Noah Gundersen.

Every so often, an artist comes along and inspires me. They churn something in the pit of my stomach that beckons me to be creative, to DO SOMETHING. For me, for now that artist is Noah Gundersen.

With just an acoustic guitar, a violin and a set of microphones, Noah Gundersen and his sister Abby managed to hush the Record Bar until you could hear the floor boards squeak. His unassuming presence and meek personality are a stark comparison to the deep and solid voice that filled up the venue like a thick fog. Meanwhile, Abby Gundersen is the unpretentious hero, quietly providing the harmony and smooth violin, which she played flawlessly. Together they form a sound like a harsh Tennessee whisky shot taken next to a warm winter fire.

With rich, religious undertones, you can almost see Gundersen growing up singing hymns in stained glass cathedrals with his siblings. He is clearly a seeker of truth, love and faith and writes music about maturing into his own thoughts and ideas on these tough subject matters. Gundersen’s lyrics are moving and poignant. Songs like ”Jesus, Jesus” have some of the most honest lyrics I have heard in a while. They are simple yet profound. He is unashamed and unafraid to ask questions and voice his spiritual insecurities. (which, if we are honest, we all have had from time to time. And guess what? God can handle it.)

Seriously just get on youtube and allow yourself to be sucked in.

I am thankful for this type of music and sincere song writing. This type of candor creates an atmosphere of community, of oneness, of sweet, reaffirming whisperings, “I’m not alone.” That’s the power of music my friends. Never underestimate it.

Some of my favorite Noah Gundersen Lyrics: 

“Say something awful as if fucking the world is your right.” -Family

“…I wanted to ask you, man what do you do in the daylight?” -Family

 “So bum me a cigarette buy me a beer ‘til I am happy to be here. I’m happy to here with all of my family; hookers in heels and the men who watch them like hungry black eels.” -Family

“Jesus, Jesus there are those that say they love you but some of them have treated me so God damn mean. And I know you said forgive them for they know not what they do but sometimes I’m pretty sure they do.” -Jesus, Jesus

“Jesus, Jesus it’s such a pretty place we live in and I know we’ve fucked it up but please be kind.”

 -Jesus, Jesus

“Jesus, Jesus I’m still looking for answers and I hope I always will be.” –Jesus, Jesus

“I want to hunt like David. I want to kill me a giant man. I want to slay my demons. But I’ve got lots of them.” –David

“Here I stand on the edge of the ledges that I’ve made…trying to be a better man for you.” –Ledges

“I’ve got plenty of time but I want everything now.” –Poor Mans Son

and he's a total babe, too.