David Andrew Wiebe - Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist in Calgary, AB

Reflecting on IHR 97

2011-12-20T22:32:59Z

I'm not sure if you've had the chance to listen to my appearance on Inside Home Recording yet, but suffice to say there was a little bit of thought that went into my conversation with Dave Chick.

I don't say this to brag. I think it is sort of in my nature to be over-prepared for opportunities that I consider to be grand. I can certainly recall instances where I was over-prepared for concerts and workshops before. I don't think it is a waste of time to be prepared for an event, as there is always the chance it will be your last.

You may have picked up that Dave actually provided me with a list of things he was going to talk about, so I spent some time researching those items, and, more importantly, jotted down some notes. I think having those notes helped me to touch on the more important points in our discussions.

So, in conclusion, a lot of what I said on the show was actually premeditated or planned out beforehand. Does that take away some of the brilliance of the moment? I can't answer that.

Not the Day That I Expected

2011-12-08T05:53:40Z

Have you ever had one of those? Today has been one of those for me. I don't really mean it in a negative way, however. Somehow, just having a break from the norm is exactly what I needed.

You just know that you're going to have a "different kind of day" when you don't even make it through your morning routine before texts and calls start to flood in. Suddenly, you're in the trenches, doing damage control instead of easing your way into the day.

I think it has caused me to realize some things about myself. Some things aren't easy to see from your own vantage point. You have to hear it from someone else so you can take it into consideration and think about how you can do better next time.

David Andrew Wiebe on Episode 97 of the Inside Home Recording Podcast

2011-12-06T18:19:26Z

I was recently asked to be on the Inside Home Recording podcast! This was a real honor for me, and a vision-come-true. Check it out!

Inside Home Recording | Episode 97 with David Andrew Wiebe

DAW Universal Update #2: December 3, 2011

2011-12-06T05:03:06Z

David Andrew Wiebe lets us know what's going on in his life and online world. Subjects include: blogging frequency, Inside Home Recording, current projects, and more.

Defining Who You Are

2011-11-29T05:48:04Z

This is something I've thought about a fair bit as of late. As I've shown my friends the work I've done with Back on Solid Ground, and the more recent work I've done with Demos 2010 and beyond, it seems like people are leaning more towards the new stuff.

I suppose you can't hide what you really are; in my case, a hard rocker. Some friends have said that while Back on Solid Ground feels a little tentative, my new music better reflects who I am and exudes more confidence.

Certainly, we are taking steps as a band to move more in that direction. Honestly, it was only a matter of time before the electric side was going to come out.

The big question here is whether or not to put out Back on Solid Ground. I think I will still move forward with it, even if it just gets released in a very raw form. I think there are a lot of great songs (I think they're all great) on it even if they don't match my personality or musical inclinations to a tee. I'm seeing more potential as a concept album as well, though it may be wise not to get too carried away in that direction.

Epiphany: Powerlessness is the Enemy's Plan

2011-11-24T18:35:16Z

God showed me something interesting today. I found myself feeling kind of negative this morning, and I've come to identify that this usually starts with my thoughts. As I begin to figure out what thinking has led me to whatever negative emotion I'm feeling, I can usually dismantle and revise in a matter of minutes. I've come to realize that feeling bad is usually a result of a thought process that's incorrect.

Certainly there is nothing the enemy can pull on us that's unfamiliar. If you've been under attack before, you know exactly what that looks like or feels like. I've come to the understanding that the enemy's plan is to keep us powerless over our situations. This is disempowering.

Taking full responsibility over our situation is empowering. This may sound controversial, because modern Christianity has started to resemble (at least in my opinion) mysticism - believing that an outside influence has complete control over everything. Certainly, God is in control. However, we have to realize that we DO have power over our circumstances and situations. Don't get caught up in the terminology here; my point is that we need to take responsibility for where we are in our lives.

There are things within our control, and then there are things which are in God's control. Take responsibility for yours, and leave the rest for God. Realize the power within you to change your present, and relinquish your inability to change things outside your realm to God.

Masterpiece Theatre

2011-11-22T05:50:31Z

Because I listen to so much personal development material (especially in my car), it seems like I've been listening to less music. Certainly I do keep a few playlists on hand, like the one labeled "Power Songs", when the opportunity arises. However, it is pretty safe to say that my "productive" or "attentive" listening time is dominated by educational, informative, and developmental audio.

However, there is one album that has really struck me as something great recently. While I'm not going to suggest that everyone should listen to this album (make your own decision), it has certainly tweaked my ears as of late. That album is Masterpiece Theatre by Marianas Trench.

I was originally hooked by the Power Pop or Pop Punk numbers of the album, like "All to Myself" and "Cross My Heart". Then I was reeled in by the conceptual scope of the entire album.

For one thing, there are more ballads or "slow songs" on this album than I would have originally thought. My original perception was that Marianas Trench was just another Punk band, but listening to the album has demystified that original opinion.

This album has got it all - string sections, acapella detours, layered harmonies, catchy hooks... I am really impressed at how well this thing is put together. Josh Ramsay's vocals are really awesome too.

