come alive
an online magazine for young christian kiwis |sept-nov ‘16| spring| issue 12
1
EDITOR GRETA YEOMAN DEPUTY EDITORS EVONNE KEY / ERICA MCQUEEN THIS ISSUE’S TEAM GRACE BUCKNELL / TIM CAPILL / COREY REDDISH / ANNA GREENWOOD SUB-EDTIORS EVONNE KEY (GRAMMAR) GRETA YEOMAN (DESIGN & LAYOUT) SOCIAL MEDIA/WEBSITE PAUL MCDONALD enquires COMEALIVEMAGAZINE@GMAIL.COM WWW.ALIVENZ.WORDPRESS.COM ALL THE VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THIS MAGAZINE BELONG TO THE INDIVIDUAL WRITERS AND ARE NOT REFLECTIVE OF COME ALIVE AS A WHOLE. PHOTOS (UNLESS MENTIONED) ARE FROM UNSPLASH OR SUPPLIED) COVER PHOTO BY COLE YEOMAN
2
editor’s note: Welcome to our second quarterly issue and welcome to spring. Let’s hope it is spring by September 1, because, far out, am I looking forward to it! I love snowy mountains but I haven’t seen much of them being surrounded by Dunedin’s hills. I’m pretty proud of this issue (you’ll see why reading page 4), but also of the content inside this wee beast. Our feature this issue looks at mental health, especially in a church context, an issue I feel is vitality important. With the high suicide rate in this country and the sheer number of NZlanders still calling themselves Christian, it’s something the church as a whole and us as individuals cannot ignore. Thinking about the way you, your faith communities and others you interact with treat and discuss mental health issues is definitely something to think about. On a lighter note, there’s plenty of arty goodness and other wonderfulness, so have a read! Greta.
INSIDE
Opinion: The power of a faith community pg 4
Feature: Mental Health and the Church pg 8
Opinion: The issue with inspirational quotes pg 6
It’s Spring: Light at the end of winter pg 12
Local Legend: Young Lyre pg 7
Hillsong Conference pg 13
WE ARE NOW PUBLISHING FOUR TIMES A YEAR. WE WILL BE RELEASING MAGAZINES ON MARCH 1 (AUTUMN), JUNE 1 (WINTER), SEPT 1 (SPRING) AND DEC 1 (SUMMER). IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN WRITING FOR COME ALIVE, PLEASE EMAIL GRETA ON COMEALIVEMAGAZINE@GMAIL.COM. Live + Loud pg 14
3
opinion
opinion: the power of a faith community by greta yeoman Does it ever feel like things strike Does it ever feel like things strike you all at once? Do you feel like you’re running on empty? Do you ever feel like a terrible person if you’re numb to something awful happening? Do you ever feel like you’re running on your own? I do. That was me on Wednesday, September 24, sitting, editing a draft copy of this issue, listening to Gungor and watching alerts pop up on my phone about the rising death toll from the earthquake in Italy. I was sick, exhausted, I’d just put out another newspaper for the company I work for and my energy levels were around zero, and motivation levels were even lower. I’m from Christchurch. I know all about the terror and grief of earthquakes. But I felt nothing. I tried, man I tried, but there was nothing. Was I a terrible person? Then one of my editorial team members sent me a message asking if we could help her out with 4
the sub-editing this issue as she was feeling a little overwhelmed by life. Another of our team agreed to help, in limited doses as she was in similar circumstances.
what can I do to ease your burden?’ That’s the power of faith community. I was never supposed to be writing this column, but some things fell over last minute. I wrote this
“I recognised the power of a community of faith, creative people, creative people who were tired out, worn out, stressed out, bonding together over their shared exhaustion but willing to step forward and say, ‘I am tired, but what can I do to ease your burden?’ Then one of our writers asked for an extension to deadline because he was stuck on an assignment. It was through the sheer power of faith, God and love for my team that we got through that conversation diplomatically. As I listened to Gungor sing “you make beautiful out of the dust’’ I remembered the heart of this whole thing. I recognised the power of a community of faith, creative people, creative people who were tired out, worn out, stressed out, bonding together over their shared exhaustion but willing to step forward and say, ‘I am tired, but
instead. This is a message for all our readers to recognise the heart and love behind this thing that takes so much energy to put out, but is so worth it in the end. This is a message for our team of writers, the people I see stepping up in faith, trusting on God and being willing to give the little energy they have to help out their friends and ease the burden. That’s love. greta yeoman is the dunedin-based editor of come alive. she works as a journalist and loves music.
