Nate Houge

This is Part 1 of 3 explanations of the new album Reform Follows Function.  This is also on the Reform Follows Function page.  Part 2 is on the making of RFF, and Part 3 is on the songs.

Reform Follows Function is a play on architect Louis Sullivan’s motto, Form Follows Function. If you want a car’s primary function to be speed then it’s form will be aerodynamic. That’s form following function. Remember the last time you saw a VW Vanagon on the speedway? Exactly.

Form following function makes great sense in the realm of design but falls short when describing the church. Unlike cars and buildings the church is a living thing. It’s people. It’s you and me. I believe the primary function of the church is joining the world in the embrace of God’s love and providing opportunities for response. We exist in ever changing environments and as a result we are most functional when we are continually reformed.

The European church of the early 1500’s was dysfunctional. People didn’t have direct access to the Bible and they were being charged for forgiveness. Martin Luther took issue with this and about 93 other things. The Reformation he instigated was all about creating a more functional church. This was his response to the embrace of God’s love.

Our response may look a little different but it is equally revolutionary. It may be sharing a meal with a neighbor. Or a stranger. Volunteering at a free clothing store. Hugging our kids. These are the things that change the world. Small things with great love as Mother Theresa would say.

The songs on Reform Follows Function reflect this approach of changing and responding to what God has done for us. Whether growing in trust, rethinking spending habits, challenging authority, working for peace, living our callings or simply staying in touch, this is an album of hope and encouragement to a people that have been embraced by God’s love and continually respond. We are simply who we are and this world cannot ignore us. The Reformation continues.

Why yes it is.  And I can’t help but notice that Jesus and I are looking in opposite directions.  Let’s not read too deep into that okay?  Or, if you must, take into account that we’re both looking left.  All right then.

This shot was taken by my brother in law Rodney last Wednesday at Glyndon Lutheran Church in Glyndon MN – just east of Moorhead.

I had the distinct pleasure of playing a ton of music in western MN last week.  Sunday morning and Wednesday night at Glyndon Lutheran, Sunday night at Zion of Amor, Tuesday night with a group of Moorhead area clergy and musicians, and then on Wednesday I met with a group of seventh graders before school (we wrote a song) (it was hardcore),  lead 30 some preschoolers in a morning devotion and sing-a-long and then did an after school devotion and sing-a-long for elementary age kids.  Top that off with the aforementioned Glyndon Wednesday night service and a drive home to St. Paul and you’ve got yourself one tired Nate!

But man, it was great.  I was graciously hosted by Rod and then Jeni and Collin Grangaard.  I got to see so many great folks from Zion of Amor that I haven’t seen in 4 years.  I enjoyed the quiet and free wireless of the Fargo library where I finished a sparkhouse writing deadline.  I made pizza with the Grangaards, accused Jay Beech of jaywalking (he acted like no one had yelled that at him before) met a bunch of great great youth, and heard the stories of area clergy.  This is all very hopeful stuff people!!!

So thank you all for supporting artist such as myself – when you hire folks like me, or Jonathan, or Dave, or Rachel, or Tay, you not only support art, you support the church by giving us opportunities to share your stories wherever we go and together, being part of God’s redeeming work.  Thank You!

And you’re also supporting seventh graders co-writing songs in the last seven minutes of their 8am confirmation class:

“On Noodle Encroachment and Wishful Revenge”

I’ve got a garden, it’s got the flowers
But noodles are coming, and they have the powers
Noodles are coming, noodles are coming, noodles are coming, we’re all going to die!!!
AAAAAAHHHHH!!!!

I fear for my flowers, their life is so fragile
I hope they escape, dear flowers be agile!
Noodles are coming, noodles are coming, noodles are coming, we’re all going to die!!!
AAAAAAHHHHH!!!

My flowers are dead, the noodles have won
But if we are patient, the sauce will come
The sauce is coming, the sauce is coming, the sauce is coming, the noodles will die!!!
AAAAAAHHHHH!!!!

Sweet.  Reform Follows Function is now available online – or click on consume and download the snail mail order form.

