My friend Trevor Davis was recently on the television series The Voice. He made it to the “Battle Rounds” (something I did not know even existed until someone I knew was on the show. I have never seen an episode of this show or American Idol. until now. But I digress. And, for you doubters, no, he’s not like my best friend or anything (notice the appearance of like and read that sentence with that voice in mind). But he has played a concert in my living room and babysat my kids. And I don’t let just anyone watch my children.

Here’s Trevor’s thoughts on the experience:

 

• Visit Trevor’s official website.

Lift To Experience:

 

Once upon a time, my good friend Eldon and I did a semi-regular podcast called The Habañero Hour. We explored and challenged the idea of “Christian” music by not only exposing you to lots of good music but talking to the people who make that good music. We regularly featured interview segments from artists who openly explore issues of faith without necessarily being part of “Christian” music per se. We also talked to non-Christians who have heaping helpings of faith in their music (Glen Phillips of Toad The Wet Sprocket, for example). Just to be clear: we make no assumptions about the faith of the people we played, other than that we were struck by something in the lyrics.  Our tagline was: “We might not change the world, but we will change the way you think about Christian music.” We also liked to say that we had the hottest music on the planet.

And then we stopped doing the podcast. We really enjoyed doing it, but it just seemed like we had said everything we had to say. So now we host many of those same artists in house shows as The Habañero Collective. If you’re in the Phoenix area, please keep updated on our upcoming events and help spread the word.

If you can’t make it to our awesome house shows, it’s OK because I’ve decided to compile all of the podcast episodes here for your listening pleasure. I have tried to include any release-date information where it is known.

Episode One:

Episode One was originally posted in February 2008 and featured interview segments with Burlap To Cashmere‘s Steven Delopoulos. This was shortly after the relase of his wonderful solo album Straightjacket.

 

 

The Habañero Hour Episode O1 Setlist:

01. “Distress Signal” by Jeremy Casella
02. “In the Garden” by Doug Burr
03. “Hang You Upside Down” by Model Engine
04. “Ruin of the Beast Introduction” by Steven Delopoulos
05. “Ruin of the Beast” by Steven Delopoulos
06. “Hoodwink” by Anathallo
07. “Our Friends Appear Like the Dawn” by Bodies of Water
08. “Swing Wide the Glimmering Gates” by Andrew Osenga
09. “Glorious” by Ever Stays Red
10. “I’m A Human Artist” by Steven Delopoulos
11. “Agendas” by Steven Delopoulos
12. “May I Always Keep My Feet Upon The Ground” by Steven Delopoulos
13. “Paul” by Pushstart Wagon
14. “Foot On The Brake” by Half-Handed Cloud
15. “The Parable of the Mustard Seed” by The Trees Community

• Download Episode 01
• Read Steven’s full interview

 

Episode Two:

Featuring an exclusive interview with Glen Phillips (of Toad The Wet Sprocket), music from Seabird, Five O’Clock People and more. Welcome to episode 02!

 

 

The Habañero Hour Episode O2 Setlist:

01. “Swing Down, Sweet Chariot” by Jon Shirley
02. “The Surface” by This Beautiful Republic
03. “The Robots Among Us” by Synthar
04. “Forgiving Monarch” by Foxhole
05. “Bury the Hatchet” by Joe Garner
06. “Tomorrow On the Runway” by The Innocence Mission
07. “Thank You” by Glen Phillips
08. “Silence and Photographs” by Ely Falls
09. “Bhajo Re” by Aradhna
10.” I’m Free” by Psalters
11. “Blame” by Five O’Clock People
12. “Not Alone” by Seabird

• Download Episode o2

 

Episode Three:

Episode 03 features interview segments from an October 2007 interview with Bill Mallonee of the Vigilantes of Love. Bill reflects on why he believes Roman Catholic artists have had an easier time expressing themselves in art and what he believes the “secret code” of Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) to be. Episode 03 also features some great music. Check it out:

 

The Habañero Hour Episode 03 setlist:

