Wednesday Creatives: Uncommon Collective

I'm so excited to be bragging about some friends this week!

Monday was the launch for Uncommon Collective, a community of artists.

I'm so excited to follow the advenutres of this group as they sift out the gold among the common.

Their vision really relates to the boat-load of some of the creative frustration I've felt lately.

Can't wait to see what they pursue.

Check them out on their website

Twitter: @UncommonInfo

Insta: @uncommoncollective

Featured Artist:

Gungor

[Ghosts Upon the Earth]

I've been in love with this album for a while now; but the more I listen to it, the more I appreciate its intricacies--poetical, musical, and otherwise.

From Let there be Light on-wards, it is such a treat. I think artists are always attempting to create holistic and cohesive albums--ones where you can't just listen to one song or put it all on shuffle because the flow is too precious to divide up. This goal is becoming increasingly harder in the age of iTunes, but Gungor really achieved it on this album.

A few lyrical delights:

"All praises to the One who made it all

who made it all

All praises to the One who made it all

and finds it beautiful

...Fearfully and wonderfully and beautifully made"

- Crags and Clay

"Where it comes flowers grow

Lions sleep, gravestones roll

Where death dies all things come alive..."

- When Death Dies

"When you first regarded me

Your eyes filled me with grace

Thereby again my eyes

Merited to adore you

Vous etes mon coure

You are my heart."

- Vous Etes Mon Coure

[yes, the chorus is in French,

yes, its a duet

and yes, its Michael and Lisa Gungor]

*   *   *   *   *

You should really look into this album (also available on grooveshark) and you can read more about the inspiration and musical achievements on Gungor's Blog.

Announcing "Featured Artists" - Josh Garrels

I've been meaning to do this for a while. As in, over a year now.

I often share these thoughts anyway, but I've decided to add a "Featured Artist" segment to this blog. I often find myself with new obsessions with books or musicians or actors or photographers and I wanted a forum to share what I appreciate about them. These won't be once a week or once a month... just whenever I find a good one. And please feel free to tell me what you think about the featured artist or other artists that you like.

The debut Feature Artist is: Josh Garrels

He just released this new album and all 18 beautiful songs are available here for free =)

My personal favorite is "Ulysses," a gorgeous ballad based, obviously, on The Odyssey.

Lyrics:

I’m holding on to the hope that one day this could be made right.

I’ve been shipwrecked, and left for dead, and I have seen the darkest sights.

Everyone I’ve loved seems like a stranger in the night

But Oh my heart still burns, tells me to return, and search the fading light.

I’m sailing home to you I wont be long

By the light of moon I will press on

Until, I find, my love

Trouble has beset my ways, and wicked winds have blown

Sirens call my name, they say they’ll ease my pain, then break me on the stones

But true love is the burden that will carry me back home

Carry me with the memories of the beauty I have known

I’m sailing home to you I wont be long

By the light of moon I will press on

So tie me to the mast of this old ship and point me home

Before I lose the one I love, before my chance is gone

I want to hold her in my arms

Check out his music and his fan page. Tell me what you think =)