finally breaking free. The notes of organ and a mournful electric guitar are balanced by the song’s upbeat drums as a perfect match to the duality of the song’s mood.
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“HEARTACHE AFTER HEARTACHE” – THOMAS CSORBA
Thomas Csorba lets the poetry of his songwriting shine in his latest single, “Heartache After Heartache.” With an emotional awareness that belies Csorba’s age (23), the song dissects the artist’s struggle in dealing with love gone awry, and in the bigger picture, disappointments in life itself. The song’s peddle steel gives it the feel of classic country, while Csorba’s rambling acoustic guitar and lightly-gritty vocals will make you think of classic 50’s folk rock.
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“HIGH HORSE” – SAMANTHA CRAIN
The deep, expressive lyrics on “High Horse” can only come from a person who has confronted real pain. Choctaw-American musician and songwriter Samantha Crain delivers a stirring folk song full of vivid imagery and stop-in-your-tracks vocals.
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ALBUM REVIEW: REV. J. MIKHAEL SMITH and the BRIMSTONE MIRACLE – DOGWOOD WINTER EP
With his roots firmly planted in the Appalachian soil of East Tennessee, Rev. J. Mikhael Smith and the Brimstone Miracle bring us a slice of storytelling Americana with their new EP Dogwood Winter. A project of old-soul-songwriter Josh Smith, the album embraces troubled, sepia-toned themes, straight from the heart of the American Bible Belt experience.
Starting with the album’s first single, “10:18,” we’re quickly drawn in by the lively banjo and toe-tapping rhythm, as train wreck history comes alive through Smith’s vivid lyricism.
No one has lived in Appalachia without feeling the wrath and disenfranchisement of dogmatic brimstone, which is artfully challenged in “Scoundrels and Sinners.” The song’s heart is its drumbeat; swells of fiddle its spirit.
Later, Smith’s heartfelt delivery on the album’s title track pulls the listener into the story, as frantic fiddle instills emotional urgency, and near-whispered harmonies add a ghostly feel to the tragic tale.
While Dogwood Winter looks to the past for its inspiration, the lyrical wordsmithing connects the songs to universal passions, perhaps highlighted the best on “Certain Expectations.” “And my daddy always taught me man would get what he deserves/well, I’m sorry Pa but that ain’t what I’ve observed,” Smith sings as he highlights the struggles of carving out one’s life, the challenges of classism, and the disillusionment of reality versus the dreams sold through ideals. “Times you’ll get what you get, and you’ll just live with it because there’s nothing left to take /dice are loaded, make no mistake.”
Dogwood Winter from Rev. J. Mikhael Smith and the Brimstone Miracle adopts all the elements of a classically crafted Americana album: well-honed storytelling, timeless instrumentalism, and an honest delivery that strikes an instant bond with the listener.
You can check out the full EP Dogwood Winter by Rev. J. Mikhael Smith and the Brimstone Miracle today on Spotify:
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The Pew Playlist: July 17, 2020
A new Spotify playlist rounding up the best new Americana. Sit back, relax, and take a listen.
Loyal readers of Mother Church Pew will be familiar with the Pew Playlist.
It’s been a regular feature of the blog and a fan favorite. It’s also a lot of fun to put together because I get to listen to a ton of new music.
So what’s better than sitting by myself listening to new Americana songs? Sharing them with you of course! With the power of Spotify, that’s become a whole heck of a lot easier.
The Pew Playlist will (eventually) feature 50 fresh Americana tracks.
It’s a weekly curated list. Ten new songs are added each week and stay on the list for 5 weeks. (We’re a couple songs short this week, but we’ll make it up to you!)
Every Friday, I’ll share some info about each artist in a post on the Mother Church Pew Blog. Don’t worry. I will put the link to the playlist first in case you just want to jump right in. However, make sure to come back to see more about each artist and how you can connect with them on social media.
Without further ado, here is this week’s Pew Playlist presented in the order they were added to the list. Music is sorted for an enjoyable “mixtape” experience, but feel free to shuffle it up!
