Episode #31

Thank you so much for listening to this episode with Keith! I've enjoyed mixing his music, and I hope that you can glean some good insights out of this episode. Thanks!

CHAPTERS

0:00-Intro / his testimony

7:10-Involvement of Scripture

8:15-My personal salvation testimony

11:42-How he got into music

15:02-"Flirting" with Christianity

16:40-Summer at Ellerslie

18:50-My Grandpa Murray's testimony

21:35-Parable of the workers / Prodigal son

24:35-AI in electronic music / tipping point

27:35-Humanity driven by narratives

30:40-The Christian life under the blood

35:15-Trusting God's plan / relating to Peter

39:00-We can all fall to pride

41:00-Derek Prince

44:00-Outro / final thoughts

Episode #30

Mark is an amazing friend and musician, and connecting with him over electronic music has been nothing but a blessing. Especially in the second half of this video, we wrangle with the tension between the possibilities of EDM and the tradition of Conservative Christian music philosophy. I've felt the tension of the debate and I hope that this episode is yet another step in the right direction.

CHAPTERS

0:00-Intro

1:13-Story of growth in God and music

4:45-Taking initiative / intro to electronic music

8:50-Curation of family music standards

15:40-Functionality of electronic music

20:35-Stigma of electronic music being oversimplified

23:43-The potential of the DAW / AI in the DAW

28:50-The place for AI / human attention span / Epic

39:50-Human need for stories / God's image in us / Ecclesiastes

46:20-Electronic music vs. conservative Christian values (an intro)

50:15-Romans 14 / association / loving your fellow Christian

55:20-On separating worldly and unworldly / defining worldly

1:05:12-James 3 / music relating to contexts of Scripture

1:11:30-Music is like food

1:14:11-Every genre has strengths and weaknesses / EDM / CCM

1:18:20-"Beats are wrong" "The beat is too loud"

1:23:35-In context of worship in the church

1:28:44-Releasing music / philosophy / my approach to electronic music

1:33:50-On other people's conscience and offending others

1:37:15-Theological bottom line

1:42:00-Outro / podcast goal / debate bottom line

Episode #28

Isaiah is a young, powerhouse, prolific violinist and composer who has high standards and deep thoughts. This was a lengthy episode, so for your context, the first hour breaks down his work, and the second hour dives into some broader philosophy, so you can do with that what you will. Please enjoy!

CHAPTERS

0:00-Intro

1:23-Since the last episode (concerts/opportunities)

2:33-Composer symposium in Austin, TX

9:40-"I don't like most of what I do" / writing peaks

13:10-Writing music using expectations / prolificacy

17:55-Reminiscence / Evening With the Composers

1:00:40-Book of Job / love / brokenness / sacrifice

1:05:45-On Job's friends / spiritual warfare

1:09:10-Connecting Job's story to music

1:14:00-God using opportunities / outcomes / motivations

1:20:00-God's omniscience / The Gospel

1:28:20-Connection to musicianship / modern music industry / prayer

1:33:45-Writing "new" music / conveying beauty / contrast

1:37:40-True beauty / interestingness

1:44:27-No one will say your message like you

1:49:25-A rebuttal of only beautiful music matters

1:54:40-Truth, beauty, "good music", benefits of genres

1:58:33-Isaiah's example

2:03:33-Outro

Episode #27

Megan's passion for singing and acting is contagious. She's got a ton of life and joy in what she does and this conversation talking through Sound of Music, Sight and Sound, and her story as a whole was so enjoyable to have. I hope you enjoy as well! Thank you for listening!

