In anticipation of our first full-length record, Two Stares, Scenery is proud to announce our third single Smoke & Mirrors. It's, by far, the most rocking track on the album, but it's not all fun and games. Though the lyrics for most of Scenery's songs are general and applicable to many of the past relationships in all of our lives, this one has a bitter root of truth for me. Underneath all the rock guitars, tight grooves, and soaring keyboards there's a lament of the times I've wronged those I was close to... and vice versa. That said... I hope you enjoy the track, but can't relate.
Announcing Scenery's new LP, Two Stares - Out Jan 6th, 2017
I'm so excited to share what my friends and I in Scenery have been working on for the last year. May we present Scenery's first full-length record, Two Stares. While there will be lots of sights and sounds to share in the next two months, here's the basic info along with the album cover (designed by my good buddy Bryan Butler):
Scenery - Two Stares
Release show/party: Sat 12/3/16 @ Cheer Up Charlie's in Austin, TX
Release date: Fri 1/6/17 on Spotify, Apple Music, and Bandcamp
Produced by Scenery
Mastered by Timothy Gerron
Album Art by Bryan Butler
Physical CD copies can be preordered here in December and will ship 1/2/17. But, of course, they will also be available at our live performances, including the 12/3/16 release party.
Press release:
Austin synth rock band Scenery is proud to announce the release of their first full-length album, Two Stares. It will be available the first week of 2017. Having been a band just under two years, this collection of Austin music veterans has already cultivated an avid following through their electric live performances.
Two Stares is a collection of 11 songs that reflect on being young, growing up, not being young anymore, and yet somehow still being young. Vocalist Richard Kentopp recalls stories of long drives, sneaking into the woods, being an angry drunk, and fires on the beach. Underneath the idyllic pictures of days gone by, the rhythm section of Shane Wood (bass) and Austin Hegarty (drums) pound out their tightly angular grooves. Dean Stafford douses the sound with swirling guitars while Ali Sanders tops everything off with lush keyboards and vocals.
It all comes together in Two Stares, leading the listener to believe that no matter how old they are the stories of the young can still move their body and heart.
UMC Young People's Ministries Interview Richard Kentopp
UMC Young People's ministry recently interviewed me for their podcast. I'm pretty rambly and not particularly helpful to their larger conversation. I hadn't slept much the night before because of my baby. But... if you're interested in hearing how I got into music and music ministry, my current listening, my thoughts on worship music in general, and lots more... this is the episode for you!
New Gentle Wolves Track: O Lord Our Words Don't Work Any More
The past week has been a rough one for many of us; the police killings, the police being killed (in my hometown).
Yesterday while many were posting on social media to process the societal carnage, I wrote and recorded this song.
"O Lord Our Words Don't Work Anymore" is meant to be sung communally, and so it will be. I'm not exactly sure if I like it or not, but maybe it can be helpful for you to confess with me in these dark days.
O Lord our words don’t work anymore
We talk and sing till the air is warm
But we can’t convey what needs to be said
We need your Word to cure our dread!
Yes we need your Word to cure our dread!
O Lord our ears don’t work anymore
Our neighbors cry but we’re deaf for sure
So we cannot hear what your Spirit says
We need your voice to raise the dead!
Yes we need your voice to raise the dead!
O Lord our hands don’t work any more
We thought they did but they’ve grown quite worn
From building shrines to gods unknown
We need you Lord to reclaim your throne!
Yes we need you Lord to reclaim your throne!
O Lord our feet don’t work any more
We crawl around in the dirt evermore
We’ve chosen paths that scar and mame
Savior bring healing to the lame!
Savior bring healing to the lame!
O Lord our heads don’t work any more
We think we know the truth for sure
But we get so lost in thoughts base and vain
Humble us with wisdom’s reins!
Yes humble us with wisdom’s reins!
Here is a link to the PDF song sheet.
SCENERY/DAY WAVE at The Sidewinder 6/14
New Music Video: Scenery - "For the Record"
You can view my band Scenery's new video here or on Facebook.
We shot it with an Iphone 5 on the VHS Camp app. I edited it on Final Cut Pro using the multi-cam clip feature. Overall we spent about 10 hours and less than $20 on this gritty little piece. Enjoy!
