Home- EPK
- Morning's Gold
- Music
- Photos
- Links/Press/Portfolio
- Videos
- Blog
- Email Signup
- Contact Chris
CHRIS BARTELS
-
EPK
- MUSIC
Chris Bartels by chrisbartels
Morning's Gold was independently released December 9, 2011.
HI-RES PHOTOS
ALBUM ART
BIO
As an independent artist, Chris has developed a deep interest in every aspect of creating and releasing an album. The 24 year-old Minnesota native has spent hours upon hours of his life crafting different sounds and atmospheres with electric guitar and writing songs on acoustic guitar and piano. He has taught himself to sing, play piano, mandolin, banjo, and percussion, among other instruments. He has also developed and practiced advanced engineering and production skills, be it tracking, mixing, or mastering, and has always seen the studio (which could be the bedroom, on the couch with a midi controller, or a full studio with a large-frame SSL console, depending on the day…) as an essential creative instrument in every song.
Chris fronted the Minneapolis ambient-indie band Letter And Lines, writing and producing the majority of their debut album Vision. The sonic landscapes of Vision are a testament to the atmosphere, imagination and creative detail Chris creates.
In his debut EP, Morning's Gold, Chris Bartels combines the storytelling folk influences of Iron & Wine and Damien Rice with the emotion and ambience of Bon Iver and Sigur Rós. A current student of music, Chris produced and recorded the EP himself, with the help of his wife Rebekah (vocals) and friends Jessica Wallerstedt (cello), and Jeff Sparks (drums).
Inspired by road trips, Minnesota winters, faith, heartbreak, and love, Morning's Gold is a personal and meaningful journey.
VIEW / DOWNLOAD ONE SHEET (pdf)
LINKS / CONTACT
Bandcamp (Download full EP for free)
Email: chrisbartelsmusic@gmail.com
iTunes
Facebook
Blog
-
Morning's Gold
- the debut.
Morning's Gold by chrisbartels
This album is a small collection of six songs that help define the emotions, excitements, frustrations, and dreams of mine over the past few years. It includes songs inspired by my faith in God and the purpose and hope I find in him and long to share with anyone and everyone. It includes songs inspired by raw feelings of loneliness and frustration, alongside songs of hope and contentment.
Oh, and I just got hitched, so naturally, I had to throw a love song in the mix.
The title, Morning's Gold, comes from a lyric in the final song, "Moving in Circles." I chose this title because I felt it best summed up the journey and the purpose of this album, in that, life is not always easy. Sometimes it's downright painful. Let's not throw on a happy face everyday and pretend everything's always great. Let's get real. Let's get raw. But in the midst of pain and frustration, there is hope. There is a God who loves us as we are. Not as we should be. As we are. And out of that love there is hope in loving each other. When we see what he has already done for us, we can see that there is an immensely important and redemptive purpose for each one of us.
Keep moving. Day in and day out. It's worth it.
____________________________
This was a DIY (do it yourself) project from start to finish. I wrote, recorded, and mixed all the songs myself, and had some wonderful friends contribute musically for me. I have so many to thank, however, because I know I would not have such a privilege in being able to creatively express myself through music without so many wonderful friends and family members. Read more about the entire process and the inspiration behind individual songs on my blog post here.
I'm excited to share a part of myself with you, and I hope you enjoy it.
FREE download of the entire album here!
Thank you so much for listening!
Chris
Facebook
Bandcamp
Also, be sure to check out my interview with City Pages' music blog Gimme Noise from December 7.
LYRICS
Nothing
The downtown skyways fly for a country mile
And lead to nothing, nothing at all
But nothing's not always a loss
Cathedrals painted greens, reds, and hidden lies
Their walls sing nothing, nothing at all
But nothing's not always a loss
The moon's staring me down, ooh
I'll be on my way, I've got to get home
Saint Paul, you've got me, my heart is adorned to you
And temperance is fleeting, but you are so calm and true
And temperance is not always a loss
And here we are, we made it, and I'll settle for nothing less than nothing at all
Love's Intent
You're always careful to be on time
But you're always leaving me behind
And I pray to God that you'll come around
But you're always seeing things upside down
I'll take the long way home tonight
And chase the lonely moonlight
It might remind me of the time we spent
Chasing after love's intent
You hold a tainted heart inside
Where everything but love resides
Have you thought of wearing it on your sleeve
Instead of hanging on by the skin of your teeth?
You said, "God is just great for you...
But baby you have no clue
What I have done and where I have been
So lose it all and talk to me then."
