The Study of Myself: Music #1

      Hello again. I've been away for a while. Especially if you take into consideration that the last post was in August of 2011.
      Well, technically it was 2012, but still. That was a while ago.
      So, I decided to start a series of posts called 'The Study of Myself'. These will include random facts, beliefs, rants, and much more. So, since my life so far is based mostly around music, we'll start the series on that.

Music #1:

      Before we begin the probably very long section on music, we should probably define what 'music' is, right? On my first day of school, back in September, I had my first (and last) Music History class. The teacher, in the class, stated that music was originally an art form, but now that people just do it for fun and most of it isn't art anymore. Soo, right, wrong, and wrong.

First question: is music art?
      Yes. There is a sort of beauty to all music. If the "artist" doesn't put effort into the song and it still comes out good, then there is still beauty. If there is still beauty to it, then there is still art to it. My belief is as such: say an "artist" puts no effort into the song, and as a result, there is no beauty to it. Only then can the music be not considered an art. HOWEVER, I believe that when all beauty and any resemblance of 'art' has been wiped from the music, it then ceases to be music.
      One thing to keep in mind is that it is not limited to "music" (a form of art), and "music that has ceased to be music" (when all art has been eliminated). There is still, sadly, the incredibly common case of bad music (also known as 'bad art').

Second question: what is 'bad music'?
      Bad music can be defined in many different ways. However, most of the discerning factors of bad music are all a matter of opinion, and are thus invalid arguments.
      One of these factors is repetition. (I mean, really. Who wants to listen to the same exact thing for 5 minutes?) Again, there are people with different opinions that will not agree with this.
      Another factor is cheap lyrics (repetitive, corny, lame rhymes, etc.) We all like meaningful lyrics, lyrics that we can relate to. Corny can be good sometimes. Some people like corny love songs, and some people like songs about bugs that will fly down from the sky to give you hugs (which sounds like a terrifying situation, but maybe that's just me).
      There are a lot of factors that go into what people consider bad music, and again, most of them are matters of opinion.

      Some say "people nowadays just make music for fun". *applauds* Spoken like a true non-musician.
      Yes, there are aspects to songwriting that give you a thrill and can be considered 'fun'. However, that's just when you're making the song for the first time. When you're playing your songs, yes. That can be fun. Now try to professionally record. That fun aspect is mostly gone now. There is a lot of hard work that goes into being a musician that makes it in the music industry. I don't think that anybody makes it far into the music business if they have no talent at all. But there's so much more to making your own music than just having fun. Every song I write I hope will one day connect with someone.

      I tend to think of my songs as my musical babies. It's a crappy metaphor, I know. However, if you think about it, it makes sense. I write the song, I develop it, and when it's fully done, it goes off into the world and does who knows what? Writing the song is easy. Developing it is hard. And when it's fully written and published, it goes out into the world and can reach more people than you could ever meet in your lifetime. Nobody can fully appreciate song-writers until they've tried writing, recording, and publishing their own song.


      So, generally I'm not that great about simply stating my beliefs about things, but this one is pretty high up in my mind when it comes to importance. Some say that music originated with Jubal, a close descendant of Adam in the Garden. Were this true, music would have originated as a pagan art, and was later redeemed by Christians in the early 5000's-4000's BC(E). I, however, believe differently. I believe God spoke the universe into existence. Funny thing, I believe he spoke it into existence in all languages. I also believe music is a language of sorts. Getting down to the point, I believe God sang the universe into existence. That would cancel out any idea that music originated as pagan. Do not all good things begin with God?

      Yes. They do.


      Well, thanks for tuning in for my first Study of Myself! Hopefully there will be more to come, and soon (though I'm not making any promises.).

Song quote of the post: 

"My music is my art, clouded as it is."

-Dash For Existence, "Torrit Smoke"

Scripture verse of the post:

"Then it happened, when the musician played, that the hand of the Lord came upon him."

            2 Kings 3:15b

The Summer is nearing it's end... or is it?

      This summer has been the most hectic, crammed, amazing summer I think I have ever experienced. 

This summer, I've worked two jobs: Working at Exodus Books two days a week, and "working" (volunteering) at Modcott Piano Company (aka: the Piano Fort), one day a week. 

On top of that, I've spent the whole summer planning a concert with "Cart!" and Michael Kevin Dutt. So far, that concert hasn't yet happened, but God gave me something I didn't expect. A month or so ago, with only a couple day notice, I played a concert down in Portland.. Okay, granted, only a few people actually showed up, but nonetheless, there was a stage and such, so it was awesome. 