5
opinion
opinion: the issue with inspirational quotes by tim capill Facebook is full of inspirational quotes. They spread like wildfire. There is one particular quote that has caught my attention. It has many variations, but essentially says the same thing. Here’s a list of catch phrases that have appeared in my newsfeed recently: “Less relationship goals, more self goals.” “I’ve got a bad habit of treating people better than they treat me”. “Do it yourself, not anyone else. Be your own motivation.” “Who cares what people think? Do what makes you happy and be yourself.” There is some truth in these quotes. I get it. It is totally possible, even common, for us to care way to much about what people think of us. To always vie for the attention of others is unhealthy. Perhaps particularly in the area of our appearance, which is why these kind of inspirational quotes often appear alongside gym selfies. In those moments, it is totally right to not be concerned with what others think. 6
However I worry that the philosophy has been taken too far. When it comes to our appearance it may be good to ask, ‘who cares what people think?’, but too often we ask the same question when it comes to our behaviour. Who cares what people think? We do what we want in life. If I want to have sex with that person, I will.
commands an alternative. He goes on to say “But I tell you: ‘Love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you’. Instead of ‘do what makes you happy and be yourself’, God says “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves” (Philippians
“It was, in a manner of speaking, ’relationship goals’ that motivated Jesus at the cross.” If I want to get drunk, I will. If I want to buy myself the latest iPhone or hipster cardigan, I will. Who cares what people think we say, as though our behaviour affects no-one but ourselves. Of course Jesus had plenty to say on this. He calls us to act selflessly, not selfishly. He even rebukes the catch phrases of his day. In Matthew 5 he says, “You have heard it said, ‘love your neighbour, and hate your enemy’” (perhaps the equivalent of ‘I’ve got a bad habit of treating people better than they treat me’). But then Jesus
2:3). Imagine for a moment if Jesus lived by the philosophy ‘less relationship goals, more self goals’. He certainly wouldn’t have been willing to die for us. It was, in a manner of speaking, ’relationship goals’ that motivated Jesus at the cross. He was willing to take our place in death, so that we might enter a family relationship with God as our Father and Jesus as our brother. Follow Jesus. tim capill is from christchurch and helps lead the ara polytechnic christian group.
local legend
local legends: young lyre just to fuel a big series of Dad by grace bucknell jokes, like lying, not telling the truth. We get that all the time and January 2015 saw me running people expect us to laugh at it. around Mystery Creek in blistering temperatures getting to It’s an awkward situation, like we don’t wanna be sad to the people chat to the coolest international who are our fans you know but and local acts at Festival One. A personal favourite of mine was don’t tell me a dad joke”. Jokes aside, ‘Young Lyre’ really hanging out with New Zealand hit it off with the music lovers at band Young Lyre. Festival One. They were a barrel of laughs and “It’s cool when you’re not were the makers behind some of expecting much… we just came, the freshest tunes I heard at the real chilled out not knowing what festival. to expect at all and then next Hailing from Auckland, the band is made up of five lads: Jordan, Si, minute it was like full crowd all Matt, Kiran and Sanjay. You may jumping around”. In my opinion that is what wonder how they got the name Festival One is all about. ‘Young Lyre’ and what it means. I certainly wanted to know and so There’s an awesome community of festivalgoers and musicians did many others, Jordan enjoying music together and explained. supporting one another. “We always get asked this question. Literally, we were trying I absolutely loved hearing ‘Young Lyre’ play. to come up with a name, like They exude energy and passion sitting round writing stuff down that’s contagious while also on pieces of paper for weeks and then one day I was just like Young being super chilled and looking like they don’t have a care in the Lyre”. world and are just there for the The name seems to get a lot of attention, according to Kiran, and banter and jams. “The best crowds are the ones that a lot of it is random. “It’s really
actually came to here your songs” - a crowd watching ‘Young Lyre’ is a crowd that knows good music when they hear it. The band released their second EP last year, called ‘Weekend’. It is filled with groovy indie pop that you cannot help but fall in love with. Thinking back to chatting with ‘Young Lyre’ and being at Festival One has made me super pumped for 2017 festival and if ‘Young Lyre’ are there make sure to head a long to their set and challenge them to a game. Kiran says that they are always making a game out of something even when they are guests performing at a festival. “Some people came up to the merch tent… they wanted us to sign these table tennis bats and then they were like ‘oh, we’ve got this table tennis table at our campsite so do you wanna play? .... We ended up playing around the world and we wasted them as well. I think they wanted a social game and we just nailed them.” grace bucknell is a student and writer from wellington.