I said, "You're good enough and better still
To lose it all and live at will
'Cause nothing separates the love I know
Nothing separates His love for you
Shadows
I can see shadows
Painting the picture of you and me together
I can see my headlights
Reflecting off the stop sign and I wonder
if it's more than just a stop sign
But these calloused words are seeping through
My weary nerves tonight
The walls outside my window
Represent my lack of forward motion
They're layered in perfection
Taunting me with order and deception
And I miss you more than I ever have
But these calloused words are seeping through
My weary nerves tonight
And the grass is green, at I'll assume
But I can't see it tonight
Betray Me
You almost found me
Falling slowly
You almost drown me
And I would let you
And I would let you
I ran so fast
Did I run for nothing?
You almost knew me
And heard my story
You almost loved me
And I would let you
And I would let you
Oh love betray me
Oh love betray me
Under The Willows
My sisters and brothers have gone, they've left me alone here again
They must be at the picture show, I know one day I'll see my own
Oh, I'll be right here
Waiting for you dear
Under the willows, my heart will be buried for you
Tender the cellos, like spring they will bloom anew
I've painted this dirty road, everyday since I was young
The soles of my shoes have yet to amuse a closer friend
And I've learned what it's like to be alone when the summertime flees
So darling just know I'll be holding you close and I'll never let you go
Oh, I'll be right here
Waiting for you dear
Though the sun has set on me
I'll wait all the more
Moving In Circles
Tattered streets and scattered dreams are behind us now
Only time and only space ahead
Salty gray and morning's gold are only fool's frown
As we embrace the interstate we tred
We're moving in circles now, we'd ask for nothing more
We won't slow, for such a perfect day
Like a slow tide, we won't rush what is true
We'll let it soak in time, 'cross fields and hills
With the best of friends and lovers, we'll drive to live anew
Follow @chris_bartels
-
Music
- Facebook
Bandcamp
iTunes
Morning's Gold was independently released on December 9, 2011.
Morning's Gold by chrisbartels
This album is a small collection of six songs that help define the emotions, excitements, frustrations, and dreams of mine over the past few years. It includes songs inspired by my faith in God and the purpose and hope I find in him and long to share with anyone and everyone. It includes songs inspired by raw feelings of loneliness and frustration, alongside songs of hope and contentment.
Oh, and I just got hitched, so naturally, I had to throw a love song in the mix.
The title, Morning's Gold, comes from a lyric in the final song, "Moving in Circles." I chose this title because I felt it best summed up the journey and the purpose of this album, in that, life is not always easy. Sometimes it's downright painful. Let's not throw on a happy face everyday and pretend everything's always great. Let's get real. Let's get raw. But in the midst of pain and frustration, there is hope. There is a God who loves us as we are. Not as we should be. As we are. And out of that love there is hope in loving each other. When we see what he has already done for us, we can see that there is an immensely important and redemptive purpose for each one of us.
Keep moving. Day in and day out. It's worth it.
____________________________
This was a DIY (do it yourself) project from start to finish. I wrote, recorded, and mixed all the songs myself, and had some wonderful friends contribute musically for me. I have so many to thank, however, because I know I would not have such a privilege in being able to creatively express myself through music without so many wonderful friends and family members. Read more about the entire process and the inspiration behind individual songs on my blog post here.
I'm excited to share a part of myself with you, and I hope you enjoy it.
FREE download of the entire album here!
Thank you so much for listening!
Chris
Also, be sure to check out my interview with City Pages' music blog Gimme Noise from December 7.
Morning's Gold Lyrics
Follow @chris_bartels Morning's Gold by chrisbartels
_______________
LETTER AND LINES
Letter And Lines was a band that I made along with good friends. Vision was our debut EP released on January 12, 2011. We played a number of shows around the Twin Cities and released the single Tightropes (below). We decided it was best to move on as a band summer of 2011. It was a wonderful journey that I'll never forget. Read the full story here.
Facebook
Bandcamp
iTunes
Buy on iTunes
Vision by chrisbartels
Tightropes by chrisbartels
Buy on iTunes
_______________
Running On Air by chrisbartels
"Running on Air" was the walkdown song for Rebekah's and my wedding. Stream it and download it for free at Chris' bandcamp.
