Thought for the day.
Oprah is crazy. Seriously.
She’s nuts.
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May
13th 2008 May
8th 2008 People of the world, Rejoice!
Arrested Development is being made into a full-length motion picture! The whole cast is back and I am excited! I loved the show when it was on the TV. May
8th 2008 Pre-order Ben Shive’s new album.
Ben Shive is a good friend of mine (as well as a fellow Square-Peg) and he is taking pre-orders for his new album, The Ill-Tempered Klavier. Mr. Shive is simply one of the most talented people I know. I’ve worked with him in the studio a few times (Faith & Heartache, Recovery) and his piano work always feels amazing. Ben is one of those guys that you spend some time with and quickly realize that there’s a lot going on underneath the hood. He’s a monster player and a deep thinker which makes him a creative ninja. His new album is sure to please. Support Ben and pre-order today. You won’t regret it! May
1st 2008 Current listening & reading.Current listening: Kanye West - Graduation Current reading: The Reason For God - Timothy Keller ps– I really want to read the new NT Wright book Surprised By Hope. That’s on deck as soon as I get the extra scratch. I’m also hoping to read the new Udo Middelmann book this summer. Going to hear him speak at Border’s in a few weeks. Apr
24th 2008 No thyself.Today was a better day. More hope all around. I woke at six o’clock, read the news, had some coffee and then went for a run. I’ve been stressed out and running helps me a great deal. So does prayer and reading through the psalms to know that I’m not alone in my feelings be they good, bad or just ok. I’ve been working with bookings and rehearsing for this weekend’s concerts. I’ll be up in Columbia, MO and then on to St. Louis. Really looking forward to playing and connecting with the songs and the people on the road. In the midst of the busyness I took the time to sift through some thoughts on the piano. I’ve had some melodies rolling around in my head for a couple weeks now that wanted to stretch their legs. So I let them. And then the strangest thing happened…two songs showed up today. It was just after lunch and they came pretty fast. I need to edit them and let them get a little older but lo and behold—new material! What a surprise. I wasn’t even trying. They were just sort of there. Songwriting is a strange thing indeed. The rabbit hole goes deeper the older I get. The songs on Recovery are still somewhat fresh to me but I can tell they are aging and making room for the younger songs. These new ones that showed up today. There’s a similar energy to them. Fast and not at all obvious. Nice parts and interesting lead vocal melody. Syncopated. I love how it feels. Forward moving. I think the folk thing is over for me. It threw me for a loop at first (no pun intended) but I think I wandered so far away from it on my last record that I’ll be gone from it for a while. This reality is still impacting my ever changing live show which is in the process of its gradual change brought on by the new material. Have a good night. Apr
23rd 2008 psalm25:16.it’s been a hell of a day. just one thing after another piling up and i feel pretty overwhelmed. i won’t go into details here because it won’t change the point of this post. i’ve decided to call it. It’s a few minutes before 5 o’clock and i’m done. i’m off to mow the lawn and pray for mercy. psalm 25. Apr
20th 2008 Meet Jon Arbuckle.The internet never ceases to amaze me. I’ve recently discovered the joy of Garfield minus Garfield which features edited renditions of old Garfield comic strips. It is described as “a journey deep into the tortured mind of an isolated young everyman as he fights a losing battle against loneliness in a quiet American suburb.” Hilarity ensues…
Apr
14th 2008 Back from the weekend.Had a great show up in Chicago this weekend with Eric Peters & Andrew Osenga. I love spending quality time like that with old friends. The 8 hour car ride was filled with conversation spanning all sorts of subjects: marriage, fatherhood, artistry, songwriting, production, guitars, gear, theology, the Team America Soundtrack and the general ups and downs of life as working musicians. Thanks to everyone who came out for the show and to the staff at The Union for hosting us. Apr
3rd 2008 Tour dates being added.4/11/08 Naperville, IL North Central College - The Union **Square Peg Alliance show featuring Andrew Osenga, Eric Peters & Jeremy Casella** More dates to come. Apr
3rd 2008 Discipleship Journal raves about RCVRY.The editors of Discipleship Journal wrote a rave review of RCVRY in a recent issue. Here’s a snippet: “The subtle and original sound of Casella’s music hooked me first. The lyrics have kept me addicted. Lines such as, “Nobody holds you like the hand of God” (Distress Signal) and, “Muddy my eyes and show me I was blind” (Daylight) won’t exit my brain. Nor will the lament of “The Curse”: “I’m lonely like Adam and I’m angry like Cain; does my Savior even know my name?” -Sue Kline, senior editor |