1. “I’m No Longer Subject” by Destroy Nate Allen
2. “Awake in Me Oh Morning Sun” by The Cold Comfort Band
3. “Uniforms Forever” by Interstates
4. “Black Sea” by The Contact
5. “Resplendent” by The Vigilantes of Love
6. “Drink The Night Away” by Romantica
7. “Forgive and Forget” by Wavorly
8. The Deepest Blue by Geology
9. “You Give It All Your Heart” by Bill Mallonee
10. “Blue” by The Julies
11. “Don’t I Know the Way” by The Foxglove Hunt
12. “The Things We Can and Cannot Keep” by Alli Rogers
13. “Want to Die Easy When I Die” by Leon Pinson

• Download Episode o3
• Read Bill’s full interview

 

Episode Four:

Featured artist: Jaime Barnes. Music from Capital Lights, Knights of the New Crusade, Justin McRoberts and more.

 

 

 

The Habañero Hour Episode 04 setlist:

1. “The Son of God Goes Forth To War” by the Knights Of The New Crusade
2. “Those Expensive Eyes” by Kat Jones
3. “Back By Midnight” by Ponoka
4. “1914″ by Rotterdam November
5. “Conflict Diamond” by Jamie Barnes
6. “The Light Princess” by Gileah and the Ghost Train
7. “Mile Away” by Capital Lights
8. “Shine On Me” by Telescope
9. “Natu” by Stammering Lipz
10. “You Can’t Go Wrong” by Jamie Barnes
11. “A Hope Deferred” by Justin McRoberts
12. “Innocence” by Atlas Takes Aim
13. “Changed Man” by Brian Whitman
14. “All Across The Nation” by the All Saved Freak Band

• Download Episode o4
• Read Jamie’s full interview

 

Episode Five:

Originally posted on April 10, 2009. Featured artist: David Eugene Edwards of 16 Horsepower and Wovenhand. Music from Soul-Junk, Sarah MacIntosh, Joe Pug, Blind Willie Johnson and more and more.

 

 

The Habañero Hour Episode 05 setlist:

1. “Can Hop” by Soul-Junk
2. “Did You Know” by Sarah MacIntosh
3. “The Beautiful Axe” by Woven Hand
4. “Golden Rope” by 16 Horsepower
5. “Mr. Turner “by Ruth
6. “Marvelous Light” by The Wellington Orphans of Sierra Leone
7. “Hymn #101″ by Joe Pug
8. “Rest “by Nevertheless
9. “Come Thou Fount” by Page CXVI
10. “Planet Round” by The Red Airplanes
11. “To Make A Ring” by Woven Hand
12. “Dark Was The Night, Cold Was The Ground” by Blind Willie Johnson

• Download Episode o5
• Read David’s full interview

 

Episode Six:

Originally posted on August 21, 2009. Featured artist: The Agents of Future. Also featuring Otha Turner, The Race, Bradley Hathaway and more and more. Welcome to Episode 06!

 

 

The Habañero Hour Episode 06 setlist:

1. “Let Us Make A Record” by Sister Gertrude Morgan
2. “Sewn In My Skin” by Agents of Future
3. “Streetlight” by danyew
4. “Curiosities and Such” by Joy Electric
5. “Introducing . . . What’s Your Name?” by The Procussions
6. “Father 2 The Fatherless” by Agents of Future
7. “These Frail Hands” by Brave Saint Saturn
8. “Give Me Your Bible” by The Race
9. “Sandwich Time” by Jeremy Enigk
10. “Silence” by Bradley Hathaway
11. “Shining Star” by Papa San
12. “Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!” by Otha Turner
13. “There Is A Name” by Agents of Future

• Download Episode o6
• Read Todd and Angie’s full interview

 

Episode Seven:

February 12, 2010. Episode 07′s featured artist is Trevor Davis from San Diego and features music from John Mark McMillian, Thrice, Brooks Ritter and others. Enjoy.

