#tsinder ash

[fratresdei]

The Colorado sun fuels our life, but now fuels our fires. Last night as I gazed at the horror and beauty of the red setting sun behind smoke, these sacred words from Tsinder Ash came to mind, as they often do in times of inexplicable devotion to deadly force.

[thestillnessandthedancing]

June 19th 2019

Today we aired a delightful interview with incredibly talented Musician, Artist and Poet Clara Engel. They will be performing as part of the Golden Bus concert series on June 21st. Tickets are still available. The second hour we let Clara take the reigns with a selection of sounds from all over the world. From experimental avant-folk, protest songs and haunting vocal traditionals we covered the map with beauty and fresh discovery. Thanks for listening in!

-hour 1- Clara Engel - II (from.. Your Halo Is A Swarm of Bees - 2016 - Polar Seas Recordings) Clara Engel Interview Clara Engel - Little Blue Fox (from.. Little Blue Fox - 2019) Clara Engel - Land Animal (from.. Where A City Once Drowned: Bethlehem Tapes Vol 2 - 2019) Clara Engel - Wandering for furies (from.. Songs for Leonora Clarrington - 2017 - Wist Rec) Clara Engel - Wandering Light (from.. Into the Fog - 2018) Clara Engel - Ether (from.. Vigils - 2017)

-hour2- Malawi Mouse Boys - Hunger (hymn) (from.. Score for a film about Malawi without music from Malawi - 2018) Pops Staples - Jesus Is Going to Make Up (my dying bed) (from.. Father Father - 1994) Tsinder Ash - All My Sisters (from.. Offerings - 2017 - Bone Weapons Records) Lula Pena - Rose (from.. Archivo Pittoresco - 2017 - Crammed Discs) Jonathan Hering - Hear My Prayer (Henry Purcell) (from.. Carmina Chromatico - 2018) Landless - Via Extasia (from.. Bleaching Bones - 2018 - Humble Serpent) Big Blood - New Eyes (from.. Dead Songs - 2010 - Don’t Trust the Ruins) Adrian Lane: Art & Music - Some Still Cypress Shade (from.. I Have Promises to Keep - 2019 - Preserved Sound) Julia Wolfe (w/ Bang on a Can and Trinity Wall Street Choir) - Flowers (from.. Anthracite Fields - 2015 - Cantaloupe Music) Marc Ribot & Justin Vivian Bond - We'll Never Turn Back (from.. Songs of Resistance 1942-2018 - Anti Records) Naujawanan Baidar - Blood Can't Clean Blood (from.. Volume 1 - 2018 - Radio Khiyaban) John Zorn - Prelude 6: Circumambulation (from.. Gnostic Preludes - 2012 - Tzadik)

SMK Presents: Golden Bus #21 - Clara Engel

[fratresdei]

one of my professors in college said that groundhog day was the most unintentionally buddhist movie ever made-- what's a movie or book that unintentionally captures your spirituality?

I love this question!

Ya know, I feel like most of the movies and books that capture my spiritual imagination sort of…were trying to do that–your Chocolat’s, your Fiddler on the Roof’s, anything written by Rob Bell, etc. I think a more interesting answer to your question would be what music unintentionally captures my spirit, if I may go rogue. 

“Speak Plainly Diana” by Joe Pug, Nation of Heat EP

This song has been a companion during moments of spiritual uncertainty and faith crisis: “And there’s a wreckin’ ball in the front yard, But there’s blueprints on the couch, Speak plainly to me, Diana, We’ll build ourselves a house.” I imagine God singing this to me–even if I’m doubting Their very existence (“And when there’s too much to get rid of, and you get rid of me, Speak plainly to me, Diana, There’s nothin’ you must be”)–and I have a sense that God really doesn’t give a damn if our theological ducks are in a row or if we even believe in Them. The Protestant world doesn’t typically lend a lot of space for slow exploration and curiosity. The refrain “I don’t mind riding around, I don’t mind riding around,” speaks a different message to my spirit.

“Fineshrine” by Purity Ring, Shrines

This is my ecstatic dance song of choice. Every single syllable is unintentionally dripping with sexy divine intimacy. I’d highlight a few lyrics, but it’s the whole damn song. 

“Passenger Seat” by Death Cab for Cutie, Transatlanticism 

I can’t count the amount I’ve times I’ve listened to this song in the car by myself. To me it unintentionally speaks to the steadiness of God’s companionship. The unforced, easy presence of God. Like many folks my age, I deeply cherish this album. It’s seen me through a lot of Life Stuff.

“Under Your Shadow” by Tsinder Ash, The Carbon of Your Delight

This is a song about being in love with a volcano that has just destroyed the town. If that isn’t an expression of my feelings toward God, I don’t know what is. Fun fact: this is my favorite song of all time. 

What movies/songs/books/carnival sideshows unintentionally speak to your spirituality? I’d sincerely love to hear in the comments.