New Music: Scenery - "For the Record" Single Now Available Online
Several folks have asked me about the song's dark nature, and who I might have kissed in 1993 that would be giving me such present-day alcoholism. Well, in a dramatic departure from the overly heady and deeply spiritual music I have become known for, I have let my songwriting for Scenery be fictional, universal, and as sappy as Robert Smiths'. It has been a lot of fun. Seeing as I have never allowed myself to just write songs that weren't part of a concept album or meant to be sung in liturgical worship.... it's very refreshing.
So hopefully you, or anyone, can find something you identify with enough to sing along or get down on the dancefloor.
Friday 3/11: Scenery @ The Mohawk
My newish band Scenery will be kicking off SXSW in style with The Shivery Shakes, Borrisokane and more on Friday 3/11 at The Mohawk in Austin. It's really a great bill of local talent. You can get tickets here. We can't wait to play some new material and dance our way into SXSW with each one of you!
"This Austonian Life" Episode 1: Too Good - Servant Church Sermon
I was asked to preach at Servant Church back in October of 2015. Instead of a boring sermon, I decided to create the first episode of This Austonian Life, a spoof of the legendary radio show This American Life. So, how do Nas, Destiny's Child, and the Dirty Projectors relate to the name of God? Find out in the first episode below.
New Gentle Wolves Track: Psalm 147 - The Strength of a Horse, the Legs of a Runner
The Gentle Wovles have set Psalm 147 to music and released it on a new Cardiphonia compilation. You can stream or download the track below. All proceeds go to support Base Academy of Music in Kansas City.
Richard Kentopp: Guitar, Bass, Vocals, Drums, Percussion
Kyle Robertson: Keys
Molly Kentopp: Vocals
Phil Ajjarapu: Pedal Steel
Here is a link to the chord chart.
The Gentle Wolves Set II CD Release 9/24 @ Hole in the Wall
How better to celebrate the release of our second CD, Set II, than to celebrate at one of Austin's most legendary venues, Hole in the Wall? Our friends in Justin Fallen and The Angels (including yours truly) will also be releasing their new EP.
We can't wait to see you there, and we will have copies of the CD for sale for as cheap as you can afford!
"Shoulder to the Wheel" Lyrics
This past Sunday at Servant Church we had a 'ministry fair' in lieu of a traditional sermon. We were trying to get our many new people and unconnected regulars to participate in serving with one of Servant Church's existing partnerships. For the occasion I wrote a fairly harsh song. Really it's more of a sung prayer of confession that I wrote about myself, knowing that I probably wasn't the only one who needed a slight in the ass. Several people have asked me for the lyrics, and yes, The Gentle Wolves will be recording it soon.
Shoulder to the Wheel
Words & Music: Richard Kentopp, 2015.
Chorus:
Well the workers are few, and the harvest is plenty.
But we’re all too busy, just watching our TVs.
We say we want to enter to the Kingdom of Heaven
As long as it doesn’t waste our time.
Oh… as long as it doesn’t cost a dime.
Verse 1:
God we’re just waiting for something to happen,
we say we want to serve you but we gotta fit a nap in.
So strip away the comfort that we all take for granted,
And put your workers’ shoulders to the wheel
Oh, put your workers shoulders to the wheel!
Chorus
Verse2:
So give us the courage to curb the consumption,
when so many of your children are just struggling to function.
Teach us how to pass through the eye of the needle.
And put your workers’ shoulders to the wheel
Oh, put your workers shoulders to the wheel!
Chorus
The Gentle Wolves Set II CD available September 18th
The Gentle Wolves release their second compilation CD in September.
Radio Beach is KUTX 98.9's Song of the Day
Scenery's new single Radio Beach is KUTX Austin 98.9's song of the day today. Check it out and download it for free.
You can see Scenery play at the Mohawk in Austin, TX on Thursday July 16th with Poly Action and Volatile Colour.
New Band, New Single
I've recently started a new band with my friends. We're called Scenery. We just put out our first single entitled Radio Beach. Please take a listen, and if you feel so inclined, please make it the Summer Jam of your 2015. You can listen and download for free at our bandcamp page.