Friday, April 8, 2016
A-Z: G
Lyssa's Log: Grrrr! I can't think of anything for G! Wait! Grrrr starts with G, that's what I'll do! I'll talk about the things that make me say Grrrr! Traffic: Grrrr! Murder: Grrrr! Bad music: GRRRRRRRR! Wait! Who else says Grrrr when it comes to bad music? I think that's a given, I mean seriously, who listens to a song, determines that its a bad song and then says "Oh I'm so glad that this song sucks!"? No one! Alright, moving on...I got nothin'. But I'm sure y'all have a lot to say about what angers you! Bad music, jerky people, beef jerky in general. Actually, I'm not sure why beef jerky would make you upset but hey, whatever floats your Grrrr boat. So, if you have a unique pet peeve, go ahead and tell me. But, it has to be a unique one. I'll give you one of mine. Wait for it.....spoons. I mean, what are spoons?! Is it a bowl with an unusually weird handle? Or, is it a stick with a weird, bowl-like handle? Does anyone else feel like spoons are infuriating? Anyway, leave a comment telling me what makes you say Grrrr! Peace Out!
Thursday, April 7, 2016
A-Z: F
Lyssa's Log F, Flyleaf! Flyleaf is a band, a cool band.
"Music comes to life when it must. It lies dormant and then blossoms in its creator at just the right moment. For Flyleaf, that was definitely the case when they began making their fourth full-length album and first for Loud & Proud Records, Between The Stars.
You could chalk it up to serendipity, but it simply feels meant to be. Seizing that spirit, the band— Kristen May [vocals], Sameer Bhattacharya [guitar], Jared Hartmann [guitar], Pat Seals [bass], and James Culpepper [drums]—immediately thrust themselves into the creative process.
"When we started writing this record, we had a common hardship," admits Kristen. "Their singer had quit, and my previous band had broken up. As writers, we weren't really sure how to move forward. At the same time, we all had this shared feeling of hope and a second chance. Music came out of those experiences from coming together and persevering through whatever doubts and trials we faced in our lives. It felt like home once we began making music."
Sameer concurs, "It just worked. We were bringing in different perspectives and ideas from earlier times. It was a new beginning for all of us."
That new beginning also entailed another first for the group. They sought out the production talents of the iconic Don Gilmore [Linkin Park, Three Days Grace, Avril Lavigne], holing up in a Los Angeles studio with him for a month during the spring of 2014. With Gilmore behind the board, they captured a certain "magic" that proved both passionate and palpable.
"Don's always looking for the magic," smiles Sameer. "It wasn't about making things precise or perfect. For the first time, we went into the studio and let things happen. It was about the energy and the spontaneity of a song more than anything. It was a very refreshing approach."
"It's the most emotional album I've ever been a part of," she declares. "There are some really heavy things and lyrics that weren't easy to say. Everybody tried to be as raw as possible when we were writing and recording. That all came out in the songs."
At the same time, the lyrics and Kristen's delivery matched the heavy, hypnotic soundscapes that the band conjured up in the studio. Everything solidified into a clear and cohesive vision.
For proof, look no further than the first single "Set Me On Fire." A brooding bass line builds along with an entrancing verse before igniting an undeniably incendiary chorus. For the lyrics, the band found inspiration within a rather unconventional place. "Pat, Kristen, and I had just finished reading Veronica Roth's Divergent," recalls Sameer. "Something in the story resonated with us. It's that moment of finding yourself. C.S. Lewis said something really powerful. He wrote, 'The two most important days of your life are the day you're born and the day you find out why.' 'Set Me On Fire' represents that realization."
Kristen continues, "At first, I was really inspired by Divergent. This girl is out of her element, but she feels the most alive when she faces her fear. As we started writing the lyrics, it became a narrative of our lives. You've got to dive into the unknown, and you can do it when you've got someone with you who makes you feel like life is worth living."
On the flip side, "Traitor" might just be the group's heaviest salvo to date. Combining a delicately destructive riff and a punch-y refrain, it immediately hits. "It's about knowing which people in your life aren't good for you," sighs the songstress.
Then, there's "Thread," which weaves together a spiraling melody and an uplifting message. "It's another journey," Sameer says. "It's got a great message that sometimes you can't only rely on yourself."
"You feel lost and like you're hanging by a thread," continues Kristen. "In those moments of fear, anxiety, and depression, you've got to reach for something bigger than yourself. We all collaborated on that, and it just fit."
Throughout this entire process, Flyleaf engaged its devout and diehard fan base. Launching an extensive PledgeMusic campaign, the quintet was able to crowd-fund some incredible opportunities for listeners. Fans got the chance to hang in the studio while the band worked on Between The Stars and had the opportunity to hear the music first at an exclusive listening party. That immersion will continue as they head out on the road in support of the record over the course of the next year.
Those fans have been with Flyleaf for the entire ride, beginning over a decade ago. Along the way, their self-titled debut went platinum and yielded the hit "All Around Me," which also moved over one million digital downloads. The record spent 133 weeks in the Billboard Top 200, climbing to the Top 15 of the Rock Albums and Alternative Albums charts as well. Its follow-up, Memento Mori, saw the group crack the Top 10 of the Billboard Top 200. They've touched down for shows everywhere from Afghanistan, where they played for the troops, to sold out gigs around the U.S. alongside everybody from Rage Against The Machine to Deftones to Cage The Elephant.
