Billy Jonas is a singer-songwriter, guitarist and an "industrial re-percussionist" whose primary instrument is the audience. A Billy Jonas performance is an explosion of energy. In singalongs, bangalongs, whisperalongs, as well as improvised songs, his primary instrument is the audience. Everyone becomes part of a performance that reaches out and (as the Fayetteville Morning News puts it) "...touches even the most hardened of hearts."
"God Is In"
"This has been a very powerful song. No matter where I play it, there is always a strong response. I remember when I was writing it, I didn't have a sense that it was a great song. Overtime it has revealed to me that it's way bigger than me. A wonderful example of music coming through me, as opposed to from me. And to think it all started with the microwave..." (Billy Jonas)
The Free Times of Columbia, South Carolina writes, "Chris Compton is a songwriting chameleon, equally able at penning power-pop hooks as he is ingeniously off-kilter folk tunes." Chris Compton adores the marriage of words with melody while playing a wide array of instruments on his recordings in the studio. But one thing that seems to flummox the poet turned musician is talking about himself. He'd much rather discuss songs from his new CD Field Tech, his band The Fossil Record and how he's inspired by the universality of all that music conveys.
RockOm's featured track this week is Chris' song "Friends" - an instantly infectious reflection written about a fellow musician whose life was cut short by cancer. "Friends" will be featured all week on the homepage for your listening pleasure.
Also, on Thursday be sure to catch the latest RockOm podcast for an interview with Chris Compton.
Last August, RockOm featured two excellent songs from singer-songwriter Samuel Markus. Sam has since gone on to form a new band, The Morning Birds, whose new 16-song LP, Inspiration Point is due soon. The Morning Birds describe themselves as "a hybrid of musical and spiritual understandings expressed through music, art, and moving images."
Featured Track:
"Rise Again"
"'Rise Again' was written as a call for everyone to open their hearts and minds to hope and the true nature of reality, which is love and unity. Enjoy!" (Samuel Markus)
Char Butler, this week's RockOm Featured Artist (see right hand column) understands the healing properties found in music. In fact Char says, "Behind the music I hope that the tones raise each individual's vibrations that are essential in healing." How often it is that we're simply "off vibration" not feeling the "vibes"? We can begin to let the music re-calibrate our being as soon as we become still and let the music flow through us.
"The older I became and went on my way
Wisdom came forth from my Father's voice
The words he spoke were heeded the most
Kindness and patience deliver you whole" [From "My Life" by Char Butler]
It seems we're seldom patient or heeding of the vibration and inner words speaking the entire, silent truth. How fortunate we have each other here to remind us of what is real and unreal. There is no finer way of relaying this healing presence and becoming re-tuned to universal vibration, all that is real, than through music.
Char Butler is a former opera vocalist and guitar instructor turned singer-songwriter from Queen Creek, Arizona with a unique style and vision for her music. Voted 2008's Crossover Artist of The Year by New Music Weekly Magazine, Char says, "I totally believe in transcending positive thought. I write songs that express love, hope, peace, misunderstanding, loss and healing. I write songs about spirits, which I believe are among us and upbeat songs that have positive words put to a soft rock beat." Experiencing loss throughout Char's life has indeed influenced her writing style. Her strong Christian belief system has taught Char that every action has a recourse and that all situations - may they be losses or successes - give insight and wisdom if one is willing to seek understanding. Char's healing music is being used in ICU hospital recovery units, massage clinics, yoga classes, as well as utilized for stress management. Additionally, several of the songs on her album Secrets of The Heart are referring to the invisible realm and the veil that exists between reality and the spiritual realm.
Featured Track:
"My Life"
"'My Life' is a story song from Secrets of The Heart written about stages in my own life from infancy to adulthood. It mentions my mother, father, angels and my husband. I wrote this song in the early 80's and [have since] changed the lyrics slightly to be intriguing, but the overall message was to say thanks to my loved ones." (Char Butler)
RockOm is quite excited about our two offerings we have for you today.
Look across the homepage to the right column and you'll see a Featured Track from Sanskrit chant singer and musician Girish. Girish's funky song "Hanuman 2" will have you invoking your internal Hanuman - the monkey deity known for his devotion and boundless energy. If this song doesn't move your feet (and heart) nothing will!
In addition, we have posted a new podcast featuring interviews with Girish as well as next week's featured artist - The Transpersonals. Between Girish's sharing about the yoga music genre and philosophy and Tim's (from the Transpersonals) story about his psychedelic-inspired spiritual awakening, this is one RockOm podcast that you'll absolutely want to check out. Clocking in at nearly 30 minutes, this episode is a great one to load onto your music player and listen to on your way to work or school this week. See this and all episodes on the podcast page.
"The story of Hanuman - lord of the monkeys, son of the wind - is told in many cultures, including China, Thailand, Indonesia, and India. It's the story of how our animal nature can be sublimated through service and devotion. Some would say that Hanuman represents the mind which, when scattered and unaware of its Divine nature, jumps all around like a monkey. But once it fixes itself on its Beloved, it becomes the vehicle to merge with God.
"The song 'Hanuman 2' features 8 verses from the beautiful Hanuman Chalisa - an ancient hymn which invokes the energy of Hanuman. There are lots of versions of the Chalisa, but I wanted to create something fun and funky, with that jumping monkey energy! This song also came into being from the huge response I had to the song 'Hanuman' (from Reveal)." [Girish]
We're excited to bring you two new things to check out today! First off is not one - but two - Featured Track(s) of the Week from LA-based singer-songwriter Samuel Markus. See the right column of the home page to listen to Sam's tracks, "New Dawn" and "The Offering." This is definitely an artist you'll want to get to know!
Secondly, you can listen to an interview with Samuel - as well as next week's artist, a jazz/fusion trio from New York called Transcendence - on a new episode of the RockOm Podcast released today. See the podcast page to download the MP3 or to subscribe to all podcasts!
"With our desire to be more "spiritual," we so often identify with notions of oneness with God / the Universe, and yet have a harder time embracing the darker parts of humanity such as racism, violence and indifference. This song is about the sometimes painful realization that our (individual and collective) shadow is as much a part of us as our light." [Lotus Dog]
"My inspiration to write 'Be The Change' came in the realization that if we want to change the world, we need to start with ourselves. It can be overwhelming to look at all the things that are wrong in the world and feel overwhelmed and powerless. I believe if we 'Be' the way we want the world to be in a conscious way, then change will happen...one step at a time." [Tommy Fields]
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RockOm Exclusive:Download "Be the Change" for FREE, June 24 - June 30 ONLY.
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We're excited to bring you two new things to check out today! First off is not one - but two - Featured Track(s) of the Week from LA-based singer-songwriter Samuel Markus. See the right column of the home page to listen to Sam's tracks, "New Dawn" and "The Offering." This is definitely an artist you'll want to get to know! 
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