“A Stone Will Sink” – Market Junction
From the first attention-grabbing notes to its fading ending, “A Stone Will Sink” is a folk-infused, alt-country jam worthy of being on everyone’s playlists. While the broken-hearted lyrics come from a place of lost love, they can just as easily apply to the loss that so many are feeling in the forced isolation of the pandemic. All of it is put together with a production smoothness that demands to be noticed.
Photo Credit: Jason Allison Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Spotify
“Bullet Through The Wind” – SZLACHETKA –
Self-doubt is pushed away with courage in SZLACHETKA’s single “Bullet Through the Wind.” As the fire in the lyrics build, the song leads to a powerful guitar solo, highlighting the singer’s resolute step forward in uncertain times.
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“The Wanderer and the Outcast” – Sea of Fog
On first listen, you’ll notice the wispy instrumentation that sets a gentle landscape. Later, you will realize that it’s the haunting vocals that give this song a magical touch. “The Wanderer and the Outcast” feels like a classic bard’s tale rooted in ancient times benefiting from anachronistic touches of electric guitar.
“Thunderstorms” – Evan Ogden
Ogden draws inspiration from the classics–sounds he first heard on his grandfather’s records–yet he embraces enough of a modern touch to cross generations. — See our full premiere
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“Dead Squirrel in the Tractor Pool” – Sara Rachele
Where introspective poetry meets hauntingly-expressive vocals, you’ll find the art of Sara Rachele. The isolated guitar, intertwined with Rachele’s pleading, yet defiant vocal delivery, makes you stop in your tracks and pulls you into her world.
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“Hometown Boys” – Brian Callihan
Callihan’s voice beautifully embodies the idea of a “hometown boy,” outwardly stoic, inwardly complex, and full of heart – it has the ability to transport us to times on the outskirts of memory, but ones we’re glad we haven’t forgotten. — See our full Premiere
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“Muddy Water” – The Eagle Rock Gospel Singers
The band is back with new tunes – their latest, “Muddy Water,” was inspired by the waterways and landscapes of the Midwest, and is a call to reject materialism and embrace nature. — See our full video Premiere
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“When You Don’t Fight” – Darlin Brando (FT. EDITH FRENI)
With its playful pedal steel and classic country feel, “When You Don’t Fight” is the soundtrack for a two-stepper’s honky-tonk heaven. — See our full Premiere
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PREMIERE: “Thunderstorms” BY Evan Ogden
“ ‘Thunderstorms’ is an honest reflection that questions faith, and its sometimes disillusionment,” Austin-bred troubadour Evan Ogden shares about his new single. The track appears on his forthcoming album, Undone, set for release on July 31.
With his Texas roots, Ogden is no stranger to the intensity of storms, or the static charge in the air as the tempest approaches. “The calm as those storms roll in can bring an anticipation and anxiety that forces you to acknowledge the storm within,” Ogden reflects. “This was the feeling I had when I wrote ‘Thunderstorms.’ For me, it was a very spiritual experience.” He lyrically wrangles the twisting winds of his inner turmoil. “This honest conversation with God lays everything out on the line.”
Ogden draws inspiration from the classics–sounds he first heard on his grandfather’s records–yet he embraces enough of a modern touch to cross generations. “Thunderstorms” is anchored by gentle acoustic guitar while deftly contrasted by a swell of its electric counterpart, perfectly highlighting the swirling emotional storm in Ogden’s twang-soaked lyrics. It will quickly find a place on many playlists this year as we all face our own tumult, listening to the slowly simmering storms around us.
Without further ado, Mother Church Pew proudly presents “Thunderstorms” from Evan Ogden:
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Off The Stage: Campbell Harrison
For most casual fans of music, the forty-five minutes that a band spends on the stage is all they can see. However, when the guitar cases are closed and the venue’s floor is littered with empty beer cans and trash, most bands load their gear into the van and return back to their normal lives.
Mother Church Pew’s Off The Stage is a series that celebrates a band’s path to where they are and the things they do behind the scenes to stay there.
Nashville-based troubadour Campbell Harrison recently released his latest single, “The River,” a roots rock anthem replete with hard-hitting lyrics and jam-worthy fretwork. He, like other musicians around the world, have taken a heavy blow to their livelihoods in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, but to Harrison, it’s all about mindset. Here’s his take on life during quarantine:
“This COVID-19 shutdown has been really interesting for a lot of reasons. Obviously, everyone is focused on how quarantine culture has affected the public health and the economy, but I also think that it’s been a fascinating social experiment, albeit a tragic one.