Ultimately, that audience remains closer to the musicians' hearts than ever before. "We've always felt like everybody else's stories are just as important as ours are," Sameer leaves off. "We're in this together with each person who has supported us. This album is a reminder that we're alive. Embrace life now. That's a recurring theme since our inception. We want people to know they're alive, they're loved, and there's hope. That's what we want to share."
Kristen concludes, "I hope it's an album people can listen to for years to come. We put our hearts and souls into it, and I want them to hear that." -Flyleaf. They are a very unique band, my favorite song is All Around Me, here's the link Flyleaf - All Around Me (lyrics) - YouTube Peace Out!
"Music comes to life when it must. It lies dormant and then blossoms in its creator at just the right moment. For Flyleaf, that was definitely the case when they began making their fourth full-length album and first for Loud & Proud Records, Between The Stars.
You could chalk it up to serendipity, but it simply feels meant to be. Seizing that spirit, the band— Kristen May [vocals], Sameer Bhattacharya [guitar], Jared Hartmann [guitar], Pat Seals [bass], and James Culpepper [drums]—immediately thrust themselves into the creative process.
"When we started writing this record, we had a common hardship," admits Kristen. "Their singer had quit, and my previous band had broken up. As writers, we weren't really sure how to move forward. At the same time, we all had this shared feeling of hope and a second chance. Music came out of those experiences from coming together and persevering through whatever doubts and trials we faced in our lives. It felt like home once we began making music."
Sameer concurs, "It just worked. We were bringing in different perspectives and ideas from earlier times. It was a new beginning for all of us."
That new beginning also entailed another first for the group. They sought out the production talents of the iconic Don Gilmore [Linkin Park, Three Days Grace, Avril Lavigne], holing up in a Los Angeles studio with him for a month during the spring of 2014. With Gilmore behind the board, they captured a certain "magic" that proved both passionate and palpable.
"Don's always looking for the magic," smiles Sameer. "It wasn't about making things precise or perfect. For the first time, we went into the studio and let things happen. It was about the energy and the spontaneity of a song more than anything. It was a very refreshing approach."
"It's the most emotional album I've ever been a part of," she declares. "There are some really heavy things and lyrics that weren't easy to say. Everybody tried to be as raw as possible when we were writing and recording. That all came out in the songs."
At the same time, the lyrics and Kristen's delivery matched the heavy, hypnotic soundscapes that the band conjured up in the studio. Everything solidified into a clear and cohesive vision.
For proof, look no further than the first single "Set Me On Fire." A brooding bass line builds along with an entrancing verse before igniting an undeniably incendiary chorus. For the lyrics, the band found inspiration within a rather unconventional place. "Pat, Kristen, and I had just finished reading Veronica Roth's Divergent," recalls Sameer. "Something in the story resonated with us. It's that moment of finding yourself. C.S. Lewis said something really powerful. He wrote, 'The two most important days of your life are the day you're born and the day you find out why.' 'Set Me On Fire' represents that realization."
Kristen continues, "At first, I was really inspired by Divergent. This girl is out of her element, but she feels the most alive when she faces her fear. As we started writing the lyrics, it became a narrative of our lives. You've got to dive into the unknown, and you can do it when you've got someone with you who makes you feel like life is worth living."
On the flip side, "Traitor" might just be the group's heaviest salvo to date. Combining a delicately destructive riff and a punch-y refrain, it immediately hits. "It's about knowing which people in your life aren't good for you," sighs the songstress.
Then, there's "Thread," which weaves together a spiraling melody and an uplifting message. "It's another journey," Sameer says. "It's got a great message that sometimes you can't only rely on yourself."
"You feel lost and like you're hanging by a thread," continues Kristen. "In those moments of fear, anxiety, and depression, you've got to reach for something bigger than yourself. We all collaborated on that, and it just fit."
Throughout this entire process, Flyleaf engaged its devout and diehard fan base. Launching an extensive PledgeMusic campaign, the quintet was able to crowd-fund some incredible opportunities for listeners. Fans got the chance to hang in the studio while the band worked on Between The Stars and had the opportunity to hear the music first at an exclusive listening party. That immersion will continue as they head out on the road in support of the record over the course of the next year.
Those fans have been with Flyleaf for the entire ride, beginning over a decade ago. Along the way, their self-titled debut went platinum and yielded the hit "All Around Me," which also moved over one million digital downloads. The record spent 133 weeks in the Billboard Top 200, climbing to the Top 15 of the Rock Albums and Alternative Albums charts as well. Its follow-up, Memento Mori, saw the group crack the Top 10 of the Billboard Top 200. They've touched down for shows everywhere from Afghanistan, where they played for the troops, to sold out gigs around the U.S. alongside everybody from Rage Against The Machine to Deftones to Cage The Elephant.
