Audio Deacon

W.F. Smith Leithart's soundtrack for "The White Ibis" is 18 minutes of dark soundscapes, visceral drums, throat singing, and punctuated strings. Intriguing and rewarding. Don't sleep on it. @wfsleithart

A brief introduction to a musical project that has completely swept my daughter and me away. audiodeacon.substack.com/p/glin

Small rooms. Real instruments. Real stories. Friday night in Birmingham reminded me why folk music still matters. New piece up. audiodeacon.substack.com/p/small-rooms-…

We live in a world of music because the Creator is the God of music. The Audio Deacon app is now live. Psalms, hymns, sacred music, and carefully curated recordings for Christian homes. Start your 3 free months: app.audio-deacon.com/menu/checkout/…

Audio Deacon is a curated streaming app for Christian families who believe music forms the soul. No algorithm chaos or vulgarity. Just what points to the good, true, and beautiful. 3 months free at the link. app.audio-deacon.com/menu/checkout/…

I had the opportunity last weekend to make a quick pitch for the work of Audio Deacon at the Trinity Conference in Birmingham, AL. app.audio-deacon.com/menu/checkout/…

My Best Albums of 2025 are up! From cinematic jazz to indie rock, folk, soul, and more, here are 55 records that shaped my year in listening. Go find something fun to listen to. audiodeacon.substack.com/p/the-best-alb…

John Calvin on the power of music… “There is scarcely in the world anything which is more able (than music) to turn or bend this way and that the morals of men, as Plato prudently considered it. And in fact, we find by experience that it has a sacred and almost incredible power to move hearts in one way or another. Therefore we ought to be even more diligent in regulating it in such a way that it shall be useful to us and in no way pernicious. For this reason the ancient doctors of the Church complain frequently of this, that the people of their times were addicted to dishonest and shameless songs, which not without cause they referred to and called mortal and Satanic poison for corrupting the world. Moreover, in speaking now of music, I understand two parts: namely the letter, or subject and matter; secondly, the song, or the melody. It is true that every bad word (as St. Paul has said) perverts good manner, but when the melody is with it, it pierces the heart much more strongly, and enters into it; in a like manner as through a funnel, the wine is poured into the vessel; so also the venom and the corruption is distilled to the depths of the heart by the melody.”

Catch our 2025 recap celebrating the year’s milestones, the launch of the Audio Deacon app, and an album recommendation to start your 2026 listening in a nice direction. audiodeacon.substack.com/p/a-2025-recap…

We are what we sing

This was an excellent time with the great Joffre Swait!

How to Listen to Music in the Car with Little Kids

C.S. Lewis Saw This Coming

Music drives out darkness and can also invite it in.

Formation is a Gift

Yes!

Musical Taste Is Not Innate

Building a rich musical memory

Music is there from the beginning.

Very kind, brother. Thank you!