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Derek Webb

Track List

Derek Webb may be the most dangerous man in the music business.

At a time when major labels are struggling to reinvent themselves, and artists are desperate to hold on to a rapidly shrinking audience that doesn’t always pay for...

Derek Webb may be the most dangerous man in the music business. At a time when major labels are struggling to reinvent themselves, and artists are desperate to hold on to a rapidly shrinking audience that doesn’t always pay for its music, singer/songwriter Derek Webb continues to make iconoclastic, irresistible, radio-ready pop records about love and war and social justice. However, unlike most pop artists on the scene today, Webb’s engaged, committed fan-base is constantly expanding – in part because Derek Webb has a tendency to give his music away for free. In 2006, Webb convinced his label, INO Records / Columbia Records, to give away over 80,000 free downloads of his critically acclaimed album, MOCKINGBIRD. This widely publicized promotion more than doubled Webb’s concert audiences and eventually paved the way for Webb to launch a revolutionary, new online music distribution system, NoiseTrade. In less than a year, NoiseTrade has put a small army of independent artists in direct contact with fans around the world who have downloaded over 1,280,000 songs from its website: www. noisetrade.com. Now Derek Webb is making his most controversial move yet with the release of STOCKHOLM SYNDROME, an album about race and sexuality that proved so provocative, Webb’s record company removed one of the album’s key tracks (“What Matters More”) because of it’s strong language. In response, Webb composed a series of coded emails directing listeners to a secret website where they could piece together the missing track by playing an elaborate alternate reality game. The ARG became so popular that INO Records was forced to embrace Webb’s decision to leak the track as it succeeded in making STOCKHOLM SYNDROME one of the most anticipated releases of the year. Over two years in the making, STOCKHOLM SYNDROME delivers everything listeners have come to expect from Derek Webb: indelible hooks, soaring choruses, and lyrics as politically incisive as they are emotionally revealing. Sonically, however, STOCKHOLM SYNDOME is a radical departure for Webb, who has left his acoustic, folk/rock roots behind for a sound he describes as “intentionally inorganic.” “I’ve always loved folk music,” Webb says, “because of its ability to tell the story of the times we’re living live in, in a timeless way. But for me, the best folk music on the scene right now is hip-hop. So with STOCKHOLM SYNDROME I wanted to incorporate the more urban and evocative elements of hip-hop.” To do that, Webb reunited with his former Caedmon’s Call bandmate Josh Moore, who has since become one of the most sought-after writer/producers on the hip-hop scene, helming tracks for such artists as Bun-B, Slim Thug, Scarface, and Z-Ro. Together, Webb and Moore have succeeded in creating a dense, richly absorbing sonic vernacular that pays homage to an entire century of Black American music – from 1920’s jazz to 1950’s doo-wop – from disco and dance music to old-school R&B -- as a means of exploring issues of race and sexuality through the central metaphor of Stockholm Syndrome -- illuminating the ways in which a society can fall in love with an oppressive culture and become enslaved by it. Citing writer/producer Danger Mouse (“The Grey Album,” Gnarls Barkley, “Dark Night of the Soul”) as an influence, Webb says he and Moore made the record Gnarls Barkley-style: “Instead of writing a dozen songs and then trying to figure out the best way to record them, Josh and I spent a year collecting sounds we loved – beats, loops, odd bits of programming – then weaving those elements into tracks that moved us and made us feel something. Only then did we even begin to think about song structures and melodies and lyrics. It was the total reverse of my usual process and by far the most fun I’ve ever had making a record.” That sense of fun is palpable in every track from the sexy strut of “Black Eye” and “Cobra Con” to the glammy electropop of “Jena & Jimmy” and Webb’s ironic Fred Phelps-inspired love song, “Freddie, Please.” STOCKHOLM SYNDROME is Derek Webb’s most soulful and subversive album yet – and the most dangerous and thrilling pop record of the year.

9/10/2009 - Derek Webb Wows Critics Again with Stockholm Syndrome

Nashville, Tenn. September 10, 2009… Stockholm Syndrome has proven to be the latest masterpiece from INO Records’ Derek Webb, which has quickly garnered adoration from both critics and fans. The album landed in the No. 66 spot on the Billboard Top 200 and No. 2 at CBA Retail raking in over 7,500 units.

