A Conversation with the Sky - by Abandon Kansas

Hooky indie pop/rock.

AK is from Wichita, Kansas (surprised!?  lol).  They started off in their high school years & played random shows here & there until their 2006 tour, which, as stated in an interview, was "the least successful outing ever, and [they] had an absolute blast". They released a self-titled EP in 2005 followed by "Exactly What We Needed EP" in 2006.  2 EP's & an LP later, they were signed to Gotee Records in spring 2009 & they released the EP "We're All Going Somewhere" Sept. 8th, 2009.  Their latest, "Ad Astra per Aspera" (an LP), was released today, March 8th.  The album name translates from Latin to English "to the stars through difficulties".  This song is from that album.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXTwQZ98MQM

Live the Life - by Michael W. Smith

So true.

M. W. Smith was born Oct. 7th, 1957 in Kenova, West Virginia.  His career started with him playing keyboard for Higher Ground (1979-81); in that time, he signed a songwriting contract with Paragon/Benson Publishing Company.  In 1982, he was asked & played in Amy Grant's backing band while he continued to write. Her managers started Reunion Records shortly after to sign him and Kathy Troccoli (neither of whom would be signed by other labels…).  His first record came in 1983, &, as the saying goes: 'the rest is history'.    Almost 2 dozen albums released, 3 Grammy Awards, 13 Grammy nominations, 36 Dove Awards, 16 Gold albums (including Christmas & a live albums) & over 30 #1 songs.  Also, in 2010, he co-wrote "Come Together Now" - another big benefit song for Haiti.  This song is from his 1998 album of the same title.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2ySTgD2OLw

& here's the music video (if you can bare it - it's very 90's… lol) :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLSPAEgP0Ps

Change the World - by This Beautiful Republic

This [beautiful] song crossed my mind as I've been hearing more & more on the news about the wars & protests, esp. in Libya, Egypt, Yemen, & the genocides still happening today...

TBR is from Toledo, OH & they formed in 2004.  They were signed to ForeFront Records in 2006 and released "Casting Off" - a debuting EP released Jan. 9th, 2007.  Later that same year, they released their LP "Even Heroes Need a Parachute" on April 3rd.  Their singles "Black Box" & "Going Under" got some attention and charted in ChristianRock.Net's top 5.  Their next LP was "Perceptions" - released Aug. 19th, 2008.  They've toured with the likes of NEEDTOBREATHE, Ever Stays Red, Falling Up, Family Force 5, Jars of Clay, TFK, other well-known acts; and have also appeared at some festivals including Ichthus, Creation Festival, and even some international festivals.  However, in late 2009, they announced that their lead singer was parting ways (& this left only Kunkle [guitar], Paxton [bass], & Toews [drums]).  Sadly, it seems that they may have broken up - there hasn't been much in the way of news aside from them selling their van & trailer, and some pieces of equipment.  This song is from "Perceptions".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4XxoDgySSM

You can also download their single "Surrender Saved My Life" from their PureVolume site..:

http://www.purevolume.com/thisbeautifulrepublic

Light of Your Face - as performed by Ian McIntosh

Tim's song of the day: Light of Your Face - as performed by Ian McIntosh (ft. Melissa How).

Ian McIntosh is a 23 year old from Redding, CA.  He has released 2 albums; the first being "Awakened", released July 27th, 2007; & the latest called "Alive", which was released May 14th, 2009.  He is also a keyboardist for Jesus Culture.  This song comes from "Alive".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVmC3BxDWQI

The song was originally done (as far as I can tell, anyway) by Misty Edwards:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsZCtzKNBEE

P.S. You can download "Alive" completely free (& legally, of course) from Come&Live! (just so you know…).

http://www.comeandlive.com/CLD/IanMcintosh/index.html

Feel It In Your Heart - by Abandon

Just found out today that they released this almost a month ago.  Wish I had'a known.  I'm in love! (with the song, that is…)

Abandon is from San Antonio, TX.  They started their music careers earlier, but didn't release anything until their first LP ("Ambush") in 2005; an EP (Who Are You") followed the next year, and they were signed  onto to Forefront in late 2007.  In the following year, they released their attention-grabber "Abandon I EP" on July 22nd, 2008; then "Abandon II EP" on April 21st, 2009.  Their "Searchlights" LP was released Aug. 25th, later that year; their next LP is coming up April 19th of this year & is titled "Control".  This song is from that upcoming LP.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iq_BqKMZBjo

& here's an acoustic one for BREATHEcast.com:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BsPSeKe9P4

& a video about the song (also done for BREATHEcast.com)..:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWtqLKca6nA

Spotlight - by Mutemath

I haven't listened to them enough lately.  That changes tonight!  :P

Mutemath is from New Orleans, LA.  They started in 2003, and have taken off to the stars from there.  Consisting of Paul Meany (vocals, keys), Darren King (drums, sampling), Greg Hill (guitar), and Roy Mitchell-Cardenas (bass, percussion).  Meany, King, and Cardenas all were previously from Earthsuit, but after they broke up, they started the new project with Hill, & they released their "Reset EP" Sept. 28th, 2004.  Next came their self-titled debut album featuring the hit "Typical" (yes, the one with them playing the whole song backwards in the music video); & then their 2nd LP "Armistice" (& they've had a live DVD, an EP between & then another live DVD after that...).  They've had songs placed in/with the movies Twilight ("Spotlight was the one that was featured…), Transformers, Never Back Down, The Rocker, and more; and have appeared on the Tonight Show w/ Leno, Late Show w/ David Letterman, Late Night w/ Conan O'Brien, and more late show hosts.  They are currently working on their third album.  This song is from their album "Armistice", released Aug. 18th, 2009.

[Awesome] Music video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ry6GAwDCI2I

Live from their Armistice tour in Japan:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxWrXmUR1HM&feature=BF&list=PL310066C2D5FC6482&index=6

Live for the KINK.FM radio station:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XisD_Byo7Jk

Someone who did a drum cover/lift pretty much spot on:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKSW9RP06ZQ

& the Son Lux Remix (from their "Spotlight EP"):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTYoyZ9tWEo

Enjoy

(at least watch the first two videos, is all I ask…  :P)

Saving Grace - by Éowyn

& yes, her father named her after the Lord of the Rings character.

Éowyn has her base of operations in Nashville, TN.  She has released 3 LP's with one coming up in May of this year (called "Beautiful Ashes" - releases May 3rd, 2011)(but as a side note, her MySpace page calls "Silent Screams" her 4th album, but most other sites only acknowledge 2 before that one…).  Nashville's Embassy Music awarded her as the grand prize winning songwriter for "Break Free", which was from her 2003 album "Shattered Illusions".  She's toured with many big names including Krystal Meyers, Petra, Pillar (for that matter, some of the members of Pillar appear on her albums), & more.  This song is from "Silent Screams", released March 4th, 2008.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHmJLmHxY9g