-
Photos
September 2011 photoshoot by Ben Woodis
April 2011 Photoshoot
LETTER AND LINES
-
Links/Press/Portfolio
- CHRIS BARTELS
iTunes
Bandcamp
Soundcloud
Noisetrade
thesixtyone
Facebook
Twitter
Blog
Youtube
Email
PRESS
"At 23, Bartels may be young, but he has the maturity of someone who has lived a thousand lifetimes. Each precisely-placed instrument within Morning's Gold delivers a distinctive slice of sound, and we, as listeners, are merely conduits for its storytelling -- absorbing, communicating, and waiting for the rest."
- Youa Vang, City Pages Minneapolis
- City Pages Interview
"A self-taught musician (of a plethora of instruments), Bartels has crafted a laid-back six-track pseudo-acoustic release inspired by the likes of Iron & Wine, Damien Rice, Bon Iver, and Sigur Rós – this latter influence is extremely prevalent if you can picture them stripped down… and singing in a comprehensible language…"
- The Indie Machine
CREDITS (OTHER MY OWN MUSIC)
ENGINEERED AND MIXED:
Can't Get Out by Head Eclectic
Headstone by Head Eclectic
MIXED:
Edge of the World by The New Resolution
OTHER CLIENTS INCLUDE:
Bobbi Wichterman
The Fairlead
Jonathan Fant
Josh Jurss
Jason Arhelger
Alex Wheeler
Josh Riggs
Abdiwak Yohannes
Jamie Kauppi
LETTER AND LINES
iTunes
Bandcamp
Noisetrade
thesixtyone
Facebook
Twitter
Myspace
ELSKAVON
Flavors
Facebook
REBEKAH BARTELS (my amazing wife)
Bandcamp
Facebook
-
Uploads
-
Posts
Recording marimba, aux perc, and other swanky stuff at The Hideaway in Minneapolis with Josiah Kosier.
photo by Rachel Cobian.
In the studio yesterday with the talented Rachel Cobian recording cello for the full length album.
I used a stereo pair of U87s with blumlein setup on the cello. I really liked the space that created.
Check out Rachel’s photography.
Friends. The best band in the world is back.
New Sigur Ros album May 28. I couldn’t be more into anything.
Music and friends. Friends and music. Come hang out this Wednesday night at the Kitty Cat Klub!!
Chris Bartels - www.chrisbartelsmusic.com
Sister Species - http://sisterspecies.bandcamp.com/
Josh MogkI’ve always been a big Peter Wolf Crier fan. They’ve got a great blend of raw, pleasing grit and creative percussive textures. They definitely make a great Twin Cities music scene proud.
Playing some new songs with new members at the Kitty Cat Klub last week was an incredibly fun time for us. We’ll be continuing to play new tunes. Come on out to the 331 Club in NE Minneapolis this Tuesday night!
331 Club
10 pm
No Cover
21+
Good Diction — www.gooddictionmusic.com
Chris Bartels — www.chrisbartelsmusic.com- Inspired by the Inspired
My good friend Jonathan Alstad has always blessed me with his friendship and with his support of my music. He’s always been one of the first to buy any music I put out, post his support on Facebook, Twitter, etc. and to show up at my shows. It’s people like him that make it worth it to keep pursuing my passions and gifts.
Jonathan is also a gifted writer. He has a way with words. And he brings life with those words. Be sure to check out his blog. After last night’s show, he put up a post about how my music inspires him in different and cool ways. Needless to say, I’m blessed and privileged. And if I ever inspire others, move others, or bless others with my art, it’s all because God gave me these things as a gift. If there’s ever any glory, it’s all God’s.
Here’s a teaser of his post:
Every time I play an album or go to a concert produced by my friend Chris Bartels (“Vision” by Letter and Lines; “Morning’s Gold” by Chris Bartels), I am inspired to do crazy, magical things.
First and foremost, I am inspired to write.
His music instills in me the passion for creating something beautiful—not with notes, chords, nor rhythms, but with words. Their sounds, their multiple layers of meaning, their cultural significance…everything about the strings of English that Chris weaves together drives me to seek out more of that same kind of beauty, as I know the resources are limitless. Words are not created by any one man, but instead are created by every man (and woman) who ever uttered them in the presence of his friends, his enemies, and even himself. They contain power, yet the power doesn’t always come from their meaning. Oftentimes their power comes from their delivery—the ebb and flow…the double-edged sword that is intonation…it allows meaning to be carried over the walls of language, or perhaps underneath them, yet too often it deals an enormous blow to the human spirit. Thankfully, Chris is a masterful wordsmith with no intention of doing harm to any soul fortunate enough to stumble upon his music.
- 213875 plays
- 0 plays
-
Email Signup
