Posts Tagged ‘God’

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

At less than a week old, Blue Ivy Carter is already making chart history, thanks to a slick feature on daddy Jay-Z’s Glory. (Some kids have all the luck.)

According to Billboard, Baby Blue (or B.I.C., as Beyonce/Jay-Z’s daughter is credited on the track) is the youngest person to ever land on the chart in history. The track is currently sitting at #74 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Since Blue Ivy was born late on Saturday, it is likely that she was only hours old when her voice was recorded for the song.

The heartfelt song about fatherhood was produced by Pharrell.

With references to Bey’s previous miscarriage and his own absent father, Jay-Z doesn’t hold back the heartbreak on the otherwise joyous tune.

Personally, I find this vulnerable side of Jay-Z to be completely refreshing!

Congrats to Beyonce and Jay-Z on the birth of their baby girl!

Get More: Music News

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Ok, guys, I need your help.

After tons of research (5 minutes on Google — sorry, my attention span is shot today!), stalking on Faceplace and other social media contrapulations (I think I just made up a word, woo hoo), I can’t seem to figure out where Stacie Orrico has been hiding these past few years. Where is this beautiful, incredibly talented girl tucked away?

She has always been one of my favorite singers and I’ve been in a little frenzy lately, reminiscing. Her vocals are always on point, but more importantly, her songs are fringed with substance and soul.

Maybe the only answer is to hire a private investigator? Really get to the heart of the issue! Cuz I need new music from Stacie pronto, por favor!

[Please note that sarcasm was used in the making of this post. No stalking or private investigator was or will be hired. I'm not that crazy, people!]

Stacie Orrico – (There's Gotta Be) More To Life by EMI_Music

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

On Friday I was sitting in Red Mango (frozen yogurt shop) w/ a friend when a homeless man walked in (trying not to be obviously homeless) and asked for a sample. The worker gave him a sample (small; in the size of a ketchup paper cup) and he quickly walked out. It broke my heart. I wanted to buy him his own regular sized portion but he left rather suddenly. For those who may not witness homelessness on a regular basis, this is a reminder to be grateful and to always count your blessings. I’m all for Occupy Wall Street but seriously, there’s greater epidemics that could use the attention. Wishful thinking…

[Related Post: Facebook Is Not The Complete Truth]

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

“I don’t understand people. Again, I’m a minister’s daughter, I was brought up in the church; I do know the political side and how it works. If I could sit down with these people you’re mentioning, I’d say, “I thought Jesus was about love and not about judgment and damnation. I thought Christ came to question the judgment of a very harsh God.” I just find it completely against Christ’s message. I don’t know what they’re representing, but they’re as far away from Christ as my Bible teaching taught me and, you know what, I was brought up in the church! I’ve gone to church enough for almost every woman in America!”

-Tori Amos on Michele Bachmann’s Homophobic Views
Via Pridesource

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Ok, so I know I just discovered his music but I’m totally head over heels in love with what I’ve heard so far. Totally hooked on this bearded man!

Sorry, y’all. Just buggin’ out over this mad talented whitey tightey!

Headnodic’s the name — a producer from Oakland who just released his Red Line Radio LP, marking his full length debut as a headlining artist.

And since I posted a few more heavy-hitting ballads yesterday, I thought this track was a perfect gem to toss into the mix, to switch up moods.

Listen/download the Dirty Diamonds remix featuring Moe Pope, Bru Lei, Very, Jern Eye, Nightclubber Lang & One.Be.Lo below.

He’s pretty cute, no? Google him!

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

To celebrate the death of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, I thought I would post one of the songs that became a backdrop to my life when I was struggling with the idea of stepping out of the closet. It’s a beautiful song by Kendall Payne entitled Closer To Myself.

Surprisingly enuff (or not if you follow this blog on the regular), Kendall Payne is a Contemporary Christian artist. My jagged faith is important to me and this song not only represents a freedom but also a cage; I felt completely caged with everyone else’s idea of who I should be at the time (including the conservative church’s idea).

The line that particularly pierced was — “I’ve been everybody else, now I want to be something closer to myself.”

I’ve never been in military uniform (well, not my own at least — oh snap!) but I can only imagine that this is how each LGBT soldier feels when they serve our country with their lips sealed.

This is getting preachy McPreacherson so I’m gonna shove a cork in it before I go all Southern Baptist psychopath, so that’s pretty much it, kids. Be yourself. Love yourself. And do NOT, for any reason whatsoever, buy a pink Hummer.

