Wednesday
May232007
Let's make some music!
Wednesday, May 23, 2007 at 05:11PM
Ok, I have an idea. I was talking with some friends the other night who were telling me that they think people seem to really like my solo acoustic stuff, like the Souvenirs and Postcards EP. They threw out the idea of releasing another EP like that since it will be a while until I have a new record out and the Caedmon's one is still a couple months away.
"That's a pretty good idea," I thought.
I have a pretty light Summer. A few records, a couple one-off shows, and some writing but that's about it. I want to take the next week or two and try to write and record some new songs. And after taking eight months to write and three months to record for Overdressed I want to do this one FAST.
I've learned over the past few years, as well, that I make better music in community than I do alone, so I want to try an experiment. As much as possible I want to make this record with you guys.
Here's what I'm thinking: I'm going to write and record the songs, that's my part. What I would love for you guys to do is to inspire me. Send me ideas for songs, whether they're stories you've heard, a word you think sounds cool, an idea you've wished somebody had written about. Send me paintings or drawings you've made, a photo you took that you can't stop looking at, whatever you think could inspire a song. I'm going to make my goal for this project to base every song off something from you guys.
I'd love to take any artwork that would come in and use it for a "virtual booklet", a PDF file you could download with the lyrics and credits. So, you know, don't send me anything you wouldn't want to be used in that way. Or that somebody else owns a copyright for.
I think this could be a really fun thing to try. I'm really excited for what could come of it. And I really do want to do it quickly, it seems like more fun that way (and I could use a bit of extra cash during this "light" season.)
So what do you think? Sound like something you'd like to be a part of? Feel free to leave ideas in the comments section or just send them to me at andrew(at)andrewosenga.com. Let's make some music!
"That's a pretty good idea," I thought.
I have a pretty light Summer. A few records, a couple one-off shows, and some writing but that's about it. I want to take the next week or two and try to write and record some new songs. And after taking eight months to write and three months to record for Overdressed I want to do this one FAST.
I've learned over the past few years, as well, that I make better music in community than I do alone, so I want to try an experiment. As much as possible I want to make this record with you guys.
Here's what I'm thinking: I'm going to write and record the songs, that's my part. What I would love for you guys to do is to inspire me. Send me ideas for songs, whether they're stories you've heard, a word you think sounds cool, an idea you've wished somebody had written about. Send me paintings or drawings you've made, a photo you took that you can't stop looking at, whatever you think could inspire a song. I'm going to make my goal for this project to base every song off something from you guys.
I'd love to take any artwork that would come in and use it for a "virtual booklet", a PDF file you could download with the lyrics and credits. So, you know, don't send me anything you wouldn't want to be used in that way. Or that somebody else owns a copyright for.
I think this could be a really fun thing to try. I'm really excited for what could come of it. And I really do want to do it quickly, it seems like more fun that way (and I could use a bit of extra cash during this "light" season.)
So what do you think? Sound like something you'd like to be a part of? Feel free to leave ideas in the comments section or just send them to me at andrew(at)andrewosenga.com. Let's make some music!
Reader Comments (51)
Andy,
You have NO IDEA how happy this makes me. No idea. I really loved your first solo album, Photographs, & would encourage you to go back to the alternation between the storytelling & pseudo-confessional styles you employ on that album--in part because those two lyric styles work really well with your folk sound; in part because I think those are the types of songs you write best. One of the reasons is because in those songs, you often manage to take biblical passages or themes & translate them powerfully into your feelings or experiences, i.e. my personal favorite, the final verse of "When Will I Run":
I'm not the man I thought I was
I never did what I said I'd done
I'm scared of who I have become
But the prodigals are still your sons
Finding hope in the midst of suffering, confusion & despair--that's what you did so well on you 2nd & 3rd albums with the Normals & your 1st solo album; & that's what I think you might want to return to in your acoustic album.
In terms of lyrics, you might turn to Theodore Roethke's poem "In a Dark Time". It's a really beautiful, tight description of a dark-night-of-the-soul type of experience. If I think of anything else I think you might be interested in, I'll definitely send it your way.
Grace & peace,
Josh
Might I recommend some light reading:
Wendell Berry, specifically, "The Wild Birds".
I'll race you to write a song about Uncle Peach (a character from the book).
I have a couple of ideas...
Alaina (my wife) and I are expecting our first child. I would love something to express those "first"..the first ultrasound, first kick, hearing the first heartbeat, etc
also, for inspiration the website post secret is a great place. there is not a week that goes by that my heart doesnt hurt for the pain people go through. the website is http://postsecret.blogspot.com/
How about a song about a nice guy who gets his heart broken and actually didnt do anything wrong?
