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10.04.11

What worship leaders can learn from Elbow

Filed under: creativity,music,worship — 1:09 pm

Elbow

Since 1996, I’ve had the chance to make a ton of music and lead a lot of worship services with Troy Hatfield. He’s a killer musician, true pastor, deep thinker, and one of the best frisbee golf players on planet earth. We co-lead the worship team at Mars Hill Church for a handful of years, and he continues to lead there today. I think really highly of him.

Troy just wrote an article called “Learning from Elbow” that I think every worship leader should read. (Elbow is a brilliant Manchester band that Troy’s been following for years. They have since become one of my favorites also.)   Anyway, this is a great nudge to all of us who lead worship…

Learning From Elbow (by Troy Hatfield)

09.09.11

Sneak peak at the first New Liturgy…

Filed under: A New Liturgy,creativity,music,worship — 9:23 am

Hi everyone!

As most of you know, some friends and I have been pouring the last few months into a new adventure called “A New Liturgy”.  It’s been harder than I could have imagined, and one million times more fun.

The first liturgy – “God is Love” – will be officially available at a new web site next Thursday, September 15th.  But since you are all so kind to stop by this blog, here’s a sneak preview.  (For best audio quality, after you hit “play”, click the 240p below and select 720p). This is a short section from the first movement…

I can’t wait for you to hear the whole thing!  Thanks so much for being interested.  More coming soon…

08.28.11

Songs for the Oppressed

Filed under: God's movement,music — 8:05 am

As many of you know, I had the privilege of producing and contributing a couple songs to “Songs for the Oppressed (vol 1)” with International Teams.  You can read my blog about it HERE.  Scott Olson (my friend and the president of I Teams) recently created this video about the project.  I love what they are giving their lives to, and feel honored to get to play a tiny role in it…


Why Songs for the Oppressed? from International Teams on Vimeo.

08.14.11

How Coldplay saved me as a worship leader

Filed under: creativity,music,worship — 10:55 pm

Chris Martin

First, I must admit that I’m only a moderate Coldplay fan.  “Rush of Blood” was one of the greatest albums of that last ten years, but I’m pretty sure they’ll never reach those heights again.  However, I was watching their performance on the iTunes Festival app recently, and I was reminded how Coldplay saved me as a worship leader.

True story:  In 1998, I graduated from college with a Music Theory and Composition degree, determined to write music that blew peoples’ minds and set the music world on fire  (humble, huh?).
My first job was as a worship leader for the high school ministry of Willow Creek, helping students to sing and pray and connect with the Almighty.

So I began writing songs for us to sing…and not those lame, 3 chord, boring pop songs.  I created epic, complicated masterpieces that soared through key changes, polyrhythms, and time signature changes.  Yes, I was the Freddie Mercury of high school worship music.

The problem was that even though this music deeply connected with me (and a few members of the band), no one could sing along.  In fact, most of my songs crashed and burned with students.  They didn’t always hate the songs. They were just confused.  Yes, I was the Bjork of high school worship music.

But then I heard “The Scientist” by Coldplay.  And everything changed.

How could this ridiculously simple song move me in such a deep way?  My Theory 2 professor would have laughed the predictable chord progression out of class, but I could not stop listening to it.  Or playing it.  Or thinking about it.  This song captured the magic and transcendence that I was looking for in all my complex harmonic adventures, AND it brought the whole world along for the ride.  Stunning.  I had so much to learn.

If you don’t believe me, put on some headphones, turn up the volume, and listen to “Politik” with your eyes closed.  “Oh give me love over, love over this…”

That’s the kind of pop song that can change the world.  Or at least change the way we see it!  A song doesn’t have to be simple OR moving…accessible OR authentic…sing-able OR deep.  It can be a glorious marriage of both.  And by stripping a song (or emotion) down to its very essence, it can become, in many ways MORE moving and MORE authentic.

So for all you fellow music snobs out there, what song or band violates “the rules” of making cool music…and instead makes simple music that moves you?

08.04.11

an update about A New Liturgy

Filed under: creativity,music — 11:35 pm

Many of you know that I’m deep in the thick of working on a new endeavor called “A New Liturgy”, which has me both overwhelmed and deliriously excited.  So many of the things I’m most passionate about are coming together in this grand experiment, and it’s really thrilling.