7
FOCUS FEATURE
mental health and the church 8
“God will not give you more than you can handle.” How many times have those words been uttered or shared on social media, often an unintentional slap in the face for someone dealing with a difficult time or mental illness? The stigma around mental illness in society is strong, and even more so in church communities, where many feel isolated from their fellow Christians for a variety of reasons. From suggestions that depression or other mental illnesses are due to a lack of faith through to God testing someone, many comments can cause more harm than good. New Zealand’s population stood at just over 4.2 million people at the 2013 census. Of that, 1.8 million people identified as Christian - just under half of the country’s population. With 564 people dying from suicide in 2014/15, there is no denying that suicide and other mental illness struggles are something that will affect many Christians in New Zealand either themselves or their loved ones. One Kiwi Christian - who opted to go under the pseudonym of Alex Peterson - said that while he had long-struggled with depression, a lot of other people had not known he had also had a Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. He said while a lot of Christians seemed okay talking about well-known mental illnesses like depression or anxiety, rarer mental illnesses were harder to talk about about and often caused
people to close up. “I’ve been quite open about depression because ... people understand it more. Most people won’t know what an OCD is at all, or will think it’s just about someone who is clean and who wants everything perfectly lined up or whatever.” Alex explained that while people had stereotypical views on what an OCD was, there were many variations - like his, which was all around smell. “An OCD is an obsession (thinking you’ve left on the oven, for example) and a compulsion (having to drive all the way home to check whether you’ve left the oven on). Where it becomes a disorder is when you act on the compulsion when you know it can’t be true or that you shouldn’t have to do it; for example, when you
“People can only understand things they have dealt with themselves, or if they’ve been exposed to it somehow, so I don’t blame them. Some Christians are amazing. I’ve had a lot of love and acceptance too.” just know you didn’t turn on the oven because you haven’t even been home since the last time you checked - but because of the OCD you find yourself checking anyway.’’ He said while he had found some Christians “incredibly judgmental’ - equating mental illness with sin, for example -
other people had been “amazing’’. “People can only understand things they have dealt with themselves, or if they’ve been exposed to it somehow, so I don’t blame them. Some Christians are amazing. I’ve had a lot of love and acceptance too.” Alex had been prayed for several times before and nothing had happened, but was healed from his OCD when, after years of cognitive behavioural therapy and medication, someone had prayed for him one day. “Someone prayed that [my OCD] would leave me and for the Holy Spirit to touch me. It was truly amazing. It went just like that.’’ He said while some people including himself - had been healed from mental illness by prayer, it was not the experience of everyone. “It’s a complex issue as a Christian and a believer in healing too; it doesn’t always happen and I don’t understand why not, but I don’t think people should assume it’s because someone has sinned or that God can’t heal.’’ In an article on the website of American Christian research company Lifeway Research, its president Ed Stetzer said a 2013 phone study had found 35 percent of respondents agreed with the statement, “with just Bible study and prayer, alone, people with serious mental illness like depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia could overcome mental illness’’. “In a typical evangelical church, half the people believe mental illness can be solved by prayer and Bible study alone,” he said. “They forget that the key part of mental illness is the word ‘illness’.’’ Tori-Jasmine Amstad, a 9
Christchurch-based Christian, has had a variety of mental illnesses - including depression, Borderline Personality Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, social anxiety and anorexia - since a young age, and said she wanted to encourage people to talk about mental health. “I think that one of the biggest issues facing mental health and the church is that church leaders are scared to bring up the subject of mental health in sermons.’’ While her church had brought it up a couple of times, she believed they were one of the few churches that were having the conversation - and it was doing more harm than good by not talking about it. “For me, and I think for some of the others in a similar boat to me, [we] feel that it is almost like it is something to be ashamed of or you are worried of burdening other people.’’ “I am lucky enough to have access to some very wise people within my church in whom are always more than happy to catch up for coffee and give advice where needed which has been a huge help in my journey not only through mental health but also through becoming a Christian.’’ 10