I've always thought the line "Swing wide the glimmering gates" should be in a song.
From a Poem Called "The Tall Trees"
"Oh Most High...
Maker...
Sustainer...
Watchful Eye...
And Keeping Hand
Stay not these words of mine in my breast
I beg You, grant them entrance
Swing wide the glimmering gates…
Swing wide the glimmering gates…
You have always known
Seen
Heard
Clutched
me
You,
In Your forever,
perfect,
gentle,
MERCY
Have pushed and pulled
Trimmed and torn
Planted and planted
Again and again
And all this from Grace
Knowing the cost
You planted me among the taller trees
Knowing the seedl would look upward
And see how they dance for You in the breezes
You made me glace upward…to admire those who gladly lose themselves
Knowing this was,
is,
and must be for me
I have given, grown, and lost…
so little
Have become mundanely pleased here in the shade of the taller trees
Such shame I can no longer drink…Your cup that I passed for so long…I now gladly, yet shaking take
So
Strip me
Ring me bare
Plant me afresh
Draw me anew
Pierce me again
And whisper that I too AM called
Called to dance for You in the breezes of Your glory
To stretch out these branches and deepen these roots
Beckoned to reach for, dream of, and build on
A Kingdom fashioned well
Oh kind Gardener of men, grow me
Prune what You will
Plant Your delight
But grow me to the tall trees
Grow me to the tall trees
Grow me to the tall trees
Stay not these words of mine
Stay them not in this dirt and clay
I beg You
grant them entrance
Swing wide the glimmering gates…
Swing wide the glimmering gates…"
By the way, amazing idea Andy.
a song about...
a roaming troubadour, hoping to make connections with the people he meets, but who always reject him in the end, forcing him to travel to a new town and try again.
a computer programmer who is sucked into a world he had scarcely imagined could be real...only to find it wasn't...or was it?
paris hilton.
A song about two people trying to get out of their small town existence, because they know there is something more for them in the big city...but is there?
Also, it would be great if you could use my daughter's name, Anna, in a song as well!
I'll just tell you what's been on my mind. It's real and immediate.
My buddy started an intentional community called Emmaus. There are 11 of us that live together. We run a venue, thrift store, cafe, bowling alley, on top of all the spontaneous adventures.
He's getting married in June. After a lot of internal struggle I decided that I wanted to step into his shoes and take the leadership role.
Now I'm scared to death. I've been let in a little more on the money. I'm seeing how unfocused and dedicated people can be. I'm wondering how to motivate. There's constant pressure to not "fail" and to remain perfect. Even though it's scary and tiring it's so worth it. The joy of sharing my life, faith, and fears with people is so beautiful. I do all of this on top of a full time job that's an hour and a half away.
I guess the theme (which does occur in your songs) is being overwhelmed with a passion for something good and right, but fearing it and wanting release from it at the same time.
My first two thoughts were related to a couple of your posts - lots of interesting stuff in your blog already to write about.
One was about the Yard Work, where your friends showed up and took care of your yard just to bless you.
One was about the time where you decided to forego communion, and you wondered about what people would think, but you knew what you needed to do.
Another thought was about a post on benshive.com, where he talked about being prayed for before the start of a show, and how his heart reached out and took the hand that was placed on his shoulder.
Oh yeah - and a ditty about the whole "Clay Aiken Obama iPhone Sex Hussein" bloggity goodness. *That* would be *AWESOME*.
Hey Andy, truth is my song writing talent consists of reading other peoples liner notes. When you open up yourself to others' ideas for something as personal as a song, I'm knocked over by how vulnerable both can become. The idea that I've been mulling around is the thought that - What if your studies brought you across a new way at looking at your faith. A whole paradigm shift that could be supported by scripture. What if the heart is... GOOD? (John Eldredge, Waking the Dead) Putting the struggle of seeking God's will in approaching a new teaching, while wanting to make sure you're not going down a wrong road.
Idea 2 - Sherwood Wirt's "Jesus, Man of Joy" is practically a song in and of itself. Can we really get enough of songs about Joy?
My e-mail has been sent.
Given what's been swirling in my brain the last 14 hours or so my first idea is to do some kind of Lost themed song (think of it as a "fleshing out" of the first line from "House of Mirrors").
My Email is in the ether.
I have an older brother that I barely know because he lives in North Carolina, but also because he was gone for a good part of my childhood selling drugs and getting himself shot. (Lesson here: Don't join gangs; they're bad for your health.) Anyway, I've always wanted to tell him that I love him and I wish I could get to know him even though we're so different. If you can do something with that, that would be cool/interesting.
