S2 E4: Ben Shive

In this special episode of The Second Muse, former guest Ella Mine returns with collaborators Jac Thompson and S. Grant Parker for a live performance at North Wind Manor and a discussion about how art arises from pain to become a safe place during times of suffering. This episode originally aired during Hutchmoot: Homebound 2021.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this last episode of Season Two, Drew Miller asks three questions of the Rabbit Room staff: How did you listen to music growing up and how have your listening habits changed? What is your advice for becoming a better listener? And who are some artists you're listening to right now? You'll hear the voices of Andrew Peterson, Pete Peterson, Jennifer Trafton, Chris Thiessen, Leslie Thompson, and Shigé Clark as they share about their personal relationship to music. This episode was inspired by a blog series at the Rabbit Room called The Lost Art of Listening, which examined how the streaming era has forever changed the way we listen, for better and for worse.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this second-to-last episode of Season 2, Andrew Osenga joins the podcast to interview Drew Miller and Evan Redwine about Drew’s song “Death of a Dream.” They speculate on what precisely the dreams are that died and how this song and its accompanying Desolation and Consolation EPs came about. Then they geek out about how Evan played Pro Tools plug-ins like instruments to achieve that spooky, decaying sort of sound that defines “Death of a Dream.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Drew Miller talks with Taylor Leonhardt and Lucas Morton about the making of Taylor's new song "Hold Still" from her upcoming album. They discuss Taylor’s quest to dig deeper into the songwriting process for her second album, songs as streams of water always seeking new spaces to fill, and the imperfect magic of recording an album live in the room with other musicians.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Drew Miller talks with Don Chaffer about the song "Be Invisible" from his musical, The (Almost) Unforgettable Edwin Booth. They discuss the creativity to be found in the “fenced-in areas” of musical theater, the magic of seeing so many people bring your work to life on stage, and art as a way of practicing empathy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Drew Miller talks with Ella Mine and Evan Redwine about the making of Ella's song, "Sound & Fury." They discuss Ella’s process of discerning how to tell such a personal story in the form of a concept album, the integral role of Shakespeare in “Sound & Fury,” and the tricky process of faithfully adapting a live performance into a crystallized record.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Drew Miller talks with Jeremy Casella and Ben Shive about the making of Jeremy's song, "Many Waters." They discuss the magic of mixing high language with common vernacular—in both music and lyrics—and God’s utter lack of pretense. They also geek out over those delicious chords in the second verse.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Drew Miller talks with Becca Jordan and Lori Chaffer about the making of Becca's song, "Keeping Time." They discuss the catalyzing conflict between ideas and reality, the rhythms of confidence and insecurity over the course of making a song, and what it means to wait collectively.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Drew, Asher, and Aedan discuss the gift of a blank page, the importance of beginning somewhere for the simple sake of beginning, and the indispensability of other people’s perspectives.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Season 2, Episode 4, Drew Miller talks with Ben Shive about his album, The Cymbal Crashing Clouds, and together they break down his song "The Fire Pit." They discuss the scandal of parables, the indispensability of collaboration, and the implications of sabbath for the creative process.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.