A Look Back: Crowdfunded Recording Projects

Over the years, I have contributed to a number of singer/songwriters' crowdfunding projects.  Through PledgeMusic, I supported Shelly Fairchild's Buffalo and Jennifer Knapp's Set Me Free albums.  I backed Fleming & John's still-unreleased 2015 record and Julie Lee's Till & Mule via Kickstarter.  I also patronized Indiegogo efforts to launch Josh Schicker's Faith, the Poor & Politics, A Stranger & a Friend's Nashville and Atlanta, and Chely Wright's documentary, Wish Me Away.

A Look Back: paisley dAve/the episode in Concert

I saw four-piece rock band paisley dAve play a number of times at Hope College in Holland, Mich. in the late 90s.  I also have a vague recollection of seeing them perform at Parrots Lounge in Holland, Mich.  I know for certain that I saw the quartet at the Knickerbocker Theatre in Holland, Mich. in 2000 at their album release show, after they had changed their name to the episode.

A Look Back: paisley dave Article

I interviewed rock band paisley dave for a piece that was published by The Holland Sentinel on May 13, 1999.  The quartet was fronted by singer/songwriter Josh Schicker, who continued as a solo artist after the group disbanded.

Not Joshing

Last night, I saw singer/songwriter -- and fellow Hope College alum -- Josh Schicker in concert at Brew Merchant.  I have appreciated and admired his talent since the mid-90s and have enjoyed observing his development as an artist and a thinker these many years.

Top 10 Songs of 2012

My Favorite Songs of 2012:
~ in alphabetical order, by artist ~

   1.  Hold On – Alabama Shakes
   2.  Raise Hell – Brandi Carlile
   3.  Summertime Sadness – Lana Del Rey
   4.  Born To – Jesca Hoop
   5.  Trespassing – Adam Lambert
   6.  Roads – Chris Mann
   7. Locked Out of Heaven – Bruno Mars
   8.  Beautiful Boy – Coleen McMahon
   9.  Harper's Lullaby – Josh Schicker

 10. Eye on It – tobyMac

Hot Pick: Out Yesterday

Josh Schicker : Faith, the Poor & Politics 

 

My Two Cents: howsweethowcruel

Truly a lyrical dichotomy, Josh Schicker's latest release, howsweethowcruel, examines themes of both contentment and discontent. Nearly two years of marriage seem to have served Schicker well, as the singer-songwriter sounds more content -- and, at the same time, discontent -- than ever. This burgeoning artist appears to have awakened to the world around him and writes about personal, national, and global crises just as passionately as he does about his new wife. While his last album, Moonlighting, may have been his most "successful" project to date, it seemed to be the most sterile. Thankfully for long-time fans, hshc is a return to the earnest performances that garnered Schicker's following in the first place. All profits from hshc -- a live, seven-track EP -- will be donated to Blood:Water Mission.

EP = H2O

One of my college friends (who is also one of my favorite independent artists), Josh Schicker, is a singer-songwriter based in Portland, Ore. who just released a new EP. All of the profits from the album sales will be given to a non-profit organization called Blood:Water Mission. If you've heard about the clean water and AIDS crises in Africa and wondered what you could do to help, here's a small thing that can make a big difference. Go to JOSHSCHICKER.COM and follow the links to buy the new EP, howsweethowcruel. There you will learn about what Blood:Water Mission does and what we can do to help. It doesn't get much better than getting good music for supporting a great cause.

For Whom the (Wedding) Bell Tolls

Yesterday I learned that singer-songwriter Josh Schicker was recently married. In honor of the recent nuptials, I've been spinning some of his tunes. Josh is a fellow Hope College alumnus. I had one of those harmless "musician crushes" on him years ago. Congrats to Mr. and Mrs. Schicker, and many blessings on their new family.