Music is an expensive business, isn’t it?  There are pressings, CDs and mastering.  Then there’s equipment, travel, promotional materials, administration, and did I mention that every once in a while, you might like to purchase new music.  Before you know it, expenses are running rampant, and you are left holding the bill for everything.  This doesn’t have to happen.  With a little caution (and a lot of receipt saving) you can make your music happen on a small budget.  Here are a few tips on how to make it happen.

Shiloh. Andy Hunter. Kubiks. Uberzone.

What do you think when you hear these names? Do you think, “Man, that guy is certainly doing the work of God”? Do you think, “That is where Christians need to start being”?

A few months ago I was sitting in my church’s business class. The teacher had asked us a question – “What verse might best describe your purpose for starting a business?” As we went around the room, the answers ranged from verses on prosperity to verses on ministry to John 3:16 to the great commission. Since I was sitting near the back of the room I had a moment to think about my answer. The verse that kept coming to me was different than everyone else’s verse. I kept thinking of “Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men.” (which turns out to be Proverbs 22:29). In a way, that surprised me. My purpose for starting my business was because I wanted to stand before Kings and priests?

Most people do not like to talk about money unless their day job directly involves sales or money. It is typically hard to bridge the gap from "Yes, I will play your event." to "How much are paying?" So, in this edition of "The Drop", we are going to talk about money. The Bible has lots to say about money and is clear about a worker's wage. Our obedience with money can and will effect our walk with God.

It is hard to distinguish yourself in Drum N Bass.  There is so much DnB out there that getting lost in the crowd is always a danger.  Evol Intent has beaten the odds.  Not only have Evol Intent's three members; The Enemy, Knick and Gigantor; collaborated with some of the best in the industry (notably, Dieselboy), they make Drum n Bass records that grab my attention and make me say "Oh ya...that's cool!" in stead of "Uh-huh...DnB..." And so this month, it is an honor to have The Enemy take time out to answer a few questions about Evol’s production process and gear for us.

The Echoing Green (Joey Belville – music & vocals, Chrissy Jeter - vocals), has released a steady stream of uplifting hope-filled electronica and synth-pop for over a decade.  Since their 2004 album “The Winter of our Discontent” that signaled a new musical direction, they have been strangely silent.  I caught up with Joey to discuss what they’ve been up to in the last couple years, where their music is headed, the new Pristina project, and his recent passion of producing for other artists.

Laodicea was a town in the southwest of what today is Turkey. It is also the site of one of the earliest Christian churches. Laodicea is mentioned in two places within the Bible. The first is in Paul’s letter to the Colossians and then again in the book of Revelation. The contrast between these two mentions is astounding. In fact, it is so astounding that it is something we really need to think about as we are discussing not only what it means for our scene to be united, but as we decide what direction this scene will take and what the cornerstone theology of this movement will be.

It’s my 30th birthday today, I am sitting here at my friend’s house in Ibiza and there is not a cloud in the sky and all that has put me in a very reflective mood.  After trying several times to come up with a nice well thought out subject to share my view on, I am still stuck on finding one single subject to talk about.  It’s not that I can’t think of anything to say, it’s just that each topic seems to open up so many thoughts that I would end up writing a book instead of page or two.  So it got me thinking, how did I end up where I am today.

One of the questions I am most often asked is, how can I make a living with my music? The most obvious answer is "charge for your services" if you don't already, but it goes deeper than that - you have to have a business mindset if you want to make money. If you're only interested in doing it for fun, and don't want to make it a business, don't expect to make much money.

As you probably have noticed, there is no REAL Drop this issue. I sent out about 15 emails and private messages to people, and either they were not interested in writing a Drop or I did not receive any response. Because of this, there will be no official Drop this time out.