Basically, each New Liturgy is a 25 minute journey of music, prayers, space, scripture that pastors people on a journey.  It’ll be quirky, progressive, holy, active, beautiful, creative, and honest…hopefully a worship experience for people who don’t always connect with worship music.  Imagine the band Elbow leading a Catholic mass…with lots of piano.

I’m so excited that I can barely sleep at night.

The first New Liturgy is called “God is Love” and will be available mid September.  The second one is called “Blessed to Be a Blessing” and will be available in early October.  I can’t wait for you to experience them.  Here’s a quick video from the night we tracked piano…

07.13.11

Interactive Art on a Huge Scale

Filed under: creativity,music — 7:41 am

Arcade Fire’s triumphant closing set at this year’s Coachella took things to a whole other level.  During the massive sing-a-long closer “Wake Up”, they dropped hundreds of huge, inflated balls with LED lights in them, creating an enormous, interactive art installation.  It was epic…even for Arcade Fire.  Here’s the whole story of how it came together…

07.09.11

What I would love to see U2 do next

Filed under: creativity,music — 8:37 am

“We’re going to continue taking risks,  if you’ll continue giving us permission.”
(Bono, at the East Lansing show)

This blog is the ultimate in back seat driving.  So please accept the ridiculousness of a midwestern church pianist giving advice to the biggest rock band on earth.

If I were talking to U2, I would say:  “Let this tour be the end of an era.  Retire the mammoth stadium tour (which I’ve heard you may do), but more importantly, retire the greatest hits.  No more “One,” “Streets,” or “Sunday Bloody Sunday.”  You’re at the top of your game, and you have nothing left to prove.  Please don’t ever become a Karaoke band of your own hits.  The Rolling Stones are legends, but their tours feel like nostalgia.  Don’t rest on the sure bet of your incredible past, lead us somewhere new.

Just to be clear, you guys are the ones who taught me this.  You resisted to cash in with Joshua Tree 2, and instead “dreamed it all up again” with the brilliant Achtung Baby and Zoo TV tour.  You changed the music world and I believe you can again.

On your next album, keep exploring new places and sounds like you did on “No Line on the Horizon,” even though it’s wasn’t as commercially successful.  We don’t need another “Beautiful Day” (Coldplay will take care of that), we need something we’ve never heard and can’t yet imagine.  And we believe you can take us there.

And then, book an arena (or smaller!) tour and re-invent what a 2 hour music/art/activism journey could look like using only your last two albums.  Make it very clear that this is a brand new adventure – weeding out the casual fans but re-igniting your hard core fans.  This would not be the same kind of concert only with less well-known songs…this would be a whole new communal experience.

If you choose to not do this, I will still come see your next greatest hits tour.  And I will marvel and sing along to every song.  You four have been exploring and innovating for so long, I wouldn’t fault you for taking a few victory laps.  But if you have one more “dream it all up again” in you, count me in for the journey.

Bono and the crowd

07.08.11

Everything I Know about Leading Worship I Learned from an Irish Rock Star

Filed under: music,worship — 8:10 am

I wrote this article a few years ago, but after seeing Bono turn Soldier field into a church service again Tuesday night, I thought I’d re-share it.  Enjoy!

“Everything I know about leading worship I learned from an Irish Rock Star”

In 1993, I tagged along with one of my friends to a U2 concert. Even though I wasn’t much of a fan, I had heard a couple of their songs on the radio and thought it might be a good show. I wasn’t prepared for what I would experience. . .

Bono just may be the greatest worship leader in history.

Some kind of supernatural group experience took place there in the LA Coliseum. We sang our lungs out and we stood in reverent awe and we raised our hands to Heaven. It was like the best church service I had ever been to. I almost hugged the drunk guy next to me.

What happened? How was he able to take 3-chord rock and roll, a bunch of video screens, and a giant mirror-ball lemon. . .and connect me with God? Why did I arrive wanting to buy a t-shirt, and leave wanting to change the world? How could something as throw-a-way as pop music connect me with the eternal?

I have a couple theories. . .

Read the whole article HERE.