Ultimately, that audience remains closer to the musicians' hearts than ever before. "We've always felt like everybody else's stories are just as important as ours are," Sameer leaves off. "We're in this together with each person who has supported us. This album is a reminder that we're alive. Embrace life now. That's a recurring theme since our inception. We want people to know they're alive, they're loved, and there's hope. That's what we want to share."
Kristen concludes, "I hope it's an album people can listen to for years to come. We put our hearts and souls into it, and I want them to hear that." -Flyleaf. They are a very unique band, my favorite song is All Around Me, here's the link Flyleaf - All Around Me (lyrics) - YouTube Peace Out!
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
A-Z: E
Lyssa's Log: Time for E! Enemies! We all have enemies, some more than others, the thing is controlling your anger that burns for them. 1 John 19 "I will love everyone, for HE first loved me". We need to control our anger, it need not burn for revenge, rather cool for love. I do not have any enemies because I have learned to forgive them. We've all said this at least once. But, how many times was it true? How many of us can say that we would lay down our lives for our "enemy"? God says love your enemies. Ever heard the saying "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer"? Its because we're suppose to forgive them, and love them, pray for them and the people they've hurt. Our enemies are not our enemies, but simply friends who have been confused. So, there's no need to curse them or condemn them. And think about it, that really isn't our place to be or job to do anyway is it? No, its His, and we need to let Him do it instead of getting in the way. Remember, love your enemies, don't try to take over what He's already doing. Peace Out!
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
A-Z: D
Lyssa's Log: Djs! I love being a Dj, I have an app on my tablet that allows me to be a Dj. Dj really means disc jockey because the mixer would flip the records and discs and spin around and just wouldn't stop moving and playing while mixing the music. I love the music, but there's something more...the clothes! The style, the colors, its so me! I like to refer to myself as a crazy, colorful, weird, awkward dj. I highly recommend getting a dj app or listening to sick bass drops because they're awesome! My favorite dj has to be Trip Lee, he is awesome! I saw him perform live with KB and Tedashii, 2 rappers on the Winter Jam 2016 tour in Tulsa. Trip Lee is an incredibly talented Dj. In my opinion, the best dj, but, y'all have to go listen to him and find out for yourselves. Here's the link to Robot by Trip Lee. Trip Lee - Robot w/LYRICS - YouTube Tell me what you think! Peace Out!Monday, April 4, 2016
A-Z: C
Lyssa's Log: Wow, C already? Well, alright. Let's see, Oh! I got it! Carnations! So, I've got some pretty unique fears, like high-pitched noises and flowers. Daisies to be exact, so carnations are the only flower that doesn't scare me. Carnations have this look, I see this look as if it was saying "I'm priceless, I may not be pretty, but I still bloom for the creator". These flowers make me feel special, I hope to have these planted everywhere someday, I hope to have them at my wedding as well. I like the colors of carnations too, violet, blue, red, yellow and black. Black cynthia carnations are my favorite, they're white with black stripes and trim around the top of the petals. These make me think of purity and innocence (white), but also sin and destruction (black). As you can see in the picture below, there is a lot less black than there is white. In other words, We may have sin in our hearts and on our petals, but the Son of God's innocence and purity still shines through. Well, I bet y'all are busy so Peace Out!
Saturday, April 2, 2016
A-Z: B
Lyssa's Log: Today is the second day of the A-Z challenge so that means B. Backseat Driver! No, I'm not one, but there is a song by that name. Backseat Driver was written by TobyMac and performed with Hollyn and his son Truett (a.k.a. TRU). This is a really nice song simply stating that we won't try to take over God's job of leading us through life and really saying that we are lost without him and that we will follow him and let him take over. TobyMac is a really fun artist and he's paired up with some incredible artists like Hollyn, TRU, NF, Britt Nicole, Jamie Grace and Capital Kings. SO when TobyMac came out with this song it was a surprising new twist. He does another song with Hollyn titled Lights Shine Bright. Hollyn and Toby are a good music pairing in my opinion. They have similar music taste and it just fits when you put them together. I will have links to some Hollyn songs, and of course Backseat Driver. Please listen to these songs and let me know what you think, don't forget to also let Toby know what you think! Here are the links:TobyMac - Backseat Driver (Lyric Video) ft. Hollyn, Tru - YouTube Hollyn - Alone (Feat. TRU) [Official Lyric Video] - YouTube Peace Out!
Friday, April 1, 2016
A-Z: A
Lyssa's Log: Today's the first day of A-Z and for A I'll be doing Autumn! Autumn is a really beautiful season, all the colors and leaves. Autumn is a very pretty name too, I have a cousin named Autumn. Autumn isn't just a name or a season, but more of a feeling. When you're outdoors you breathe the fresh air and watch the leaves fall. You can hear the birds chirping and the wind blowing. Autumn is a really fun time for me because my church group gets together and we all go camping for about 10 days. We have fun singing and dancing and sharing stories around the fire pits like you would expect. Autumn is a miraculous time and just probably my favorite season. Another season to love is spring, or it would be if I wasn't extremely afraid of flowers. I really enjoy autumn and jut about all the seasons, but I think autumn has that little bit of magic that we all enjoy so much. It just makes it so much more enjoyable! Peace out!
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