 

 

The Habañero Hour Episode 07 setlist:

1. “Beautiful Morning” by Aaron Spiro
2. “Holiday” by Future of Forestry
3. “Symptoms of Trend” by Dr. Seahorse
4. “Warrior” by Sojourn
5. “Hallelujah, Our God Reigns” by Matt Papa
6. “Hills Humbled, Mountains Made Low” by So Long Forgotten
7. “Bones From The Ground” by Brooks Ritter
8. “Throw Myself” by Dreampilots
9. “Back to Sleep” by Trevor Davis
10. “Skeleton Bones” by John Mark McMillan
11. “All The World is Mad” by Thrice
12. “Mr. Mister” by Trevor Davis

• Download Episode o7
• Read Trevor’s full interview

 

Episode Eight:

March 05, 2010. Featured artist Waterdeep, music from Lightheaded, Aaron Ivey, Tyler James, The Autumn Film and more. Welcome to The Habañero Hour Episode 08.

 

 

The Habañero Hour Episode 08 setlist:

1. “Hard Times” by Bifrost Arts
2. “Savior, Don’t You Pass Me By” by Reverend Pearly Brown
3. “Blood” by The Middle East
4. “Sweet River Roll” by Waterdeep
5. “Wrong Way” by Lightheaded
6. “Pieces” by Aaron Ivey
7. “Behold” by Briertone
8. “Cast Your Bread” by Cool Hand Luke
9. “Don’t Let Me Fall” by The Relatives
10. “He Will Come” by Waterdeep
11. “Always The Same (Living Room Version)” by The Autumn Film
12. “The Honest Love” by Abel
13. “Stay Humble” by Tyler James
14. “Good Good End” by Waterdeep

• Download Episode o8
• Read Don’s full interview

 

Episode Nine:

April 08, 2010. Featured artist: Aradhna, music from The Welcome Wagon, The Civil Wars, John Davis and others. Welcome to Episode 09.

 

 

The Habañero Hour Episode 09 setlist:

1. “People Get Ready” by The Imperial Golden Crown Harmonizers
2. “Jaya Dev” by Aradhna
3. “Hush Child” by Kate Hurley
4. “Hallelujah” by Preson Phillips
5. “Repetitivus Primitivus” by Bram Cools
6. “Shine” by The Ember Days
7. “Gaao Re” by Aradhna
8. “But For You Who Fear My Name” by The Welcome Wagon
9. “Poison & Wine” by The Civil Wars
10. “Lamentation vs. Laughter” by John Davis
11. “Man Mera” by Aradhna

• Download Episode o9
• Read Peter’s full interview

 

Episode Ten:

May 07, 2010. With featured artist: Matt Haeck, music from Aaron Strumpel, The Word, Doug Burr, They Sang As They Slew and more. Welcome to the feast for the senses that is Episode 10!The Habañero Hour Episode 10 setlist:

 

 

The Habañero Hour Episode 10 setlist:

1. “Western States” by Matt Haeck
2. “Courez Courez” by Hermas Zopoula
3. “One Twenty One” by Aaron Strumpel
4. “Jesus Will Provide” by Isaiah Owens
5. “Sola Gratia” by This Beautiful Mess
6. “Drug Like The Ocean” by Matt Haeck
7. “Crying Holy Unto The Lord” by Bad Livers
8. “Red, Red” by Doug Burr
9. “I Can See With My Eyes Closed” by They Sang As They Slew
10. “Call Him By His Name” by The Word
11. “No Delay” by Ohmega Watts
12. “Captive Train” by Holler, Wild Rose!
13. “Entropy” by Anathallo

• Download Episode 10
• Read Matt’s full interview

 

Episode Eleven:

August 20, 2010. Featured artist(s): Ben +Vesper. Music from Mike Farris, Peppershaker, Pierce Pettis and more. Welcome to the feast for the senses that is Episode 11!

