CLASSICAL/WORLD/RAP/FOLK

Update, April 10th, 2010: Douglas Stambler just informed me that he, sadly, has left the LDS Church. He still believes in the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith, however he feels that he has been called a prophet, seer, and revelator and has therefore left the Church to pursue his own spiritual journey. – Syphax

East Idaho musician Douglas Stambler, who joined the LDS Church in 2005 after growing up Jewish and later converting to Christianity, has an amazing and beautiful story to go with his music. His music amuses, entertains, uplifts, soothes, and impresses upon the heart. Douglas learned early that music could heal the soul and bring comfort and perspective to life. He speaks openly of the sexual abuse he had to overcome as a child, about the healing properties of music, and his ideas about making money with music. If you want your heart to completely melt with pure, searing pathos, listen to “I Lost My Horses to the Moon.” He makes his music available for free at www.reverbnation.com/dglas.

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INDIE/ROCK/NOT EMO

Cory Mathews is a songwriter from California. An honest-to-goodness songwriter. This interview features his project red, black, and grey, but Cory specializes in trying every style he can. He speaks of breaking into the songwriting scene, growing up LDS in California, and the value of having a family with a wife and children. Recommended track: Distant.

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INDIE/ROCK

One of my favorite musicians online is one who has the greatest humility of all. I know him as Ian, but he goes by Good Morning Passenger. His songs literally carry you away in their gradual, soft, shifting way, and I love the way his melodies compliment the rhythms so well. Good Morning Passenger is not a touring band- it’s just Ian and his tunes that he records himself. But make no mistake, these songs are top-notch, and if I had anything to do about it, he’d be on tour right now.

These are the types of songs that just transport you elsewhere. If I could adequately describe how much I love the song “Empty Beds” you wouldn’t believe me. Highly recommended.

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