Below is just a sample of the media buzz from Webb’s September 1 release:

"This spine-tingling ballad is one of the more sonically gentle tracks on the new Stockholm Syndrome, a groovy, searing testament to Webb's musical and spiritual restlessness. But the message packs plenty of punch." - USA Today, speaking of the song “Heaven” featured as their ‘pick of the week’

“… most unusual and best release to date.” – Relevant

“The music here is so mesmerizing that Webb can say whatever he wants and get away with it.” – HM Magazine

“Derek Webb’s exhilarating, subversive masterpiece.” – Patrol Magazine

“Atop an electronically mashed-up mosaic of several decades' worth of pop styles, Webb lends his Bono-esque voice to lyrics rooted in the awareness that rendering unto Caesar what is Caesar's and unto God what is God's is not always easy.” – World Magazine

“The tunesmith tackles topics as diverse as race, politics and sexuality, all wound around an unmistakable spiritual foundation that may push buttons for more conservative listeners, but are likely to make listeners of any faith background do some serious soul searching.” - CCM

“I’m honestly am in awe of my fans. It’s so encouraging to call upon your tribe and have them respond so loudly with their support. Now we’re going to take Stockholm Syndrome to them one city at a time to celebrate,” says Webb.

Fans have also responded in a big way with Stockholm Syndrome helping it land in the top 5 on the iTunes ® Christian/Gospel chart. iTunes ® also offered video content on songs such as “Jena & Jimmy” and “The Spirit vs. the Kick Drum” taken from the hour-long documentary on the making of Stockholm Syndrome, entitled Paradise Is A Parking Lot. You can also view pieces from the documentary on Webb’s website, www.derekwebb.com.

Webb’s “Black Eye Tour” will kick-off next week in Louisville, KY on September 17. The tour will include special guest Sandra McCracken and will hit over 20 markets.

7/9/2009 - Derek Webb Releases Stockholm Syndrome on Sept 1

Nashville, Tenn. Jul. 9, 2009… After nearly two months of silence, and several months of delay Derek Webb and INO Records are announcing the release of his newest album Stockholm Syndrome set to street Sept. 1, 2009. Over two years in the making, Webb co-produced Stockholm Syndrome with former Caedmon’s Call bandmate Josh Moore (Watermark, Bethany Dillon, Bun-B, Slim Thug).

Stockholm Syndrome delivers everything listeners have come to expect from Derek Webb: killer pop hooks and lyrics as thought provoking as they are emotionally revealing. Sonically, however, this record is a radical departure for Webb, who has left his acoustic, folk/rock roots behind for a sound he describes as “intentionally inorganic.” Together, Webb and Moore have succeeded in creating a dense, richly absorbing sonic vernacular that pays homage to an entire century of music. From 1920’s jazz to 1950’s doo-wop, from disco and dance music to old-school R&B, Webb uses this album as a means of exploring deep issues through the central metaphor of Stockholm Syndrome, illuminating the ways in which a society can fall in love with an oppressive culture and become enslaved by it. That sound is palpable in every track from the strut of “Black Eye” and “Cobra Con” to the electropop of “Jena & Jimmy” and Webb’s ironic Fred Phelps-inspired love song, “Freddie, Please.”

“Instead of writing a dozen songs and then trying to figure out the best way to record them, Josh and I spent a year collecting sounds we loved – beats, loops, odd bits of programming – then weaving those elements into tracks that moved us and made us feel something,” comments Webb. “Only then did we even begin to think about song structures and melodies and lyrics. It was the total reverse of my usual process and by far the most fun I’ve ever had making a record.”

Due to what some are calling the provocative content and nature of the record, Webb has the most pre-release awareness of his career. Nearly 5,000 people regularly followed details of Webb’s release of Stockholm Syndrome daily as he leaked information via websites, twitter feeds, independent blogs, google searches and more. In that time Google recorded over 7,100 google searches and 1,200 independent blogs reporting on all or some aspect of Webb and Stockholm Syndrome. Webb was also among the top 70 google searches (internet wide) the first day information was released through his website.

As part of the campaign, Webb also engaged 20 cities in the U.S. such as Orlando, Nashville, Dallas, Los Angeles and more on a scavenger hunt for “artifacts,” USB drives that contained new music. 1,500 people participated per day in finding the pieces of music in these U.S. cities. Webb also plans to tour this fall in all 20 markets where the scavenger hunt took place on the ‘Black Eye’ release tour.