Things went from ‘business as usual’ to panic apocalypse mode almost overnight, and no one really knew (or knows) what’s actually going on from day-to-day. It’s been kind of a unique situation where the playing field is leveled to some degree. Everyone is vulnerable and everyone has to stay home, regardless of wealth or ideology. In the blink of an eye, we had to rethink the nature of social interaction and adapt to a world of remote access. It’s been really interesting to see how people’s behavior changes and what people value when everything starts crumbling around them. This whole situation has been a free lesson in sociology, so that’s how I’ve approached it. I can’t change the reality of the situation, I can only control how I respond to it, and that’s how I’ve kept on an even keel.
Admittedly, I was going a bit crazy at first. As a musician in Nashville, many of our careers are dependent on constant social interaction – whether it’s performing, writing, selling, or marketing. The shutdown has literally canceled the musician (and athlete) lifestyle indefinitely. That’s a pretty large pill to swallow for someone whose career literally depends on networking. But again, there’s only so much that you can control during a crisis like this, and so, you have to relax.
As for me, I’ve been treating this like a mini-vacation, a chance to catch up with my family and spend more time outdoors. While quarantine isn’t really a vacation, it does have a silver lining in that it’s given everyone a break from the normal day-to-day. We can spend time on things that we have been neglecting in normal life, whether it’s catching up with relatives, art, hobbies, or positive self-change. I would challenge everyone to re-evaluate their perspective and the opportunity present in the challenge. Something stressful like isolation can turn to catharsis very quickly with the right mindset.”
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Off The Stage: MOUNTAINCITY
For most casual fans of music, the forty-five minutes that a band spends on the stage is all they can see. However, when the guitar cases are closed and the venue’s floor is littered with empty beer cans and trash, most bands load their gear into the van and return back to their normal lives.
Mother Church Pew’s Off The Stage is a series that celebrates a band’s path to where they are and the things they do behind the scenes to stay there.
Denver-based band MOUNTAINCITY has a mission: To shine a light on authentic love. For this married duo with kids, COVID-19 has brought a significant shift to which so many of us can relate – being thrust into juggling working from home, schooling from home, and concerts and public shows being canceled, bandmates Dave and Tara Powers have gotten even more creative in order to keep their connection with fans while finding time to write, to be present for their kids, to keep their sanity, and make an income in the process. In the midst of sheltering-in-place, they’ve released two poignant singles – “Home,” about finding “home” in each other, and “Shine,” about that goosebump-inducing kind of love and devotion. We caught up with Tara, who filled us in on what she and Dave have been learning during this time:
“Crisis.
I recently heard that the word, ‘Crisis’ in Chinese is two words, ‘Danger’ and ‘Opportunity.’
It is dangerous, no doubt that the spread of a virus has come and caused a pandemic requiring us to stay in our homes, away from loved ones, and potentially cleaning every surface before we touch anything. It feels dangerous to see playground equipment that’s been wrapped in caution tape. It feels strange that when we see a police officer we wonder if we are standing too close to someone or might need papers to explain where we are driving and if it is essential. The danger for us, our friends, and our families is in the unknown of job security, small businesses having to shut down, and the economy being affected for months and maybe even years.
There is some hope that can be discovered in crisis too.
It is the opportunity that we have to become close again with our families. The opportunity to offer small kindnesses like groceries or toilet paper to neighbors in need. There are opportunities to slow your pace on a walk outside to listen to birdsong or notice the flowers budding on a tree. There is time to talk to loved ones near and far at any time of day because it’s what we CAN do. The opportunity to dream again and to pivot in such a way that our business or ministry might come out of this stronger than ever before. The opportunity to share about the God we trust in and how we can believe in an outcome that is good. There is opportunity to be more grateful for what we have and to give more than we thought we could. The chance to have restoration with our spouse. The opportunity to never take for granted our simple pleasures – hugging someone when we greet, sharing a meal or a cup of coffee together, watching children play, worshipping together, dancing, music, and singing with others, nature and the beauty that thrives every single day, all around us.
May this crisis find you LOVING well.”
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