Mark Hansen Music - LDS Rock Music - Free Downloads

Mark Hansen Music - LDS Rock Music - Free Downloads
Get the new CD, "The Third Time" HERE




WARNING: Listening to this music doesn't require parental approval. It's a bit of clean rebellion. It keeps your outlook up and your hope alive. It's got strong drums and screaming guitars. It pumps you up and drives your life. It's a hunger for exploration. It chooses the right and returns with honor. It's music you don't have to confess to your bishop.

It's not your parents' "Saturday’s Warrior".

It's "A Joyful Noise"

Monday, December 28, 2009

Alleluia


Listen and download the song, free, here.

The end of 2008 and all of 2009 were, in many ways, very difficult times for me, as they were for many of us.  The country was going through a deep recession, and I, personally, was going through a dark depression.

In the midst of it all, however, I could still see light.  I could still see my Heavenly Father's hand helping us through our trials.  There was still hope.  This song was the result of that trial.

Here's what the drummer, Jason, had to say about the tune:


"Ya know... Sitting here, after listening to Alleluia 20 times over, I'm so filled with the spirit thanks to your song. My eyes are actually filling with tears due to the wonderfully powerful lyrics and music you've created. Every time the chorus comes, after the huge sound of the verses, and simply says "Alleluia" over and over, I can't help but think of exactly what this song's meaning is: Alleluia! Christ has overcome the world! Alleluia, Christ is our savior! Alleluia!

"Seriously, Mark. Thank you. This song is simply beautiful, and although some people have criticized your arrangement, dare I say it's the arrangement which brings such power to the chorus... Such simple beauty of one guitar, and one voice cutting through all the noise, proclaiming with child-like fervor, "Alleluia, Alleluia"

"Thank you for bringing the spirit so powerfully to one guy, sitting in a mixing booth, shedding tears of joy through Jesus Christ. Alleluia."

--Jason


To me, it's nice when I create something, and someone else "gets it" so completely.  Thanks, Jason!


Alleluia

By Mark Hansen
1/11/09


It feels like you're taking the hits one by one
You search for a plan and you're sure there is none
And your hope dries like water in the afternoon sun
You look and you ask, "God, what have you done"
But somehow it all works out right, just like He knew ya

Alleluia, Alleluia
Alleluia, Alleluia


The world is just full of bullies and fools
Who break into your life and scatter your jewels
They're selfish and hateful, they're angry and cruel
You want to strike back, cause revenge is the rule
But still you pray for them in spite of all that they've done to ya

Alleluia, Alleluia
Alleluia, Alleluia


After all you've been through
You feel like you've just had it rough
After all that you've done
It still feels like it isn't enough
But then, life should be all about joy, you know that
Or do you?

The more that you try the more you feel less
Like all that you've made of your life is a mess
When you look back you're just left with a guess
Was it all worth it, if you made the test
And you'll stand before Him and you'll feel His love flowing through ya

Alleluia, Alleluia
Alleluia, Alleluia



Drums: Jason Jones
Harmony Vocals: Amanda Burri,
Laura Berg






Come back often to hear about new songs and shows. Mark also has other sites and blogs, including his Dutch Oven blog: Mark's Black Pot and his LDS pop culture blog: MoBoy blog.




Saturday, December 26, 2009

Lead Vocals for Alleluia

So, this afternoon, while my kids were playing with their toys, and my wife was taking a nap, I got downstairs and cut the lead vocals for "Alleluia".  I think it came out pretty well.  We'll have to see, once I comp the tracks and get my best cuts.


Come back often to hear about new songs and shows. Mark also has other sites and blogs, including his Dutch Oven blog: Mark's Black Pot and his LDS pop culture blog: MoBoy blog.

Monday, December 21, 2009

The Charts - Christmastime Edition

UnspokenSince I'm such a full-on crazy geek, I love to track statistics.  Call it a weakness, call it weirdness, call it whatever ya wanna.  It's fun.

So, over at ReverbNation.com account, which hosts my tunes, it shows me the statistics that cover those songs.  I thought I'd share some of those with you all!

This is the chart that I enjoy looking at the most.  The song plays and downloads.  This shows me that my tunes are actually getting in people's ears...   And that's the whole point, innit?

What you're seeing is the song play stats for the past 30 days.  As you can see, "Martyrs" rules the roost.  It's interesting, though, that "A Joyful Noise/Rockshow" is the most engaging.  On the average, people played it three-quarters of the way through, where some of the other tunes didn't even get played half way. 

Song Plays

Table date range - 11/21/2009 - 12/20/2009

Rank
Song Title
Available Since
Plays
Downloads
% Played
1
Martyrs
10/17/2009
47
7
41%
2
The Third Time
08/13/2009
11
0
44%
3
The Summer of 87
05/17/2009
11
0
67%
4
Shine the Light
09/23/2009
9
0
47%
5
He's Out There
09/23/2009
9
0
61%
6
Long-Haired Weirdo
11/01/2009
7
0
55%
7
Superman
11/01/2009
7
0
59%
8
A Joyful Noise/Rockshow
11/01/2009
5
0
77%
9
Today and Yesterday
09/23/2009
4
0
58%

Totals:

110
7


"Martyrs" was also the first song to break 100 total plays over all time.  Pretty cool!



