ffm 2007

Self-consciously straddling the gap between the Christian subculture and the broader secular world, Relevant Magazine both reflects and shapes young evangelicals' struggles to find their place in a postmodern pluralistic society. But what exactly is Relevant's strategy for "engaging culture", and how does it truly differ from what came before? What are the real driving forces behind its theological, political, and "progressive" cultural agendas? In this workshop, I'll use my in-depth critical study of the magazine and its parent company Relevant Media Group as an entry point towards discussing our current environment of generationally-based target marketing, commodified dissent, corporate-funded fake-indie record labels, ironic t-shirts, rebel rocker-activists, and Christianity's changing relationship with the culture industry.

Individuals involved with publishing on the topic of music will discuss the various big questions that arise in their work: how does one decide if something is "good"? What is the responsibility of the critic in different cultural contexts? What does it look like to do criticism well?

Liz Janes has been a part of the Asthmatic Kitty record label from the start, and has been front and center in watching it grow. Liz is married to Michael Kaufmann, who from a home office, assists in the development and management of the label. So as both an artist on the label, and one with a clear view of its internal workings, Liz has a lot to say about how the label is run. This is not a Christian label, but one can easily point to Gospel principles within its practice. In this workshop Liz will address her ideas about "Christianity" and "The role of the record label" by sharing the story of her own growth as an artist and the role that Asthmatic Kitty has played in that story. The floor will also greatly be open for questions and discussion.

Lenny Smith: There is an "alternate world" all around us: a world of wondrous joy and abiding peace and infinite supply. In this world, right here now, forgiveness is commonplace and love and kindness are continual, everyday events. Generosity always leads to increase and no one really wants to claim ownership of anything at all in this "fourth dimension." Sharing is everyone's preoccupation and creating is everyone's delight. There is a Presence, a Protector, a Provider, taking care of everyone, helping and encouraging, and always turning everything for good, without exception! Even the animals know about this place. The birds sing about it, the trees wave their limbs and the winds blow around and the waves roll-up on the beaches, celebrating the beauty and loveliness of this garden in which we live. There is a problem, though. Only the small children, and not even all of them, know about this happy world and can actually see it. And once they reach a certain age, something changes in their eyesight and minds and they cannot see it any longer and all too soon forget about this present garden. I believe there is a way to regain our sight and see again this "other realm," but, even among Christians, only one in a hundred finds The Way. But still the loveliness continues forever all around us.

Jan Krist: As writers and musicians we have learned the skills and acquired the tools needed to execute and perhaps even perfect our craft. The problem is, no matter how great a craftsperson you become, a well-crafted piece is not always a work of art. So what separates a finely crafted song from an artfully written one? What separates a good story from a great novel? At the heart of great art, music and writing are elements that transcend the ordinary and speak to us on a deeper level. "Stealing the Heart of Art" will explore the lives, work and philosophies shared by artists, writers and songwriters from Flannery O'Connor to Picasso to Randy Newman.

Fred Knapp Trio: An exploration in music and dialogue of jazz theory, as well as the way in which jazz relates to contemporary music and culture, with live music.

Fred Knapp Trio: Interested in jazz, but don't know much about it? This session will explore the form's history and conventions, with live music as illustration.

David Dark leads a workshop the world-making, wonder-working power of the truthful word. Participants will consider the lyrical as a form of crazy prevention.

Working within an eight-person ensemble can prove challenging when it comes to the processes of song writing and communication. Anathallo will share their experience of this, discussing what they have found to be effective (or ineffective) when attempting to utilize the entire group in the sharing of ideas.

Chris Smit interviews Emmylou Harris.

This workshop by Adam Smith, the managing editor of Relevant Magazine, will spotlight the way God has woven His truth throughout the mainstream media and the arts.

Brian Walsh: Motifs of home, exile, nomadism and homecoming are ubiquitous in the lyrics of both Bruce Cockburn and U2. This workshop will allow these themes to bounce back and forth between U2 and Cockburn, while attending to further biblical and cultural implications.

Jacque Rhodes: The roots of gospel music informed, encouraged and uplifted a people oppressed by America's apartheid, slavery. This session will explore the history of gospel music and its pioneers. Through slices of music and live performance we follow the transition of gospel music from "field hollars to gospel hip hop" and discuss its influence on other forms of popular music.

Steve Stockman will use his current MTh studies to unpack the intrinsic place of the artist in the mission of the Church to bring God's Kingdom on earth: how that place was lost and needs to be rediscovered. He will look at how grace can only interrupt the way the world is when we dream dreams and see visions. There will be references to U2, Bruce Springsteen's Seeger Sessions and Bloc Party among others. His hope is to big up your ideas on art and grace that we might change the world.

Andrew Beaujon: A new breed of Christians interested in engaging mainstream culture has emerged. At the same time, pop-culture journalists have started examining evangelical culture. We'll talk about pop-culture critiques of Christian culture as well as uncomfortable seams where cultures merge.

David Dark interviews Neko Case.

David Dark: With examples from popular music, literature, and many a personal anecdote, Dark discusses the ways the lyrical precedes the analytical and suggests that the poetry in our heads (both the good and the bad) forms our realitites.

Sylvia Keesmaat: The prophets were called to name the violence and pain of the empire and provide a word of fresh hope in the face of imperial death-dealing. We will listen to both biblical texts and contemporary artists Mandy Troxel and Leonard Cohen, who bring such a prophetic imagination to life.

Ben Squires: Morrissey, as lead singer of the Smiths and in his solo career, has written lyrics that cut deeply—even piercing the soul. While Morrissey has never claimed the Christian faith as his own, his lyrics show a recurring conversation with God. This presentation will take a look at the echoes of the faith in Morrissey's words as he approaches the subjects of temptation, God, death, and Gospel-type metaphors, while also seeing Morrissey's “pastoral care” and Morrissey as prophet.

The Psalters: A culture's climate usually goes hand in hand with the art and music that comes out of it. It is no surprise than, that the richest, most comfortable, luxurious culture in history is currently producing volumes of apathetic, boring, complacent, self-focused pop (popular) art that models itself on corporate techniques and advertising. In our journeys trying to understand the struggles of the oppressed and the refugee, we have seen and felt and heard that the most passionate, transformative music comes when people are forced to leave the dominant culture, walk together in pain, enter into it and reflect about hope as a community. What does this say then about our "Christian nation" and its multi-million dollar "Christian" music industry and thousands of worship artists? Let us listen.

Bakari Kitwana is a nationally respected hip-hop expert who examines how hip-hop is woven into the context of American culture.

Winner talks about the music that has been present and influential in her work and life journey so far.

Through listening and discussion, this session will explore strategies of social, political, environmental, and spiritual activism in a wide range of musical styles. From Woody Guthrie to Minor Threat, the music that we will discuss attempts to further certain agendas that would be less effectively presented in other ways for the artist. This might also beg the question, "Is all art political?"

Co-founder Josh Jackson gives a history of Paste magazine's search to find arts and culture worth celebrating over the last five years, including the ways that faith has shaped the operating philosophy.

An introduction to the Festival of Faith & Music 2007, highlighting presenters and artists who will be participating.

The opening keynote address at the Festival of Faith & Music 2007.