This isn’t new-news but in case you were wondering: Pitchfork Media have outed The Cold War Kids as being a Christian Rock Band in disguise with their review of Robbers and Cowards. In response, there was a perceptive piece written by Seth Combs in the Sandiego City Beat where he, in turn, outs Pitchfork Media writer Marc Hogan for his blatant snobbery by saying “[it’s] as if [Hogan was] hit by a lightning bolt from the bitter gods of music journalism….At one point, he even compared [Cold War Kid’s lyrics] to George W. Bush’s genuflecting speeches.”

I’m inclined to say that Combs’ piece is pretty on the money. He’s absolutely right for calling out a snarky writer. But at the same time, what is it that garners respect in the same pool of Pitchfork writers for Christian artists Johnny Cash, Sufjan Steven or the Danielson Family? (more…)

Just a couple cool links to some short vids of some of your fave artists playing in strange settings. Pretty cool.

 Dave Bazan

Sufjan Stevens

Arcade Fire

In order for this post to make sense you must first experience Speak the Hungarian Rapper for yourself, because frankly there’s just no way I can describe it:

Let me start by saying that I have researched this a little bit and it is not meant to be a joke.  The man known as Speak made this with the utmost sincerity, and in fact went bankrupt doing so.  I should also make it clear that the purpose of this article is not to bash Speak or make fun of him, but to try and point out that a lot of what Christian culture produces often comes across to those outside of it much as Speak does to us. 

I sent this link to my friend a week ago and his only response was “how does this happen?”  A fair question.  I think a huge part of it has to do with the fact that Speak and his cohorts spent much of their lives behind the Iron Curtain and only in the last decade or so have had greater access to more culture.  The Soviet ideal was that the countries within their dominion and influence (including Hungary from 1945-1989) would create their own “counter-culture.”  In doing so, however, they created such a divide and such an oppressive environment that almost NO culture resulted.  What often sprung up instead was a weird bastardization of the culture that trickled in from the West.  (more…)

Forming and maintaining a worship band is a complicated endeavor, particularly the way we do it at Mars Hill.  We strive for musical distinction while maintaining accessibility.  We work to redeem the music of the world while maintaining some sort of transcendence as we labor for the glory of God rather than ourselves.  We value original music but need to stay connected to the historical music of the Christians who have gone before us.

When it comes to naming something that tries to navigate between all these opposing perspectives and ideas it can be difficult.  Most names tend to either sound to “churchy” and over-spiritual or too pretentious and arrogant sounding.

In the last 6 weeks I have re-formed my band and we have been debating and arguing over a name the whole time.  We have come up with a few ideas but I would like to hear yours.  I would also say that I am not the only one in this boat right now.  There are 2 other bands, Team Strike Force and E-pop that are also going through major changes in their lineups and looking for names as well.

So throw out your ideas and we’ll see where it goes.  I don’t promise to take any of your suggestions but it should be entertaining.