Thanks to Caffe Crema!

2011-11-19T19:33:51Z

The David Andrew Wiebe Band performed at Caffe Crema last night! We had a lot of fun, and it was a great environment for us to share our music. Here's a special send out to all the staff at Caffe Crema!

Special thanks to James John Slater!

Act Before You Know How It's All Going To Work Out

2011-11-18T06:43:17Z

As I was sitting down to write today's blog post, I reflected on how this particular blog tends to be the last one I update out of the 3 others I regularly post to. I suppose this is because I have yet to work out a system of exactly what I post to this blog.

Still, it seems like I have been talking more about personal development and success principals than anything, and today's post is no exception. I heard someone I respect say these words before: "successful people make decisions before they know how it's all going to work out."

I've come to realize how much this philosophy has come to affect my life. There have been many major decisions that I could have shrunk down from. There have been many opportunities that I could have said "no" to (and honestly, there is value in saying "no" sometimes). Still, I find myself acting in spite of the uncertainty. I don't know how it's all going to work out - I'm just taking action. I've seen some really cool things happen as result.

More Podcast News

2011-11-17T05:30:54Z

I know I've talked about the fact that I've got some great episodes coming up on the podcast, but I've just added to the list of great interviews the show is about to be bombarded with.

I'm not going to announce any names just yet, but I am very excited about these upcoming interviews. The only thing stopping me from releasing some of the back logged episodes at this point is the fact that I have my studio's FireWire interface out for repair. I can't wait to get things up and running again!

David Andrew Wiebe Band @ Caffe Crema on November 18, 2011

2011-11-15T06:14:03Z

Keep a lookout for the band at Caffe Crema this Friday! We will be going on after 8 PM, but things get started around 7:30, and I hear there will be a couple of other groups performing, so come on out for a great night of music!

There will be a voluntary cover of $5 - $10, so make sure to come cash in hand!

Beautiful Outlaw

2011-11-12T00:15:07Z

I always get a lot from reading or listening to John Eldredge, so I couldn't really go without mentioning Eldredge's latest book, Beautiful Outlaw.

So, what is so amazing about this book, you might ask? Well, first I should clarify: I've been listening to the Ransomed Heart Podcast, which has been featuring the Beautiful Outlaw project in a significant way. In fact, Eldredge himself is reading each chapter, and adding it to the podcast stream. In other words, I've been listening to the book.

Now, as to the content, it is a book about Jesus. In the back story, Eldredge talks about how he wanted to release this book before he went ahead with Love & War. However, his publishers didn't really think that a book about Jesus would sell. So, against his best judgment, he went ahead and released the book about marriage.

I guess at times it can seem a little stuffy to talk about Jesus. However, that is the very thing that this book interprets for us. Eldredge talks about the character, the person, the realness and humanness of Jesus. He talks about how playful he is, and how it is easy to misinterpret the person of Jesus from the vantage point of religion.

I've burst out in laughter many times listening to Eldredge describe Jesus. It is amazing to see Jesus as he really was, and really is.

Demos 2010 Podcast Extras in the Works

2011-11-11T07:17:15Z

I've finally started working on the extras for Demos 2010. First off, if you haven't had the chance to check out Demos 2010 yet, make sure to download your copy now!

Now, on to the good stuff: I've decided to add a bit of a narrative to the Demos 2010 project. Not quite a commentary, but I might do something like that down the line. I've been meaning to do something like this for quite awhile; in fact, I think I may have announced that in a previous podcast episode.

In any case, if you were ever curious what went in to the making of Demos 2010, what inspired the songs, how it all came together, keep a lookout on the podcast blog!

DAW Universal Update #1: November 8, 2011

2011-11-10T07:51:20Z

I just recorded a bit of bonus material for my podcast. This time, I talk about all the projects I've been working on recently. Check it out at the link below:

DAW Universal Update #1: November 8, 2011

Thinking of Your Work as a Game

2011-11-08T06:14:32Z

I was telling a student of mine about my recent business and entrepreneurial efforts. Having realized how much I do, she asked, "Do you ever do anything besides work?" I promptly replied with, "I don't really think of it as work."

While it is absolutely true that everything takes some form of effort, it doesn't have to be an energy-draining, mind-numbing, frustrating experience to be productive. In fact, my experience is mostly the opposite.

I should also note that I generally get 8 hours of sleep every night (generally), get to bed around the same time and wake up around the same time, eat at least 3 square meals a day (sometimes I break them up into smaller meals), spend about an hour reading, 2 hours listening to informative or inspiring audio, 30 minutes to an hour exercising, and so on and so forth. I could go on, but I think you get the point. My work habit may be "extraordinary", but my lifestyle is "balanced". I don't see it as anything to brag about.

I do some forms of "multitasking", but for the most part that is when I am driving and listening to audio. In general, I like to keep my focus on the task at hand, so when I am reading, for example, I don't get distracted with other things.

I am excited to learn more about the habit of keeping work enjoyable. I will be reading The Game of Work in the near future.