Articles Archives

INTERVIEW : The "In The Silence of the Mind" Interviews - (Eyes of Eli, Righteous Vendetta, Southbound Fearing, more)

By Lee Brown in Articles, Interviews | Comments closed

In preparation for this year's "In the Silence of the Mind" articles, I reached out to some key people in the industry to get their thoughts. This "super interview" compiles the answers from Righteous Vendetta, Eyes of Eil, Dorean Lives, Declaration AD, and Southbound Fearing.

Streaming Service vs. Streaming Service: Who Will You Choose?

By Brandon J. in Articles | Comments closed

In a heated battle between popular streaming services, I am coming to you our most loyal readers to get an opinion on which one you use (if you use one) and what your thoughts on it are. Do you use Spotify, Rdio, Beats, Google Play, iTunes Radio, Pandora, or other new service? Name your service and why YOU like it best. What features do you look for most in selecting a “Streaming” service? What media device do you “stream” these songs from? Do you listen to the songs in your vehicle?… Continued →

In the Silence of the Mind - Being a Band - Part 1 (Featuring Seth Hecox of Becoming the Archetype)

By Lee Brown in Articles | Comments closed

Lee invites Seth Hecox of Becoming the Archetype to share his thoughts on a key element of being a band, branding. Read on to find out more and see what life would have been like if Magnified Plaid hadn't rebranded.

What three shows have made the biggest impact on your life?

By Ryan Verrill in Articles | Comments closed

After we had such awesome discussion regarding the ten most impacting albums, this seemed to be a natural progression. List the three shows that you attended that had the biggest impact on your life. Feel free to share why they had a lasting impact or any fun details from your experiences.… Continued →

Fast FWD - What They're Up 2 Now: Bill Power of Blenderhead

By Brandon J. in Articles | Comments closed

Check out my new Fast FWD Feature with Bill Power of Blenderhead on his life making music and what he's been up to lately.

Fast FWD - What They're Up 2 Now: Chris Carbonell of Strongarm

By Brandon J. in Articles | Comments closed

We are following up our Strongarm "Fast FWD" feature with Part 2, this time with Chris Carbonell answering some deep questions. Let's relive the past and travel back to the time of DIY hardcore spirit and celebrate the accomplishments of this great Florida band.

Fast FWD - What They're Up 2 Now: Jason Berggren of Strongarm

By Brandon J. in Articles | Comments closed

I started a feature late last year that sort of fell to the wayside. I apologize for slacking on my job. Here is the latest edition of “Fast FWD – What They’re Up 2 Now” with Jason B. of Strongarm. Enjoy! … Continued →

What 10 Albums Have Made the Biggest Impact on Your Life?

By Brandon J. in Articles | Comments closed

This is a spin off of the Facebook thing floating around that prompts you to list your top 10 favorite albums that have made the biggest impact on your life. List those 10 albums below and let’s start a discussion on what music continues to impact your life. Maybe some of you will find some new bands to check out.… Continued →

In the Silence of the Mind - Ultimate Christmas Playlist

By Lee Brown in Articles | Comments closed

In our final (?) In the Silence of the Mind for 2013, I examine the ultimate Christmas Music Playlist. Be sure to chime in with your favorite songs!

In the Silence of the Mind - The Most Important Thing You'll Ever Read

By Lee Brown in Articles | Comments closed

As Christmas approaches "In the Silence of the Mind" examines the single most important aspect of life, theology, the universe, and everything.

In the Silence of the Mind - Love Songs to God

By Lee Brown in Articles | Comments closed

In this edition of "In the Silence of the Mind" we take a look at some songs that are completely passionate "Love Songs to God."

In The Silence of the Mind - Positivity, Passion, Power, and Praise (Part 3/3)

By Lee Brown in Articles | Comments closed

In the Silence of the Mind: November 27, 2013 Positivity, Passion, Power, and Praise (Part 2) Lee Brown: FaceBook l Website l Twitter l Pick up a copy of Lee’s book: Here’s How: An Introduction to Practical Discipleship Trek back through the Silence: Anthems to Overcome the Grave; Positivity, Passion, Power, and Praise Part 1 l Part 2 ; Purity in the Media Part 1 l Part 2 l Part 3 Happy Thanksgiving to all. With just one more day until Turkey Day, I wanted to close out our list of the greatest and most inspirational songs of all time.… Continued →

In the Silence of the Mind - Positivity, Passion, Power, and Praise (Part 2)

By Lee Brown in Articles | Comments closed

Part two of our investigation into a positively powerful playlist continues with Project 86, Audio Adrenaline, For Today, Blindside, and more.

In the Silence of the Mind - Positivity, Passion, Power, and Praise (Part 1)

By Lee Brown in Articles | Comments closed

There are songs that proclaim your death, and there are songs that speak life. In the Silence of the Mind examines some songs that speak life that you need to listen to when you're down or when you just need a little pick me up.

In The Silence of the Mind - Anthems to Overcome the Grave

By Lee Brown in Articles | Comments closed

In honor of Living Sacrifice's track "Sudden," In the Silence of the Mind examines the best songs out there for overcoming the fear of death.

In the Silence of the Mind - Thinking/Over/Thinking - Part 4

By Lee Brown in Articles | Comments closed

In the Silence of the Mind concludes our Thinking/Over/Thinking series with a powerful challenge.

Fast FWD - What They're Up 2 Now: The Altar Boys

By Brandon J. in Articles | Comments closed

Welcome to another new installment of our new feature, “Fast FWD: What They’re Up 2 Now”. Today’s edition will focus in on legendary Christian punk pioneer and vocalist/guitarist for The Altar Boys, Clash of Symbols, and currently: The Altar Billies.