 

 

The Habañero Hour Episode 11 setlist:

1. “120z Double Shot” by Peppershaker
2. “Oh Mary Don’t You Weep” by Mike Farris
3. “New Nature” by Elephant Micah
4. “Many Moons” by Ben + Vesper
5. “State of Grace” by Pierce Petis
6. “He’s A Comin’” by Lightning Splits The Bark
7. “The Big Conversation” by Ben + Vesper
8. “Rock of Ages” by Vesper
9. “Traveler’s Psalm” by Andy Zipf
10. “Terre Haute” by Woven Hand
11. “The Great Physician” by Deas Vail
12. “Human” by Civil Twilight
13. “LivInIdleness” by Ben + Vesper
14. “Meet Me Down By The River” by Corey Crowder

• Download Episode 11
• Read Ben +Vesper’s full interview

 

Special Feature Episode:

Welcome to a special, feature episode of The Habañero Hour dedicated to introducing you to the music and story of The Trees Community. This episode originally appeared on September 10, 2010 and was the first of what we hoped to be many “feature” episodes dedicated to a single artist, style of music or subject matter. It was the first and the last.

Though largely unknown for years, the Trees Community might now be considered to have been pioneers of the “freak folk” movement. The original “Christ Tree” album was released in 1975 and has remained out-of-print almost since that time. Tim Renner’s Dark Hollow and Hand/Eye labels not only re-released the album but a box set of previously unreleased material.

The band lived together in a New York loft, organizing themselves as a monastic order and playing music. They considered themselves to be much more than a band, but a way of life.

From their website:

“The Trees” were a Christian, contemplative community and a music group. Based at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in New York City, our traveling life in the 1970’s was shared publicly, across America and Canada, through original music as well as through other forms of service to others

We had the privilege of interviewing three members of the Trees Community and we have woven segments of those interviews with songs to introduce you to this great band. We hope you enjoy meeting The Trees Community. We know we have:

The Trees Community Feature Episode Tracklist:

1. “Jesus He Knows”
2. “Oh Mary Don’t You Weep” by Mike Farris
3. “Village Orchestra”
4. “Psalm 45″
5. “Psalm 46″
6. “Hosannah”
7. “Glory Be To Jesus”
8. “Chant For Pentecost”
9. “I Will Not Leave You Comfortless”

• Download the Trees Community Special Feature Episode

 

Episode Twelve:

October 8th, 2010. Featured artist: Stephen Roach/Songs of Water. Music from J. Tillman, Buddy Miller, Patty Griffin, The Call and more. Experience the audio goodness that is Episode 12 of the Habañero Hour.

 

 

The Habañero Hour Episode 12 setlist:

1. “Something In The Water” by Brooke Fraser
2. “Ode To A Patient God” by The Arrows
3. “Love No Less Worthy” by J. Tillman
4. “Mufafa’s Kitchen” by Songs of Water
5. “Where They Sleep” by Jeremy Larson
6. “Rich Man” by Hark the Herons
7. “Burn Me Down” by House of Heroes
8. “Broken Mess” by The Classic Crime
9. “That’s All” by Sister Rosetta Tharpe
10. “Washaway” by The Israelites
11. “Through the Dead Wood” by Songs of Water
12. “Shelter Me” by Buddy Miller
13. “When It Doesn’t Come Easy” by Patty Griffin
14. “I Still Believe (Great Design)” by The Call

• Download Episode 12
• Read Stephen’s full interview

 

Episode Thirteen:

November 12, 2010. Featured artist: Joe Day. Music from Drew Grow & the Pastors’ Wives, Derek Webb, Nickel Creek and much, much more. Experience the audio goodness that is Episode 13 of the Habañero Hour. Prepare for exposure to awesomeness.