Come back often to hear about new songs and shows. Mark also has other sites and blogs, including his Dutch Oven blog: Mark's Black Pot and his LDS pop culture blog: MoBoy blog.




Recording for Christmas

Last weekend, my boss (at my day job) came over and recorded a song for his mom for Christmas.  It was a Josh Groban song, called "Believe".  I was amazed that I didn't have any of the hiccups or glitches that have plagued my other recording sessions.  Maybe he's charmed, or something.

Anyway, it was a good time.  He's actually got a really good, albeit untrained, voice.  His tone is rich, and his high mix is strong, and not strain-y at all.

I'd like to do some more recording with him.  This time we just did minus tracks.  His brother came with him, and said that he's done some writing.  So maybe the two of them could write, I could arrange, and then he'd add the vocals...

I've decided that over the Christmas holidays (I'm taking some time off) I'm going to be finishing "Alleluia".  I just have to push through my painful back, my tech problems, and all my other fond excuses and get it done.  It's been sitting way too long.


Come back often to hear about new songs and shows. Mark also has other sites and blogs, including his Dutch Oven blog: Mark's Black Pot and his LDS pop culture blog: MoBoy blog.




Friday, December 18, 2009

MARK HANSEN MUSIC - JOYFUL NOISES, DECEMBER 2009

Hello, everyone!  It's been a while!  I've got some cool bits of LDS Rock Music news.

NEW SONG!

First of all, there's been a new song put up at the website.  It's called "Martyrs", and it's like...  Guns and Roses meet The Who, with a fiddle player.  ...And singing about Joseph Smith!  Listen for yourself at: http://www.markhansenmusic.com/2009/10/martyrs.html

There are a lot of other songs available, too, at: http://www.markhansenmusic.com/2009/10/songs.html

Remember that you can buy your copy of Mark Hansen's "Lost and Found" CD today and avoid the rush!  11 great songs of powerful, energetic, and uplifting LDS rock, pristinely mastered, with no voice-tags!  All CD's unconditionally guaranteed.  To get your copy, click to http://www.markhansenmusic.com/2009/10/cds.html

NEW SITE!

Second, I've rebuilt the site into a blog format.  That way, you can keep up with all the latest Mark news, with gigs and sessions and new songs ("Alleluia" is almost done!).  It's still at the same address:  http://markhansenmusic.com  Stop in and leave a comment!

FACEBOOK

Third, I finally got a Facebook Fan Page up.  You can keep up on news and thoughts there as well, and listen to new songs.  I'd like to encourage everyone to go there (http://facebook.com/ldsrockmusic) and join as a fan! Also, tell your FB friends to check it out, spin the tunes, and maybe join up, too!

SHOWS

I'm currently looking to schedule performances with ward and stake youth groups.  Simply email me at mrkhmusic@yahoo.com, or go to http://www.markhansenmusic.com/2009/10/firesides-and-activities.html

As always, thanks so much for your kindness and support.  If you don't want to get any more mailers from me, simply send me a note at mrkhmusic@yahoo.com, and I'll remove you from my list.

Mark Hansen
http://markhansenmusic.com

Come back often to hear about new songs and shows. Mark also has other sites and blogs, including his Dutch Oven blog: Mark's Black Pot and his LDS pop culture blog: MoBoy blog.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Another Musical Look at the Martyrdom of Joseph Smith

So, Saturday night, as I was playing Santa for our ward Christmas party, one of the Relief Society's teachers came up to me and asked me to sing the next day for her lesson.  They're covering the martyrdom of Joseph Smith, and she wondered if I could sing a few verses of "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief".

I jumped at the chance, but was a little cautious because I wasn't sure if I could play it, or learn to play it that fast.  So, with that caveat floating in the air, we agreed.

When I got home, I pulled out my guitar and gave it a go.  It turns out that you can do that tune with just two chords, the I and the V.  Piece of cake.  So, I called her and told her I could do it.  I set down and worked out the best key for me to sing it, which turned out to be F.

The next day, as I was warming up and waiting for her lesson to start, I had the idea of transitioning the last verse up a step, modulating to the II. That would be G, so the I and the V chords would still be easy to play.  I worked up a quick transition progression, and then went in and did it.  It was sure fun, and easy to do.  It was kind of a solemn, respectful feel. 

I had been a bit worried that I would choke up and have a hard time finishing, but it all went well.  I was able to remember most of the words, and I had a cheat sheet next to me to help me get through it.  All in all, for me a beautiful, spiritual moment.



Come back often to hear about new songs and shows. Mark also has other sites and blogs, including his Dutch Oven blog: Mark's Black Pot and his LDS pop culture blog: MoBoy blog.



Mark's Other Blog Posts: Mark on Parenting, Dutch Oven Curry-osity, How to Do Social Networking,

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