“And one of the things people with mental illness most need is for this kind of loving community to tighten around them, not to loosen.” She said one of the “biggest hurdles’’ was the first step of telling someone you were struggling and admitting that you need the help. “The second biggest for me would be actually accepting the help itself.’’ She said she had heard the “God will not give you more than you can handle” phrase quoted at people many times and it had got her “really worked up’’ on multiple occasions. “I went on believing this until one day I brought it up with my pastor. Not once in the Bible does it say that God will not give us more than we can handle.’’ Her pastor had clarified the difference between burdens and temptations mentioned in 1 Corinthians 10:13, which reads,
“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure” (NLT). She said this could become confusing for people, but the difference was between the ‘burden’ and the ‘temptation’. “Recently I had a chat with my pastor about burdens and when and when not to share them. He referred to a passage from Paul which spoke about the need to carry your own load but knowing when to share your burden. Sometimes our burdens do need to be shared and we do not have a choice but to have this burden, however with temptation it is a choice (sin). The passage is referring to the fact that God will not tempt you more than you can stand.’’ American author Amy Simpson, who wrote ‘Troubled Minds: Mental Illness and the Church’s Mission’ inspired by her family’s experience with mental health and church communities, also spoke about sharing burdens. In an interview with fellow
author Rachel Held Evans for an article on Held Evans’ blog, she said isolation was “one of the most painful elements of mental illness’’ - the exact opposite of what people needed. Community was one of the things churches were readily available to provide - in theory, Simpson said. “Everybody needs community and loving friendship and a place where they belong. And one of the things people with mental illness most need is for this kind of loving community to tighten around them, not to loosen.” “So when we do know someone is suffering, we need to draw toward them, not away. It goes against the instinct we often have to pull back in an effort to keep from getting involved in something we’re not sure we can handle. But we can all handle being kind, being loving, extending a hand of friendship.” Alex Peterson said while Christians should be there to provide support for their friends and family they also needed to realise they were not the only ones who cared. “One of the best conversations I had about depression was with an atheist, who told me to quit
drinking alcohol and to exercise more to try to keep the black dog away.’’ He said his atheist friend had listened for ages and continually wrote supportive messages. “Oddly, I think God used that atheist to show me love. It was really caring, helpful advice,’’ he said. “Sometimes I think we, as Christians, can be a little arrogant about our ability to care for others; lots of people care about others. What we have that non-believers don’t is belief or faith, prayer, the holy spirit and the power of God’s healing. That should be, and often is, an arsenal. However, we really don’t have a monopoly on caring or love. I believe God has given that to everyone universally.’’ “In short, some Christians have been amazing; some not so amazing. We’re all learning.’’
Where to get help: In an emergency: call 111 Lifeline: 0800 543 354 (available 24/7) Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 (available 24/7) Youthline: 0800 376 633, or text 234 (available 24/7)
greta yeoman is the editor of come alive. she lives in dunedin and works as a journalist, a long with making films in spare time.
11
it’s spring: light at the end of winter by corey reddish Some people love Winter, others can’t stand the thought of it. Regardless of your stance on the chilly season you still have to endure the cold wind, dark skies and drenching rain. One thing is for sure though, just around the corner Spring is singing. You can almost hear the birds
transitioning from Winter to Spring. Enjoy! 1. “I believe in process. I believe in four seasons. I believe that Winter’s tough, but Spring’s coming. I believe that there’s a growing season. And I think that you realize that in life, you grow. You get better.” - Steve Southerland
“Maybe you’re in a winter season right now, you’re feeling drenched and your skies are dark. I encourage you to draw near to the one who will bring you into your spring. He is forever faithful and loves you dearly.” chirping at the very thought of it. Maybe you’re in a winter season right now, you’re feeling drenched and your skies are dark. I encourage you to draw near to the one who will bring you into your spring. He is forever faithful and loves you dearly. Hold on to the hope that your skies will be blue again and the birds will be chirping. Here are 10 quotes about 12
2. “You can cut all the flowers but you cannot keep Spring from coming.” - Pablo Neruda 3. “The day the Lord created hope was probably the same day He created Spring.” - Bernard Williams 4. “With the coming of Spring, I am calm again.” - Gustav Mahler 5. “The Spring wakes us, nurtures
us and revitalizes us. How often does your spring come? If you are a prisoner of the calendar, it comes once a year. If you are creating authentic power, it comes frequently, or very frequently.” - Gary Zukav 6. “No matter how long the Winter, Spring is sure to come.’’ - Proverb 7. “If we had no Winter, the Spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.” - Anne Bradstreet 8. “No Winter lasts forever, no Spring skips its’ turn.” - Hal Borland 9. “Spring shows us what God can do with a drab and dirty world.’’ - Virgil A. Kraft 10. “Despite the forecast, live like it’s Spring.’’ - Lilly Pulitzer corey is a new zealand broadcasting school student based in christchurch.
