Lets Be Real Here....

Lets be real: trying to raise money for my mission trip to Germany this summer has to be one of the most stressful things I've ever had to do. Not stressful in the since that I have ALOT of things to do, stressful in the sense that everything is completely out of my hands.

I sent out over 30 support letters this past week, and have only heard back from two people. It scares me. It really does.

I distributed my EP a couple weeks ago, and I am not told when it will be up on itunes. They said it could be anywhere from 2 days to 2 weeks. So I have to check back every day. What if it doesnt get up in time for me to raise enough money?

I set my EP at $10, or so I thought. On my CDbaby account, it sells for $10. But it just released on amazon today....selling for $4.95. WHAT? Seriously....WHAT???? Its one of those things that theres literally nothing I can do. This means I'll get half the profit I thought I would from my EPs.

I literally have been worrying about finances over the past few weeks. Where is this money gonna come from? Will I have enough? WHY DOES EVERYTHING SEEM TO BE GOING WRONG? All these worries, dominating my thoughts. I dont want money to dominate my thoughts. Its so frustrating because I KNOW Jesus is gonna come through. I've seen him be faithful way too many times to expect him not to be. Besides, his faithfulness in MY life doesnt determine the FACT that hes faithful.

Ah, all in all. I just need some prayer. Honestly, just pray for provision and for my trust in him to grow exponentially in this season.


My EP is out on Amazon  and CDbaby now. It will be up on iTunes in the next few days (hopefully).

ON MY PLAYLIST//06

ASCEND THE HILL//

Truly an incredible band. Their music transforms the classics, transforms hearts, and seriously transforms the atmosphere & brings you to the throne. I love their simplicity and their sound. 

my life is not my own, its yours.

ON MY PLAYLIST// 05

OF MONSTERS AND MEN//

Kinda obsessing over this band lately. I remember seeing a tweet about them a few months ago but never checked them out until this week. I'm seriously in love with their most recent album. I love their sound and their energy. And their accents are pretty cool too I guess ;). Very catchy stuff & the melodies are very well written! They start their tour in a few days and sadly I'm missing them in Berlin by about a month! Hopefully I'll see them live one day! Check them out!

ON MY PLAYLIST//04

ROEMER COLLECTIVE//

"Roemer collective is a project by Ben & Jasmin Seidl, along with some friends, based out of Berlin, Germany. In the Winter of 2011, Ben starting writing a handful of songs in light of and response to a death in his family in December 2010. Using only a ribbon mic and garageband they recorded these songs live in their kitchen. Shortly after the recording the band starting to come together around these songs."

So, I love this band. They are actually involved in Reset Church, the church I will be working with when in Berlin! So I'm hoping I'll get to meet all these talented people, learn from them, and hopefully do some music! They have such a pure, refreshing sound. Their sound definitely reminds me of Damien Rice. I love it. Check out this backyard acoustic of their song "David". You can also read more about them at their website (here) or download their EP off noisetraide (here).

ON MY PLAYLIST//03

FIRST AID KIT//

All I have to say is: girl power. 

In the process...

Ahh. Sunday night, back in the dorm. Spring break is unfortunately over. Oh, how needed that break was! Although most of my friends back home weren't on a spring break, there was something so nice about waking up in the morning (on my own- not to an alarm blaring at 7am) and literally having nothing to do. I loved every minute! While I was home I got to work on my upcoming "album" (i feel so lame calling it an album, so I always feel the need to put it in "quotes"). Goodness, recording is so tedious. As much as I absolutely love writing and recording, I was about ready to give up! It takes so much time! Crazy. Conner is such a trooper. Seriously, what would I do without that guy??! I have no clue how to work all his crazy recording equipment, or most of the instruments he pulls out of no where. So thankful he is willing to help me on this!

I was listening to some of the finished recordings on the way up to Arkansas today. It makes me so excited that its all coming together! And dang, its so crazy what a mac can do! I'm like blown away by the capabilities of this whole garage band thing! So cool. Who needs a producer right?? ;) I'm getting everything mixed in the next couple weeks and am hoping to have it released by early to mid May! Woo!!! Get excited with me!

Saw You First - Givers

ON MY PLAYLIST//02

If you wanna dance, or should i say groove, look no further. 

Love; MUSIC.

gah. in the midst of the chaos that is college academics, i took a break to do a little cover for ya.

ON MY PLAYLIST//01

LOCAL NATIVES//

Okay, so I'm currently a little obsessed with Local Natives at the moment. Just came accross this video of their song "Sun Hands". Amazing. AHhhhhhhhhhhh. Good music makes me soo happeeeeeyyyy.

Love: I Want You Near

I was driving around last night and my mind started creating a melody on its own. I pulled out my iphone to record the melody and by the time I got to my destination I had a song written. All it needed was some piano! I got my friend conner to help and sing the guy part. The song is about long distance relationships and pretty much how much it sucks being away from the person you love. Here ya go:

Life: Finally!

Since day one at Arkansas, I've been searching for some musical people! Not only that, but musical people that love Jesus! I just wanted someone to hang out and play and sing with but I wasnt finding it! So, for the first 4 or 5 months of college, I did music by myself in my room (which is cool too, but i wanted a friend with me!) and I had been getting involved with a worship team at an on campus ministry, which was awesome, but I just wanted to hang out and play for fun too! So, fast forward to.  November, I started going to the Grove Church here in Fayetteville. Love it. I wanted to get involved with their worship so I went to their volunteer meeting. There I met Jason, the worship pastor at the Grove, who invited me out to their worship practice the following Wednesday. I went, and of course loved it. Jason is just as obsessed with Hillsong with I am, so I knew I'd fit right in ;). That night at their worship practice, I met a guy named Connor who goes to the U of A as well. After that, we'd see eachother all the time on campus! Eventually, we decided to hang out and jam. That was this past weekend. AH! Words cant express how much fun I had. Finally, I felt like myself. Finally, I was able to do what I love! We did a few covers and had alot of fun. We recorded one for you guys too! Check it out, and feel free to leave a comment at the bottom :)

House of God Forever // Jon Foreman 

Love: Worship!

So, I love worship. Leading worship is one of my favorite things in the world. Mostly because I love being able to be a part of connecting people to the presence of God. His presence is where hearts are changed and healed and restored. One of my prayers as I start this next chapter in life is that He will use my voice on my campus to bring people to his heart! I decided to do a cover of Rooftops by Jesus Culture. Its one of my favorite worship songs right now. I love the lyrics. Jesus, we are yours!!

-Blake