ARTIST CORNER
Adrea LaRoche interview:
7Cubed: Hi Adrea! Do you remember when you first realized you
wanted to write songs?
AL: There’s not really a point that I can remember realizing that. I’ve been doing it my whole life. Now, it’s not something that’s going on the next cd of course, but it wasn’t too shabby… On second thought, maybe it was one of my better songs. ?
But besides that, I’ve always been writing something… Through high school it really came out as poetry, but it wasn’t until my first year of college that I started writing songs.
7Cubed: At what point in your life did you realize that God wanted to use your talent for music?
AL: Well, when I was in college and had really turned my life over to Christ I knew I wanted to use it for His purpose and glory. But I guess it was as I started leading worship towards the end of college that I began to get some affirmation that He was actually calling me to that. I had had the desire for years. But the affirmation/confirmation came from other people, from His Word and from His inspiring many of the songs that I’ve written.
God wants us to use all the gifts He has given us for His glory. It has been a prayer of mine since that time for Him to use this passion on as large a scale as He wanted.
7Cubed: What inspires you to write and sing so many different types of songs?
AL: Wow. Well, I have a rather eclectic batch of cds at my house… I grew up on Cat Stevens, my parent’s 50’s music, singing Hank Williams and Meryl Haggard with my dad, my sister’s 80’s music. Throw in there a mix of techno/dance music, and add to it my Irish genes, time on the Emerald Isle, and my mom singing me to sleep with folk songs through my childhood and you’ve got a mess of musical influences!
I guess when I start hearing some lyrics in my head and I start to write, the style of the music comes along to communicate the feeling and emotion of the song. With such varied influences, I have a lot of music to pick from and most of the time what I’m hearing in my head musically is much more than I can pull off with just a guitar.
7Cubed: What musicians/singers inspired you the most and why?
AL: That’s always a hard question for me to answer. It’s difficult to narrow it down. I really appreciate good lyrics and creative delivery. I guess some of the biggest inspirations for me have been Nicole Nordeman, Sara Groves, Over the Rhine, and lately Sara Barielles. They’ve inspired me to really be creative and step out of my own box with lyrics and stories and melodies.
It’s easy for me to get stuck in a rut and realize that songs I’m working on all sound rather similar. Last year I wrote one song and I was playing through it again and it occurred to me that I had written the same song a couple months before with different lyrics! It’s so important to keep stretching yourself in songwriting though.
7Cubed: Other than music, what other things do you love to do?
AL: I love to be outside! I’ve always loved to camp, hike, ride my mountain bike, or even just go to a park to lay on a blanket and write. Lately I’ve been working around our
yard. I really enjoy planting things and working in the garden. When it finally gets warm outside after months of winter, I take my laptop outside and work on the porch for
hours it seems.
Besides that I love to talk to people or even just speak to people that I encounter throughout the day. It’s so underrated, but just a smile and a look straight
in the eye can change someone’s day and let them know they matter.
7Cubed: Thanks, Adrea! We can't wait for your new CD to hit the shelves! God Bless!
Check out Adrea's website - AdreaLaroche.com
Here is the review Em did on our 7Cubed Christian Music Blog (loaded with cool stuff and download links!) about the contemporary but fresh sound of Andreas Sandlund.
" Andreas Sandlund brings a fresh new sound to the Christian music industry, all the way from Stockholm, Sweden. His songs have been released in Australia, Italy, The Netherlands, UK, and Greece. His first cd, "Diamond no 1", was first released on in 2006, and he has just released his new album "Sacred Love" earlier this month. Andreas was a musician, and singer/songwriter at a very young age. He even had his own band. He grew up in Sweden, and moved to Stockholm at age 19. Soon after moving, he studied with the Royal Academy of Music.
I personally love his sound, and I think he has a real gift for music, especially songwriting. Two of my favorite songs are "Now It's Time" and "Out of Words". The sound of the songs move you in such a way that you want to hear them over and over. They are so unique, and you can really hear God speaking through him. I can't wait to hear what he brings to the Christian music industry next! "
Don't miss our interview with Andreas straight from Sweden below!
interviews
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Andreas Sandlund interview:
7Cubed: How old were you when you started singing?
AS: I can't remember really. I think I first was interested in drums as early as five, then I started playing the piano and writing songs. For me it was really the songwriting that started it for me. With it came the singing and learning to play the piano.
I think I was only 12 years old when I started my first band where I performed my own songs. Then it went on from there.
7Cubed: At what point in your life did you realize that God wanted to use your talent for music?
AS: I guess it's a process. As I mentioned before I started early writing songs and doing gigs with my band. You notice that people are being touched when you perform. Then when you hear different people give you praise and are encouraging you in your gift that also helps of course. One important step was the move to a city called Jönköping in Sweden at only 16 years of age where I studied music for three years.
I really got a lot of opportunities there and a lot of encouragement and self-belief. Then later I moved to Stockholm,the capital of Sweden, and I started to play and perform in various contexts as a musician. In addition to that I also have to say that there has been a kind of confirmation in my heart that this is what I'm meant to do. Like a calling that has even grown stronger as I have drawn closer to God and have felt His presence.
7Cubed: What inspired you to write "Keep It On"?
AS: Well that song is about when the faith becomes a test. Maybe even reduced to a routine without life or at least with a lack of joy, inspiration and motivation.
It's not really about a certain situation but something I think some people can relate to. Dealing with the questions, can I trust my faith, all the choices I've made related to my faith, maybe I've made this all up?
