Headsparks?
While I wouldn’t say that it saved my life, indie rock was a sort of refuge during my formative years. Brushing the surface of several different worlds and cultures, but never really taking roots in any of them, the world of indie rock wove a narrative that, for me, made at least a little bit of sense.
The music was what mattered, and it was the music that created the community. The anthems of Fugazi awakened me to issues of justice, gender and politics; the fierce do-it-yourself ethic of Dischord Records showed me the importance of doing what you love, not just earning a paycheck. Jenny Toomey and Kristin Thomson released some great music through Simple Machines, and even taught others how to do the same. The sleepy, sprawling songs of Pavement convinced me that great art did not have to announce itself with trumpets, but could sneak in under the haze of a fuzzy guitar line. When Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth smashed the head of his guitar through one of his Marshall stacks, it was more than showmanship — there was an urgency beneath the noise – the glorious noise – they generated.
But for all of the camaraderie I enjoyed in this community, I still experienced a sense of disconnect. Although the music was transcendent, I rarely encountered someone who looked like me — and never saw one onstage.
That is, until I picked up an album by a group called Seam — Headsparks.
I have always been an avid reader of liner notes. For reasons that are difficult to pin down, I always enjoy reading the lyrics, the thank-you’s (having even made it onto a couple of them), the songwriting credits and other assorted miscellany hidden therein. I could hardly believe what I saw when I read the Headsparks liner notes and saw that a man named Sooyoung Park was the lead singer and guitarist. An Asian American fronted this amazing indie band (with Mac of seminal Chapel Hill powerhouse Superchunk on drums — drums)!
Not only did Sooyoung create powerful music through Seam, he also spearheaded a tour called The Ear of the Dragon to support and spread the word about other Asian American rock musicians. He became a voice and an advocate for Asian Americans in a close-knit, creative community that operated with a new perspective in a large, established industry.
Sounds a little bit like church communities that are emerging all around North America.
I named this blog headsparks* out of a desire to become a voice and an advocate for Asian Americans in these new close-knit, creative church communities that are emerging with a new perspective within the larger, more established body of Christ. All too often, our voices are not heard and our faces are not seen. We don’t always feel at home, even in the church, but together – in partnership with the risen Christ – we can weave together a narrative that makes some sense.
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I was a huge Fugazi fan too. They opened my eyes to a lot of things and their shows were insane and had a tremendous brotherhood about them. Brandon Canty (the drummer) actually was rocking out to the pre-show music in the crowd, right beside me. Tickets to that show was like $10. Gotta love it.
Love your blog and have subscribed to it. I would love for you to grace mine with your visit. I’m just starting out, but I love it.
I’m not asian, but the culture is embedded into who I am. Twenty-nine years growing up in an Italian-Irish family…I become a teacher of Taijiquan and my condo hasn’t even a touch of western style.
Can’t wait to read more. You’re newest reader.
Michael Joyce
http://chencenter.wordpress.com
Comment by chencenter — February 20, 2008 #
Michael — Thanks for stopping by and commenting. It’s always nice to connect with another Fugazi fan.
Comment by daniel so — February 20, 2008 #
Hi pastor Daniel,
Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. (Psa. 133:1)
Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ, the name above every name, and soon coming King!
I’ve just explored into your website and have read the great work you are doing for His glory. I am writing you because of my interest to invite you to minister in the Philippines, I’ve seen your information in your site and being blessed how God’s power is working as a pastor. Just by reading your website, God’s anointing upon you is working and manifesting in your page. Oh Hallelujah to the Lamb!
My name is Pas. Roy H. Malpas, senior pastor of Little Jerusalem House of Prayer Gospel Mission, duly registered in the Philippines . I am a full time pastor since 1993, the year this church and ministry started. I am married, and God blessed me 3 kids, they’re schooling, 1 high school and the 2 in the elementary.
Our church is an independent body, though we are a non-denominational, We worship in a contemporary way. We have a church in the slum area of Manila and 1 at the mountain in the province part. We have a kindergarten school ministry. This is our main tool in reaching people to Christ. That’s why most of our members were parents of our kinder school. We have a wonderful youth band players for morning and evening Sunday services. The name of our school is Little Jerusalem Learning Center as old as the church ministry in reaching the children.
I’ll be glad to hear from you. I would like you to see and visit our small and simple website just type the http://www.littlejerusalem1993.multiply.com
If you have friends living in my country let them visit us, or you are thinking of a mission trip, I am willing to assist you a seminar or conference, also to hold public evangelistic and healing crusade. I can serve you as your interpreter.
If you won’t mind allow me to send you photos of the update of the work over here in my next email.
My intention of writing you is to have a friend and contact from outside Philippines , and to partner with you in prayers.
Truly God is alive!
Praise the Lord!
Your brother in the Lord,
Pastor Roy Malpas
Comment by Pastor roy malpas — August 29, 2008 #
Pastor Roy — Thank you for your kind words. I had the privilege of spending two weeks in the Philippines (mostly Samar Island) several years ago and had a wonderful experience there. Blessings on your ministry!
Comment by daniel so — September 2, 2008 #
Half embarrassing to admit but it took me a while to figure what headsparks was, let alone finally navigating to the site.
Now I don’t know about the Indie Rock stuff (I’m more of an Amos Lee and John Legend kinda guy) but I can certainly identify with your desire to become an advocate for Asian-American communities. You know, part of my calling is two serve as a liaison, of sorts, between two cultures as well.
This blog speaks to me because it is relevant. Another reason why I like this blog is because the guy who heads this blog used to be my former youth pastor. And from what I can remember, he’s a good guy!
Blessings to you and the message of your blog. I look forward to future posts.
Comment by Brian — November 30, 2008 #
Brian — Good to hear from you. We’re praying for you and cheering you on from southern California! You have so much to offer to the Church.
Comment by daniel so — December 1, 2008 #