To follow up last week's Artist Spotlight, here is the a fore mentioned, Rough & Tumble video!  Enjoy!

     The other night there was a giant storm where I live, in Grand Rapids.  There were branches falling in our yard, on our roof, in the street.  I was sure it was a tornado. 
     The weather website told us it was only a severe storm, but to stick to the inner rooms in our house... after looking around in the house (storms cause momentary lapse of memory) I realized, we don't have any inner rooms except our living room, and there's no inner part to it, it's an open space from the front of the house to the back.  So I just hid in my room (James was not bothered by the storm, so he sat right next to a window, in his office, working on his book) with my laptop playing, "Kitchen Table" by The Rough & Tumble.
     Soon, I forgot about the storm.  I was taken with the emotive warmth in the voices of Scott Tyler and Mallory Graham- Ellison.  Two friends in my artist community who have solo careers as musicians and song-writers, and have decided to collaborate for their side project, The Rough & Tumble.  Both brilliant song writers and talented singers/performers/musicians.  You will love this new project! 
     Currently, they have two download-able songs up on their website, http://theroughandtumble.bandcamp.com/ and are going to be releasing a music video on October 14th!  There are many opportunities to check them out as their show schedule is growing more all the time! 

Enjoy!
Kelsey

     I just received a copy of Brianne Kathleen's newest release of Blue Heron Grey, and I LOVE IT!  If you enjoy my music, you will definitely get into this music. 
     Brianne's voice is so delicate, but so strong, and her lyrics will cut your heart wide open with it's raw emotion!  Such a refreshing experience to listen to new music and know that you're going to be hitting the repeat button several times!  I am so proud to introduce you to Brianne not only because she is talented and is going to make a wonderful career in music, but also because she is a very good friend of mine.  I am proud to be in her artist community!
Find more of her music at www.briannekathleen.com
Enjoy!

            If you stopped by the home page first, then you know The Potter's Field (John Natiw and Rochelle Clark) won first place at the Riverfolk 2011 Songwriting Contest last night, and I am so happy for them!  Andy Witowski won 2nd, and I won 3rd.  It was such a fun night, and I can honestly say those who paid for a ticket got their money's worth!  
            Today I wanted to feature The Potter's Field and their song Don't Look Down When You Go, which won over the hearts and ears of the audience last night.  This song is an excellent example of simple but concise concepts that reach a broad spectrum of people because it is so relate-able and, in my opinion, work the best in a song.  You can listen to their song by following this link Don't Look Down When You Go along with many other samples of their music. 
            It worked out perfectly that The Potter's Field got first, not only because they are awesome, but also because they happen to be recording right now, and the first place prize was three hours of free recording time at a local studio.  I am so happy for them, and can't wait to hear their new album whenever they use up that recording time and get things packaged and ready for their listeners. 
Enjoy the tunes, and have a lovely restful Sunday. 

yours,
Kelsey

            Today I got reacquainted with an old friend.  Ok... I don't actually know Jon Foreman, but when I was in high school part of my daily routine was to go for a walk and pray, and I would often listen to Switchfoot.  I have since found solice in Jon Foreman's solo career and side project, Fiction Family.  I have been watching interviews for hours and have even more respect for him and his music than I did before. 
            A friend of mine recently recommended the book, Tribes by Seth Godin.  It's about leadership and the paradigm shift that the economy and business have gone through.  In a nutshell, Seth is suggesting that to do what you love to do for a living, you need a Tribe of at least 1000 people who really believe in what you do and would be willing to follow you.  As an independent musician, this is difficult, but with the resources of the internet and various other technologies, not impossible. 
            I feel that Jon is an excellent example of a Tribe leader.  He is not an independent musician, but he leads his fans like a big brother (not in the dictatorship government sort of way, but the Jesus sort of way).  They feel important, especially when he is willing after a show to give an impromptu concert in front of the tour bus. If you type in the name Jon Foreman in Youtube, you'll see several interviews and music videos as to be expected, but what I didn't expect were the several private impromptu concerts on the street, in a park, in front of the tour bus.   This strikes me as a remarkable act of compassion, but also acting out of love for what he does and love for his fans.
            Not only is he a strong leader of a group, but also a strong writer.  In an interview I found online he said that sometimes he writes a song a day for a month or two just as a discipline.  His lyrics are so rich with biblical content, even the big pop songs that Switchfoot plays. There's no getting around it, this is one of the artists I want to be like in my career as a writer, singer, musician. 

What are your thoughts?  What makes up a Tribe? 

Countless times I can remember putting my friend Ashley Albritton's CD, Making Names, in my car CD player just so I can sing this song with her.  If you've never heard Ashley, you won't regret purchasing her CD which is for sale through her website, http://ashleyalbritton.squarespace.com/the-shop/.
The word for this album is haunting.  For those who are grieving, recovering (physically/emotionally), or just like smooth music to listen to, this is your album.  Lyrics unearthed from those "pick yourself back up" sort of experiences, anyone who has gone through the thick of it, and made it out the other end can relate to this album, but especially this song, Tired Down Deep. 
            This was one of the inspire-ers for the songs I wrote on my album.  And what I love about it is, when you find a really healing song, like balm on weather-worn skin, after you've recovered those songs are like buried treasure.   This is one of those treasures you can sing on your toughest day as a prayer for hope.   Here it is.  What do you think?

Tired Down Deep
I am tired down deep
Deep down tired in my bones.
My soul has gone weak
and my will's grown old.

On, Lead me on
Take me to the quiet south
On, lead me on
So that you I'm not without

For the sight of still waters
and pastures so green
I raise my head
And lower it to sleep

On, Lead me on
Take me to the quiet south
On, lead me on
So that you I'm not without

For the warm of a morn
That has mercies made new
I put my tears in the ground
Cast my eyes to you

On, Lead me on
Take me to the quiet south
On, lead me on
So that you I'm not without

Copyright 2009, Ashley Albritton

            It's easy to feel alone as an artist.  It doesn't help that most of us have the tendency and/or genetic predisposition to be depressed.  Whenever I feel this way I try to find other artists like myself who are somehow doing this. 
            I don't have to look far to find others who make me want to grab my guitar and belt out something new.  Today, I'm listening to my friend, Zach Vinson.  I've discovered his new album, "The Streets Will Turn To Streams."  Along with being the most phenomenal piano player I've ever known or listened to, he is also a refreshingly clever songwriter with a warm, soul searching voice.  The songs on this album are addicting, no really, I played it at least five times when I downloaded it.  My top pick is "Love Is Where", a haunting song about marital confessions and and finding and losing yourself. 
            Check out his website www.zachvinson.com where you can listen to his tunes, watch videos, and of course, purchase a CD. 


            I'm gonna go play my guitar now. 

love,
K