Stockholm Syndrome
For the last two days I’ve been listening to Derek Webb’s ‘Stockholm Syndrome’ off and on. In between phone calls and the crowded bus, I’ve been able to catch the ‘gist’ of the record, but haven’t really dove into it yet. My initial thoughts? ”Dang. He stepped up his musical game for sure.” Now, it’s not that Derek’s stuff has ever been musically sub-par or anything like that, but this record is a new level of Derek Webb. The loops are cool, the beats are cool, and the melodies are some of the best I’ve heard come from him. That alone is worth getting the record. And that’s not even mentioning the amazing sixty minute video of the making of the record.
Now, I know there’s plenty of controversy about ‘the cussing song’ and I’ve read a lot of different opinions of people expressing their now “loss of respect” or “gain of respect” for Derek Webb. So I’m curious. What’s the crowd here’s consensus? He cusses in a song. Yep. The big ol’ ‘SH’ word. I’ve seen things written from parents saying they won’t let their kids listen to it because he’s supposed to be a ‘Christian’ and there’s nothing Christian about cussing. I’m curious though. How many of those parents allowed their kids to see any of the latest ‘big movies’ this summer? Any cussing in those movies? Any sexual references? Any “explicit” content? I’m guessing there was. And I’m not saying that just because you let your kids see Transformers, you should let them say whatever they want, but I’m curious about the folks that are so quick to throw Derek under the bus because he says one word that might offend you. We’re you not offended in those movies? Or is it because he’s a Christian and only sinners talk that way?
Here’s what I don’t want to come out of this post. I don’t want to start a fight between the ‘Webb-heads’ and the ‘Christian-Christians’. I know there are plenty of folks out there who live and breathe anything Derek says and I think that’s fine, but let’s do our best to keep it civil. So what do we think? Who’s heard the record, and what are your thoughts on it musically, lyrically and (since the conversation will go this way anyway) what do you think of the ‘cuss word that shook CCM’?
Always Thinking
friends-
i haven’t sent many personal emails to this email list but we’re in a situation that has gotten a little out of control and it’s time to fill you in. as some of you may know, i’ve been working for months on my new record, ‘stockholm syndrome’, which i’ve recently finished and turned in to the record label. they’ve been very supportive over the years, but this time we didn’t get the response we expected. it seems i’ve finally found the line beyond which my label can support me, and apparently i’ve crossed it.i consider this my most important record and am adamant about all of you hearing it. we had originally hoped to have ‘stockholm syndrome’ out this month (next week even), but at this point we’re not sure when the record will come out and in what form. the majority of the controversy is surrounding one song, which i consider to be among the most important songs on the record. so we’ve decided it’s an appropriate time to break the rules.
but because of various legal/publishing issues we’re having to be rather careful with how we do what we’re going to do next. that’s really all i can say for now and i’ve probably said too much.
we have a plan and we’re moving ahead, but we’re not sure what kind of trouble we might be getting into. we’ll let you know as soon as we know our next move-
derek
Like I’m sure many of you did, I woke up to this email this morning explaining the delay on the new Derek Webb record. I’ve seen several blog posts about it, heard conversations about it, and have even done some very limited research on it myself. Now, in that very limited research, I’ve come to find out that the ‘controversy’ may or may not have something to do with a specific word not found in any church hymnals and if uttered by a child would result in a good soapy mouth washing out. Fair enough. But I think there’s more to it.
I’ve had some time to hang out with Derek and one thing that I know for sure is that he is a brilliant guy. He’s always thinking, he’s always planning and he’s always ‘outside the box’. Interesting that there are so many conversations, articles and blog posts (including this one) about a controversial record that isn’t even out yet, don’t you think? Controversial or not, we are all talking about “Stockholm Syndrome’ already. And you better believe Derek knows that.
As someone who loves to create a buzz about something, and loves the idea of viral marketing, Derek is one of the best I have seen and I respect that. I think he’s a great guy, with great ideas, and I’m not so sure this isn’t one of those great ideas. I could be wrong, but I’m guessing I’m not.
What are your thoughts?
Two Things
- My friend Phil has a special announcement over at his blog if you haven’t seen it yet. There’s a lot more coming from him this week, but everything in due time.