hillsong conference: life-changing by anna greenwood
that it carries. Pastors Brian and Bobbie Hillsong Conference 2016 was Houston have spent the past thirty just incredible. years diligently following God’s Adjectives simply can’t describe plan for Hillsong Church and an encounter with God, but I Hillsong Conference, and they will say this: it was certainly have seen their ministry expand life-changing. from a church that had Christine Caine, Steven Furtick, decreasing numbers each week, to Kasey Treat, Carl Lentz… all one of the most famous churches anointed and empowered in the world today. preachers who implanted Yet they are not prideful, they are something powerful into the humble and down to earth, and hearts of each of us. recognise that the authority God Worship with Bethel Music and has given them must be protected Brooke Fraser was simply with everything they have. beautiful, main sessions reached One of my absolute highlights new heights, masterclasses were seriously inspirational, ‘Let’s Talk from Hillsong 2016 was a masterclass I attended with Carl Church’ with Brian and Bobbie brought amazing teaching, and the Lentz and Rich Wilkerson Jr on the topic of ‘Spirit-Led Living’. new ‘Spheres’ sessions dripped Is there ever a topic we need to the Spirit of God, encouraging grasp better than that? each person to serve God These guys are so legit, so real wholeheartedly in whichever and so faith-filled, both sphere of life they are appointed spearheading incredible ministries to. in the United States. It was This year was the 30th Hillsong awesome to hear their wisdom Conference. about following God’s plan for The lights; the production; the your life and knowing when and stage sets- all of that makes how to distinguish your plans Hillsong amazing, but what for your life from what God has makes it special is the anointing planned for you.
Here’s an encouraging word that struck a chord with me, and might inspire you today: “The bridge between what I am called to do, and what I am capable of can only be bridged by the Holy Spirit”. You never leave a session at Hillsong without something that makes your heart pound, and leaves you with nothing more than a desire to change the way you live, and to change your world. Seriously, I believe it is impossible to attend a conference - whether at your local church, or overseas - that does not change you. If you set time and money aside, and you prepare your heart to receive from God, you will seriously be blessed. Life isn’t just about conferences, but I truly believe it is these ‘mountain-top moments’ that strengthen us and encourage us, and enable us to stick to God’s path when we venture through the valleys of life. anna greenwood is a wellington-based student who attended hillsong confernece.
13
live and loud IN OUR EARS Home State Jack Carty
Young As The Morning, Old As The Sea Passenger
Passenger’s third album since going solo with ‘all the little lights’ is set to be released! and even more exciting is the fact that mike rosenburg recodrded this album at the one and only roundhead studis in auckland. if you’re looking for some folk goodness, then feast your ears on this.
this aussie folkster recently released his new record ‘home state’ and will celebrate its release with three new zealand shows in early sept. carty, who played at ‘wintergreen’, a festival organised by ca’s own erica mcqueen, earlier this year, will perform in wellington on sept 9, auckland on sept 10 and te awamutu on september 11.
Blond Frank Ocean
TBC Nadia Reid
this suggestion from well nadia reid’s second album is comcome alive assistant editor erica mcqueen plete, that much we know. but we do not alerted me (the ed) to the fact that frank know what it will be ocean had released called or when it will be released. in the a new album. ‘blond’ meantime listen to (or ‘blonde’, her her wonderful, depending on where debut album ‘Listen you’re from and to Formation, Look whether your spelling ignores the for the Signs’. highlights call the days, album’s version or not) is the follow-up runway and reaching through. good kiwi to 2012’s ‘Channel folk tunes for your Orange’. ears.
sad southern songs from a girl you need to hear BY greta yeoman If you like sad, electric guitar-based songs, with themes of faith, then look no further than Tennessee-based Julien Baker. The 20-year-old songwriter released her debut EP ‘Sprained Ankle’ late last year and it’s been on repeat on the Come Alive stereo since. With nine beautiful heartbreaking-but-hopeful tracks, this album is well worth the $5USD on 14
Bandcamp. Alternatively, buy it on iTunes. Highlights: final track Go Home (which includes a beautiful piano rendition of In Christ Alone), Something and Everybody Does.