CHAPTERS

0:00-Intro

0:45-Sound of Music (story of getting into music)

6:22-Receiving confidence from others

8:00-Working on Sound of Music

9:55-Style/tone shift of Maria's character

12:36-Growth as a musician (stamina)

15:35-Final thoughts on Sound of Music (don't give up)

18:00-Chasing your dreams

19:27-On the "Plan B route"

21:45-Out of body acting experience

23:27-Support systems

25:08-Adoption story

29:00-Music's impact / Broadway / Sight and Sound

39:33-Sight and Sound culture / connections

42:28-Hiring advice

46:08-Graduation, masters, and beyond

50:10-Outro

Episode #26

Paul is a phenomenal operatic singer who came to America when he was 12. His thoughts of the genre as a whole and his transition between styles was a fascinating conversation and I hope you enjoy it as well!

CHAPTERS

0:00-Intro

0:30-How we met / acting

3:28-His story

13:40-Embassy to America

17:30-Getting serious about music

25:10-Transition from pop/emo/rap to classical

27:45-Listening to operatic / Gospel music in the gym

32:14-Progression of old music to future styles of sacred / music taste standards

38:50-Musical style equals attitude

42:10-Operatic genre and its progression

46:40-AI isn't eternal / souls are

52:02-Story Behind "It Is Well" and its continued impact

53:55-Doctorate and beyond / hindsight

56:28-Outro

Episode #25

The controversy of this topic can be felt among many circles regardless of which side you land on. I felt this conversation was an immense blessing with a fantastic end goal of how the church can still rally around the Gospel and Jesus Christ. I couldn't have spoken with anyone better than Serge as a friend, as a musician, and as a representative of certain lines of thought. I hope you enjoy this episode and walk away with some solid takeaways!

CHAPTERS

0:00-Intro

1:10-Serge, his music, and philosophy intro

7:55-Mutual history

8:35-“Nothing New”

12:45-Writing process / variety of subject matter

17:05-Being labeled / categorizing / exploring

19:35-The divide between sacred and secular

23:03-Branding

25:15-Secular to sacred and vice versa

28:28-Artists leaving the faith

31:25-Sacred and secular (an intro)

36:52-Redemption of certain contexts

40:10-History of Christian Hip-Hop

44:00-Common grace / universal innovation

49:00-Association / separation debate

57:20-Conscience and music

59:45-Denomination hot-take

1:02:35-Unification within the church

1:06:20-Energy of non-traditional music

1:08:50-Music is like food

1:10:35-Concern for fellow Christians

1:11:30-Outro / final thoughts / music plug

Episode #24

I loved digging into Josiah's experience and getting to know his perspective on vocal technique. I hope you enjoy this episode!

CHAPTERS

0:00-Intro

0:34-Story of getting into music

7:48-Switching major nuances

9:40-Growing in music / singing technique

14:05-The value of specializing

17:20-Becoming a tenor

19:20-Nitty gritty of singing technique

21:03-Singers are athletes (in a sense)

23:00-Handling practicing lows

24:30-Recording behind a mic vs. singing live

30:00-Pros of classical vocal technique

32:15-Venturing into other genres’ vocal styles

35:50-Open throat in a breathy singing style

38:40-Technique of singing “forward”

39:50-The work that goes into effective expression

41:00-"Budgeting” vocal health

47:20-Emotional effect of singing in various genres

56:30-The different feel of different genres

58:50-Editing vocals

1:01:40-Outro

Episode #23

Ethan is one of my best friends and this conversation was a long time coming. In this episode, there are many memories and points I hope to never forget, and I'm grateful our words can be immortalized here. :) Thank you, and enjoy!

CHAPTERS

0:00-Intro

0:20-Ethan’s story seeking God

8:15-Music philosophy connections

10:50-Shared history

14:40-Prayer memory

16:55-Other memories

18:55-Ramifications of seeking God

21:15-Heartache and comfort from God

24:40-Doubts about trusting God (story)

26:50-Assurance through answered prayers

28:20-Two keys to our spiritual growth

29:40-Illustration of a Gospel life perspective

32:20-The buildup of the discipline of prayer

34:40-Waking up early to be with God

37:45-Ethan’s focus spending time with God

42:40-How God receives the most glory

44:00-Failed attempt to end the conversation

44:50-Music philosophy and social media

48:15-Outro