Top 5 Albums For the 2nd Quarter of 2016 (April, May, June)

5.) Ariana Grande - Dangerous Woman

4.) Pierce the Veil - Misadventures

3.) NF - Therapy Session

2.) Real Friends - The Home Inside My Head

1.) The Summer Set - Stories For Monday

What are some of your favorite releases from the past few months?

MONDAY MESSAGES UPDATE: Sorry for the lack of Monday Messages! It has been an extremely busy Summer and have been so inactive. But fear not! Monday Messages will return in just a couple weeks with a (kind of) new name. It will now be called simply "Messages." And you will no longer just find it on Mondays. Some days are busier than others, so in light of that, I will post the weekly Messages on a day that I am less busy. Thanks for all the support everyone who reads!

Until Next Time, Alex

Band Interview: HAWAI (Indie Rock)

Hey Everyone! This is the first of many interviews I hope to do with bands that are on the rise. Hope you enjoy!

You may be sitting on the beach, drinking a Monster and chowing down on some Dorito's Sweet Spicy Chili Chips (if you're like me that is), wondering what music you should put on. Well then look no further! Orange County natives HAWAI just released their debut EP and if you like summer and indie and rock, then they are a band worth checking out. They have already played with Switchfoot a couple times but don't be surprised if you see them opening up for bands like Echosmith or American Authors. I had the chance to email back and forth with the band's keyboardist and ask him a few questions. Warning: You may laugh so hard you cry because that is what I did. Keep reading to find out which band member like skittles on his pizza.

1. Who would you consider your biggest influences?

I think we each have our own personal influences as far as what made each of us pick up an instrument for the first time or what kind of bands or songs we reference when writing, but off the top of my head, I think we can all agree on Radiohead, The War on Drugs, Bob Dylan, Rufus Wainwright, Cass McCombs, etc.

2. Even though you just released the EP, is there any plans for a full length?

Of course we are always writing and gathering ideas for what's next. We're going to tour this EP for as long as we think is appropriate and then get into the studio when we have enough material to make up what will become our first full length record. If I had to guess when that will be I would guess hopefully sometime in the beginning of next year.

3. What are 2 or 3 bands that you would love to tour with?
Hmmm... Arcade Fire would be cool obviously, The War on Drugs seem like cool guys, Mac Demarco would be fun.

4. If you could play any big festival or tour, which one would you choose?

In my opinion Coachella isn't the same as it used to be. It's far more commercial and mainstream than in years past, but at the same time if we played it then we're obviously doing something right. Sasquatch festival in Washington would be cool too.

5. Who is the nerd of the band? Jock? Cheerleader?

Jared is the nerd, just because he's the tech savvy guy. Jake is the jock because he used to be a football superstar, Bumper is the cheerleader because he's the encourager of the group (and often wears mini skirts)

6. What do you plan to do to bring your music to the world?

I guess we just want to play music that feels good to people. Music that will create sentimental moments for periods of time in people's lives. Also music that just makes you happy and you can play it at any time. Vacation, pool party, BBQ, while driving, in the morning, at night, etc etc. I guess that's a pretty cliche answer but that's what we try for.

7. Finally, each of you, what is your favorite pizza topping?

I'm a strictly pepperoni guy but I think the rest of them will eat anything. I know Jacks favorite combo is sausage and red skittles, but not many places will make that for him.

So there you have it! Are you interested yet? Then go ahead and follow the links below to listen to their Working All Night EP. You won't be disappointed.