live and loud
airports: aussie pop-rockers release ep international development deal with Parachute Music, the duo Airports have released their debut launched their debut single, ‘Distance’ in early 2016. EP. This release reached peak iTunes The Aussie duo, who have been charts positions of #14 on the managed by Parachute Music, released their ‘Human Things’ EP alternative and #150 overall. The video gained 50,000 music late last month. video views and feature coverage Crossing genres in an electronic/ pop/rock multi-style way, Airports across mainstream New Zealand radio and TV. is made up of Aaron Lee and The five tracks on ‘Human Nathan Moss. Things’, the band’s debut record, Splitting their lives between two address issues of self doubt, locations - Brisbane and Sydney growth, regret, love and hope. - the band have been leaving a mark on Aussie and Kiwi audiences for more than two years. Moss’s multi-instrumental musicianship (drums, bass, keys, piano and guitar) and Lee’s international producer/songwriter experience (he has worked with labels including Capitol Records/ Evolve Music, Virgin UK, Universal/Tune Music Malaysia, Ministry of Sound AUS) give Airports’ EP ‘Human Things’ is available on iTunes, Google Play and the pair a hyper-energetic stage Spotify. presence and a variety of sounds Airports can be found on Facebook, to suit many fanbases. Instagram, Snapchat, Tumblr and Having just finished their Twitter under ‘AirportsAU’.
by greta yeoman
on the ca stereo
Where The Light Shines Through - Switchfoot
Hard Love NEEDTOBREATHE
Out of Exile Strahan
Interested in writing for come ALIVE? Contact Greta at comealivemagazine@gmail.com 15
live & loud featured video
For a bit of pointed Kiwi humor, check out the Auckland Law Revue’s parody of Justin Bieber’s hit ‘Sorry’. The video looks at race relations in NZ and imagines what would happen if the Government apologised over the way they acted around the Treaty of Waitangi. Check out the video on YouTube.
Queen of Katwe September 23 A biographical drama that follows the story of Phiona Mutesi, a young woman who grew up in the Ugandan slums of Katwe, and how she joined a chess program run by a sports outreach institute, which leads to her becoming a Woman Candidate Chess master and one of the first titled chess players in Ugandan History.
in the meme time....
Doctor Strange November 4
Moana November 25
The next installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Dr. Stephen Strange is an arrogant and gifted surgeon, who after a freak car accident that leaves him disabled is taught magic by a sorcerer in the Himalayas. He then goes on to… bend reality to look like the inside of a kaleidoscope? And fight bad guys, I guess?
Disney’s next princess movie is heavily influenced by Hawaiian and Pacific Island mythology, Moana is a young woman who goes to seek a fabled island with a talking pig, a chicken and the demi-god Maui. I don’t know why there is a talking pig but the visuals look gorgeous, and I personally can’t wait for the music.
FEATURED APP
Quiz Up - This is a trivia app in which you can test your knowledge of hundreds of different sub categories; from World flags, to your favourite bands, to learning new languages to movie and book facts, this app has it all. You can also challenge your friends.
via christian memes 16
luke thompson: hosts Folk musician Luke Thompson has released a new EP ‘Hosts’, trying out a slightly different sound with a whole lot of folk songs on a solely electric guitar. The eight-track album was recorded solo by Luke in his basement. On sharing the album, he commented “I’m so relieved and proud and content to finally let this thing out into the world to wander away and do its own thing. I hope it finds you and you enjoy it’’. There’s also a couple of fabulous music videos for the album, including the title track - which was shot in Europe by Luke’s brother and sister-in-law, Joseph and Maia.
SWITCHFOOT SHARED EVONNE’S DRAWING!! We in the Come Alive office (well team, we don’t have an office) were just a litttttlle bit excited several weeks ago, when deputy editor Evonne Key’s lovely wee drawing of a Switchfoot quote was reposted by the one-and-only Jon Foreman, the frontman of Switchfoot. The lyric “take the anchors of my lungs”, came from Live It
Well, a new song off the American rock band’s album ‘Where The Light Shines Through’. Switchfoot have played at several Parachutes, as well as the debut of Festival One two years ago. If you’re interested in following Evonne’s wonderful, arty Instagram account, follow her on @ingleweiss and check out the talent this girl possesses!
Interested in writing for come ALIVE? Contact Greta at comealivemagazine@gmail.com 17
18