I also got to go a good number of other concerts this summer, the biggest of which being the Demon Hunter concert. Now, I don't want to sound like I'm trying to be overly deep or anything, but something about that concert changed the way I see metal music. I'm not gonna suggest you go listen to it right off the bat, cause unless you like that sort of music, you're gonna hate it. It took me a long time to even listen to it on my own. 
Once I saw that concert, though.... I don't know. There was a new love for that genre, and I don't think I'll be able to change it back.

Even better than that, I've been able to build stronger foundations in my friendships and such this summer, and that's something I wouldn't ever take back. Knowing that you have friends to catch you when you fall is... an indescribable feeling. It's incredible.

But it's the knowledge that God is always there, even when you're not falling, that blows my mind. It's amazing. It's more than amazing. It's... beautiful. That, above the rest of what I've done this summer, is what I've been trying to work on: A better, stronger relationship with God and a better commitment to reading and studying his word. I've failed and put off that commitment for so long,  it was time to make up for it.

And now summer's almost over.

Is it really? 

I went Jet-Skiing for the first time ever last weekend. While we were there, I blurted out that summer was almost over to a friend of mine. 
"For You" he replied.
I had completely forgotten he graduated.

But it got me thinking. I'm coming into 11th grade in just a few weeks, and then it's school for the next many months straight. (setting aside a Christmas break, of course.) It's gonna feel like forever, and I know it, but it felt like forever last year (especially in a school I wasn't too fond of). But now that I look back on it, it seems that the school year went really fast.

So what'll it be, then? A school year, maybe another packed summer, another school year, then I'm done.

I've heard it both ways. Being out of school is like a summer that never ends, and when you're out of school, you never get a summer. I guess I'll find out for myself soon enough. 
Emphasis on 'soon'.

      Anyways, this has been my summer, as told with a very image-less post. How was yours?

Song quote of the post: 

"These are not only words to a song. Come to me, you’re forgiven now. You’re washed by blood, from deep inside; You’re not a prisoner of your old life. Washed by blood, a brand new start, it’s time that I rebuild your heart" 

-Brian "Head" Welch , "Washed by Blood"

Scripture verse of the post:

"Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty.  But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble; soon they disappear, and we fly away."

            -Psalm 90:10

side note: I apologize for the very little amount of posting, especially for anyone who thought I would post fairly often. I think I'll try to put on just one more post before the summer is out. We'll see!

Spreading Christianity through Music: pt. 1

This was an English-paper-turn-rant that I had to write recently. I thought I'd share it with you guys. I hope it doesn't offend anyone!

Music affects us: this we have already clarified. We know that culture has been constantly changing over the years, and with it: the music. But maybe it’s the other way around. If the music has been constantly changing over these many years, the culture would change with it, would it not?

Taste in music changes over time. You can begin your love of music with country, meld into rock, then go to indie, then wind up liking dubstep. Is it not the same with culture? Does not culture change from one thing to another and repeat the process all throughout time? America today is nothing like the America the pilgrims founded back in the 1600’s.

Perhaps the call of a Christian musician is to meld the popular music into something that can eventually lead the populace to God. But how could that be managed? When a song directly preaches about God, it’s rarely liked. Even Christians themselves can find the songs annoying, despite the good message in the lyrics.
It’s musicians like Sufjan Stevens who are the best examples for the point I’m trying to make. Sufjan Stevens is a Christian musician. But do you know that from his songs? If you don’t take into account his Christmas album, many people probably wouldn’t know he’s a Christian. It’s because he hides his faith while he shouts it through his lyrics. Sufjan Stevens went about his songwriting in a brilliant way. Maybe his music doesn’t appeal to your taste, but hidden in the lyrics are Christian messages. Slipped into songs like ‘Jacksonville’ are lyrics like so: “The spirit is here and the spirit is fine!” Maybe, to be the most effective in preaching our faith, we need to be discreet.
Catchy songs stick in your head, right? Then you eventually have to go find out the lyrics so you can at least sing the song rather than wear yourself out with humming or whistling. It’s about time a Christian song with a Christian message was the catchy song getting stuck in people’s head. But if that message is slipped in secretly, it will affect the listener without their outright opposition to the song due to its obvious faith.
But isn’t that deception? Would that not be going against the Bible? Proverbs 12 states, “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord.” Maybe hiding the meaning behind your lyrics isn’t directly lying, but it’s to the same effect. Men hiding their true intentions hasn’t really turned out well in the past; who’s to say it would this time? Hitler hid his intentions when he was campaigning for fuhrer (or whatever the term is), as did Julius Caesar. Hitler killed thousands of people, and Julius Caesar was assassinated because of suspicions about his rise to power.
  We’re not Hitlers. We’re not Caesars. Proverbs 12 ends the verse by saying that those who act in faithfulness to God are a delight to Him. Even if it really would be considered deception, if it’s for God’s glory would it not then be a delight to Him? If this so-called ‘deception’ turns non-believers to God, is not the action then justified? If God is glorified through a simple hidden lyric, is that still a deception worthy of rebuke? No. God deserves glory. God deserves the glory given to him in song. No-one ever became a believer because they lost an argument, but people can be turned through a simple lyric. Through a simple phrase, a belief can be turned.
It is the job of a Christian to bring good to the world and the light to those who are in darkness. It is the job of a Christian musician to do the same through music. Can secular music still be regarded as good? What defines ‘secular’? According to the dictionary, secular means “of or pertaining to worldly things or to things that are not regarded as religious, spiritual, or sacred.”