In the Silence of the Mind - Thinking/Over/Thinking - Part 3

By Lee Brown in Articles | Comments closed

In the Silence of the Mind continues our trek though the way we think about ourselves on route to what we think about others.

In the Silence of the Mind - Thinking/Over/Thinking - Part 2

By Lee Brown in Articles | Comments closed

In the Silence of the Mind: October 25, 2013 Thinking/Over/Thinking – Part 2 – Thinking about Ourselves Lee Brown: FaceBook l Website l Twitter l Pick up a copy of Here’s How Trek back through the Silence: Thinking over Thinking Part 1 l Pastor’s Appreciation Month Part 1 l Part 2 l Purity in the Media Part 1 l Part 2 l Part 3 “I’m trying to free your mind, Neo. But I can only show you the door. You’re the one that has to walk through it.”… Continued →

In the Silence of the Mind - Thinking/Over/Thinking - Part 1

By Lee Brown in Articles | Comments closed

The In the Silence of the Mind column starts taking us on a journey into... our minds. Don't miss it.

In the Silence of the Mind - Here's How to "Double Honor" Your Pastor this Month

By Lee Brown in Articles | Comments closed

Part two of our look at pastor's appreciation month is here. To conclude this series, we look at how to "double honor" your pastor.

In the Silence of the Mind - Here's How to Destroy Your Pastor (w/ Book Excerpt)

By Lee Brown in Articles | Comments closed

In honor of Pastor's Appreciation Month, this edition of "In the Silence of the Mind" examines how you can destroy your pastor, their ministry, and their sanity. Fun times had by all.

In the Silence of the Mind: Purity in the Media - Part 3

By Lee Brown in Articles | Comments closed

In the Silence of the Mind: September 27th, 2013 Purity in the Media: Part 3. Lee Brown: FaceBook l Website l Twitter “Music is God’s gift to man, the only art of Heaven given to earth, the only art of earth we take to Heaven.” – Walter Savage Landor Now, I know my thought for today won’t be a popular one. Anytime a “preacher/teacher” speaks out about questioning our media choices, people feel as though the Spanish Inquisition is happening all over again. For many years Christian leaders have tried to dictate followers’ media choices through coercive means.… Continued →

In the Silence of the Mind: Purity in the Media - Part 2

By Lee Brown in Articles | Comments closed

In the Silence of the Mind: September 19th, 2013 Purity in the Media: Part 2. In part one of In The Silence of the Mind: Purity in the Media I recounted a pivotal moment in my life where my preferred media choices and my devotion to Christ came to a head. Let’s continue our journey together by starting with a great quote from an amazing author. “Christians aren’t really so different from non-Christians, certainly not on the scale you would expect considering the promises of love, joy, and peace boldly pronounced from thousands of pulpits across the land.… Continued →

In the Silence of the Mind: Purity in the Media - Part 1

By Lee Brown in Articles | Comments closed

How does the media effect our purity? Can what you consume, really consume you? Can what you watch and listen to effect your relationship with God?

The Problem with Numerical Scores

By Lee Brown in Articles | Comments closed

William Shakespeare once penned a line for one of his most indelible characters to utter; “What’s in a name?” Shakespeare used the rose, which would smell the same if it were called something other than a rose, as an example of how titles can sometimes mislead. Within the journalistic genre in which I put my pen to the test (when I’m not writing books like this that you should read… I know shameless self promotion!) the problem is often not names. Though we could easily re-apply Shakespeare’s words to those times when bands change members/sounds/styles, as they are so prone to do, the problem for those of us who review albums (and those of us who read reviews) is of a different sort.… Continued →

IVM Weekly Social Update: August 30th

By Brandon J. in Articles | Comments closed

Just dropping you all a line to let you know that we are on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and a group page on LastFM. There is also Google+ but does anyone really use that site (I Don’t). Anyway, check us out on those networks and join in the fun.… Continued →

A Message to Our Readers: Please Comment

By Brandon J. in Articles | Comments closed

I have decided to come to your our readers for a little feedback on content here at IndieVisionMusic. If you’ve seen our twitter you may have noticed a tweet from myself about scaling back CCM coverage here. Our focus at IVM has always been on independent Christian artists/musicians/bands/songwriters and that fervor hasn’t changed since day one. However, in the past year or so we have been increasing our coverage of more, how do I say this politely, mainstream Christian music. Now there is nothing wrong with covering a mainstream market but does it really fit the focus of “Indie” Vision Music?… Continued →

Staff Blog (Brandon Jones): A Remembrance

By Brandon J. in Articles | Comments closed

I wrote this piece for my Grandfather’s funeral that took place on Friday. In case you didn’t know, my grandfather went into the hospital about 3 weeks ago because of a collapsed lung from a biopsy procedure the week before. They went in to remove the cancerous tumor a few days later and discovered that the cancer had already spread throughout his body. The family decided to let him come home with hospice care and live out his final days. His health deteriorated quite quick and he passed away on August 15th at his home.… Continued →

Analyzing Iron Sharpens Iron - "Justice"

By Lee Brown in Articles | Comments closed

A while back I had the opportunity to connect with Iron Sharpens Iron and be one of the first to review their Beware the Wolves EP. For a recap, the band had a moving and powerful testimony that helped to feed even more passion into an album that was dominantly leaning towards power metal. With their recent release of the song “Justice,” see lyric video below, the band begins to expand their range into the metalcore genre. As Brandon noted, rather than a RIYL that would stray towards Blessed by a Broken Heart, now the band is going head to head with the likes of Phinehas and August Burns Red.… Continued →