Justin Bieber drops Boyfriend

March 26th, 2012

The Biebs has just dropped his new single and it’s exploded straight to the top of the iTunes charts in a matter of hours. The sound is completely different to anything he’s offered us before, something which could be seen as a huge risk. However his core fan base is proving the risk worthwhile, and though it’s too early to call, it appears the new track is breaking down walls and reaching beyond his loyalists. I was weary at first, I love the beat and fantastic falsetto, but it took me a while to get used to the spoken word like rapping. However after a good few listens, I like the direction he’s taken. It’s grown up, his voice is sounding better than ever, and it’s different to anything else being released right now. Take a listen below and let me know what you think, has he converted you?

You can purchase the single from the US iTunes store here: http://smarturl.it/boyfriend

Srizzil turns 3

March 16th, 2012

Srizzil was started out of desperation for a creative outlet. I sat in front of a computer typing made up words into Google that I thought sounded cool and Srizzil just worked for me. On the 16th of March 2009, the Srizzil.com domain name was registered and the insanity began.

Funny videos about rugby players, videos where we went to the beach front and just asked people random questions, interviews with Morgan Freeman and the Spud cast and producers, and of course Granny Robbers. Over the last three years Srizzil has been a mash up of my interests, allowing me to explore what I wanted, when I wanted and growing a small audience of amazing people.

When I had to choose my favourite video, I sat down and watched the old videos and I felt extremely proud. Each video represents growth and exploration for me, they have memories attached of places gone, and things that were happening in my life at the time. I struggled to choose just one video.

I finally settled on Frank’s Hat. The video, made in 2010, was so eclectic. We shot in an actual cinema, we turned our church into a huge shop, it has stop motion in it, it has a cool tune I put together, and it starred me. To get involved, take a picture of yourself watching your favourite Srizzil video and upload it to our Srizzil Facebook page.

Looking forward, we’ve got plans to do a dramedy series, an epic battleships video, and some more funny insanity with some old Srizzil favorites returning. Thank-you for the 39 000 views, the sharing, and general support. I look forward to entertaining you, and many more new fans, for another year of Srizzil insanity.

Marc

Jesus Culture returns to Durban

March 8th, 2012

Over the last few years Jesus Culture has become a worldwide phenomenon in the church. Their songs have captured the heart of God and their hungry worship has drawn young and old into His glory. Durban, South Africa is known for its laid back lifestyle, and when it comes to concert sales we’re no different. Even if huge name artists arrive on our doorstep, we tend to only commit to getting tickets at the last minute, causing organisers to skip over Durban and settle for the quick sell outs of Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Thankfully Jesus Culture decided to visit us again, this time in the growing town of Hillcrest, filling CityHill Church’s building with a crowd of 4200*. People were so desperate to get in they were sneaking past security and forging tickets.

My friends and I got there early and seated ourselves front and centre. The worship was amazing, and when Jesus Culture played their more well-known songs the volume of the crowd skyrocketed as thousand worshipped Jesus together. Kim Walker-Smith and Chris Quilala, the lead worshippers, have an astounding anointing on their lives. The presence of God, to use Kim’s words from one of their CDs, was thick and tangible.

Between songs I snuck a look around the building to see my church bursting at the seams with people hungry for God. It’s one of the most beautiful things in the world, all these completely different, strange, cool, rich, poor people, coming together in one place to praise God.

Scott Thompson hit the stage and shared amazing testimony after testimony. He had everyone out of their seats praying for each other and healings exploded around the building. By the time the band was back on stage the crowd was worshipping all out, holding nothing back. The band wrapped, and an encore or two later the whirl wind of a night was over.

Thank-you Jesus Culture for bringing your passionate love of God to Durban, we hope to see you again soon.

*Edit 4:05PM CAT 8/03/12: The original post incorrectly stated that CityHill Church was filled beyond capacity with over 4000 people. The building can in fact legally hold 4500 people, and the sold out ticket sales totaled 4200.

 

Hey Diddle Diddle

February 23rd, 2012

"The Cow Jumped Over the Earth" By Jan / http://www.flickr.com/people/garlandcannon / CC BY-NC 2.0

I was messing around on my guitar yesterday and randomly started playing this old nursery rhyme. I thought it sounded kind of cool, so I uploaded it for you to hear. Any excuse to use up ten minutes not studying.

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Online Birthday Wishes

February 21st, 2012

"Birthday Cake" By Will Clayton / http://www.flickr.com/people/spool32/ / CC BY-NC 2.0

With a sudden influx of Birthdays this past week I began contemplating certain things I think about before I wish someone happy birthday online.

  • If I haven’t seen you or spoken to you in years it’s very unlikely that we’re close friends. In fact it’s most likely you’re just a school friend who I haven’t seen since the bell rang on the last day of school. I have you on Facebook because I’m curious as to what you will do with your life, especially considering you spent most of your school career shooting spit balls at the teacher’s head.
  • Did you wish me happy birthday in a previous year?
  • Would you even notice if I didn’t wish you happy Birthday?
  • Am I feeling particularly friendly today?
  • Do I have anything fun to say to you besides the generic Happy Birthday, have a nice day?
  • How much do I like you?
  • Will I see you later today, so I can wish you in person? Will phoning you be more appropriate?

Got some thoughts of your own? Let me know in the comments.