And if this is too serious for ya, you can A. suck it and B. go watch hot soldiers dancing to Britney Spears by following the link below.

Thanks.

[Related Post: US Soldiers Grab Crotchsicles While Dancing To Britney]

[Vid Above]: A brave soldier coming out to his father, the day DADT died.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

ROB BRAYL: Let’s start off this interview randomly, shall we? What are you doing this exact moment?

CAROLINA LIAR FRONTMAN CHAD WOLF: I’m in my kitchen packing for a move, combined with some extra lunges so I can get an extra work out, while eating what shouldn’t be packed up… It’s a good day!

ROB: The new record, ‘Wild Blessed Freedom’ — in three words is about?

CHAD: A new approach.

ROB: As any other CL fan, I was moved by your breakout single ‘Show Me What I’m Looking For’ — do you feel the new album is full of similar emotionally charged content?

CHAD: Thank you! I don’t think it would be honest if it didn’t have that emotion. One thing I’m so grateful for is that ‘Show Me’ is and was as honest as it could be. When we play it live it comes from something deep inside.

ROB: I know that you’ve worked with Max Martin and other pop industry giants for your new and previous albums, and I wanted to get an opinion on something I recently read, an article in which Linda Perry called Katy Perry’s music “popcorn”, basically insinuating it wasn’t as authentic as say the new Adele. Any thoughts on this?

CHAD: Personally, I love popcorn. Some of the greatest moments of my life were shared with a big fat greasy box of popcorn. Those kind of comments seem silly to me. There are people who experience Katy Perry on the same emotional level that someone will experience Adele and both are great and very real. It all comes from where you are in your life — being “cool” can really skew perspective.

ROB: Is it true that you grew up in a Pentecostal household? (I have a similar background, also growing up Pentecostal in the South. Southern pride, what what!)

CHAD: Oh yes, I did! At one point I was looking into becoming a preacher but my mom told me I needed to work in music, that was my first love and always will be. But I’ve seen the Holy Ghost in action twice in my life and whatever that was, once you feel something like that you will always be Pentecostal no matter how far you get away from the church… right?

ROB: Which track do you feel is the standout on the new record? Care to provide the backstory to said track?

CHAD: ‘Beautiful People’ has got some special mojo. There is something so real in that song that I can’t quite put it into words. It was an idea that my friend Alex Kronlund had, and it got its start when me, my girlfriend at the time and Tobias Karlsson moved out of his house, and we all stopped talking to each other because of some drama that has long since been worked out. But he focused all of that energy into that song when we started working on this record. He played me what he started and I really came out of my skin. That song is a real gift.

ROB: I always ask this and it never gets old: What’s your current guilty pleasure? (Music and non-related musical items welcome.)

CHAD: Cooking and eating. I honestly cannot get enough of all this amazing food that is available right now. I mean we got some Sprinkles Cupcakes the other day, thinking that all the hype was just BS, but no no no. That is not the case. Those things are crazy.

ROB: Most played song on your iPod at the moment?

CHAD: Kvelertak ‘Utrydd dei Svake’ — it’s a great black metal band.

ROB: Do you guys plan to tour the US with this album? Specifically NYC? Pretty please.

CHAD: We are planning everything right now. We hope we will have the details on where and what we are up to before weeks end! We will come to NYC, there’s no way we couldn’t.

ROB: And finally, can you get me an job/internship with Max Martin or Diane Warren. I have no shame! Also, can you explain what it was/has been like working with these pop powerhouses.

CHAD: I’ll see what I can do — I’ll put in a five star reference at the least. Those guys have taught me that no matter how big and great you are, you are only as good as the moment that you are in and you have got to work every time you get a chance and have complete reckless abandon when it comes to your art! Let me get back to you on the jobs! Thanks for reaching out to us.

Carolina Liar’s new album, Wild Blessed Freedom drops September 27th.

Watch the video for Drown, the first single off the new record below.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Felt like saying this… Facebook is not the complete truth, people. Big surprise, I know. As humans, it’s so much easier to put our best face forward, to build a world around all the good/cool things we’re doing b/c those things are easier to display. But just know that everyone has their own set of issues and struggles that aren’t as easily visible on a computer screen. Remember this the next time you judge someone and be kind to one another. Much love to you all.

This incredible song, by the talented Matthew West, felt fitting.

