What’s a lyric that resonates deeply with you and why?

Driving Home by Hot Water Music has always hit me quite deep. It deals with a tough topic and pours out hope in the music and lyrics. Here they are (tw: suicide)

I know the sink and the rot gut feeling "Is this happening to me" And I know what it's like to want to end it all

Driving home between the lines in the road I swear that I've been through this before When nothing makes much sense except for doing yourself in Razor blades are hard to hold

When we're hit in the heart with Problems that won't shift It's hard to admit that we are afraid When we're hit in the head with Unanswered questions that repeat "How could I ever live after this day?"

We can take the hits and grow tougher Collect ourselves to live longer And find there is no need to be afraid Because we all have more to offer When we struggle to cope with Whatever it takes to make the days We all have what it takes to make the days We all have what it takes to make it home We all have what it takes

If your life were a movie, what would its theme song be?

My answer might change to this day to day but today it is Poseidon by The Appleseed Cast. The first 2/3rds of the song is build up like waves hitting a beach. The majority of the latter third is simple lyrics:

i always know where i am. by the way the road looks. the sea brings me back to you...

It ends with a return to the waves. I'd like to think the movie of my life would contain that consistent, focused drive that knows where its going because of the direction of the universe. While I don't think my life has been particularly boring, the movie probably would be.

How do you discover new music, and what’s the latest gem you’ve found?

I find word of mouth to be the best way to discover music and I'm pretty sure it's always been like that. I remember back in the 90s my cousin sharing mix cassette tapes and CDs of bands like the The Get Up Kids. In the early 2000s in college you could just say, "Hey go check out SDRE on napster". Nowadays it's mostly getting recommendations from people I follow in blogs or social media.

As to the latest gem I've found, it would be This by Future Ghosts shared by Keenan on Mastodon (they're friends with the band!).

What is a song that feels like home to you?

When my son was a baby this song could instantly calm him down. That lasted thru toddler years and now - it does remind me of home whenever it comes on (Lights & Motion are a great band to put on in the background while working)

What’s the first song you’d play at a party?

It depends on the party! For parties today, I typically just put a Hammock album on and let it play. I'll story tell a minute though:

In college I was involved in a southern baptist college ministry (they needed tech help mostly - I never fit in super well). I went one year for their annual spring break trip and was in charge of the tech/media stuff for the meetings (it was a big multi-ministry student conference). Being something of a rebel I quietly convinced one of the more open leaders with access to a key to give me the key to host an off-the-books, unsanctioned dance party (dancing in the form of a dance party was mostly a big no-no) and had a few people quietly spread via word of mouth to students who wouldn't spill the beans.

Ended up having a ton of fun and lasted a couple of hours before we got shut down.

Anyways, I'm pretty sure the first song or one of the firsts was Tennessee Boys by Grits (this was around 2004 so my memory is a bit fuzzy).

What song do you associate with the current season?

There’s really only one right choice cuz we’re in the middle of a hostile government takeover. This viral TikTok (I think) hit says it all, with a catchy beat to boot. If you haven’t heard it, check it out.

What’s your favorite love song, and why?

This is the easies prompt so far. Umbrellas by Sleeping at Last is my wife and I's song. It came out around when we were dating and our first awkward moment was to this song - her hearing me play it, enjoying the lyrics and talking about how it could be us right before it got to this part:

We'll bring a child. We'll bring a child into this world We'll say the one thing Everyone should hear: You were meant for amazing things.

As we were just starting to date, talking about kids was a bit...premature...to say the least. It became our song though. I took her to a SaL concert and got the band (they were more than just Ryan at the time) to dedicate it to her. Then when we got married, Umbrellas was our first dance. And now, all of the lyrics have meaning as well as our family has grown from just the two of us to also including a couple of great kids "meant for amazing things".

All in all - it's a song that oozes love and life and hope. Check it out if you haven't heard it. And check Sleeping at Last out too - they are great!

What’s a hidden gem or underrated song you love?

In general I think Matt Maeson is underrated. But, Sanctified - even more so. It’s an amazing song that captures emotion so very well. It’s angst and longing and trying to sort life all wrapped up in a song.

What’s a guilty pleasure song?

I think of "guilty pleasure" as something that might be atypical for me to listen to for whatever reason but enjoy quite a bit. Sade came to mind. I absolutely love the whole Lovers Rock album but By Your Side stands out as a stellar song. I think my wife laughed when the album came on for the first time early in marriage but I still love it!

What’s a song you’ve had on repeat recently?

Come Heroine by Touche Amore. It's a really good song and the lyrics stand out to me as well.

When I swore I’d seen everything I saw you.

It's on the harder side of the spectrum so be aware of that if you don't like harsher vocals.