Spotify: https://play.spotify.com/album/7fkyNdClZ8Wo0iQabhZnTn

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/working-all-night-ep/id1117155235

Go follow all their socials: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter

A Letter To The Family of Christina Grimmie

Dear Grimmie Family,

I cannot imagine the pain you are in right now. As a fan, as I was following the story on Friday night I was full of sadness, anger, and confusion. A life dedicated to spreading love was ended by hate. I want to hate Kevin Loibl so bad and I'm sure you do too but our Lord calls us not to hate anyone. I was depressed so much yesterday to the point that my family and coworkers were saying something and asking me what was wrong. I couldn't stop crying and although I'm better today, I'm still in pain. I never got to meet Christina or see her perform but from what people have said, she was genuine and down to earth. I got excited every Monday to see what her and Adam Levine had cooked up and then Tuesday to vote my limit of 10 times per method. I never thought that when I was talking to my classmate Alison (who just happened to be close with your daughter and sister. She has her phone number and vice versa) just one month ago about Christina that she would be gone. She was a beautiful human being. God wanted her in heaven. These past couple months, I have been dreaming of a musical project I wanted to start called The Worship Collective. What the idea/tagline was was going to be was "Mainstream artists collectively coming together to Worship God." I had several artists I wanted to recruit to be in it. Christina was included in that. I wanted to make an album where these artists were sing both covers of popular worship songs as well as one me and some of the artists wrote. I don't have near the money for that right now but now I just want to put the project to rest. But I feel like I can't. Your daughter was. Wait no, she is amazing. Her voice, her everything. She will continue to be a big inspiration to me as I pursue my music career. What keeps me from going insane is right now she is hand in hand dancing with Jesus and leading heaven's worship team.

Sincerely,
Alex Vanderspek

Monday Messages: Saaaaaame

Have you ever changed anything? Clothes? Jobs? Schools? The list could go on and on and on. If we can really look at it, we probably change SOMETHING at least once a day. So then when we think about God, it's crazy to think that He has never changed the entire time He has been a being which is forever. Just think for a moment. Never ever changing a thing you're entire life. We would eventually get body odor and wouldn't have friends. Crazy to think that I'm about to "preach" to you on one Bible verse but just watch.

Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Now that's hard to fathom. He never changed about anything. Now I'm sure that doesn't include shoes, clothes, etc. But what they are talking about is His love. His kindness. His mindset. Nothing He did when the earth was created is different than anything He does now. Best of all, He will never change His mind on you.

Some people think they screwed up so bad that Jesus will not love them anymore. They couldn't be more wrong. Jesus will love you no matter what you do. That's not saying go kill someone then ask Him to forgive you. That's saying that you are able to be forgiven. You ever heard the phrase "use it but don't abuse it"? The same goes for Jesus' love. His love is free. No paid sexual sin will ever bring you the joy that Jesus' love can. It'll never change. Keep that in mind as you go about your week.

Until Next Time, Alex

Monday Messages: "Back To the Beginning Again"

This morning, I was sitting on the bus thinking about a few things. For one, I was on the way to my last day of my 3rd year of college. Then I thought "what album really resonates with this event?" I kept going back to Switchfoot's "Fading West" album. That album really tells the story of their band the past 20 years so I figured I could relate. As I am now finishing up the album front to back for probably the 20th time, I confirmed my original thought. I am writing this in my school's cafe for what's going to be the last time for a few months. I really can't help but get emotional. There have been many times college sucked and I just wanted to say "screw it!" I mean, Youth Pastors and Musicians don't need college degrees, so why keep going? But then I felt God tell me "What if those don't work out?" And He had a point. Which leads us right into today's Bible Verse.

Proverbs 2:1-5 says "My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God."

There were points in this semester even where I had a paper due the next day but I was working until like 9 PM. Its all just a test. At the beginning of 2016, I said this is going to be MY year. I'm going to focus on me and not let anyone get in my way. So far, that has proved pretty good. I started going to a new church (one different from my family although they switched too). I saw Underoath which was amazing. So far, it has been pretty successful. 

Of course I can't have a good year without God's help. I probably would have quit this semester and not accepted the offer for my job back if He didn't want me to. 

Now let's go back to my first year of college. Are there things that I would change? I want to say yes SO BAD but the answer is no. God has everything happen for a reason so, no I wouldn't change one bit. Even though I performed really poorly, it was a lesson for me to get my butt in check. And it really worked. I have done way better since then and am proud of it. So thanks God. 

