Unexpectedly, the postlude to OneLife Community Church’s midnight Christmas service was Mumford and Sons’ “After the Storm” and it was quite apropos. Odd to be crying at the end of a Christmas service, but listen to this:
I won’t die alone and be left there.
Well I guess I’ll just go home,
Oh God knows where.
Because death is just so full and man so small.
Well I’m scared of what’s behind and what’s before.
And there will come a time, you’ll see, with no more tears.
And love will not break your heart, but dismiss your fears.
Get over your hill and see what you find there,
With grace in your heart and flowers in your hair.
THAT is the WHY of Christmas.
As the magician explains in Lewis’ The Last Battle, “It was only a shadow or a copy of the real Narnia which has always been here and always will be here… you need not mourn over Narnia, Lucy [as it had been destroyed]. All of the old Narnia that mattered, all the dear creatures, have been drawn into the real Narnia through the Door. And of course it is different; as different as a real thing is from a shadow or as waking life is from a dream.”
“The term is over: the holidays have begun. The dream is ended: this is the morning.”
Merry Christmas!
I am going to provide you with a list of songs of the Christmas nature that I deem a necessary listening experience (Amy Grant didn’t make the list this year). You can thank me later.
Be sure to take a listen to the full Christmas albums of these fine artists, you won’t be disappointed. I know there is lots more good stuff out there, but these are some of my favorites.
Merry Christmas!
The Lonely Forest with Chris Walla
Back last May when
Chris Walla of Death Cab for Cutie said that The Lonely Forest was “totally doing it for me right now”, I knew that good things would be on the horizon for
The Lonely Forest. A few months ago I was talking to John at a show and he mentioned that there were some big things happening and that it looked like they were going to be picked up by a label. How exciting that would be! Well, earlier this week,
The Stranger reported that Walla’s new label, Trans, an imprint of Atlantic Records, has signed The Lonely Forest as their first band. Awesome indeed! From the article:
Walla initially approached the band members about producing them, but soon decided to create the Trans imprint with Atlantic to release their records as well.
�I�ve been lucky enough to make records with tons of phenomenal bands, and I�ve considered [starting a label] a number of different times,� he says. �I don�t know�is it oversimplified to say it�s them and it just makes sense? This wouldn�t be happening if it weren�t for the Lonely Forest. They�re a phenomenal band. I�ve been following my nose for so many years, doing the things that felt like the right thing to do. And this time the answer was yes.�
I am definitely looking forward to this union of talents! Great job guys and great pick up by Walla!
The Lonely Forest is currently on a good sized tour (check out their MySpace page for show info) and will be doing an all-ages show at Neumos on Tuesday, March 2nd (they will be going on around 10:30), $15. Hope to see you there!
And a little extra: check out a great version of Woe is Me from Catapult Records and KEXP.
After two and a half years in retirement, the lovely ladies of Late Tuesday will be performing a show at Seattle’s Triple Door! Dana Little, Tara Ward, and Jocelyn Meyer will be teaming up once again to share their melodious tunes with us at the always delightful Triple Door. Reserve your seats now before they fill up! Cost is $15 and goes to benefit Fremont Abbey Art Center‘s youth programs, so that’s cool too. If you are a Facebook type, check out the event page to RSVP (but still go buy tickets at Triple Door).
I hope to see you there, I am looking forward to seeing the ladies together again! Is it strange to still have a crush on Dana? Ok, don’t answer that.
Check out my Late Tuesday page for other various Late Tuesday stuff from the past.
The Lonely Forest officially released their latest album, We Sing the Body Electric, to a sold out, and quite enthusiastic, crowd at The Vera Project last Friday. I am biased, I will admit that up front, but it was an incredible show and the record should be heard by all. Really guys, this album is great. If you want to read what John Van Deusen, front man for the group, has to say, check out all the lyrics to the tracks at my Lonely Forest Lyrics Page. You can also check out Megan Seling’s and The Sound on Sound’s reviews of the show.
Songs of social justice, to insomnia, to thoughts of suicide turning to visions of beauty all around can be found in We Sing the Body Electric. Something for everyone. The album’s first (?) single, We Sing in Time is a song that looks hopefully forward to a time where our society isn’t broken. “In Time the trees die and light will fade. But I hope for a new breath, a new life to take me away�” On to Something is a harsh and ironic critique of materialist nonsense. Golden Apples of the Sun parts I and II encourage love in any context, no matter the situation. Julia’s Song deals with addiction and ends with John’s grandmother’s lullaby: “I�m little I know, but wherever I go I give I give� I give (away).” Borders and Towns is an oldie (ask me if you would like an old acoustic version!) but goodie and a classic love song. WSBHBWA is another ironic attack against the superficialities of much of our culture, concluding, “You�re beautiful but you�re empty.” Mt. Constitution suggests we take a moment to pause and think about our life. The album coming to an end full of reflection:
Breathing is a blessing
A variable we take for granted
One quick second
It�s blown away with all your happiness
Hope lies in the proles
That�s how they made you.
But not how they wanted you to be�
I could go on and talk about every song, but they are all worth a listen to and read through. Head over to the Burning Building Records store to purchase We Sing the Body Electric, you won’t be disappointed. Oh, and you can listen to the entire album at the Lonely Forest band page at Burning Building Records.
There are plenty of pictures and video clips from the show!
Read more…
Late Tuesday alumnus (or is it alumna?) Tara Ward has just released a new album: Tara Ward: Live @ the Triple Door. I downloaded it the other day and it has been extremely enjoyable! It will be a great addition for all the Late Tuesday fans and a welcome new sound for those that haven’t had the chance to hear her yet. She is only asking a mere donation of $10 to help her raise funds so she can produce her first studio solo album. This is a digital release so you don’t have to go anywhere to pick it up, you can just Visit PayPal at this link, drop her a few bucks and then you will get an email with the link that will allow you to download the album! Pretty easy!
Again, this is a digital album that can be downloaded by going over here, sending $10 her way and then checking your email for the link!
As a little treat and to wet your appetite, you should listen to a little preview: Tara Ward: Live @ The Triple Door: What is Good. Good stuff, isn’t it? Now go download it. And spread the news and share with your friends! 
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