Arthur Hatton is a connoisseur of music and the founder of Linescratchers, a site that highlights LDS musicians who play music other than LDS-themed music. BCC has been pleased to have him as our guest for this special series of posts.

In the last entry I talked about my “Low experience” with Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker, an experience that many Latter-day Saints in music share.  This is the tenth and final installment of The Top 10 LDS Musicians You’ve Never Heard Of.  Before I complete the list I just want to thank everyone at By Common Consent for allowing me to evangelize for my musicians.  I feel quite honored by the opportunity, and I also feel quite overzealous and protective of our Latter-day Saint musical community sometimes.  Some of the friendships I’ve made through Linescratchers will indeed last a lifetime, and I’m always incredibly happy to talk about our artists, promote their music, and help them through the unique challenges that members of our faith community experience in the world of music.

Now I know what most of you will think when you see this last installment:  “What a cop out!”  Let me explain myself.  I selected the “Top 10″ based on my own personal preferences and a desire to see many different genres and diverse backgrounds represented.  I’ve had to respect the wishes of certain musicians by not featuring them.  Also, there are of course time and space constraints.  The musicians I’ve featured are by no means the only LDS musicians in this world, and I would be remiss if I didn’t mention some more artists.  Therefore, my last installment will be a few artists that didn’t make the full list, but that I think are still worth listening to. [Read more...]

Arthur Hatton is a connoisseur of music and the founder of Linescratchers, a site that highlights LDS musicians who play music other than LDS-themed music. We’re pleased to have him as our guest for a special series of posts.

In my last installment I took us all on a trip down to the American South, to hear the dark yet soothing songs of Jeff Zentner. This time, I’ll be writing about a band that changed everything for me. Many of you were probably expecting this one, so it’s a little daunting to write it.

I realize that this series has been called “The Top 10 LDS Musicians You’ve NEVER Heard Of”, and I also realize that many if not most of you are aware of Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker, but this essay is for those of you who are still not familiar with them. As I said above, Low changed everything for me, but I was a latecomer to finding out about them.
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Arthur Hatton is a connoisseur of music and the founder of Linescratchers, a site that highlights LDS musicians who play music other than LDS-themed music. We’re pleased to have him as our guest for a special series of posts.

Last time I told you all about the kicking classical composer Jennifer Thomas, who both plays and teaches violin and piano but also  composes music for short films, television, and lullabies.  This time, I’m moving you to the South that I love, where this next artist, to me, represents the best of the chilling and spiritual tradition of Southern Gothic music.

The American South is a beautiful and mystical place that is near to my heart.  Readers who are familiar with the beginnings of the LDS Church might notice a strain of folk mysticism that Joseph Smith grew up with, and I believe that in many ways those traditions were carried over in the American South.  It gives the whole South a spiritual feeling that can only be experienced here.  Some of you might listen to the more “traditional” LDS musician Michael R. Hicks, who writes lots of faith-based music, but fewer of you might be aware of his brother-in-law, Jeff Zentner, who, after a time in Nashville playing with Creech Holler, has been living and writing music near the mountains of Asheville, North Carolina. [Read more...]

Arthur Hatton is a connoisseur of music and the founder of Linescratchers, a site that highlights LDS musicians who play music other than LDS-themed music. We’re pleased to have him as our guest for a special series of posts.

Last time, we traveled the world musically through the New Age music of Oscar Aguayo, better known by his songwriting alias Australis. This time, we’ll continue with our theme of instrumental music, but move to the classical side with Jennifer Thomas. [Read more...]

Arthur Hatton is a connoisseur of music and the founder of Linescratchers, a site that highlights LDS musicians who play music other than LDS-themed music. We’re pleased to have him as our guest for a special series of posts.

Last time, I detailed the musical career of Gregg Hale, who played guitar for Spiritualized and currently serves the Salt Lake Area (and Linescratchers) as a writer, reviewer, engineer, studio owner, and guitarist.  Unfortunately, the next two artists I had lined up for #6 and #7 had to be changed.  One of them doesn’t want people to know he’s Mormon, and the other feels that God called him to be a prophet, seer, and revelator, so he has left the Church to pursue his own prophetic mission.  Too bad, because they’re both amazing musicians. [Read more...]

Arthur Hatton is a connoisseur of music and the founder of Linescratchers, a site that highlights LDS musicians who play music other than LDS-themed music. We’re pleased to have him as our guest for a special series of posts.

Last time I talked about the fun garage antics of Fossil Fools and the 5th Friday Open Mic in Portland.  This time, we move to a spookier kind of music.  Her tale might seem out of place this time of year, until you get to know Kristen Lawrence.  For her, Halloween is all year round. [Read more...]

Arthur Hatton is a connoisseur of music and the founder of Linescratchers, a site that highlights LDS musicians who play music other than LDS-themed music. We’re pleased to have him as our guest for a special series of posts.

Last time, I featured the first in my series of the Top 10 LDS Musicians You’ve Never Heard Of, delightfully eccentric violinist and songwriter Roxy Rawson. This week, I continue with my personal favorite rap star. But maybe I’m a bit biased in his favor. [Read more...]