Here's what I learned. First, it really is true that it is hard to find young creatives in our church. Some are leaving for other denominations or non-denoms that fund and foster younger creativity more than we do. Others are simply quietly doing work in their congregations, and aren't necessarily putting out albums or publishing.
By and large, I think my initial thesis still stands. We aren't fostering creativity. Anyone reading this with the wherewithal and the resources, here's my best advice: we need to start spending money on creatives. We need to hire them, fund them, create places and spaces for them to flourish. Anyone game?
Finally, I did want to give a shout out to all the young creatives you all linked to in your responses. So below is a list of names readers offered up as examples of young Lutheran artists. Although here's the funny thing. Not all of them are young, and not all of them are Lutheran.
No matter. I feel good about giving them a shout out here. Most are links so you can go listen for yourself. One disclaimer: this is not intended to be exhaustive, it's just folks y'all told me about.
http://guaguaelectrica.com/fr_home.cfm
Tay Wilson
Dan Schwandt
Paul Friesen-Carper
Eric Engblade
Nathan Schleicher
The Northern Skies
Tim Jahn
Gretchen Weller Mertes
http://www.starboarders.com/
Chris Tripolino
Peter Schwich
http://koinemusic.com/
http://bifrostarts.com/
Other arts:
Emily Bouvier (photography) http://stolaf.edu/depts/cis/wp/ebouvier/index.html
A few folks pointed out that my aim was too narrow in focusing exclusively on young Lutheran rockers. You're right, that's a narrow topic, but honestly, I needed some way to focus. However, if you know great Lutheran artists working in other media, list them here in the comments!
Great post, Clint. And an interesting conversation, as well.
ReplyDeleteI was given great opportunities to share my musical gifts at my home church in Minnesota, where we had a contemporary service that did some CCM music, and at the same time our contemporary worship director was Ray Makeever. In that sense, I had great mentors to help me become a leader in worship.
However, the idea to take it to the next level-- to become a Lutheran musician? If it ever occurred to me (and I don't think it ever did, even with Makeever and other Lutheran music legends as mentors), the idea would have been quickly squashed by a sense of "you need to study Lutheran liturgy and hymnology before you can succeed".
I love the Lutheran church, though, and still play my music many times a week as a youth director-- at confirmation and high school youth group, with preschool chapel, at summer camp, and at any given weekend retreat.
Hey Tay-- wanna start a band? I've got bass or guitar covered...!
"You need to study Lutheran liturgy..." = "You're too young, and you need to go to seminary first".
DeleteI had actually been told that, while in my late teens. For me, that was probably the most discouraging sensibility within my network of church people at the time.
I'm always down for a jam session : )
DeleteJonathan Rundman started doing his liturgically informed music when he was still in college. Most great rock musicians start really young and they certainly don't go to graduate school. I say go for it, Ian!
ReplyDeleteHeatherlyn is an up and coming artist that shouldn't be overlooked. Thanks for your thoughts, Clint.
ReplyDeleteHeatherlyn is fantastic! http://www.heatherlynmusic.com
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