Until Next Time, Alex

monday messages: "You can have my life. i'm sad." (100th post!!!)

have you ever been like just emotionally done with life? i know that i have been and it hurts. but you have to push through. when you're sad, you are more than likely missing something in your life. 9 times out of 10 that missing thing is God. you have to turn everything over to Him when you're feeling sad. think about the last time you were really happy and satisfied with life. that's when you last had God. so what happened? let's talk.

1 peter 5:7-11 says the following:
6 humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 8 be alert and of sober mind. your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 10 and the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 to him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

what Peter is trying to tell us here is that even though suffering doesn't come from God, He allows us to suffer to get closer to Him. now you might think what I just said is a little controversial. but seriously, have you read the story of job? that guy is a freakin' beast! he lost everything except his wife. his house. his children. his crops. i wasn't kidding when i said everything besides his wife. one of my pre-monday messages posts when it was still kind of a one off message, explains this. but his wife told him to curse God. he just said "nope!"

there are a lot of us (me included) that get sad or depressed when we are just rejected by the person we liked. now just take a second and imagine you lost everything. what would you do then? it scares me to say this but a lot of us would follow job's wife. i don't know you personally but the way this world is headed, most of use would curse God. 

life gets better. i know from personal experience that it may suck but keep your eyes on God and don't lose sight of Him even in hard times. it has helped me so much. Trust me, it'll help you too.

until next time, alex

p.s. everything but God is lowercase to really emphasize God in this post. another reason is because the title is from relient k's newest song "bummin'." when they say You in that song, they are referring to God. 

p.p.s. this is post 100!!! thank you to the 10,200+ people who have taken a few minutes out of your day to read one (or several) of my posts. i thank God for everyone. love you all.

Monday Messages: Unashamed

These days, its hard to find someone, including pastors, that are "unashamed" about their faith. You will see them talk about it to their Christian friends but once they are outside of that circle of people. It's an even bigger issue for celebrities. There are a lot of celebrities that are Christians but know if they say something about it, they will get shunned for it. Its sad the world that we live in. We live in fear of sharing out our faith. That's what I'm going to talk to you about today. Lets go straight into the Bible verse.

Romans 1:16-17
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ,[a] for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”[b]

Today, there are two very successful mainstream musicians that don't care what anyone says, they share their Christian faith enough that it can get into people's heads and help them. The first one is Tori Kelly. You may or may not know this about her, but if you listen to her or wear one of her tshirts, you likely see her faith every day without realizing it. Her leaf logo is based off of Psalm 91:4, which reads as follows: "He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler." One of her biggest songs, (and one of my personal favorites by her) "Hollow," is a worship song. She has said in interviews that it is her worship song that she wrote to honor God for giving her the gift of singing. And don't be surpised if Tori one day comes out with an entire worship record.

The second celebrity is Justin Bieber. You may bring up his past few years and question his faith. This following passage is from his song "Purpose": "I don't know if this is wrong/Because someone else is telling me that it's wrong/But I feel this so let me just like, try my best not to let this happen again/We weren't necessarily put in the best position to make the best decisions. /You can't be hard on yourself/For these were the cards that you were given so you have to understand that these, like.../That's not who you are/You're trying to be the best you can be but that's all you can do/If you don't give it all you got, you're only cheating yourself/Give it all you got/But if it ends up happening, it ends up happening./That's what it's....that's what's happening with me/It's like God I'm giving it all I got, sometimes/I'm weak and I'm gonna do it, and it's like I'm not giving myself grace/I'm just like understanding, that's just how it is." If you didn't catch it, he is talking to God.  We have all made mistakes. Some bigger than others. The thing is, though, is that it doesn't matter if you killed someone or stole a candy bar from a store. It's all the same thing to him. Bieber changed himself and is a new person. He is unashamed that he rediscovered his faith.

All of us Christians are here for a purpose. Each of us may have a different purpose but we were all put on this Earth to bring more people to Jesus (Matthew 28:19). That has been the mission for us from the beginning. Maybe yours looks like taking your friend to Starbucks and talking about Jesus or if they are going through a hard time, invite them to church. Once it happens, you will want to keep doing it and will give you a better addiction and high than any drug or alcohol ever could.

Until Next Time, Alex