As the world celebrates Tracy Chapman, Nora Jones, and Nate Houge’s birthday I’d like to take a moment to include in this party hearty spirit the release of my new CD, Reform Follows Function.  Soon you’ll be able to order it online.  Till then e-mail me – nate@natehouge.com – and I’ll hook you up!  It’s $15 and it’s killer.

I’ll be playing a bunch of these songs tomorrow night at the Terminal Bar with Graham Peterson on drums, Justin Rimbo on bass and Micah Taylor on stuff.  You should come – it’s not the official CD release party but it’ll still be fun.  I promise.

It’s a good day folks.

Old: (Free Music!)

In 2002 Myself, Martin Marty, Bill Singsaas, and Steve Abenth put out a CD of 9 of our favorite hymns for the season of lent. We called it “Saints and Sinners Volume One.” Eight years later it remains the only volume and it also remains out of print. This last Ash Wednesday I was playing with Marty and Steve and they gave me the go ahead to put this up for free on my website. So here it is.

I didn’t get the okay from Bill though, so let’s just keep this quiet shall we?

New: (Pre-order Music!)

I’ve been talking about it for a few months now and I’m pleased to say that early next week I’ll drive (or bike depending on the weather) over to Minneapolis and pick up 1000 copies of my new CD, Reform Follows Function. I’ll be giving all the details away soon enough but I will say here and now that this is the best CD I’ve ever put out. Though I’ve released a number of short run ep’s, children’s music, and liturgical music over the years this is the first full length full band singer songwriter release I’ve had in 10 years. Nuts. And it’s great. This CD will be available in a few weeks on CD Baby and at shows for $15 bucks but I’ve got a pre-order promotional deal for you faithful fans, readers, and relatives (hi mom.)

Pre-order Reform Follows Function for $15 and get a free copy of Folkstar (my first CD) or Myseterious Kung Fu Ninja and the Pink Princess of Pretty Pretty Land (Kids CD).

Or

Pre-order Reform Follows Function for $20 and get 2 copies. You get to share one without becoming a thief and burning it for a friend. Friends don’t let friends burn CD’s. Unless its out of print or Derek Webb.

To pre-order e-mail me nate@natehouge.com and put preorder in the subject line.  I’ll tell you where to send the check/cash too.

These pre-orders are hugely helpful for independent artists such as myself. I don’t take your support for granted. Thank you!

Borrowed:  (Not Music Related)

I used my friend Jim’s arm warmers today on my bike ride. My forearms were delightfully comfortable. Thanks Jim!

Lu: (Someone else’s New Music)

Is it just me or did Lucinda Williams take a few tips from Nate Houge and Amy Grant? How so you ask? Well, if you don’t have Lu’s new album, Blessed, I’ll tell you what’s up: She took around a bunch of signs that said ‘blessed’ and photographed various people holding them. Who did that same thing 10 years ago? Kjellgren Alkire, when he drove around West St. Paul with a trunk full of cardboard stars and photographed all walks of life holding them. Then he put that on the cover of Folkstar. (You don’t have that album? Preorder Reform Follows Function and get it already!) But what about Amy Grant? Well, Lu made 8 different cover options for the deluxe edition. Same album, different covers = Amy Grant, Unguarded.

On behalf of myself and Amy Grant: Lucinda. You’re welcome. Anything we can do to help.

I’ve been flooded with e-mails since my last post, and just to get everyone up to snuff, I made it safely back into my home from my garage.
Phew. I know. I was worried about me too.
Artists have a weird job. So do toll booth operators. But having only given and never received a toll, I can only speak for artists. We take stuff in. We process. We regurgitate but with twists and turns and hopefully allow you to see things in a new way. Not necessarily better/worse or right/wrong but new.
I’ve been taking a lot in the last few weeks. The last week especially has given me a lot to think about. I was part of a group promoting and showcasing a resource called Lutheran Songs Today – touring around, being on panels, taking part in discussions, and letting people know about this resource. And it’s a great resource – well organized, applicable, accessible and theologically sound. And I think it well reflects what the vast majority of Lutheran churches today like to sing and in a style they like to sing it.
We were a big hit with the 40 and over crowd.
That’s what I’m trying to process.
Lutheran thought/tradition does well with tension. After all, we’re the home of the saint/sinner, over 7 billion served. Maybe what I want is something to hold this resource in tension. It’s important to have resources like this – a compilation/best of, of current Lutheran resources. But the resources we offer the Church also need to move it forward.
I’m ready for something new. We need fewer songs celebrating the styles and wordage that keep us comfortable and more songs that push us into tomorrow. And then we can honor Herb Brokering’s invocation of the psalms when he dared to put test tubes into our hymnody, and sing to the Lord a new song.
Let’s write those songs. Let’s lose the flowery language and talk about God’s place in our struggle. Let’s be real about the pain and real about the hope. And let’s figure out a new way to do it.
Now that I think about it, perhaps my writing has taken its toll on you. In which case I do speak for toll booth operators. And I say this: When you pay for the car behind you and think you’re paying it forward I actually keep the difference and charge them anyway. Sucker.

