One of the themes here is the exploration of the Gospel’s impact on all of life. That includes creative pursuits. To that end, very often on Fridays I set aside time and space to specifically explore some creative outlets. The post was originally dedicated to poetry, then expanded to music and then again expanded to include visual art. I also regularly link to the photography of Steve McCoy, Will Turner, Joe Thorn, Joe Kennedy and the Friday Flickr group in which they participate. These days, the post will include any or all of those depending on my mood, my time and resources in any given week. The one constant seems to be music and today is no exception.

My wife and I recently had a chance to watch the documentary Danielson: A Family Movie which chronicles the rise of one of rock’s most interesting acts, Christian or otherwise. Danielson is actually Daniel Smith, who, for his senior thesis at Rutgers University, created a mixed media show that included music performed by he and his siblings. That music eventually became the first release by a group known as the Danielson Famile, A Prayer For Every Hour (Smith received an A for his project). Smith has since gone on to run the Sounds Familyre record label as an outlet for his music and others, including Colossians Three Sixteen favorite Woven Hand.
The music is often complex yet accessible. That is, for many, except for the vocals. Smith sings in a herky-jerky delivery that initially shocks some people yet becomes strangely enduring. Allmusic says of the group:

Danielson Famile is unmistakably a Christian band, but in the same way that Flannery O’Connor was a Christian writer. They reject the conventional set of Christian symbols and subject matter, while at the heart of every song, underneath the weirdness, is a perfectly orthodox Christian message; and Smith’s falsetto vocals are downright shocking, an effective tool in cutting through the barriers to convey these messages. No contemporary Christian radio station in its right mind would ever play Danielson; they’re just too out there.

The music centers around Daniel Smith and, as the Famile, includes his siblings, as Brother Danielson, just Smith and when going just by Danielson, who knows who will actually be playing. Sufjan Stevens even toured with the band and played on the Ships album. When they play live, the band will often wear mock nurse uniforms, or when playing solo, Smith will often wear a tree costume bearing nine different kinds of fruit. I’ll refrain from saying why at this point because I’m trying to line up an interview with Smith! Please put in a good word for me!

Here is the trailer for the documentary:

• Download “Things Against Stuff” by Brother Danielson
• Download “Did I Step On Your Trumpet?” by Danielson
• Download “Nice of Me” by the Danielson Famile
• Watch Danielson: A Family Movie for yourself
• Listen to Danielson for yourself
• Download Danielson music from eMusic
• Visit the Sounds Familyre website