New Record: The Beauty to Come

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In January of 2018 we set up a recording studio at a bed and breakfast in Nashville, Indiana called Twin Oaks Lodge and we began recording what would end up being The Beauty to Come. Unable to finish, these songs waited quietly until this past October when we picked it up again in hopes of being able to release it in time for this season of Advent.

I did not grow up celebrating Advent. So I have been a curious student over the past 20 years as I have ministered at churches that celebrate this season. I have found it difficult yet spiritually enriching to focus each year for a season on what it means to eagerly await for Jesus to return and to see how our hearts are united with those who were so long in waiting for their messiah to be born. My hope is that through these songs, the Christmas season can be reinterpreted, expanded and deepened in a fresh way for our hearts. That we would see the birth of Jesus and the return of Jesus as a connected cosmic event which has been set in motion and will not be thwarted until it is brought to full fruition in the new heavens and the new earth being inaugurated by the literal return and reign of Jesus Christ. May we be formed to sincerely proclaim from our deepest heart, “Come, Lord Jesus!”.

This record could not have been made without a whole community of support. First of all, thanks to my wife, Sally, for all of her strength, grace & wisdom; to Amos, Flannery & Levi for patience while both their parents focused on finishing this project; to the Meeks and Partain families for all of their prayers and encouragement; to the Nottinghams & Berends for use of Twin Oaks Lodge; to Wolfy & help with the all night recording session; Mina Keohane for use of her chaplain’s organ; Tom Peck & Josh Plemon for worship-leading support; Charles Anderson for giving extra space in ministry; Kipp Normand for amazing cover art at the last minute; Phil & Sarah Majorins for help with song arrangements & childcare; Kylie Sempsrott, Sarah Miller, Julie Berend & Addie Burton for help with childcare; to the East Side Thursday morning ladies’ Bible Study; to the Redeemer Pres Indy pastors, staff & community; to all of our friends who prayed for us as we worked to finish in time; and to our Father who holds us and tenderly leads us into more of himself.

These are the dear musicians who gave their time and creativity to these songs:

Brett Sempsrott: drums & percussion
Chris Weller: electric & upright bass
Wolfy Johnson: piano/rhodes/keys/chaplain’s organ
Sarah Majorins: piano
Luke Tuttle: piano
Kenny Meeks: electric guitar/12-string guitar
Ellen Christenberry: viola
Grace Park: cello
Sarah Partain: vocals
Nathan Partain: vocals & acoustic guitar

All words and music by Nathan Partain
(except lyrics to O Savior Rend the Heavens Wide, written by Friedrich Von Spee and translated by Martin L. Seltz and O Savior of Our Fallen Race, translated by Gilbert E. Doan)
String arrangements by Sarah Majorins

Recorded in January 2018 at Twin Oaks Lodge in Nashville, IN; October & November 2019 at Redeemer Pres Church, Indianapolis, IN

Produced by Nathan & Sarah Partain
Engineered by Alec Surridge, Nathan Partain
Mixed by Micah Tawlks
Mastered by Ken Love
Cover art by Kipp Normand

New Video: One Thing I Have Asked

Thanks to our good friend Mark Wikkerink we were able to record a live video back in June of this year. We are exited to share it with you. Hope you enjoy!

Vocals/Guitar: Nathan Partain
Vocals: Sarah Partain
Resonator guitar: Tom Peck
Keys: Wolfy Johnson
Bass: Chris Weller
Drums: Brett Sempsrott
Bells/Slaps: Phil Lofton
Video Production: Mark Wikkerink

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New Record: A Lovely Wait

My new record, A Lovely Wait, is out today. You can purchase a physical or digital version from my website. Thanks to all of you for your support. I hope this music is truly an encouragement to you in reminding you of who God truly is.

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What in the what, is the Lord doing?

So, yesterday as we were hitting our goal (and while we were freaking out) I had a flashback to the moment when I pressed the “publish” button on our Kickstarter project late the night before. I said a small anxious prayer to the affect of “Lord, please, if we could just make this goal.” As I sat there watching us pass our goal in less than a day I felt like the Lord was saying, “Your faith was so small. What is in your heart?” The first thing that came into mind was the record of original Christmas songs that Sarah and I have been talking about all year. Then, of course, I thought, “No, that’s a whole different project. That’s too much!” But I felt my heart soften to be vulnerable in hope and obedience so I have decided to put it out there by faith for you all to consider.

We are fully funded toward “A Lovely Wait” and I am working to finish tracking this week and the songs get turned in for mixing next week. Thanks to you all, that is happening at full speed.

If you all would like me to put out an original Christmas record this year, Sarah and I would love to make that happen. I have been writing songs for Advent and Christmas for over 10 years now and I would love to share a collection of those songs with you to add to your holiday music playlist and to encourage your devotion to Jesus during that season. If you are anything like us, we are always looking for edifying Advent/Christmas music focused on Jesus and I would love try to capture the mystery, awe, hope and gratitude of the Advent and Christmas season.

Stretch Goal 
Recording a Christmas record the most efficient way is the most expensive. It would cost $26,000 if we recorded with a producer in the studio and if I was able to pay the musicians for their work. If I self produce the record and the musicians are willing (and able) to volunteer their time then it could be as inexpensive as $10,600. So, if we can raise between $10,600-$26,000 in the next 18 days, we will get going on planning and scheduling a record of songs on the incarnation and second coming.

So, big stretch goal beyond the original $7,000:
Advent/Christmas Record $10,600-$26,000

That’s a potential Kickstarter total of $33,000.

How will the Rewards Work? 
As far as rewards go, if you’d like to support the Christmas Record I’ll honor the same rewards levels for “A Lovely Wait” but toward the Christmas record. So, for instance if you want to donate $20 you can choose which record you wanted to get or if you wanted to donate $40 at the “Come on Sing Along” level then you could choose the Christmas record lead sheets and chord charts. Make sense? So just pick a reward and then send me a comment if you want your reward to count toward the Christmas record.

We’re Listening 
If you have any other ideas of things that you would love for us to do, let me know. I had someone mention a video and folks in the past have asked about vinyl. I’m open to your ideas so don’t hesitate to send them my way. If I get enough of a ground swell I will definitely listen.

All Funds will Be Dedicated to Music 
Lastly, to be clear, no matter what happens or how much we raise, I want you to know that it will all go directly into getting more music out to you all. No other purpose.

Click here to join the project.

Again, thank you for your kindness and generosity in supporting my music. May it always point you to Jesus and bring him glory.

Words cannot express…

…how grateful we are for what has happened today. We are in shock. I spent the afternoon off and on in tears. We had no idea that it was even possible that we could be totally funded in less than 24 hours. You all are amazing and we feel the love and support. I will be working to get this record in your hands as soon as possible and if this overflow of generosity means that you are wanting more music and you want to continue to fund for the next 19 days, I will work extra hard on getting more music out in your hands. Sarah and I have been talking about doing a Christmas record. If it were funded I would work to get it out by mid November. If that sounds like something you’d like to support, leave a comment and let us know and we will make it a stretch goal. Thank you all so much!

Check out my Kickstarter for my new record!

Hey lovely people, I know it’s been a while but I am working on a new album to be released in May and we are doing a Kickstarter for the next 20 days to get the project finished. Check out my video and please consider partnering with me in getting this music out. Thank you all! You can donate and find fun perks HERE.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1309877743/new-record-a-lovely-wait

New Song: What has God Perpared?

Hey folks, just posted a new song on my website, here.

If you haven’t already, please subscribe to my new site since I won’t be keeping this one up for much longer.

Thanks to you all!