07.07.11

Two U2 shows – some thoughts and videos

Filed under: music — 2:03 pm

Thanks to a friend who works on the U2 tour, I had the chance to see both the East Lansing and Chicago shows.  (Thanks Jes!!!)  Being a long time U2 fan – and having learned nearly everything I know about worship leading from watching Bono – these two nights were ridiculously fun and inspiring.  On the fun side, here’s a short clip from the lighting/video booth…

The Edge

Even though the set lists were largely similar, the two shows couldn’t have been more different.   In East Lansing, it felt like U2 was pushing a rock up a hill.  There were great moments of momentum (“Vertigo” really locked in, and “Streets” always wins a crowd over), but the show was a bit flat.  The band seemed tired…which is understandable on their 99th show of the tour!

Chicago, however, was one of the best U2 shows I’ve ever seen.  The magic was back!  U2 (especially Bono) hit the first song with explosive energy, and the sold out crowd fed the passion.  Multiple times, Bono commented “Wow, we’ve had some loud crowds before, but this is amazing…”  And so we all yelled louder.

Bono was the ultimate rock star (in his all black leather uniform), the earnest preacher (talking about freedom and joining the movement), the shameless charmer (singing “My kind of town” to Chicago), the mysterious shaman (helping us tap into the holy transcendence), and the verbose Irishman (telling a number of fun, rambling stories)….and he masterfully guided us on a 2.5 hour journey that most of us will never forget.

My favorite moment of the show:  At the end, Bono mentioned their old song “One Tree Hill” and said “We’re not going to play it tonight …” (many shouts from the crowd) “…or maybe we are.”  And so after some off-mic conversation with the Edge, and a new guitar, here is what Bono said…

I have two more U2 blog posts coming this weekend – one about “Bono the worship leader” and one about “What I hope U2 does next”. I’d love to hear your thoughts…

Bono

06.30.11

A few reasons I’m still a Christian (part 2)

Filed under: God's movement,music — 9:01 am

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The second reason I’m a Christian is that I believe God can and does bring good out of any situation.  Even the most broken.  This is not something I merely believe with my head…it rumbles deep inside of me and has been an anchor in ways I can’t explain.  Gungor names it perfectly in their brilliant song Beautiful Things:  “You make beautiful things out of the dust;  You make beautiful things out of us.”

I could tell you story after story about how Shauna and I have seen God enter into the saddest heartbreak and darkest disappointment to bring healing and use it for good.  Really.  I could tell you a number of ways that God has used my deepest brokenness and sin to turn it on its head and create beauty.  Really.  It’s stunning and humbling and unexplainable apart from God.

Chuck Colson was recently speaking about how God used his time in prison (for being a part of the Watergate scandal with Nixon) to redirect him into the most exciting, liberating, and fulfilling years of his life.  God used that tragic scandal to lead Chuck into the adventure of a lifetime, and bring hope to thousands of prison inmates through his Prison Fellowship.  Which is why Chuck’s story built in passion and volume…and he eventually erupted into the beautiful declaration of “Thank God for Watergate!”

What is your Watergate?
Are you able to thank God for it yet?
What might it look like to let God begin the painfully holy work
of making something beautiful out of it?

This has been soooo difficult for me, and I do it poorly, but glimpses of “redemption in action” in my and my friends’ lives have become profound anchors for my faith.  If THIS is the kind of God we’re talking about, then count me in!

06.28.11

Why I love Florence + the Machine

Filed under: creativity,music — 2:56 pm

Two words:  muscular and beautiful.  The music and passion and energy and vibe of Florence + the Machine is both powerful and fragile.  Tribal and tender.  Thunderous and gorgeous.

Muscle without beauty is Creed.
Beauty without muscle is Celine Dion.
But Florence is a spectacular collision.

We saw them perform this week before the U2 show.  Stunningly spectacular.  Even to a half-filled stadium of khaki-pants-wearing U2 fans, they soared (in a quirky way) and created something really cool.  Don’t tell Bono, but Florence was my favorite part of the night!