Music can still preach a good message without being directly related to religion. How? There is good in the world that can be told about without strictly talking about religion. I’m not saying it’s not in the parent’s place to restrict their children from listening to secular music, I’m just saying maybe they shouldn’t. There is plenty of music that should not be listened to, especially by young Christian boys and girls. There should be a filter set over the music of Christian boys and girls, but how can anyone make truly good music without seeing what they’re writing under the pressure of? The culture has gone so far downhill that it’s hard to write a good song with a good message. The only way to spread a Christian message in music is through discretion. If our job is to bring light to those living in darkness, the only way to do so is through music, and the only effective way to do that is through ‘deceit’, then maybe it’s our call to be deceitful for the glory of God.

To be continued...

Song quote of the post: 

"And in my best behavior I am really just like him. Look beneath the floor boards for the secrets I have hid." 

-Sufjan Stevens, "John Wayne Gacy, Jr.

Scripture verse of the post:

"Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! For He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory."

            Psalm 98:1

August Rush - Movie Review.

Featuring Freddie Highmore, Keri Russel, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Terrence Howard, and Robin Williams

      In short, this movie is about a child prodigy who is trying to get back to his parents through music.
Naturally, you can see how I would love it.

The movie kicks off with said child (Freddie Highmore) stating his beliefs on the power of music, and how it affects his life, how he thinks it affected his parents life, how he thinks it'll get him back to his parents, etc...

It then goes to show how his father and mother were both musicians themselves. Lyla, his mother, a cellist. and Louis, his father, a punk-rock band guitarist and vocalist.

This child, as you might've guessed, is living in an orphanage at this point in the movie; the underdog that is always being bullied around.

When this child, Evan, runs away, he soon finds himself right in the heart of New York city. He finds, follows, and gains the friendship of another child musician, Arthur, who has been playing music on the streets for months. Arthur brings Evan, who is later renamed August Rush, to a abandoned theater where 'Wizard' (Robin Williams) is extorting children for their musical talents. August is taken in and learns quite quickly how to play music himself.

Following the story of all three members of the seperated family; Lyla, Louis, and August; the movie spins a fantastic tale of Love, Bravery, and Dedication.


First off, let me just say that I love music more than nearly anything else in the world. (In case you didn't know.) If you don't have a love for music, you might not enjoy this movie quite as much.

This movie is packed full of music. Not so much the theory, but the pure beauty and power of it.
DJ Wilson, otherwise known as The Anonymous Antagonist, has been doing a series of interviews called 'An Examination of the Arts.' In the range of 11-13 on his questions, he asks about music and how it affects you. Or rather, whether or not it does affect you. I'm not planning on doing said interview anytime soon, but I would like to do my little rant on music and the way it affects you.

Actually, scratch that. Benny nearly said everything I would have in his interview. (Benny is my brother for any who may not know.)

Jeff Moss preached at our church last week. His sermon was on the Psalms, and how influential they are in our lives. But He kicked off his sermon with the statement that all music affects us. Maybe not in those exact words, but I'm sure that's what he was getting at. Like Benny said, you can be depressed, turn on happy music, and it will most likely greatly improve your mood.
All that merely to show the great power of music.

Anyways, getting sidetracked, aside from the amazing music of this movie, the music shows an overlying theme throughout the whole movie of dedication. To your music, and to your family.

It was said in the movie: "You never quit on your music. No matter what happens. Cause anytime somethin' bad happens to you, it's the one place you can escape to and just *psh!* let it go."
This part in particular, for me, was one of the most beautiful scenes in the movie. The father reunites with the son he never knew he had, does a guitar duet with him, and gives him some of the most encouraging words ever.

