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Artistic Integrity
by Kaare Kvenild

Part I: The Unseen World

I was recently emailed an article about the problem with Christian music. The author of the article said that the problem with popular Christian music (PCM) is the lack of artistic integrity in its musicians and singers. They have a mold set in front of them and none ever stray from that mold. Let me be blunt in response: This statement is far from accurate..

That was my initial reaction. But the more I thought about this statement, the more I came to believe that the author was partially correct. Yes, there is a mold in PCM that is set. This is the type of Christian music that is played on the radio. But there is a whole different world out there in Christian music, one that isn't seen unless one looks for it. This world is ripe with ARTISTS; true musical artists that make music that would never be played on Christian Radio. And where do you find this music? Your local Christian retail store!

You might be asking, "Why haven't I heard of this before?" The answer is not as simple as you might hope. The reason for this sad state of affairs is there are those in the Christian music industry that don't care about music that's artistic, driven and intelligent. They only care about music that is joyful and makes them happy. It's just like the movies that always have happy endings. I call these people "closed minded Christians" (CMC). This group of people often include radio station employees (DJs, station managers, producers, etc.), label executives, parents and pasters. According to them, each and every song has to include the words "Jesus" or "Praise" in every other sentence. And the album cover must either have a picture of the artist thoughtfully praying and standing with their arms wide open looking to the heavens. Gag me with a spoon! If a song is slow and in a minor key or loud and heavy, and talks about the darkness and struggles of life then it's not going to show up on the radio because the CMC's just wouldn't allow that. Even if it does have a happy ending, or shows a peace of God without saying His name, it's not acceptable.

Novices hear the term Christian music and they think of Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant or Steven Curtis Chapman. That's all well and good, but they don't understand that it doesn't end there. The best album of 2003 was an artsy rock album called "Wake Up, O Sleeper" by a band called Cool Hand Luke. It was slow, melodic and often bleak. But it was also bright; it left you with a sense of hope at the end of each song. The song "Nobody Loves a Rose" was about a girl that has been stepped on and use by men. Each verse talks about how depressed she is and how violated she feels. Then the last verse comes and there is hope for her in the Savior. It's a powerful song! But did you hear it on PCM radio? Probably not. Why? Because it's not happy.

Every genre of music is represented in the Christian music market. Every area has an artist(s) that should be defining its genre. Instead, their albums collect dust, go on clearance and eventually get returned to the vendors. But there are some of us on the frontlines that make sure these albums are heard. We make sure that somebody who is looking for positive rap music hears the albums by Grits or 4th Avenue Jones. We make sure that the parent who says they need a Christian Rock album like David Phelps for their son doesn't buy David Phelps; she buys him Pillar, Fair or POD. Or when a 12 year old girl says her friend listens to Twila Paris because that's what her parents listen to, we make sure they go home with a CD by Shawn McDonald. These are the Christian music artists that should be making waves!

And they are FINALLY making waves. And the music companies are starting to see that these are the artists that need to be heard. Note the word "artists." This was not always how they were referred as. 15 years ago, Starflyer 59 was called a band, a Christian act. Now they are called the premier alternative artists in the Christian music industry. And more and more new artists are coming out week after week. The most critically acclaimed album in the industry this year is The Best Worst Case Scenario by Aaron Sprinkle's new band Fair. Other acclaimed albums include Pro Pain by Mars Ill; an album that makes a statement and shows us why hip-hop is the fastest growing genre in Christian music. Even worship music has artistic voices like Jason Upton, Jason Morant and David Crowder making creative and haunting worship songs.

Magazines like Relevant help spread this word as well, mixing their reviews of Christian music with mainstream music. They group them all together, never separating them. They evaluate their content the same way for every album. This is how it should be. There should be no difference in how an album is viewed. It should be judged for it's artistic quality. Relevant does this better than any other magazine I've seen.

Part II: What's the Difference?

With all this complaining about lack of artistry in Christian music, why don't people write about lack of artistry in other areas of music? The prime example of this is in mainstream rap/hip-hop. Hip-hop music and it's lifestyle today as a whole sucks! Everybody is a thug, a player or a convict. It's a point of pride how many times one's been shot. When did being shot become intelligent? Last time I checked it hurt and could probably kill you. The rappers that repeat the same song each and every album are the ones that get the attention, while the ones that put out quality rhymes flounder in the pit of anonymity.

Minneapolis based label Ryhmsayers is doing their best with artists like P.O.S., Brother Ali and Atmosphere. They are trying their hardest, but aren't able to crack the industry because the "art" takes backseat to "popular." The same goes for rock music and alternative music. Radio only plays what's cool, not what's quality. Artists like Tom Waits, Pedro the Lion and Cat Power gain huge followings but never have more than a handful of copies on Best Buy's shelf.

Country music today is mostly recycling 70's southern rock. The songwriters are rewriting the music that Steve Miller Band and Creedence Clearwater Revival was creating back then. Mindy Smith, Buddy Miller, Rosanne Cash; these are interesting and exciting artists. Even Johnny Cash couldn't get on Country radio during his resurgence in the 90's. When he was nominated for country album of the year at the Grammy awards, Cash and producer Rick Rubin rented space on a billboard. It said "American Recordings and Johnny Cash would like to acknowledge the Nashville music establishment and country radio for your support." A picture of Cash saluting these two superpowers with his middle finger accompanied this statement. This is the ultimate statement and clearly states what the music industry as a whole is like today.

In Closing:

This is where I have my Jerry Springer "final thought" moment. Music should be a creative outlet, not something bent on making money and selling tickets. That's part of it, but should not be the main focus. People's closed minded mentalities are the one part of the entire music industry that has no borders. It's a disease that infects all areas of music. It's universal, no one genre has more than another. It's kind of like the flu; it does not distinguish itself between race, age or gender, it just hits you. The lack of artistic integrity in the music is something that may never be changed. But we can, by word of mouth, bring the true musical artists to the forefront of the music scene. This site helps provide that platform. Spread the word about artists you love. Don't let anybody tell you that you are out of your mind for listening to something you love. My wife hates my music, but she would never tell me I'm strange for listening to it because she knows I love it! This is somebody that is not closed minded, she just doesn't like it. That is artistic integrity also; the opinion of the listener. It is up to the listener to make sure that the ARTISTS are spoken for.