Under the Radar

Episode #96 - The Civil Wars, Laura Story, & John Mark McMillan

2012-01-27T07:30:02+00:00

Looking back on an all-request episode with The Civil Wars, Laura Story and John Mark McMillan

Keeping Grounded in the “Minefields”

2012-01-22T22:10:24+00:00

Andrew Peterson shares about the unexpected success of his 2010 single "Dancing in the Minefields," his perspective on keeping grounded during highs & lows, and why he made the first music video of his career.

Q&A with Andrew Peterson

2012-01-22T00:57:12+00:00

We are so happy to have Andrew Peterson as our special guest on Episode #167. He has been a great encouragement and support to what UTR is doing. He’s one of my personal favorite singer-songwriters, and an always intriguing person to interview. Here’s a peek at some of our most recent conversation: DT: Do you feel like your most recent CD (Counting Stars) is a bit peek at your more mellow side? Andrew: Yeah, I guess it’s different. I always think of my music as being pretty laid back. There’s no big orchestra on this record, some of my albums do that thing. It’s funny because people have mentioned more than once that it feels a little bit more mellow. I just say, “Alright, I guess so.” Part of it may be that Ben and Andy have been working for years to get me to sing my songs in a lower key. I grew up in the 80’s and in that era your coolness was in direct proportion to how high you could sing. So, I was always trying to write my songs too high, and my voice would get kind-of nasally. But the older I’m getting I’m believing them more and more. They would just make me lower the capo two or four frets. My voice is a little warmer in that register, so that may be part of it. DT: Most people still recognize you because of the breakout hit “Dancing In The Minefields.” What was it like to make your first career music video for that song? Andrew: Boy, I never thought that would ever happen. Ben [Shive] bought me this obscure band’s record for my birthday, and it was really cool music. I went to the band’s website and the first thing I wanted to do was click on their video. I was thinking, “I wonder what these guys look like – I wonder what their video would be like,” and that’s what I checked out. And it hit me; we live in an entirely different world than when I started playing music ten or twelve years ago. It used to be, if you made a music video, where was it going to get played, on ZTV or the Trinity Broadcasting Network late at night? I don’t know how that works. But I knew that I wasn’t ever watching Christian music videos. But now with YouTube, the Internet, and blogging and stuff, I was like, “Hey, maybe we should try doing this thing.” I asked my manager if she thought it would be a good idea and she said it was. So, we ended up deciding in a meeting in about five minutes let’s make a video for “Dancing in the Minefields.” We’ll get some old couples in our lives who represent this beautiful, lasting marriage idea and get them to dance, because I knew there was no way in the world I was going to dance. DT: If you had to pick one, what Counting Stars song are you excited to play live for people? Andrew: If I had to pick a song that turned out the way I wanted it to turn out, I would say it’s “The Reckoning,” the last song on the album. I could barely make it through it when we were singing it in the studio. It was a pretty new song – I had written it and sung it for the guys before we went in the studio – but the day we had recorded all the tracks on it I was in there in the dark with my headphones on singing, and that was the first time I really experience what it was that I was saying. The song is my voicing of my own frustrations with God’s tarrying. I found myself ending a lot of prayers lately with, “Jesus, please hurry back,” even on good days. I believe in bones that even our best days here are just a glimpse of what will be. I’m watching my children grow up, so I’m watching the leaves turn in my little boy’s heart. As he goes from this “edenic” childhood, where he doesn’t know about the dangers of the Internet yet, and he’s never had his heart broken by somebody. I’m watching this little boy grow up and it’s breaking my heart to know what’s in store for him. It makes me long even more for the day when the earth will be restored and renewed – when there will be justice – where there won’t be this color of longing and sadness at the edges of our hearts. The end of the song says, I know I don’t know what I’m asking, but Lord, I long to look you full in the face. I think that’s probably the most succinct summary of how my heart has felt for the last couple years. DT: Can you reflect on the making of my personal favorite A.P. project, The Far Country? Andrew: Yeah, I remember when we were making The Far Country. Each album reflects whatever it is that’s going on in my heart for the previous couple of years. The Lord of the Rings movies were still being made when I was writing the songs for The Far Country and I had a re-awakening of my love for C.S. Lewis and his ministry. Some of the songs, you’re right - I don’t know if esoteric is the word - but you have to think about it, you have to use your imagination. I remember saying several times before we ever went into the studio that I felt this was an album about the Gospel. I wasn’t going to try to make the songs artsy just for the sake of being artsy. I was going to try and tell the truth the best I knew how. Make sure to check out this week's UTR to enjoy music and conversation with Andrew Peterson. He talked about "The Reckoning" and you can watch a live performance of that song in the UTR Studios. Also feel free to browse his name on our site to find a bunch of interviews and exclusive videos.

Episode #167 - Special Guest: Andrew Peterson

2012-01-20T07:49:56+00:00

Our VIP Guest all hour is the creative and talented Andrew Peterson. We'll talk about his songwriting and enjoy several tracks. Plus we'll play a half dozen listener requests.

Griffin House - “When The Time Is Right”

2012-01-18T21:51:03+00:00

Griffin House performs his song "When The Time Is Right" off of his 2007 album "Flying Upside Down" live at S.P.A.C.E. in Evanston, IL on 1/13/12.

