Ive been reading about my friend’s music lives lately never thinking Kari would pass the baton my way. But I will not let her down and do my musical duty.

I always seem to have music on. Being in a car without music on kinda drives me crazy. Theres music I like for background music and theres those times of silence and a perfect line sings through it at just the right time. I mean, you really cant beat moments like that you know? I love my little iPod, Pinkie, that keeps me company on my many plane rides or when I simply clean the bathroom. Music is always surrounding me in some form it seems. So it means a lot to me, but its always changing. Id like to say it grows with me as I grow.

Amount of music on your computer?

Well, on my iTunes (one of the greatest things ever) I have 892 songs 3.58 GB. Thats 2:14:41:17 total time. Not as impressive as some but I do not have all my CDs on my computer.

Currently listening to?

Today it was James Taylor and Eastmountainsouth.

Five songs that mean a lot to you?

These are the songs that mean a lot to me currently (check back with me a year from now, I bet it will have changed).

Useless Desires by Patty Griffin
Patty is an amazing song writer, but always seems to be who I listen to when Im melodically and sad. She just keeps me content in my mood, but makes me think. This song has been a comfort in those times over the past year. “Impossible Dream” is the album which is can be find on is probably my favorite by her.

Let Me Sing by Andrew Peterson
I could play this song everyday and not get sick of it. Its probably do me some good to do that to remember the chorus daily. “So let me sing for the love. Let me love for the loss. Let me lose all I have, for what I found on the cross. Let me trust you with my life. Let me live to give you praise. Let me praise you for grace by which Im saved. Lord let me sing.”
I thought at one point to have it in my wedding someday as a song as we start a new life together. Maybe I still will… I dont know. Not a real wedding song but the message is a good for a marriage: “Embrace that old rugged cross”

Economy of Mercy by Switchfoot
If I would have to pick one Switchfoot song, this one would be it. That and “Ben Hur”. Love song and a God song, I can have one of each right? I think Jon Foreman is a really wonderful song writer and these words always hit me at the core no matter what state I might find myself in.

Nothing Is Ever Enough by Derek Webb
I know this is a strange pick. I do know Derek wrote it about leaving Caedmon’s. I have listened to it during some rough/frustrating times and it spoke clear to me. It helped me sort out my feelings when they needed to be detangled. Relationships tend to do that too often in my heart and music tends to help me work it out. Not fix it, but you have to start somewhere.

Get Out the Map by Indio Girls
This song reminds me of Carla big time. It was our road trip (from Cali to Alabama when I moved out there) theme song and was constantly played on our journeys together. Reminds me the birth of our close friendship and our short time as room mates. It makes my heart smile listening to it and thinking of those happy times.

Top five albums?

Why are music questions so hard? I think its because it kinda marks the kind of person you are in ways (well to other music people). Especially putting it down as top five albums! I dont think I could tell you one album that I love all songs on a cd. I changed favorites so often that a top five is hard. So right now, these are the ones that mean a lot to me. So that said… here goes nothing.

For Lack of a Better Word by Popular Genius
I first heard this album through the wall of my bedroom in my apartment in Alabama. It was muffled but I knew it was good music. I walked out and asked who we were listening and Trey said “Popular Genius” a friend of his’ band that he had talked about tons. I am now a devoted fan of the band. Thats the short PG story.

The Crucible by Sandra McCracken
Actually, this album, I love every song on it. Probably only one I own I can say that about. As described in an interview this album is very faith driven. Its driven by faith, it isnt soaked in faith. Sandra opened my eyes to a beauty of writing about lives ups and downs without having to say the name of Jesus. I think it speaks the loudest when you dont have to do that. This album always bring me comfort with all the different emotions it stirs in me over the road that is life.

eastmountainsouth by eastmountainsouth
Musically and lyrically this is an amazing album. I wish this musical duo would put out more albums, I cant get enough of this album it seems. Once in my cd player it stays for days without rest.

Long Line of Leavers by Caedmon’s Call
Oh how Im going to be flogged for this, but I dont care. This album has so many memories tied to it that I probably will never get sick of playing these songs and getting lost in them. This album came out around the time I was going through a lot of changes in close relationships to me and it could of been my life Derek could of written about. The Cliff songs are nice too, remind me of different moments of that time of my life but not as closely connected to me.

Heavier Things by John Mayer
Its hard for me to listen to this cd skipping a song. It happens very rarely, the songs just seem to flow together so well. I dont want to be the one to brake them up. The songs make dance a little in your seat. Make you think of past loves, family and life. Its such a human album, and what I mean by that its a searching album for sure. Christian or not, we are all searching in some shape or form. I think John Mayer nailed that better than some Christian song writers.

Last album bought?

I think it was Chris Thile’s “Deceiver”

Recent discoveries?

Jump Little Children . Mind you, I just have one downloaded song by them, but its lovely. Popular Genius plays with them a lot and Trey is a big time fan of them.

And the baton goes to:

Jason
Carla
Susan
Kate
Aaron