Josh Garrels

The last couple weeks have found me a but busier than usual, fitting in countless phone calls to car insurance folks, medical insurance folks, used car listings on craiglist, etc, along with visits to the doctor and lots of conversations about what I should do regarding my car.

Good news is the insurance is giving me some money for my car that didn't have much life left in it anyway, and I'm on my way to finding a car that will hopefully be one I can keep for many years to come! And thankfully, the medical stuff isn't anything very serious.

I say all this because...it has postponed me from blogging about an amazing music opportunity that is only going to be up for ONE more week!

Josh Garrels. 

I don't even remember how I first stumbled upon his music. All I recall is that it was his single, 'Father Along' (from Love & War & The Sea In Between)...and it was on repeat for HOURS. I lucked out in finding the entire album (plus the 'B-sides & Remixes EP') for free soon after my discovery of this incredible artist.

And he's from Portland!! AKA He's a local musician!

(If you're like me, that piece of information alone makes him legit)

The offer he's put up for March 14th - March 28th is one you won't want to miss out on. ALL FIVE of his current albums are up for FREE download on Noisetrade.

Even cooler...

100% of the tips received will support the work of World Relief in Congo. With every album Josh has put out, he offers it free for the first year as a sort of 'firstfruit'. I think this generous idea is really cool, as well as sending all his profits to a good cause...feel free to check out more info on how World Relief is helping with the crisis in Congo here.

If you're not sure if you'll like his music, you can stream it all on Noisetrade...or you could download it. Still free to do :)

Limited time offer. Don't miss out!

Phenomenal Free Music...how can you pass that up?

Ever since The Ember Days had success in funding their kickstarter, I've been eagerly awaiting the release of their promised 'best album yet'! In my opinion, their latest album fully lives up to The Ember Days' boast.

More Than You Think was officially released yesterday and you can download it from 'Come and Live' here as a FREE gift!! As a Kickstarter backer, I got to download it a couple days early and it's already been played through too many times to count...

Each listen unpacked a new lyric, melody line, or string of guitar notes that put a literal smile on my face. I only hope you can enjoy this album as much as I do! Although it sounds corny and I don't say this about many albums, I'll unashamedly say, "This band--and this album--ministers to my soul." Count on me listening to this for weeks and months to come.

If you want a bit of insight from each of the band members on writing & recording this album, you can head over to their youtube channel.

But wait...

THERE'S MORE! 

Sorry I just went infomercial on you. But it's still just more free stuff :)

Allen Stone (covered in a previous post and who originally hails from the small town of Chewelah, WA) has an EP currently featured on Noisetrade (FREE download)! Click here, download Allen Stone, and explore the rest of the Noistrade site...you'll most likely discover plenty of other new music you'll learn to love as well!

New music venue in Spokane? YES!

Here's a scenario that's played itself out a multitude of times since I've moved to Cheney:

My e-mail inbox has an unopened message from one of my favorite musicians or bands with the title "Fill in the blank on tour".... and I click!

... only to find out they're playing in Portland or Seattle, and then skipping to Idaho or further east.

What if we had a venue musicians would love to play in Spokane? Wouldn't it be great if the Inland Northwest music scene could explode with quality musicians in a quality venue?

Hmmm, maybe it could be called The Bartlett?

That's right. YOU can be a part of making this idea that's been in the works for years become a wonderful reality!

Please go check out Caleb & Karli Ingersoll's inspirational story and campaign on indiegogo HERE.      There's only 5 days left, so make it happen by Friday, December 21st!

I couldn't help myself but pledge two separate times already because I so believe in this project. Perks range from a sticker pack, drink, shirt, or a digital compilation (from many wonderful, local artists), all the way to opening weekend concert tickets or entrance to the soft opening party. 

Choose what you want to give, but please...give something! You and the rest of Spokane area will be reaping the benefits for years to come.

(If you want any more information, you can also check our their facebook page)

Kye Kye

Hopefully the day is soon coming when Kye Kye is a name recognized by everyone in the music world.  I realize it's a bold statement to tell you that you will like their music, but . . . I have yet to find someone that's proved my theory wrong thus far.

• Do you crave music that doesn't sound like everything else you hear on the radio?
• Check out Kye Kye! You might even recognize it from a recent Samsung commercial...

• Are you a Christ follower who's frustrated trying to find believers who create great music?
• Check out Kye Kye! They love Jesus AND will blow your mind with their music....

• Reading this right now?
• Check out Kye Kye :)

Please give their music a listen, head over to their website (where you can even find all their lyrics written out w/ a scripture reference for each line!), then check out their kickstarter project if you like what you hear!

[If you want a few tracks for free, refer to my first blog post and you'll find info there]

Instead of supporting a large music corporation, you can help fund Kye Kye's kickstarter project to produce a new album they'll be recording in Nashville this January. YOU can be a vital part of their newest music journey, and you'll reap the benefits when they're done :)

Check out the video and project HERE.

I'm honored to call Olga, Tim, Alex, and Tommy my friends and I can wholeheartedly say their music is a ministry worth investing in. (And I'm not just saying that...I drove 14 hours round trip to see them in Boise this summer and it was so worth it!) Here's me and Olga in Boise:

So don't waste any more time; go get their music and share it with the world!

Matthew Mayfield

Today, I want to share with you an artist I discovered on Noisetrade last year.

               -- If you haven't ever heard of Noisetrade, check it out here right now! --
  (FREE music from tons of up and coming artists. And if you want, you can tip the artist.)

Back to someone I discovered there -- Matthew Mayfield. I have a habit of downloading tons of music when it's free (and legal, might I add), so sometimes music can get lost in my library & I don't ever listen to it again.

A few months back, I rediscovered the MM album I had and started listening to it a lot more. When I found out that Matthew was opening for NEEDTOBREATHE in Spokane, I was stoked! Bought my ticket right away and looked forward to an epic show.

Last week, I got a mass e-mail from Matthew's manager saying they needed help with the merch table in Spokane this past weekend and I jumped on that bandwagon right away! So...I got to do merch as well (free admission and shirt and TONS of fun)--see pictures below :)

What does this have to do with you? For a limited time, Matthew's newest album is up for FREE download at noisetrade.

Heads up - if you want the clean version, don't listen to 'Heart in Wire' ;) I love this guy's voice and he was super cool to hang out with at the show.

Don't wait...I'm not sure how much longer his album will be available for free download...head over there now!

Allen Stone

Spokane, you're in for a treat on Friday night.

The one and only Allen Stone (born & raised in the small town of Chewelah, WA) will be at the Knitting Factory on October 26th. Tickets are only $12.50 (Get 'em here) and you will not regret your purchase!

I guarantee it.

My drive to Moscow, ID just over a month ago to see this very man (& his band) was well worth it.

But...if there's no way you can possibly make it on Friday, you're in luck. For a limited time, his latest (self-titled) album is on sale on iTunes for only $7.99.

Allen Stone rockin' it at the University of Idaho

Getting Started...

The first thing I always tell people who ask me about new music is pretty simple:

1. Go to www.comeandlive.com (click on the 'downloads' tab at the top)

2. Look up
           a) The Ember Days
           b) Ascend the Hill
           c) Kye Kye

3. Download and enjoy!

4. Donate to the cause if you feel so inclined :)

That's a good start for some sweet, free music!

Also...bookmark this website because all their music is free. Yeah, ALL of it.