To “like” Matthew on Facebook, click HERE.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Stumbling upon the right song at the right time is the story of my life. And this song is no different…

Even though this clip is over two years old, it seems to have entered into my atmosphere precisely when I needed to hear it. That’s the power of what I believe is God, and the undeniable power of music. The ability it has to morph, to get inside our souls through the cracks of our broken hearts.

This song will feed your soul.

Kim Walker’s voice is clearly touched by something bigger than all of us.

Watch the incredible performance of Where You Go I Go below.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

“If anyone is brave and true to themselves, it’s my gay fans. The amount of confidence and fearlessness it takes to do what maybe is not what your parents expect you to do or what society may think is different – to be brave and be different and be true to yourself – is just so beautiful. It’s the most beautiful thing you can be, and it’s what we all want to be at the end of the day. And not worrying about satisfying or becoming what other people think you’re supposed to be, that’s like the ultimate dream – to just be that brave.”

-BK via Pridesource

The incredible I Was Here (my personal favorite from 4) opus below. It brought me to tears the first time I heard it — it’s a beaut. Random “cute” clip following, because I felt it fit the aesthetic quite nicely.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Children are abused, murdered, and sold for sexual desires every day. Often, it goes on because no one takes the plunge to make a stand. Take this verdict as a reminder to never remain silent if there is any doubt or suspicion of abuse. Whether we acknowledge it, it’s happening, and sometimes right in front of our eyes. To every child who is being or has been abused, I hold you in my prayers.

To Caylee, this one’s for you.

[KEEP A CHILD ALIVE.]

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

[Download the entire album for free by clicking here.]

Words cannot explain how much Bryce Avary’s music has affected my life. During every high and low I’ve faced over the past couple years since discovering his music, the sound of his voice has been there, creating a beautiful backdrop to the bittersweet bliss that has been my 20s.

I usually like every single record The Rocket Summer releases and play it on a loop for months on end. It’s incredibly honest and filled with a substance that makes ordinary pop seem lackluster: heart.

God bless you, Bryce! I freakin’ love your music!

Please never stop. Puhlease.

Watch a video from Bryce explaining the new free acoustic album + two of my favorite tracks from his previous discs — the stunningly heartfelt Walls + the music video for Do You Feel following.

By: Caitlin Hoffman
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

People laugh when I say I like Christian Rock. They get this image about idealized Sunday school teachings crushed into awkward, archaic pop. Well, screw that! First of all, I think it’s brave when a person is keen to rock out about their values, no matter what those values may be. (Unless, of course, their values involve kitten bashing or other uncool things.) Second of all, anyone who thinks Christian Rock sucks hasn’t heard Hawk Nelson.

They will do whatever it takes to make you stand up and jump. They don’t care if they get called geeks, and if anything, they’d use such a mantra to their advantage. Also, I’ve met them, and on a scale of sweetness from 1 to 10, they’re a 12.

I guess I’m a little late on this, but their latest album (released in February) totally blows my mind. Crazy Love, the lead single off the album, gravitates to a new sound that I didn’t anticipate from them, which made it all the more fun. It’s much more dance rock than pop punk, but still had me headbanging by the time it was over. The chorus will grab you hard and refuse to let go until you start singing along. This is the best kind of song to dance crazy to in public, because who gives a damn what people think? Plus, they’re going to be at YC this summer, a youth conference that is the source of many nostalgic memories of mine.

Get a load of the cuteness in their video and then top off the cute factor with a potentially stoned Jason (their lead singer) philosophising on e-mail and butterflies.
　

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

I’ve known of this band/song for forever but realized I’ve never introduced the group to BTB-Land, so I thought I’d give a little shout out. Seabird’s an indie pop/rock Christian band, who launched from the Cincinnati music scene with their second release, Rocks Into Rivers (released in early of 2010).

When I first heard the band, I immediately fell head over heels. Besides the fact that the lead singer is hella cute, there remains something incredibly deep beneath the aesthetic. Don’t You Know You’re Beautiful is an ode to the natural cosmetics of the heart.

I love this song/video so much.

Thanks, boys.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

3AM, crossing the Manhattan Bridge this past Saturday in a cab, I listened to this song on my iPod. And it brought tears to my eyes. I think the world is so hungry for something real & moving. And Brandon’s music always brings me back to that space.

[Related Post: On Heavy Rotation: Brandon Heath]