Florence in E Lansing, MI

A few other observations:
-Florence (the lead singer) looked like she was having a ball, often grinning ear to ear.  She was not too cool to enjoy herself.  And that kind of joy is contagious.
-The band of young, rock-looking players were a great balance to her flowing, red dress.
-Quirky goes a long way.  Florence marches to her own odd drummer, and people seem to appreciate that.  Normal is profoundly overrated.

06.21.11

The new recording of “God’s Children”

Filed under: creativity,music,worship — 9:55 pm

In January I finished a worship song called “God’s Children” that has been burning inside me for months.
The idea that God loves EVERY ONE of his kids equally – no matter our history, nationality, beliefs, sins, strengths, etc – moves me at a profound level.  For nothing can separate us from the love of God…. And not only do I want to see myself as one of those passionately loved kids, I want to see every single other person I ever meet as my brother or sister, engulfed in God’s bottomless, paternal and maternal LOVE.

We’ve been singing this song at Willow for the last few months, and now we’ve officially recorded it for the International Teams “Songs for the Oppressed (vol 1)” project…which came out last week!

God’s Children – listen to sample

If you’re interested, feel free to check out Songs for the Oppressed (vol 1).  You can learn all about the project, check out the artists who contributed songs, and learn how I-Teams will use the sales and momentum to bring hope to some of the most oppressed people on earth.  Please join us!

God’s Children
Aaron Niequist

Father of the beaten down
Lover of the strong and proud
God of every class, from the greenest grass to the underpass
You’re the Maker of us all

Father of each citizen
Lover of each immigrant
God of everyone who has ever been an alien
You’re Creator of us all
Animator of us all

Oh—You love your children, Love your children
Every daughter, every son
Oh—You love your children, All your children
Help us see You in each one

Father of the most oppressed
Lover of the least impressed
God of every kid who has ever hid from being hit
You’re the Seer of us all
Loving Weeper for us all

You bring the rain down
On the good and bad, The good and bad
On all of us
On all Your children

And You make the Sun shine
On the good and bad, The good and bad
In all of us
In all Your children.

We were all once aliens
And we’re all so full of sin
But in Jesus’ name we were welcomed in as citizens

A brand new family, old and young
From every nation, faith, and tongue
A new creation has begun
From every nation, faith, and tongue

———–

<Download God’s Children basic chart>

06.19.11

5 things I’m excited about

Filed under: life,music — 10:28 pm

(1) My bro. Last night, my little brother got married.  It was a beautiful night and I couldn’t be more excited for Eric and his new wife Brittany.  Congratulations Mr and Mrs Niequist!

(2) PleasureTowne. Speaking of the wedding, we witnessed the single greatest wedding band most of us had ever seen.  To kick off the reception, the lead singer (and my good friend) Troy declared “Good evening.  PleasureTowne is both our name and our destination tonight…” and launched into 3 straight hours of the most fun songs of the last 4 decades.  The dance floor was packed from beginning to end, and we had a ball.  Check their facebook page and below…

(3) The Brilliance. One of the bands on our “Songs for the Oppressed (vol 1)” CD is The Brilliance, a new band that I love.  Led by David Gungor, these nine musicians create some of the most stunning, honest, understated, and evocative music I’ve heard in a long time.  Please please please check them out today!

The Brilliance live

(4) Recording. I’m half way done tracking my first “new liturgy” project:  “God is Love”.  Next week I tackle piano, trombone, tons of edits, cello, a “monk choir” of guys, spoken word, and all the odds and ends.  I can barely contain my excitement about all this…and can’t wait for you to hear it!

Nathan

Ben

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5) Air Conditioning. Most of you are going to think I’m ridiculous, but I’m already sick of the heat and ready for fall.  Humidity is evil.  Especially yesterday, outside in a black 3 piece suit!  And so I am especially fond of air conditioning these days…especially for sleeping.  (I want it 65˚.  Shauna wants it 75˚.  So we usually compromise around 71˚.)

06.16.11

If Mumford and Sons were a Methodist worship band

Filed under: creativity,music,worship — 11:07 am

My friend Jeremy posted this video yesterday of something that he and his co-conspirators did at Faith United Methodist Church.  I couldn’t possibly love it more!

They took my song “Love Can Change the World” and breathed a whole new energy and life into it.  (The banjo player is my new hero).  Fantastic job, guys!

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