August 11, 2004
Kristine Martin
Have been listening to some music I thought was "mainstream" or "secular" yesterday and today. Many I have to hear because of intriguing titles, like "Handle The Messiah" by Shave. It's an anti-commercialism rant about the Christmas season. Very interesting. They continue the rant with the next track, "Full Commercial Xxxmas." There's lots of profanity on the album and other lyrics lead me to conclude that devotion to Christ as preeminate in all things is probably not where these guys live mentally, but it is very interesting to see these subjects tackled.
Kristine Martin, on the other hand, has released a faith-infused album with her baby-talk voice a la Fleming & John. I quite like it. The music is tamer than F&J, but quirky in a Sam Phillips sort of way. The tunes are high quality. I'm surprised that her music isn't more well known.
Am trying to compose a business plan for an interested investor that wants to help take HM to the "next level." This would not involve any change in ownership, but could allow us to have the resources to "introduce" HM Magazine to all the potential fans of the magazine that don't know about it or where to get it. Lord willing, that'll help the magazine grow.
My conversation with Mark Morton of Lamb of God over the weekend was interesting. A really nice and soft-spoken guy. I always love it when a brutal band like this has quiet guys playing the ferocious guitars. Mark regards religion as being a very personal subject, one that doesn't get talked about much, per se. He had a fascinating talk with his father about God one time in his young adult youth. It brings up the important subject of how and when do we communicate about spiritual things. Or do we talk about it at all? Another dynamic that made the conversation interesting, and probably effected it in some ways -- was that it was in the eating area for Ozzfest artists. I think I saw Tom Araya of Slayer walk out during the interview. I'm not sure anyone overheard our conversation, but it always makes a difference when other people are within earshot and you're discussing serious issues like God.