Sometimes you walk a path in life that can lead to a place where you begin to doubt your choices. You felt you were always so confident, knowing what's right but then suddenly you're not so sure anymore. The conclusion and the prayer in the song is a prayer of surrendering, trusting the promises, trusting what's deep inside and leaving in it all to God. He will make it alright.
7Cubed: What musicians/singers inspired you the most?
AS: Well of course many even though I don't tend to listen to a whole lot of music at the moment. I have listened to soul, singer/songwriter, pop, gospel, jazz music etc.
If you would like to see some records I've enjoyed I have listed some of them on www.myspace/andreassandlund.
7Cubed: Other than music, what other things do you love to do?
AS: Well like most people hanging out with friends, going to a nice café or restaurant. Sometimes when I want to relax I like to watch sports like tennis or soccer.
I like to spend time with God. I like to dream and come up with new plans and ideas. Well a lot of other things as well.
7Cubed: Thanks so much Andreas for the interview! We loved getting a chance to know you better. May God bless your work!
Find links to buy Andreas's CD on his site.
Buy these artist's songs and more on
You like an eclectic mix of soulful acoustic rock, cool folk, and a little bit in between? Then you are gonna' LOVE Adrea LaRoche.
Adrea LaRoche's acoustic rock musical style developed from her love of many types of music from classical to country rock to Celtic. Artist influence like the Indigo Girls, Over the Rhine, and Sheryl Crow have helped develop Adrea's eclectic and soulful sounds.
Her passionate lyrics have a gravitational pull on the heart captivating every audience from concert crowds to coffee house patrons to regional music festival goers. Her skill and talent has even captured the listening ear of many at sporting events and those at the "local scene" where she hopes to make an impact in the lives of her listeners. Having been featured in the MEIC showcase and songwriter events, she has reached the dream of inspiring others through her music to see beyond who they are so they can affect change in this world. Adrea, an Artist Associate with World Vision, works as an advocate for impoverished communities around the world, and has opened her heart to encourage sponsorship of children in much less fortunate regions than our own. She is a crusader for God for sure!
Her new CD, coming out later this year, much anticipated after her first two cds "Daily Resurrection" (2001) and "Fireside Session" (2004), has led to a her most recent recent work - a re-release of "Daily Resurrection" with 2 sneak-peek bonus tracks of what is to come with the new cd.
This re-release is currently available through links on Adrea's website.
Don't miss the interview with Adrea below!
In 2oo8, the Alaskan piano based rock band Nitengale (now in Nashville, TN) was the Word Records Artist Ovation National winner. The band’s audience and fan base grew last year as they played at the country's largest Christian Music Festivals.
The band will tour this year across the U.S. bringing songs from their new CD release. Their style can be described in so many ways... but we tend to like the reminiscent 80s sound that comes out of the rising melodies and neo-classical piano composition (accurately self described)- especially from "I'll Be There". "Secret Police" reminds us of a mix between Cold Play and Trans Siberian Orchestra. Cool!! No wonder they have been nominated to perform at the LA Music
Awards in November - the most prestigious award ceremony in Indie Music. And... they have been nominated for Album of the Year! Now that is moving fast!
Nitengale has joined with the international ministry Compassion, and if you have checked out the ministry section of our site you already know we here at 7Cubed sponsor a child through Compassion as well - so we are thrilled to see bands and artists join in.
Check them out at their MySpace page: Nitengale where you can find links to get their
music.
This band ranks among the “Best New Artists of 2008,” according to ChristianityToday.com. And when you hear their music you will know why. We really like that they are involved with the Seven Project, an outreach that visits schools to talk with students about different issues like sex, drugs, violence, alcohol, etc. The week-long conversations are nonreligious, but faith comes up during the off-campus rally and concert afterwards. That is where bands like Abandon come in... to reach the kids thru music...right up our ally!
There own My Space page says it all, "The music of Abandon does indeed reach out with a rare blend of non-alienating spiritual commentary and artistic relevance. Produced by Chris Stevens (Sanctus Real, Shawn McDonald, Delirious?), the set conveys classic Bible truths in a fresh voice (Peter’s denial in “Providence”), fashions vulnerable prayers into memorable, soaring alternative pop songs (“Be Alive in Me”), and praises God while wearing the creative influences of The Beatles and Coldplay on 'All Because of You.'"
toddiefunk & ELECTRIC CHURCH collaborate to bring you what they call an "explosion of funk, R&B & soul sprinkled with a little rock flavor"! Front man toddiefunk is the bass man for Grammy Award winning artist, tobyMac - who is
one of our favs here at 7Cubed. And this guy is great live with tobyMac so I can imagine how good he is with this 70's funk sound live!
ELECTRIC CHURCH claims influences like Prince, Gap Band, Sly Stone, Cameo, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Kirk Franklin, but these guys are original for sure. Makes you wanna' dance! Get your groove on with these guys.
You can catch the "groovy wave" at their MySpace page here.
Rock Rap? Ever heard of it? Well Tedashii has and he is bringin' it to ya'! His album "Amped" release back in 2007 has an awesome rock-rap song called "No More" that really lays it on the line about not being afraid and not taking sin
"no more". The rhythm of the song makes the lyrics easy to sing to if you want give it a try!
Tedashii's new cd "Identity Crisis" comes out May 19, and includes a song called "26s" which brings to light the fact that so many young people idolize cars and "stuff" - making the most important things in their lives just that... "things".
Tedashii shows (with the help of artist's Lecrae, Flame, and others) that thru Christ's redemption of us our image can be restored to His image - no longer placing our identity in the things of the world.
Take a listen at Tedashii's MySpace page and see for yourself how Rap doesn't have to be as bad as
some artist's choose to make it.
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