I love to discover new bands that I love. When I find a gem of a band, I get very, very excited. Kings of Convenience is one of those bands. It's actually not really a band, but two friends: Erlend Øye and Eirik Glambek Bøe. Yes, they're from Norway. KOC's music is surprisingly simple, yet their melodies are very elaborate. Their lyrics are both light-hearted and profound, introspective yet slightly naive. In that regard, Kings of Convenience remind me of Sufjan Stevens. Unlike some other indie bands, KOC have music videos for many of their songs. I included some of my favourites. Enjoy! (I suggest you watch all the videos. You'll know right away whether you like them or not, but if you do like them, you'll become addicted!)
The picture above shows Vito Aiuto and his wife Monique, also known as ''The Welcome Wagon.'' I have previously written about Vito Aiuto and Sufjan Stevens in a post called Vito's Ordination Song - A Masterpiece by Sufjan Stevens.
I love The Welcome Wagon's music. Although I'm not big on labels when it comes to music, I would say it's some kind of (christian) indie folk. I enjoy their heartfelt and unconventionnal lyrics, as well as their diverse and original melodies. They use a wide array of instruments in in their songs, and sometimes have a choir singing with them.
I discovered their band while searching for Sufjan-related music on the internet. Indeed, their first album, Welcome to the Welcome Wagon, was produced by Sufjan Stevens and his record label, Asthmatic Kitty. Here are some songs I love from that album, as well as some lyrics.
But For You Who Fear My Name You shall be my very own / on the day that I / cause you to be my special home. / I shall spare you as a man / has compassion on his son / who does the best he can.
Up On A Mountain Up in the heavens our Lord prays for you / He sent his spirit to carry us through / So it's true that you're not alone. / Do you know He came all the way down?
I Am A Stranger Tis' seldom I can never see my- / Self as I would wish to be, what / I desire I can't attain, from / what I hate I can't refrain
I think what I really enjoy about The Welcome Wagon is how beautifully honest they are about faith, doubt and emotions. Sometimes life is easy, and sometimes it's hard. But whatever happens, we know that God will carry us through.
I must say I am very, very excited about The Welcome Wagon's latest album, Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices, which was released only a few days ago! I am already in love with I Know That My Redeemer Lives. You can listen to this song here.
I hope you'll enjoy listening to The Welcome Wagon as much as I do! When I first started listening to them, I didn't really like their music, but it grew on me. I love their music now!
Metronomy - ''Everything Goes My Way'' Metronomy is an English band I've known for a few years. A month ago, I had the privilege to see them live in Edmonton (they were opening for Coldplay), and I just loved their performance! This song has something exotic to it, but I don't know what exactly. I love how the video is so innocent and beautiful.
Sufjan Stevens - ''Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing'' Oh, Sufjan. Sufjan Stevens is one of my favourite artists. I love his early albums (his Christmas album is just wonderful!). This song is an old spiritual hymn: Sufjan didn't actually write it. His interpretation of it is exquisite (love the banjo!!). The music is remarkable, but I think the reason I appreciate this song so much is that the lyrics often reflect the way I feel about God.
Philipp Poisel - ''Durch die Nacht'' Philipp Poisel is a young musician from Germany. I was introduced to his music by one of my German friends last summer. We were driving a convertible, it was raining, and this song was playing. The moment was perfect! Listen to the guitar. It's so delicate and emotional!
Josh Garrels - ''Rise''
Ok, this song is very strange and unique. It is very heavy and solemn, and I think it was meant to be that way. You can get Josh Garrels' latest album, Love & War & The Sea In Between for free here (I know!! It's so cool that he's letting people download it for free!!). Many of Garrels' songs are spiritually-oriented. ''Rise'' is an apocalyptic, almost prophetic song. It's about the Christian journey, persecution, perseverance, and restoration. The chorus makes me shiver. This song is a masterpiece.
Two Door Cinema Club - ''Something Good Can Work'' This is probably one of my favourite songs. Ever. I love it so much, especially the chorus. It make me happy. Two Door Cinema Club is a band from Northern Ireland. Their debut album, Tourist History, is very, very good. I also really like ''What You Know.''
I wanted to post about Vito's Ordination Song, whichI have been listening to recently. The song is slow, but it is very deep and significant. Take time to listen to it. I included the song and the lyrics below, as well as my reflection on the song.
Vito's Ordination Song - Sufjan Stevens
I always knew you
In yout mother's arms
I have called your name
I have an idea
Placed in your mind
To be a better man
I've made a crown for you
Put it in your room
And when the bridegroom comes
There will be noise
There will be glad
And a perfect bed
And when you write a poem
I know the words
I know the sounds
Before ou write it down
When you wear your clothes
I wear them too
I wear your shoes
And your jacket too
I always knew you
In your mother's arms
I have called you son
I've made amends
Between father and son
Or if you haven't one
Rest in my arms
Sleep in my bed
There is a design
To what I did and said.
Thomas Vito Aiuto is a friend of Sufjan Stevens', and is a reverend at Resurrection Presbyterian Church in New York. So it seems reasonable to assume that the song has to do with Vito's ordination, and can have religious undertones.
Sufjan's song reminds me of Psalm 139, which illustrates how God knows and loves us.
The psalm and the song are so beautiful and comforting. The first part of the song can be interpreted as God talking to us as a father, who has known and loved us from the beginning.
My favourite part of the song is when Sufjan sings ''And when you write a poem / I know the words / I know the sounds /Before you write it down.''
I can relate these lines because I have been writing poetry since I was very young.
Poetry is unlike any other literary genre. Dennis Gabor, who received the 1971 Nobel Prize in Physics, once said : ''Poetry is plucking at the heartstrings, and making music with them.''
Poetry seems to be the purest literary expression of human emotions. It is fragile and vulnerable because it uncovers the hidden thoughts and reflections of the human heart and mind.
This poetry of ours--our hidden emotions, pains and ideals-- is known of God, and cherished by him. Thinking that I am so intimately known is intimidating, but it is also very thrilling and fascinating. Very humbling, but also comforting and appeasing.
The last paragraph gives a wonderful picture of God's fatherly love:
