Blog

#WORSHIPWEDNESDAY - MY VICTORY

13/4/2022

I've been slacking the last while. At first I felt like God was directing me to some other stuff, then in the last few weeks I realized I was being lazy. I felt like Easter was a great time to get back into the program and this song, "My Victory" by Crowder was the perfect choice. It's been following me for the last week. After all, it's all about the origins of what this coming weekend is all about.

In my own personal experiences, adversity is the greatest way to prove your true strength and show who you really are. Jesus had to die to show the world He was the true messiah. He knew it was going to happen, who would betray Him, and He was obedient the whole way through.

I've had plenty of challenges in my life and I wish I welcomed all of them the same way. It wasn't until we learned Annabella wouldn't be with us long that it felt like something changed in me. I can't explain how I was so obedient to the circumstances and outcome, but I understand what people mean when they God talked to them or God was with them through it all.

Jesus knew He would be turned over and how His story would play out, and He was obedient all the way through because the cross meant to kill would be His victory and show everyone the truth He had been speaking all along. On Easter, we celebrate His victory.

Annabella Tribute Single Pre-Save Available Now!

16/2/2022

Pre-Save on Spotify

Hey Moonshiners!
A bit of a complex post today. I've missed a couple weeks of #WorshipWednesday because I've been working really hard , and am thrilled, to announce that my new single and tribute to our daughter, Annabella, is finally coming and you can pre-save on Spotify it now by clicking the pre-save button to the left, to the left! I'm also happy to say that I'll have a lyrics video and acoustic video soon as well.

As you probably know by now, we're having a single release and special presentation of the entire EP titled "Annabella" at The Rope Factory in Brantford, Ontario on March 15th. As I mentioned in my last blog post/email, we have an exclusive gift for people attending the single release. In order to make sure we have enough for everyone, please click the RSVP button to the left (to the left) to reserve your gift and a seat at the single release concert.

Last, and possibly the most exciting part of my evening, I landed my first appearance in The Brantford Expositor! It may not be as exciting as a first appearance of Spider-Man, but for me, it's pretty comparable. Brian Thompson published an excellently written article and to enforce that point of view, there's even an origin story for the folks who are wondering where the name "Chris Strei" came from. If you look at my songwriting credits, that's no the name who wrote the songs. I know, I'm just as shocked as you are. If you'd like to take 3 minutes and read the article from Brian, click the "Expositor" button, you guessed it, to the left....to the left.

#WorshipWednesday - "All My Hope"

2/2/2022

We're halfway through the week between Sundays.
#WorshipWednesday is a chance to top up for the rest of the week.

I just love this song. When my son started smiling at a few months old, this was one of the first songs/things he smiled at almost without fail. This song also plays to my enthusiasm for Jesus. All my hope is in the lessons that He taught. I try to always practice those lesson but I fail often because of my impatience and lack of tolerance for nonsense. The important thing is that I don't outwardly treat people differently or poorly because of those traits. Those traits are my problem, not theirs. All my hope is in Jesus. His lessons will guide me to stay on the right path of being the best person I can be while continuing to learn to be better.

Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy."
Proverbs 12:20

"All My Hope" Written by David Crowder & Ed Cash

"Annabella" Single Coming in March!

26/1/2022

The announcement that I announced was coming is here!
I'm thrilled to tell you that there's new Chris Strei music coming in March!

My new single "Annabella" will have a release party and attendees will receive a special exclusive gift to take home and hopefully a new single in their digital music libraries. That's all I can promise right now though.

In February 2020 I started writing a small collection of reflective songs about my experiences as we welcomed and said our farewells to Annabella. We left the hospital the day the world seemingly shut down and after spending two sleepless nights in the hospital, paired with thankful grief, the timing couldn't have perfect for us. I can't express enough how that statement is purely from a introspective point of view. I just had a room finished to be my studio and I spent lots of time sitting there, thinking, noodling on guitar, and writing reflective songs the way I do with any heavy situation in my life. It's how I cope. While I was just writing songs about what I was feeling and experiencing, one of the artists that has influenced my songwriting the most released a concept meant to tell a continuous story. Without even hearing it, it sparked the idea of arranging these songs into a journal style concept. I thought it would be a great idea to make this EP something of a musical short story. The rollercoaster of anticipation for Annabella's arrival mixed with dread that she'd be departing shortly after, a bittersweet tribute to life we barely got to know. The emotional fallout of going home and a glimpse of what we lived after leaving the hospital while the world shut down, and some nostalgic reflection on one aspect of who I was and who I'm going to be.

I wouldn't necessarily call this a follow up EP to "The Moonshine", or even a commercial release type thing. This is something very personal that I wrote to reflect on 18 months of breaking down and rebuilding as a person, and also a feat I wanted to take on as a producer and musician. I played everything myself with what I had. The production style is meant to coincide with the lockdown and isolation we've been going through the last 2 years.

#WorshipWednesday - Glory To Glory

26/1/2022

We're halfway through the week between Sundays.
#WorshipWednesday is a chance to top up for the rest of the week.

"I believe all that You start, You complete, from glory to glory."
Everything plays out exactly the way it was written. Sometimes it's not that glorious, but if it were, you wouldn't recognize each glory as it comes your way. That contrast is so necessary. From glory to glory, He prepares each one for us while letting us stumble and learn on our way. I've lived some of the toughest chapters. They broke me first and then made me stronger and wiser. Each one had glory during the darkness, and each one was a stepping stone to a new level that brought consistent glory. "If it's not beautiful yet, it's gonna be."

"Arise, shine; for your light has come and the glory of the Lord is upon you."
Isaiah 60:1

"Glory To Glory" written by Jonathan Smith, Mia Fieldes, Stephen McWhirter

#WorshipWednesday - Battle Belongs

19/1/2022

We're halfway through the week between Sundays.
#WorshipWednesday is a chance to top up on faith for the rest of the week.

I thought we could start with "Battle Belongs" by Phil Wickham.

It's a tough time for lots of people, but He'll get us through this. I've said myself that I could really go for God's final exam and be done with the tests we've been living through the last couple years. I don't know if I'm acing His course or just getting by, but I think I'm passing. It's a tough one.

"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong."
1 Corinthians 16:13

"Battle Belongs" Written by Phil Wickham & Brian Johnson

"Say Something" Looping

10/1/2022

[CLICK TO ENLARGE]

This month's shows are all cancelled, but I still need to play for people. I've talked to my walls for too long.
Here's a quickly captured video of my rehearsal for "Say Something" by Justin Timberclake and Chris Stapleton for my "Live&Locked Down" series.

Full length album "The Moonshine" is available on https://linktr.ee/ImChrisStrei
YouTube.com/ChrisStrei
Instagram.com/ImChrisStrei

Live & Locked Down

5/1/2022

[CLICK TO ENLARGE]

LIVE & LOCKED DOWN
*please read and share*

Due to the new Ontario restrictions, I'm doing a weekly series. I've lost all my gigs, but I still want to keep playing and performing for you. I'm asking for your support by subscribing to them for $10 each week, or $30 for the whole month. I'll be hosting these concerts on Zoom so it will feel more like a virtual concert rather than just a broadcast. I think this will be more fun.

Here's how to help:
• E-transfer only to chrisstrei@chrisstrei.com
• Please include your name and email so I know exactly who to send the Zoom link to.
• I'm going to be doing these on Saturdays at 7pm and each week
• I'll be showcasing a theme or artist each week:
- January 8th: A Tribute to Chris Stapleton
- January 15th: A Tribute to Butch Walker
- January 22nd: A Tribute to iconic songwriters (Elton John, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, etc.)
- January 29th: A Trip Through Chris Strei's Song Vault

Remember, when you send your e-transfer, please include your name and email, so I know exactly who to contact with the Zoom link.

A DAMN PANDEMIC VIDEO???

5/12/2021

A quick little video of me jamming "Damn Pandemic Christmas" with myself. I'm thankful we could get together to make this, this year!
Words and music by Chris Strei
Recorded at ChevyCat Music
Produced by Chris Strei
No Budget Lyrics Video by Chris Strei

"...When The Man Comes Around"

29/10/2021

Earlier this week I realized I wanted to do a song for Halloween, but I'm not much for demons, witches, and monster mashups these days. However, there's plenty of exhilarating stories in the Bible. This is a song about Revelation. This is a song I've been wanting to do for a long time, "The Man Comes Around". The book of Revelation mixed with the genius of Johnny Cash and Rick Rubin.