The search drew to a climactic close on Fri. Jul. 3 as Webb hosted a “secret” event for over 300 fans at The Rutledge in Nashville, Tenn. to watch a sneak peek of a documentary about Stockholm Syndrome and to participate in a Q&A with Webb and Moore. Supporters came from as far as Seattle, WA, Lincoln, NE and Austin, TX. 18 lucky fans who solved the final puzzle, which actually continued into the venue that night, found themselves whisked away to Webb’s home studio after the Rutledge show for an intimate listening party with Webb and Moore and exclusive, pre-release copies of Stockholm Syndrome.

Webb and his free distribution tactics will be among the topics that author and editor Chris Anderson discuss in his upcoming book Free: The Future of a Radical Price, released on Jul. 7 from Hyperion.

A former member of the Houston, Texas-based Caedmon's Call, singer/songwriter Derek Webb has seen career sales approaching one million records, 10 Dove Award nominations, a Billboard Music Video Award nod and six No.1 radio hits. Webb’s innovative music marketing and distribution strategies have received national news coverage in USA Today and the LA Times.

3/8/2006 - Live Audio Web Chat With Critically Acclaimed Musician Derek Webb and Author/Speaker Donald Miller

March 8th, 2006 - (Nashville, TN) – For the first time ever, singer/songwriter Derek Webb and author/speaker Donald Miller are joining together for a live audio web chat event, which will be held next Tuesday, March 14th, at 9pm CST / 7pm PST. The two friends, both known for speaking what is on their minds and hearts, are sure to make the evening an exciting one by talking about everything from politics to social justice, while giving the listener an opportunity to be a participant. By visiting either www.derekwebbchat.com or www.donaldmillerchat.com, listeners can submit a question by March 13th for Webb and Miller to answer during the 90-minute chat (due to time restraints not every question will be answered), to be hosted by Mike Parker. The listener will also be able to hear more about their latest projects, Webb’s new CD Mockingbird and Miller’s upcoming book, To Own a Dragon.

Since Mockingbird’s release last December, Webb has had people talking and even making some uncomfortable, by writing and singing about concerns of social justice, poverty, war and politics. Regarding his music and the upcoming chat with his pal Miller for those who aren’t sure how their views line up with Webb’s, all he’s asking is that they give him and Miller a chance. “I’m not trying to push buttons or make people upset,” he says. “I’m just trying to be as honest as I can. Even if people don’t agree, I hope they’ll listen. I just want to get the dialogue started.” Webb, who just finished a tour with Jars of Clay, continues to stay on the road, performing numerous dates with wife Sandra McCracken.

Donald Miller is the author of Blue Like Jazz, Searching for God Knows What, Through Painted Deserts, and To Own a Dragon. He is a frequent speaker at colleges and conferences across the country, addressing the relevancy of Christian spirituality to explain and heal the dynamics of the human heart. Miller has addressed a wide range of audiences, from students at Harvard University to young men who grew up without fathers, which is the topic of his new book, To Own a Dragon. He desires to turn the momentum from this book into a mentoring and equipping ministry, helping single moms survive the hardship of parenting and providing role models for children without fathers.

Mike Parker is an award-winner freelance writer, playwright, author, editor and actor. The former Green Beret owns a bachelor's degree in Bible and Philosophy. In addition to being the Managing Editor for Grassroots Music Magazine and TrueTunes.com, he is also a contributing editor to the Entertainment section of LifeWay.com and a regular entertainment columnist for HomeLife Magazine. He frequently writes about the arts and entertainment industry, and his movie reviews can be heard each Friday morning on the syndicated, Family Friendly Morning Show with Doug & Kim on the Salem Music Network.

12/15/2005 - Derek Webb Sure to Raise Eyebrows with New Songs on Controversial New CD

Critically acclaimed singer/songwriter Derek Webb is ready to raise eyebrows and get people talking with his new CD, Mockingbird, his most controversial project to date. This is his third recording with INO Records and releases on December 26th, following his 2003 release She Must And Shall Go Free and 2004’s I See Things Upside Down.

