-Welcome to the smalltime- (free album)

Hello all CHM members, browsers, lurkers, etc.!

This is my first post, so I would just like to offer a warm greeting to everyone here.

It's recently been brought to my attention that Christian Rock/ Metal (other than the mainstream stuff) is a genre of music that typically does not sell very well. It may be that there are simply less fans these days than at one point in time (very possible), or it may be the brutal economy (I know quite a few people out of work), or perhaps a combination of these factors plus other things.

Regardless, I thought I might set out to encourage fellow metal head believers out there.

My recent album "Weathering the Winter of the Soul", is a derivative work, meaning it's my lyrics, vocal melodies, and vocals paired with the music of other talented musicians who allow licenses of their music to be purchased for collaborative purposes. It's not the best scenario in which to make music, I understand, but for a married man with five children and no band it's not a bad option. I started this project about a year ago with the idea that I would add my vocals to form a solid, if unoriginal, Christian Rock album that would cause some to remember the music of another era, and ultimately glorify God as it should. I sang on it, mixed it, and Pastor Brad added sparkle with his mastering. I went into this venture understanding I would never get out (fiscally speaking) what I put into it. Many artists of all walks understand this ahead of time, and it's just not that big of a deal when it's the message that matters.

My hope is that if money, or the lack thereof, has kept you from checking out this music, I'd like to change that. Trust me, I didn't do this for windfall profits , so if you like the sound and you're even remotely interested in it, please look up "razorigami" on soundcloud.com, where you will find high quality (256) versions of each song on the album, completely free to download for a time.

Lyrics to each song can be found on metrolyrics.com , and you can also check out some of my scriptural references on razorigami.wordpress.com

I think if you give it a fair shot you might be really encouraged by it! I don't know how many downloads Soundcloud will allow but feel free to make copies and share files with friends, you have my blessing! There are also simple physical copies (1 page insert, very cool disc design) available for six bucks and some change at amazon. I will only have 25 manufactured, and 5 of them I've already sent to friends. But if you are not a collector of physical discs, you don't need to buy anything at all, it's free and I hope you enjoy it!

God Bless,
- Luke

P.S.
Just wanted to take a moment to thank Fundy for being a real encouragement. It's people like you that really keep artists wanting to make music! I am not certain what the future holds for me, musically speaking, if it holds anything at all. That's God's decision. For now, I will simply try to be the best husband and father I can be, and maybe write some lyrics here and and there. All the best to you!

Great to see you here! I've got a physical copy of the CD (being one of those strange collector guys) and I'm glad I have. Love the album from start to finish.

Love your vocals on the album, but also your lyrics are really (really) good. As I've said in the past lyrics are always important to me, and the better the lyrics the more I tend to listen to the album (or song). So Weathering The Winter Of The Soul will definitely be a constant player on my cd player, computer, mp4 player and phone.

Thanks for all your hard work on this project, it's much appreciated.

Fundy

Hey Luke welcome to our little community.

It seems like some Christian rock is selling well (but very little of it) and nearly all of it is in the "modern rock camp" (like Skillet, Disciple, Flyleaf, etc). Certainly bands playing anything resembling classic rock/metal from the 70's and 80's (and probably even 90's) are not selling even to probably even break even on the cost of making the music in the first place.

Welcome Luke to CHM.

Welcome, Luke!

If you ever want to talk about collaborating with other musicians, I can handle bass and rhythm guitars for you.

I appreciate the warm welcome guys!

@Fundy:
Can't thank you enough. Glad you got one of the 25, I've no doubt it will get it's share of spins! God's word is the ultimate lyricist's resource, and the source of all truth... I'm so thankful for it.

@Staybrite:
I hear exactly what you're saying. You've got to have a love for the old genre to pursue it these days. I remember Yngwie Malmsteen saying in an interview that you don't become a rock musician to get rich anymore, you do it for the love of the music.

@Alldat:
I may have to take you up on that offer eventually!... been glancing over my old Epiphone LP, thinking about picking it up again at some point . Definitely gonna need a new amp, ha! ha!

I downloaded the album last night from Amazon. Pretty good stuff!

Thanks man, I appreciate that! I sang my heart out on it, and it's really good to hear you like it.

I'd offer to collaborate but I don't know what I could add lol

I will download the album too, but to be honest I rather prefer a physical CD.

Unworthy, we can pray for Luke, for Chris that they can work out something together.
something that is giving God the honor He deserves and that others can help to see who God really is.

I can contribute some rhythm guitar.. but I'm not all that great.. or help with some lyrics...

and pray.. yes, I pray for all here and CMR regularly.

You guys are awesome. I'll tell you what, my work just recently started sending me to night classes this month, so between family, work, and school I'm pretty strapped for time right now. But come July / August, I should be finished. So maybe, just maybe, if I get some material written that is really God-honoring and people are still interested, we could start tossing around ideas and really begin to hammer something out.

That'd be great! I'd love to throw in a line or two if needed.

Fundy

You are doing a great job unworthy to pray.

Downloaded songs and look forward to listening tomorrow at work

That seems to be a very good idea Guilty/Forgiven.
Download the CD and listen to it on a very long trip in the car on Sunday.

unworthy wrote:

I'd offer to collaborate but I don't know what I could add lol

Cowbell?

Thanks Luke, welcome to this little corner of the web. I look forward to listening to your stuff in a little while after my wife leaves and I can give it the proper volume it deserves.

Ha! Ha! I understand the ongoing volume dilemma all too well. It's funny, because now I just usually wait for the drive to or from work to crank it up.

your voice has kind of a Guy Ritter vibe to it.. I like it!!

finally got a chance to sit down and listen and I must say I am impressed...

That's quite a compliment, thank you very much!

I've finally had a chance to listen to this as well. I think it is very well done (especially for an indie project). You are an obviously talented musician. I have to confess that when Fundy first shared the song sample (from the CDbaby single) that it sounded like something I probably wouldn't be that interested in. I am happy to be wrong! Thanks for sharing your music with us.

You're more than welcome. I appreciate the kind words! If it's God's will, I hope to work on more in the future. I may also be guesting on some other material depending on the progress other artists make... we shall see! Thanks again to everyone who downloaded and supported this, feel free to burn a copy for a friend!