Snowed out. Went out to the garage yesterday to work on the Vanagon and have been here ever since. I still can’t assure safe passage back across the yard. Been rationing a power bar I found in the glove box and using a flashlight to communicate with Jodi in the house using a crude form of morris code we developed as part of a premarital counseling exercise in 1999. Melting snow using my last match and some oily rags which served as last nights bedding. Will venture out at 9:30, may be rushing it but the caffeine headache is doing me in. Nate Houge February 21 2011. United by the Vanagon.

That’s right.  You look at those and you say to yourself, “Wow Nate, nice buns.”

I’ve been baking a lot lately, challenging the quotable Jesus, “Man cannot live on bread alone.”  I’m also trying to drop a few winter pounds.  Talk about shooting yourself in the foot.

Our camera’s been on the fritz and I know photos are essential to tricking people into reading so I’ve put off blogging for awhile.  But now with a shot of my nice buns (the joke never gets old) I can see that you’ve been sucked into my typographical vortex.  Suckers.  I mean fan base.  And Mom.

In my wordy absence I’m happy to announce I’ve got some great shows coming up in the next few months.  For all the details checkout the Tour Page.  For highlights:

The end of this month I’ll be on the bill with a veritable cornucopia of Lutheran artists as part of Lutheran Songs Today Live!  I successfully weaseled my way on to this tour by co-writing a song with Jonathan Rundman.  Yay for Nate!

In April I’ll be in the Fargo Moorhead area – I’ve got some openings in that schedule – book me!

And in June I’ll be on (drumroll) Bike Tour!  That’s right, I’ve got two confirmed dates and a couple in the hopper.  I tried doing a bike tour last year and it didn’t quite pan out.  It was my bike tour by car tour.  For this tour I’ll be playing at churches and coffee shops.  For those of you tiring of liturgical Nate, this is your chance to hear me get my folk on.

And at the end of June I’ve been invited to join the Wild Goose festival in NC.  For those of you sick of my folky side heres your chance to hear us get our liturgy on.

These are some pretty sweet shows and I’m honored and yes, giddy, that I get to play them.

Till then, lets have one more laugh together.

Nice buns.

This last weekend I had a chance to play in the Jonathan Rundman band at Shepherd of the (entire) Valley (SOTV) in Apple Valley.  It was a blast.  I got to play lapsteel, mandocaster, telecaster, and banjo and I got to play with Graham Peterson and Matt Pearson.  Graham is a fantastic drummer as you will see when you buy my next album (marketing foundation) and Matt is a tremendous bass player that I played with for the first time but hopefully not the last!

About 5 years ago I worked at SOTV and so one of the bonuses for me was reconnecting with some old friends and seeing some of the kids that I knew before they were cool.  Although even five years ago I had my hunches they would turn out awesome…

I also had a chance to see my friend Sean Johnson on Saturday night who is one of the worship coordinators at SOTV.  I first met Sean when he and my wife were seminary students together and we were all members at Christ Lutheran on Capitol Hill.  Since then we’ve also connected on a few musical endeavors as well as one trip to Fargo to sandbag for the annual 500 year flood.  Sean is one of my church musician heroes.  And wouldn’t you know he’s got a blog?  So rather than read my dribble for the next 10 minutes I’ll cut my already too long entry short and send you off to Sean and friends and their blog-o-rific blog, Old Worship New.

You’re Welcome.