Also: Chickens. There aren't enough songs about chickens.
Hey man sounds like a good idea. I am glad that you are doing this---Thanks for listening to your fans! I am thinking that a recording of Ella singing the "booty" song would be awesome!
This is a poem we made for our coffee house that you were at a month or so ago.
Just today, just today, just earlier today,
I thought of how we can make a drink The Foundry Way.
I thought we could make a sign,
And cause some community align.
A sign that says, make your drink The Foundry Way
Its only a dollar more so try it today
And when you ask us about it we would tell you what The Foundry has to say.
Cause it is just one day, just one day, but it is today,
Your dollar will help us feed precious orphans in Zimbabwe.
Live life giving back more than you have taken,
And love most those who have been forsaken.
This is what The Foundry is all about,
Meeting the needs of others and giving God a shout out.
I think I should put up my hand and ask, Can I say that?
Cause it is on their working hands the overweight churches of the past, sat.
They seek to look down on others and that is why they sit high and lofty on their pompous perches.
But there are those that know far too much about God than to believe you find him in churches.
Yet where does my longing lonely soul go when it cant find the truth for which it searches.
Thats why The Foundry would like to say from the start.
We must all individually first find God in our heart.
Once we are filled inside we are free to give our lives to our sisters and brothers.
And then well get around stupid religion and find a way to love others
1. A song about a character from LOST...preferably John Locke, but I think just about anyone would do.
2.A really trippy song inspired by the Wizard of Oz, with one verse each for Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion and Dorothy.
3. A song inspired by John Donne's holy sonnets..."Death Be Not Proud" is especially wonderful.
4. A song with one of the following titles: "Unshakable", "The Lost Art", "Comic Relief", "Iscariot", "Suicide King in a Deck Full of Aces", "There Is No Fire Left", "What I Hate the Most", "You Leave No Shadow", "Devil May Care", "Sandcastle" or "I Was a Soldier".
5. A song that tells a fable with fantasy/sci-fi elements.
dude. if you write a song about Seattle, I'll buy you dinner.
emailing has been done!!! I'm so excited to hear and see the finished product!
A couple ideas I've been wanting to write songs about but haven't had time:
1. a song about a tornado - I've had the line "snuck up on me like a tornado" in my head as well.
2. There's a part of Jayber Crow (I can't remember exactly how it is said) where Wendell Berry compares a bottle of whisky to a golden calf.
Threw my gold into the fire; out walked this bottle of (pick your poison)
Truth be told I just got tired of waiting (for you)
. . . is all I got so far
Everyone was gone when we got there,
And we wondered
How did everyone leave?
We drove past the old train,
We drove over some chains
That were left by the prisoners set free.
Prisoners set free
Not by you
Not by me
Cause one knows where's the key
It was swallowed by man
Long before this old band
Song a song about
Prisoners set free
Peace. - Caleb
I've had an idea ruminating about my brain for a couple of years, that has never seen the light of day. We're all familiar (I hope) with Jesus healing the 10 lepers, but only one coming back to thank him. I've wondered about the other 9. Was it that they didn't really understand what had happened and Who had done this for them? were they too awed to go back and be in his presence, because maybe the DID understand Who had healed them? Maybe embarrassed, and humbled? I know I have a hard time accepting a compliment or a favor, and an equally hard time expressing gratitude. So that's my theme...
The Star Trek geek in me wants to say "I am One of Nine" as an opening line or something... but then I just keep hearing "Miracle of Mercy" in my head...
Take this, and run like a young boy in a field. Make our song and video.
i really hope that "i can't keep it a secret" makes it on the ep.
Since this is somewhat of a "light" season, if you've never read anything by Shusaku Endo (a japanese christian author) you should. Incredibly stretching, difficult (to process not to read), and challenging for my faith. Read either either "Silence" about a Jesuit monk who goes to Japan, or Deep River about a tour group that goes to India and the River Ganges becomes an incredible metophore for Christ. I find his writing to be very inspirational and thought provoking.
I had to bury my friend Hercules, Friday morning. I rescued him 3 years ago. He had my back when the kids and I (play) fought. I built a pier for my mother-in-law's pond. I fell in after testing it out. Hercules jumped in after me. Last week he seemed to hardly move. There were signs of internal bleeding. He had to be put down. I carried his limp body deep into the woods. His tounge hung low and his tail held still. I buried his seventy-five pounds and yellow and black fur. Hecules won't come begging in the kitchen any more.