My Top 5 Albums of 2011

It's that time of the year where I go through all of the albums I've listened to and loved over the past year and try to narrow it down to my TOP 5. So, without further adieu, here's my top 5 albums of 2011 in order of their importance.

Peace,
Ross

#1 - They Reappear (Jeremy Larson)

#2 - Bon Iver (Bon Iver)

#3 - Odd Soul (Mutemath)

#4 - Barton Hallow (The Civil Wars)

#5 - Gungor (Gungor)

Feliz Navidad + Carol of the Bells + White Christmas

Here we are, only 2 more days until Christmas! I hope you all have had a wonderful Advent season; slowing down and spending valuable time with your loved ones.

I'm gonna take a few days off...so to tide you, here's some fun vids of me doing my favorite Christmas tunes.

Enjoy!







Peace & Merry Christmas,
Ross

Mocking...wow!

I thought that EVERYONE should hear/watch these in preparation for Christmas...I'm in a totally mocking mood, so enjoy these!

You've got to watch these in entirety - they're just too ridiculous (yet serious)...







Peace,
Ross

A-Political.

This time of year (maybe more than any other) we should be A-political.

Luther wrote, "The birth of Christ took place exactly when the Emperor Augustus sent out a decree that all the world should be taxed. This was no accident...At the very first moment of his life, Christ and his parents had to give evidence of obedience, not to God, but to the heathen emperor, the enemy of the Jews. This is the strongest proof that Christ's Kingdom is to be distinguished from that of the world. Christ did not erect a kingdom like an earthly king, but wished to be subject to a heathen government."

So here we are 2011-ish years later, once again subject to a heathen government. And what I propose this Christmas, is that we recognize the heathen government(s) we are subject to, and to remain A-political.

If you've read my blog for very long, you might read that I view politics as a big joke. Politics give us pizza as vegetables, allows abusive churches (Catholic) to lobby for shortened Statute of Limitations (New York), and can be "pro-life" while being pro-capital punishment and war.

It's politics.

It's a joke.

And I propose that this Christmas we remain separate from this heathen joke-of-a-government, and truly distinguish ourselves from the world.

Peace,
Ross

Santa'd.

The girls saw Santa today. Hopefully he'll deliver...



Peace,
Ross

The Weekend

I love living in St. Louis! We're close to so many cool things, and can walk to a ton of great places...not to mention, there's a lot of great places to snap pictures of the girls.


Over the weekend, we were also fortunate to see the Monet exhibit at the Art Museum.


And Olive decided to go in a gnome motif...

Peace,
Ross

Vampires > Live at The Duck Room

Last night I was humbled to play The Duck Room at Blueberry Hill in St. Louis. This is Chuck Berry's venue, and has a rich musician history!

Here's a video of Vampires w/ Caleb Travers.

Enjoy!



Peace,
Ross

KIDS + MUSIC

Kate called me today with a funny story...

She and Cora were listening to the radio and Little Drummer Boy started playing. Cora asked if it was me. It wasn't. Then she went through all of my musician friends...was it "Jeremy Larson, Andre, Harry, Brendan?"

Its a great story, because I know that my girls are immersed with music and musicians.

But that got me thinking a little more. I tend to listen to lots and lots of music, different artists and bands, and don't repeat very often. I wonder if that change is a good or bad thing for my girls? Would it be better to listen to a season of Beatles, a season of Radiohead, and a season of Sting, etc, or is it better for the constant rotation?

Please continue the conversation!

Peace,
Ross

Surround Yourself

Surround Yourself
(c) 2011 Ross Christopher Donaldson.

Drawing circles
Haloed forces
Who to let in, so close?

Not to be picky
But health's at stake
When you surround yourself

So choose love
And challenge
Support and strength
Surround yourself
With life

Family and critics
Haters and lovers
Those that want you gone

Friends and skeptics
Enemies and allies
Who do you let in?

So choose love
And challenge
Support and strength
Surround yourself
With life

Circle, circles
Halos of love

Circle, circles
Halos of life

So choose love
And challenge
Support and strength
Surround yourself
With life

glitter

Peace,
Ross

38 seconds.

Hey there,
Thanks again for all of the recent support...you all have bought albums like crazy over the years, come to shows, told your friends about the music, and for that I'm incredibly grateful!

Would you mind spending about 38 seconds and CLICK HERE to write a very brief comment/review of my album, Boxes and Human Fog?

Thanks in advance!

Peace,
Ross

p.s. even if you don't own it, just click a couple of the tunes and listen to make your comments!

Last Night.

If you missed the show last night in St. Louis, here's a few pics from the night. Thanks to everyone that came out!

Peace,
Ross

12/9/11 Setlist.

I'm playing tonight at The Wood in St. Louis.
Music starts at 8PM...I'll go on about 70 minutes after that.
I'm just gonna' loop the night away.
I also have a couple Christmas tunes for ya'!

Be there!
THE WOOD
2733 Sutton Boulevard
Maplewood, MO 63143
Peace,
Ross

Consideration (The Weight of Walmart)

I don't want to tell you what or how to think about this. I do however, want you to consider it. What are it's implications here locally, globally, past, present, future, etc.

Source: http://frugaldad.com

Peace,
Ross

Apparently...

Apparently Mary had a baby...

Peace,
Ross

Shadows.

Shadows
© 2011 Ross Christopher


The light touches her
For her life to be
But she’s become blind
To the light unseen

She lives in shadows
Tries harder to grow
Defined by the gallows
And she can’t see

It forces her hiding
The darkness is blinding
The shadows are dimmer
But she’s fully alive

She lives in shadows
Tries harder to grow
Defined by the gallows
And she can’t see

Peace,
Ross

Never Interrupt the Song.

Never interrupt the song...

The song is creativity.
It is the spark that hits you whenever it desires.
It's not a formula, and it's not reserved for the artistic elite.
It just is.

Listen for it.
Write it down.
Record it.
Don't lose it, whatever you do!

*here's a little example of what I'm talking about. I caught Cora "writing a song" last night before bed. I love it!



Peace,
Ross

They Reappear (DVD Preview)

Here's one more DVD preview from the show I did with Jeremy Larson, Darren King (Mutemath), & Stacy DuPree (Eisley). Enjoy and have a wonderful weekend!



Peace,
Ross

Satan (metaphor)

Metaphor in songwriting is key.
It is the language of truth.
It is the mechanism that turns a song timeless.

SATAN
(c) 2011 Ross Christopher

What if satan looked
A little too much like me
On a dark, dark night

If he swallowed up souls
As flippantly as I
Pass by need

What if he shot your soul
Into hell with tears
And gnashing teeth
And burning stench of trash

Oh, that's me
I cast you out
And discard your self

Am I saint?
Or satan?

Peace,
Ross