 

The Habañero Hour Episode 13 setlist:

1. “Take Me Away” by Josh Miles
2. “Passover” by Joe Day
3. “Bounce” by Joshua Stamper
4. “Voices” by Ben Snof
5. “Fix It Jesus” by Reverend Charlie Jackson
6. “Way Of The Sun” by Flatfoot 56
7. “The Balancing Act” by Cool Hand Luke
8. “Homicide” by Kernal Garner
9. “Doubting Thomas” by Nickel Creek
10. “The Fullness” by Lovelite
11. “What Have We Done?” by Joe Day
12. “Your Kingdom Come” by Derek Webb
13. “It All Comes Right” by Drew Grow & The Pastors’ Wives

• Download Episode 13
• Read Joe’s full interview

 

Episode Fourteen:

The last episode, number fourteen originally appeared February 24, 2011. Featured artist: Justin McRoberts. Music from Johnny Cash, Grant Green, Mavis Staples, Dustin Kensrue, Jon Foreman and many more. Experience the aural goodness that is Episode 14 of the Habañero Hour. Prepare for exposure to extreme awesomeness.

 

The Habañero Hour Episode 14 setlist:

1. “Do The Regret” by Lorien
2. “Heart” by Iamwe
3. “Growing Pains” by I Can Make A Mess Like Nobody’s Business
4. “Head Like A Hole” by Justin McRoberts
5. “Wonderful Savior” by Mavis Staples
6. “Just A Closer Walk With Thee” by Grant Green
7. “Ain’t No Grave” by Johnny Cash
8. “Come To Jesus” by Mindy Smith
9. “Religion Poisons Everything” by Justin McRoberts
10. “Consider The Ravens” by Dustin Kensrue
11. “White As Snow” by Jon Foreman
12. “Deep Calls To Deep” by Lenny Smith
13. “Did I Step On Your Trumpet?” by Danielson

• Download Episode 14
• Read Justin’s full interview

Download Any Episode

• Download Episode 01
• Download Episode o2
• Download Episode o3
• Download Episode o4
• Download Episode o5
• Download Episode o6
• Download Episode o7
• Download Episode o8
• Download Episode o9
• Download Episode 10
• Download Episode 11
• Download the Trees Community Special Feature Episode
• Download Episode 12
• Download Episode 13
• Download Episode 14

 
The Habañero Collective is pleased to welcome Jenny & Tyler for a house show, Thursday, March 14 at the Whiten’s house. Jenny & Tyler are a married couple who make sing-along-able folk-pop.

Watch the EPK for their 2012 album Open Your Doors.

 

Check out the video for “Faint Not:”

 

• RSVP Here
• Purchase music here

Thanks to my friend Shane for pointing this video out to me.

 

Worship Songs from The Work Of The People on Vimeo.

As the Scooby Doo gang syas, “Everyone loves a good mystery.” And I love good music. So, how much better for a good mystery to be tied to good music? Anonymity has long played a role in music. Artists like The Residents, Jandek, for a while The Weeknd, and Burial, and, though we know who they were, they still liked to wear masks, Sun City Girls have all taken the “let’s let the music speak for itself approach.”

It’s an interesting concept. Is the music itself enough to keep people interested or have we so consumerized even music that we need the “whole package” to keep our attention. Then again, the “you don’t need to know who I am” move might just be a publicity stunt to sell more units. You might wonder exactly that when you hear the tale of Clutchy Hopkins.

The official story is that, Clutchy, the son of a Motown recording engineer, has been traveling all around the world, learning all kinds of music, philosophy and general worldliness. Clutchy’s website says that: “He worked at recording studios in Bombay to Cairo and studied musical techniques of the Cahuilla Indians, Rinzai Zen monks in Japan, and tribal drummers in Ethiopia. Returning to the U.S. in the ’90s, Clutchy worked as a session musician on obscure funk and jazz records; he was rumored to have collaborated with Moondog.”

Then, “In 2005, a crate of reel-to-reel tapes was discovered amid boxes of old, home-made musical instruments and electronics at a flea market outside Los Angeles. The trail from these tapes led to a woman named Kelly Hopkins: Clutchy’s daughter, the only person still in contact with him. Kelly obtained his permission to release some music and even persuaded him to collaborate with young new artists. Clutchy’s exact whereabouts remain a mystery. According to Kelly, he currently resides in a cave somewhere in the Mojave Desert.”