The plot is fairly predictable from that point on through the rest of the movie. But despite this fact, I loved the movie.

Overall rating for me: 95/100. 2 points down for the slight language, 3 points down for the fact that August's (Evan's) parents weren't married.

I would highly recommend this movie, not just because I love it, but because it's beautiful in so many different ways. I found the movie to be inspirational as well, but maybe that's just because of my somewhat obsessive love for music.


Question: Have you seen August Rush? If so, do you have any other opinions?

Song quote of the post: 
"I've been sitting watching life pass from the sidelines. I've been waiting for a dream to seep in through my blinds. I wondered what might happen if I left this all behind. Would the wind be at my back? Could I get you off my mind?"
      -Jonathan Rhys Meyers, "This Time" ~from August Rush

Scripture verse of the post:
"The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song."
      Psalm 28:7

Alex Clare

 A few days ago I discovered a new musical artist: Alex Clare. He's sort of a dubstep/rock/low-down melodies sort of artist. I've really enjoyed his music thus far.

As just an example of his stuff, this song pretty much defines his genre.

Sanctuary - Alex Clare
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1K_Qi3sO5o
(I tried to embed the video, but it wasn't working)

And if you liked that song, I would definitely recommend going and checking out more of his music. It will not disappoint. (Although, forewarning: If you are strongly against the use of foul language in music, I would steer clear of his song 'Treading Water'.)

It's often said of him that he has a sort of 'Adele sound'.

I don't think that's fair.

Maybe he does have a sort of Adele-like sound to some, but I find his music style incredibly unique and beautiful. The only thing I think is similar between him and Adele is the singing style. Even that is somwhat different due to the fact that Adele is a girl and Alex Clare is a guy.

Anyways, I'm gonna stop there before I begin a rant about originality in music and elsewhere.
Alex Clare is awesome.

I'm working on a review for one of my all-time favorite movies, and that will be up sometime soon, hopefully.
For now, I sign out.




Song quote of the post:
"Wrapped around you, the whole world just disappears. Time stands still when I'm with you; a moment feels like years." 
      -Alex Clare, "Sanctuary" (which you can hear above)


Scripture verse of the post:
"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear ... "
      -1 John 4:18

The Anonymous Antagonist is doing a giveaway!

The Anonymous Antagonist blog is celebrating the achievement of 100 followers by doing a giveaway!
There are five different prizes:

1: $40 Amazon Gift Card

2: A Copy of 'The Hunger Games"

3: A signed copy of "I Serve" by Rose E. Lortz

4: An original piece of artwork from Anna Tooze

5: A $15 gift card


Go check out his giveaway at http://wilsonftw.blogspot.com/2012/02/100-follower-giveaway.html!

In answer to his question:
      The thing I love most about blogging is that it's out there in the world. It's a way to keep you focused on writing, yet always pushing you to make sure your writing sounds good. I ended my old blog because I felt too restricted with it, but I instantaneously started again so that I would still be able to experience that aspect previously mentioned.

Starting anew.

      A beginning and an end. Those of you who followed me here from Keyboards and Pens, Music and Writing will know what I mean.

Today (January 26th, 2012) marks the first day of this blog and the last day of my last blog. The reason my last blog fell to pieces was stated as best as I could put it in my final post over there.

Hopefully this blog comes over as less immature and random as the better part of my last blog.
As the title of this post says, I am starting anew.


So, who am I?

I am N.R.E:

the apparent musician,

and the apparent author.

Surrounded by a multitude of people,

yet all alone.

Through writing and music I can surround myself and kill the loneliness. 

So, what is this blog?

Below the Hurricane. The title was taken from Blitzen Trapper's song 'Below the Hurricane', which I just so happened to be listening to at the time I decided to create this blog. 

"On the ocean, I think we're taking on water. The storm is on the way, but I will hold on anyways." Taken from the song by Guster: "On the ocean."

 The lyrics can be taken different ways: 

In the literal sense: that you're literally taking on water but will travel into the storm anyways. 

Or the metaphorical sense: you're living your life, thinking that not all is well; You know that hard times are coming, but in the end, you want them to come. 

Given current situations in my life, I related to the song and decided to place that as part of this blog.

So, hello dear readers. I hope you enjoy this next chapter in the life of N.R.E, because here we are, starting anew. Here I am, writing for the sole purpose of providing relief in the form of a more personal, yet open blog. 

Writing for the sake of writing. 

      Song quote of the post:

"Just because it is the end of the beginning doesn't mean it's the beginning of the end." -Aqualung, 'Extra Ordinary Thing'

      Scripture verse of the post:

"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up." James 4:10 (NKJV)