Concert Review: Griffin House in Evanston, IL

2012-01-18T20:43:42+00:00

This last Friday night, Griffin House performed a concert at S.P.A.C.E. in Evanston, Illinois – and UTR was on hand for the fun. UTR host Dave Trout along with his friend, Griffin House enthusiast, and UTR listener Gail Hafar (and their spouses) not only enjoyed a terrific night of music, but they compared notes and reactions to the event. Here’s their overall review of the concert: What were your feelings and expectations before the concert began? Gail: This was the first chance I had to see him sing since becoming a big fan of his music. While in line for will-call, I commented about how I haven’t been this excited to see someone perform since the New Kids on the Block when I was in grade school. Obviously, my taste in music has matured. Dave: This was also my first time seeing Griffin perform, and I was only familiar with a handful of his songs beforehand. I was actually nervous that I might not like him live. One thing that added to the anticipation was that this was all of our first time seeing a show at S.P.A.C.E., & it was sold out. How would you describe his performance? Did he pass the test? Gail: The entirety of his performance could have itself been given the title of his latest album, “The Learner” – even though surprisingly he only played one song off that CD. The songs he performed lamented lost love, celebrated the complexities of love, and longed for peace and truth in the face of depravity. Dave: He more than passed the test in my eyes. It was just a mic, a guitar, & a harmonica – and yet he commanded every second of the sold-out crowd’s attention. What was the biggest highlights of the concert? Gail: His hope-filled presentation. Griffin conveyed the truth of his life - pain, loss, love, joy, confusion, rage, competition, longing, frustration, a hunger for wholeness, and a desperation to move closer to the One who set it all into motion... to the One who will redeem every last bit of it… every last bit of us. Dave: Several things. I was also so encouraged by how Griffin is shining the light of his faith to people who probably have no interest in visiting a local church. I also loved some of the sing-along songs, like “The Way I Was Made” and Jonny Cash’s “Ring of Fire.” Another surprise was that he talked a little bit about his life, but didn’t share any stories about the songs, which is different than what I’m used to with singer-songwriters. This showcased the quality of his songwriting and the trust he has in the songs standing on their own. How were you feeling as you left the event? Gail: I remain a very big fan of Griffin House. New Kids ain’t got nothin’ on this dude! Dave: He has won me over. I bought his entire discography at the concert. I can’t wait to dig deeper into his music, and already look forward to the next time he performs in my area. GRIFFIN HOUSE’S SET LIST ON 1/13/12 1. Better Than Love 2. I Remember (It’s Happening Again) 3. Waiting for the Rain to Come 4. Standing at the Station 5. I Wanna Go Down 6. Man In the Long Black Coat 7. ‘Cause I Miss You 8. I Will Follow 9. Let Me In 10. Never Again 11. Judas 12. Ring of Fire 13. Volkswagon 14. The Guy That Says Goodbye to You is Out of His Mind 15. The Way I Was Made 16. Waterfall 17. When the Time is Right 18. Only Love Remains Take a look at our photo gallery of Griffin’s concert, and watch a video of a live performance.

Griffin House Concert Pics 2012

2012-01-18T17:34:39+00:00

Here's concert photos of Griffin House live at S.P.A.C.E. in Evanston, IL on 1/13/12.

Episode #166 - Best Gourmet Songs of 2011 - Part 2

2012-01-13T07:30:51+00:00

Enjoy more Critics' Picks of the most creative and compelling songs over the last 12 months.

UTR Sponsoring a Hymns Tour

2012-01-12T22:00:22+00:00

We think hymns are really important, and their messages should be carried on for generations. That's one reason why we produce episodes a couple times per year featuring updated renderings of classic hymns. We're taking it up a notch by sponsoring The Angel Band Tour - a celebration of hymns both old and new. Nashville indie artist Andrew Greer will be releasing his sophomore CD on 1/31/12 called Angel Band: The Hymn Sessions. We talked last summer about sponsoring a hymn-themed tour which would include his friend (and another gourmet indie artist) Julie Lee. A 3rd backing musician will tag along too -- so it'll be a multi-instrument musical smorgasbord! The main stretch of the tour will be a Chicago-area trip, March 9-18. Over the next 2 weeks, we are filling in the calendar with concerts in churches, retirement homes, living rooms, and businesses. If you are near the CHI, and are interested in hosting The Angel Band Tour, write an email directly to me: Dave@radarradio.net - and I'll fill you in on the details. UTR is sponsoring more than just the Chicago trip. In fact, if your church or group would be interested in hosting some down-home remakes of hymns, spirituals, and some original songs - email me where you are located and some info about your venue and how many people you think would attend. There are costs involved with every concert, but UTR is covering a chunk of them - so it's definitely less expensive than if you were trying to organize this on your own. We'll be filling in spot dates across the country in February, March, & April. We're hoping to lock in the calendar in the next 2 weeks, so if you're interested or want more info, get in touch on the quick side of things.

Andrew Peterson - “The Reckoning”

2012-01-10T18:25:10+00:00

Andrew Peterson (and the Captains Courageous) perform his 2010 song "The Reckoning (How Long)" from his critically-acclaimed album "Counting Stars" at a private event at the UTR Studios in Palos Heights, IL on 10/7/10.