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"

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Making LDS Music: Getting in Tune

A long time ago, when I was working on an article about making LDS music, I had the chance to speak with Michael McLean about his thoughts and processes.  Whether or not you like his music, all must admit that he's made quite an impact on lds music, and on many lives as well.  I've never forgotten his advice which was, essentialy, to get in tune.

For a musician, he said, that means a lot on a lot of different levels.  It means that your instrument must be in tune.  It means that your voice must be in tune.  That's true of all musicians.  For an LDS musician, it also means that your spirit must be in tune.

For me, that basically comes down to two factors:  Prayer and scripture study.  Actually, Alma adds a third one: fasting.  I know that when I'm doing these things more diligently, my life is more in tune, and I'm much more creative.  I know that the songs I write in those times of my life are much stronger and much more full of impact.

As an additional side benefit, I often get ideas for songs from the scriptures.  A recent example is "Martyrs" which came to me after contemplating the story of Alma and Amulek at the place of martyrdom.  I once read that an LDS songwriter (I wish I remember who, but Janice Kapp Perry sticks out in my mind) read the Book of Mormon through with the primary intent of finding new song ideas.

This is also an ongoing process, not a "step one" that you can do and check off your list.  Get started, and keep it up throughout your life.  Your songs won't be the only things that benefit.


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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.

More Work on "The Spin"

But before I dive in and start talking about how to make LDS music, I spent some time this morning working on a little more LDS music of my own.  The other day, I recorded ten tracks of lead vocals, so today, I spent some time "comping" or "compositing" the best lines of all ten takes. 

This time, I was surprised.  Sometimes, I struggle with the comping because in some phrases, I'm lucky to get two or three good takes to choose from.  Sometimes, I'm choosing the one take that's the least bad.  But throughout this song, there were take after take of good, solid tracks.  In some cases, I just picked one at random, because they were all dead on.  I'm pleased.  That doesn't happen for me very often.

Then I just worked up a scratch mix, which I think may actually end up pretty close to the final mix.  We'll have to see, of course, because I'm much more picky when I do finals.

Sam Payne has agreed to record some vocal scatting for this tune, too.  I'm excited to hear how that will sound.

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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.




Tuesday, March 30, 2010

How to make LDS Music - An Introduction

I've been making LDS music for a very long time, now.  I've been dreaming, thinking, and planning about it for even longer. 

The seeds of my weirdness were sown as a young boy, growing up in the church, who loved rock music.  As I learned how to play the guitar, I wanted to use that instrument to express my growing faith.  I learned that I had to set it aside for a while to serve the Lord directly by going on a mission.  When I picked it up again, I was more converted and dedicated than ever before.

My first recordings were released in 1993, in cassette form.  I only printed 100 copies, because that was all I could afford.  I still have one or two.  Most of them were given away, but a few were actually sold.

I kept on recording songs, and releasing them one at a time on the 'net.

Then, in the 2000's, I put out two CD's, and I'm currently working on a third.  Over the years, I've recorded over 60 songs, and literally more than 20,000 copies of my tunes have been downloaded, pretty much all for free.  Those are just the downloads that I've been able to track.

So, I thought it would be kinda cool to share some of that experience with some out there who might be interested in making LDS music.  I'm going to start a series of blog posts on that topic.  They might be just short, disjointed ideas, but over time, my plan is that they'll coalesce into something useful, and hopefully something inspirational.

They might not come out in any sensible order, but I'll keep coming back to this page, and installing links to help you, the reader, sort them out.  I'm thinking I'm going to organize them into four basic categories (I might add more later if I see the need):

Background


Mindset

These articles will all be about me and you, as the creator of the LDS music.  I'll talk about the spiritual roots of creating music, and how to keep yourself in tune.  Keep in mind that, as any advice-giver, I might not always take my own advice.  We're all trying to become perfect, after all, right?


Writing/Creating


These will be thoughts on the actual act, process, and craft of creating and writing a good song.  That's really the core, isn't it?


Recording/Production


Here I'll share my experience at the mixing console, talking about the art and craft of realizing a recorded work of musical art.  It's tricky, and I don't have all the answers, but I can share the ideas that I've learned.


finally...

Promotion/Performance


Ultimately, if you never share your music with an audience, what's the point?  You're like the tree that falls in the forest.  If there's no one there to hear it fall, did it make a difference?  I'll share insights into performing and connecting with an audience, and also about using tools like the internet to share your LDS music with an interested audience.

So, from time to time, check back here, and I'll hope to have more and more thoughts and feelings on "How to Make LDS Music!"

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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.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

The Spin

I've been gagging and choking on political discussions over on Facebook lately.  It's not been pretty.  I won't go into it here, but suffice it to say that I, personally, disagree with many of my friends there.  That's OK, that's what makes this country go around.

But politics as usual has been really divisive and confusing of late.  These last few elections and then the whole debate over the health care issues have shown me more partisan bickering than ever before, and that makes me sad.  One reason is that so often, people base their opinions on party lines, and don't stop to think of the impact their diatribes could have on actual people.  And when those rantings and ravings are based on both biased and flip-flopping media coverage, it's tough to really know where to stand.

Anyway, that's what "The Spin" is really all about.  I don't trust Republicans, and I don't trust Democrats.  I'm lost in the middle, and I wish we could stop shouting and spinning and meet in the middle and get something real done!

Tonight, I cut the lead and harmony vocals for the song, and I'm pretty excited by it.  I hope to have it all done and released by the end of April!  "Dancin' their Lives Away" will be the next to fall...

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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: A Dutch Oven Challenge

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Fireside on Trials

Well, we had a lot of fun last night, even though we were few.  I went out to west West Jordan to visit the Priest's Quorum of a friend of mine and sing a few songs.  I brought my two boys, partly because I knew they'd have a good time, but also because I wanted Brendon (who just became a deacon) to see and interact with some priests.  We've only got a couple in our ward, and he doesn't get to do much with them in their YM meetings.  I want him to know what he's got to look forward to as he grows up.

They didn't disappoint, either.  They welcomed my boys, young though they were, and we all had a great time.

With such a small audience, it was much more interactive.  It wasn't just me playing songs and preaching, but we bantered back and forth.  I sure enjoy that.

Here's the setlist:


  1. Love at Home
  2. Today and Yesterday
  3. Long-haired Weirdo
  4. Alleluia
  5. Sweet Hour of Prayer
  6. Play the Cards
  7. The Taker
  8. Wannabe
  9. The Sun Shone Through the Window
  10. Martyrs
  11. How Firm a Foundation
  12. How Beautiful
  13. Thank You
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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: Dutch Oven Pork Roast

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