- My friend Derek is launching an amazing new site today where artists can give away music and anyone with a website / blog / myspace ect, can also be a part of giving away great music. It’s called NoiseTrade and will be launched some time today.
I think there might have been more announcements, but I forgot them in the forty minutes it has taken me to calm down the kids enough so I could think enough to type this. So make sure you run over to Phil’s blog and check out his announcement and then check in on NoiseTrade and get some free music.
Coffee On The East Side
I spent the afternoon at a coffee shop in East Nashville talking to Derek Webb about a million different things. Mostly consisting of the future of the music industry, the need for an online presence, blogging, things that are free, and things that are stolen. Not in that order. Derek and I had met several times before, but never had the chance to sit and actually communicate about things that are obviously important to us.
Almost eight years ago now, Kristin and I were married and for our first dance as a married couple we danced to one of Derek’s songs called “Somewhere North”. I have been a massive fan of his music for as long as I can remember paying attention to music so it was great to be able to hang out as peers and discuss things together. And at least I don’t remember saying anything stupid. I think I might have cussed a few times, but it was on accident.
I feel like a lot of the things that I believe about the music industry and what Derek believes are very similar. It’s not like we are the only two people thinking this stuff but it’s fun to hash out ideas with someone and know that they aren’t going to take those ideas and stab you in the back with them later. I like talking to people like that and there aren’t many. I also like being a person that can hear ideas and know that I would never use those ideas to do any stabbing myself.
Anyway. It’s still up in the air whether Derek will hop on the blog-wagon, but if (and when) he does, you can bet to hear about it.
Hope everyone had a great Sunday.
Tonight
Tonight Kristin ”&” I are headed to downtown Nashville to watch Derek “&” Sandra play some music. See how clever that was there? I used the “&” symbol like they did for their album. They were clever first, but it’s fun that I got to join in the cleverness this morning.
Anyway. So, Sandra ”&” Derek are playing tonight for the first time together promoting this record.** What I am excited about is going to a show to watch, going there with my amazing wife, “&” relaxing for a couple hours. Not to mention, I am excited to hear Derek’s new stuff, “&” excited for Kristin to see Sandra.
What’s your plans for tonight?
**Don’t quote me on that. I may have made it up.
Concert Night A GMA
Yesterday I think I saw more performances than any one person should be allow in one day. The day started meeting up with Phil and hanging out with him and his brother. After a while Phil needed to sound check so I left and wandered around until I found myself at the venue where Jars, Third Day and Switchfoot were going to play later in the night. I said hi, sat there a while watching my phone battery die and then left.
INO Records was hosting (I don’t know if that is what it’s called but it sounds good) a showcase with a handful of their artists, including Phil so I went that way to catch that. I think these little showcase things are fun simply because the artists played two or three songs each and then there was another one. Addison Road, Phil, Sara Groves, Caedmon’s Call, Derek Webb, and The Afters. It was awesome to see some of those folks play and hang out a bit.
After that ended Wes and I walked a few blocks over just in time to catch the beginning of Swithfoot’s set. Now I have see a lot of shows in my day, and I have even seen Switchfoot a few times, but last night they put on, what could quite possibly be, the best live rock show I have ever seen. They blew me away. They have come a long way from Chem 6A that’s for sure. Unbelievable entertainers and if you haven’t seen them, now is the time. They are about to head out on tour with Jars, and Third Day and the show is pretty amazing.
It had also been a while since I had seen Third Day so it was cool to see them play some new stuff. And by the way, Mr. Mark Lee, brought his “A-Game” last night. A genuine rock and roller that guy is. There were even some new things he was doing on old songs that blew me away. They put on a great show as always.
About half-way through Third Days set I walked back out to the back of the room and saw a group of the cool-kid bloggers. Randy and his wife were there, along with Anne and her husband, Chris and Heather but no Carlos. They had all come over from the Compassion Dinner and stopped in to see the show. I felt like the geek in high school that was waved over to the nice popular kids table. Come on, we all know the feeling. It was cool to hang out with them for a bit and talk loudly about blogs. All very, very cool folks. When that ended it was about time to head home, but I ended up talking to Anne and Chris in street about blogs, and “the industry”, and books and critics. We talked way past our bed times and then I headed home, but it was cool to get to know them a little better.
All in all, a good day. Today I’m not sure what the plan is yet, but I’ve got some diapers to change, I do know that.