Mockingbird is sure to get people talking and even make some people uncomfortable, which is exactly what Webb wants. Writing and singing about concerns of social justice, poverty, war and politics, Mockingbird will immediately impact the listener with its raw and profound lyrics and get tongues wagging on both sides of the fence. Sung in the folk stylings for which Webb is well known, these new songs are easy on the ears yet pull at the heart and mind with introspective, yet provocative, lyrics.

Webb hopes people will be open to what he shares on the highly anticipated project. For those who aren’t sure how their views line up with his own, all he’s asking is that they give him a chance. “I’m not trying to push buttons or make people upset. I’m just trying to be as honest as I can. Even if people don’t agree, I hope they’ll listen. I just want to get the dialogue started.”

“I think Derek has delivered his best record to date,” states Jeff Moseley, President, INO Records. “I am a huge fan of the way he challenges our suppositions and makes us take a new look at the cultural trappings of Christianity. Mockingbird is a watershed recording that will raise eyebrows and evoke passionate conversation. I am proud to work with an artist that does not shy away from examining the ‘sacred cows’ through the lens of Jesus’ teachings.”

Taking very seriously his role as an artist and social advocate, Webb comments, “I need to tune my ears to hear what is going on in the world. I need to involve myself in what’s happening in the world, just as a human being, even if it’s hard or time consuming.”

Webb is also quick to point out, “We have a history of not loving people well. We live in a country that was founded on genocide against Native Americans. We haven’t loved well and a lot of people don’t like Americans. We need to own up to some responsibility there, we need to look at why, and we need to let that inform how we’re making decisions for the future.”

Concerning the political aspect of Mockingbird, he exclaims, “If you look, Jesus doesn’t go straight down one party line. We try to fit Him in our western politics, but He wouldn’t land on either side.” Living in the middle is something Webb sees Jesus model and to let go of our idea that “Christian” and “Republican” go hand in hand. “We, too, have to be willing to move in and out of political systems and parties if we’re going to follow Him.”

These revealing thoughts are found in “A New Law” where Webb gets right to the heart of the matter:

Don’t teach me about politics and government, just tell me who to vote for / Don’t teach me about truth and beauty, just label my music / Don’t teach me about moderation and liberty, I prefer a shot of grape juice / Don’t teach me how to live like a free man, just give me a new law / I don’t wanna know if the answers aren’t easy, so just bring it down from the mountain to me / I want a new law.

About being the one to start these conversations in Christian circles, Webb remarks honestly, “I’m not sure I’m the best one to do it, but it’s not like people are lining up for this particular job. And we need to start this dialogue yesterday about how to love people better. Let’s stop arguing and name calling, let’s find something to commend about one another and then start from that place of unity.”

People are bound to start dialoguing upon hearing his lyrics. A song that demonstrates this is “A King & A Kingdom,” in which Webb explains spiritual allegiance trumps any sort of nationalism:

There are two great lies that I’ve heard: the day you eat of the fruit of that tree, you will not surely die / and that Jesus Christ was a white, middle-class republican, and if you wanna be saved you have to learn to be like Him.

Including a monologue from a Martin Luther King speech in the song “My Enemies Are Men Like Me,” Webb shares: Peace by way of war is like purity by way of fornication / It’s like telling someone murder is wrong and then showing them by way of execution.

The mockingbird’s unique ability to learn and mimic songs from other birds is why this particular title was chosen for Webb’s third solo project. Webb shares, “I hope to be the same way, imitating the songs of Jesus and others about how to love not only our neighbors, but also our enemies.”

Musically, the creation of Mockingbird came from deep study of The Beatles’ Magical Mystery Tour and is woven throughout the entire project. Webb explains, “The last record was more experimental and meant to dismantle future expectations. On Mockingbird we felt completely free artistically. This should be a fascinating record for headphones.”

Playing over 150 shows a year, Webb is currently on the road with wife and fellow artist Sandra McCracken and friend John Davis (formerly of Superdrag) and sharing a few of his new songs with the audience, already receiving much acclaim from concertgoers.

As of October 11th, fans are now able to take home the Derek Webb “live” experience with the release of his first-ever live DVD, How To Kill And Be Killed. The DVD features live concert footage and unique and extensive behind-the-scenes interviews.

For the most updated information and tour dates, please visit www.derekwebb.com and www.inorecords.com. Provided by INO Records