Just in case you’re still wondering if this is a ruse, the website also says:

Clutchy Hopkins is a mysterious entity whose downtempo grooves have infected the eardrums of hip-hop, jazz, and funk fans across the globe. His music has been praised by OkayPlayer, URB, and Wax Poetics. His true face is unknown. Some claim he is the “secret identity” of one (or many) DJs…speculation has included Madlib, DJ Shadow, Cut Chemist, Money Mark, Danger Mouse, Shawn Lee,and others. No one knows the truth…except for us. And we’re not telling (yet).

Well, until they do tell, we’re left with the music and the myth, which they’ve done a great job promoting. Check out these videos:

 

 

• Visit Clutchy Hopkins’ official website

I was talking with my friend Steve the other day and he brought up an interesting thought. What would draw someone to church in American Suburbia (this certainly applies to other contexts, but mine is suburbia so that colors lots of my conversations).

Now, before you go giving me all of your “holy” answers that people are drawn to your church because of Jesus and love and all of that, let me clarify the original thought. When you ask many people in suburbia what drew them to a particular local church over another, their answer usually falls into one of three categories: 1) the kids program, 2) the preaching and/or 3) the music. Yes, many people in in suburbia choose a local church based on personal preference, but let’s think about what draws people.

The kids program is understandable. Suburbanites want the best for their kids, even if it means raising their kids to expect to be catered to and entertained, even while learning about God. I have lots of thoughts about suburban church kids programs but not right now; it’s the music and the preaching that I want to think about today.

Let’s be honest, many people are drawn to certain local churches because of the music and the preaching. But let’s be honest, I don’t need a local church to get great music or preaching. With the rise in technology, I can access some of the world’s best bible teachers any time I want. I can listen to men like Mark Driscoll, Matt Chandler, John Piper, Tim Chester and (even though he’s still a holdout who charges for his sermons) Tim Keller (please don’t use the comment section to air your beefs with any of the names I just mentioned, that’s really not the point). In other words, I can, at any time, listen to a sermon that’s probably “better” than any local preacher around me. Any time I want.

Or, consider the music. Many of our local churches are all singing the same songs so I guess, it comes down to some as a question of “band preference” or ambiance. But, why should I go listen to your band when I can listen to Hillsong do the very song you’re covering? “The live atmosphere,” you might say, but I can put on a live Hillsong DVD, crank up my surround sound system, fill my living room with my kids and get a live experience. Or better, yet, I’ll go see Hillsong’s live movie in the theater. Or better still, I’ll go see them when they tour with Chris Tomlin on the mega-worship tour experience!

Despite my cynicism, I understand the draw of preaching and music, I just think we need to think a little more below the surface. If I have access to the world’s best music/preaching at any time I want, is it really the preaching/music that draws me to a local church? Well, sort of. After all, why don’t we just video in the world’s best preachers and musicians while we all get together on a Sunday morning? Yes, I know about “video venues,” but this is not the norm and I think there are good reasons.

The music and the preaching become different in the context of a local gospel-centered community committed to living together as part of God’s family on mission, sent to serve the world and continually learn to walk in His ways. The music takes on a different light when we sing it with people we are experiencing life with. The preaching takes on a different light when it is directed to us and our specific context, our struggles, our victories, our community.

Though we might have access to the world’s best preaching/music any time we want, the Christian life is not meant to be a solitary existence. The point (at least part of the point) of the music and preaching is not just to equip the individual but the community.

But how often do we hear people say that they were drawn to a local church family precisely because they lived together as family? Maybe this should be our focus? Maybe we should concentrate on laying down our own preferences and rights for the sake of others. Maybe we should know enough about the person sitting across the aisle from us to weep with them when they weep? Maybe we should know their name first? Maybe, if we strive to build true gospel-centered community, the music and the preaching will come alive in ways we never otherwise expected, because really, it’s not about our preferences in the first place.