Jonathan Rundman
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Salt Lady logo on backgroundSalt Lady Records link		 The Latest News

January 2010:

  • Jonathan on tour in FINLAND this month, with a stop in London as well!
    This month Jonathan will travel to his ancestral homeland for concerts in the towns of Saarijärvi, Jyväskylä, and Helsinki. Then on the way back to the USA he'll stop in London to play selections from the Heartland Liturgy. Details at the Tour Dates page.
  • FREE MP3 download of "Lanka (The Thread)," Jonathan's first Finnish-language song. With music by Jonathan and lyrics by Carl-Kristian Rundman, this song is brilliantly sung by guest vocalists Elina, Elina, and Ulla of Minnesota-based vocal group Saana Ensemble. Download it at the Audio Page.
  • Collaborate with Jonathan on a previously unreleased version of his song "The Sound Of The Cicadas"!
    Are you a musician and/or a home recording enthusiast? You're invited to download a drum track and a vocal track (in .wav format) of Jonathan's song, and then you can add your own instruments and mix it yourself! Details at Jonathan's BLOG. Watch for future posts about new mixes, completed by folks from around the the world!
  • YouTube features Jonathan and band performing the King's X song "Mississippi Moon." This audience video was captured during Jonathan's November show at The Beat in Minneapolis. Watch it HERE.
  • Jonathan's song "Librarian" featured in British musical! Director Scott Tomkins included "Librarian" in his library drama "By The Book" performed in December at the Stanwix Studio Theatre at the University of Cumbria in Carlisle, England. Interview here.
  • Jonathan's song "I'm Alive And Sleep Deprived" in the Top Ten of the Top 100 Sleep Songs as rated by the National Sleep Foundation! Jonathan joins other bands like Eels, Mettalica, and Imogen Heap at the top of this list of sleep-related tunes! View the list and cast your vote for Jonathan!

December 2009:

  • Jonathan to perform at Finnish Christmas show in Minnesota. Jonathan will be a guest musician at the annual Kauneimmat Joululaulut (Service of Finnish Christmas Carols) at St. Michael's Lutheran Church in Roseville, MN, on December 19th.
  • YouTube features recent live performance of "No More Walls." This audience video was captured during Jonathan and band's November show at The Beat in Minneapolis. Watch it HERE.

November 2009:

  • YouTube features recent live performance of "Continental Divide." This audience video was captured during Jonathan and band's show at The Beat in Minneapolis in August. See it and read the details at Jonathan's blog.
  • FREE MP3 download: a new version of "German Flag."
    Jonathan has posted a new version of his geopolitical love song "German Flag" to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. The earliest version of the song appeared on the 1994 album Wherever. This new recording features excellent drumming by long-time Jonathan collaborator Lowell Michelson. Read song details and lyrics at Jonathan's blog, and download the MP3 at the Audio Page.
  • Jonathan's tour schedule includes some special stops!
    Upcoming locations for Jonathan concerts include the Washington DC area, Birmingham, Alabama, and the country of Finland! Details and links at the Tour Dates page.

October 2009:

  • FREE MP3 for download: the live duet with Beki Hemingway "Easy Chair."
    Recorded at Cornerstone Festival in 2004 in support of Beki & Jonathan's duet album Tennesota! Hear it at the Audio Page!
  • BEKI HEMINGWAY and Jonathan Rundman to perform concerts together! Minnesota residents can check out dates here.
  • YouTube features recent live performance of "Librarian." This audience video was captured during Jonathan and band's show at The Beat in Minneapolis last month. See it here!
  • "Librarian" featured on Wisconsin Public Radio!
    Jonathan's bibliotechnical anthem was featured on the October 2nd WPR morning show, during a discussion of the Wisconsin Book Festival.
  • Jonathan is guest musician on the new album from Nate Houge!
    Fellow Twin Cities-based liturgist Nate Houge has just released his newest album Becoming Liturgy! This excellent collection of new acoustic churchmusic features musical guests Rachel Kurtz, Micah Taylor, and Justin Rimbo. Jonathan Rundman contributes accordion, melodica, and background vocals. ORDER THE ALBUM HERE!
  • Jonathan's song "Minneapolis" featured on television broadcast of PGA Tour!
    As Tiger Woods and company swung their clubs in Minnesota for August's PGA Tour, the TV broadcast used Jonathan's song "Minneapolis" as transition music!

    The song appears on Jonathan's album Sound Theology, which can be ordered here.

August 2009:

  • FREE MP3 for download: Jonathan's version of the Styx classic "Come Sail Away."
    Courtesy of the awesome music blog Cover Lay Down, specializing in acoustic cover tunes. Available for a limited time! More details at Jonathan's blog.
  • Lutheran media highlights the Rundmans. The current issue of Lutheran Partners magazine features an article by Dr. Dawn Rundman, and the current issue of national newspaper Seeds For The Parish mentions Jonathan in a piece on Lutheran bloggers! Details and links at Jonathan's blog.
  • Jonathan appears on Upper Michigan radio station!
    WFXD radio in Marquette, MI featured Jonathan as in-studio guest for the July 15th local music show. In addition to the on-air interview, Jonathan served as a judge for the Colgate Country Showdown singing competition, sponsored by the radio station. Look out Simon Cowell! Read details at Jonathan's blog.
  • Jonathan's song "Librarian" featured in new book The Librarian's Book Of Quotes!
    Jonathan's appearances in literature continue this month!

    This insightful new book includes the lyrics to Jonathan's acclaimed song "Librarian," as well as other quotes about the library from notable folks like Ray Bradbury, William Shakespeare, Carl Sagan, Victor Hugo, Mark Twain and Bill Moyers.

    CLICK HERE to order the book for the library lover in your life!
  • Jonathan to perform in Finland in 2010!
    Jonathan will return to his ancestral homeland in January to perform at the parish worker's convention for the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland. Stay tuned for other dates/venues in Finland, and perhaps Sweden as well! Visit Jonathan's contact/booking page to set up a concert in the Nordic countries, or anywhere else in Europe.
  • ELCA Churchwide events feature Jonathan.
    Last month Jonathan performed at the Lutheran Youth Gathering in New Orleans, and this month Jonathan will play at the Goodsoil Celebration during the Churchwide Assembly in Minneapolis. For more details, and additional concert dates around the country, visit the tour page.

June 2009:

  • FREE MP3 for download: the live duet with Beki Hemingway "You Never Last Where You Land."
    Recorded at Cornerstone Festival in 2004 in support of Beki & Jonathan's duet album Tennesota! Hear it at the Audio Page!
  • YouTube features vintage live performance of "The Princess Wants to Spend Her Time With Me." This fan favorite was performed by Jonathan in 1999. See it here!
  • Jonathan's Insomniaccomplishments CD reviewed in recent issue of CHRISTIAN CENTURY magazine!
    Jonathan's newest CD received a great review in this respected theology magazine, along with the new releases by U2 and Billy Bragg. Special props are given to the songs "If You Have A Question" and "I Thought You Were Mine." CLICK HERE to read the review!
  • July performances scheduled in Michigan's Upper Peninsula!
    Jonathan was born in Hancock, MI, and raised in Ishpeming, MI, and this July he'll be performing in both towns! Details at the Tour Dates page.

April 2009:

  • In-depth interview, and record review online:
    One of Jonathan's most extensive and personal interviews has been published by the interfaith online magazine Killing the Buddha...check it out here! Also, Jonathan's new CD received a nice review at DAGGER, an online music 'zine. Click here and scroll down to read.
  • FREE MP3 for download: the BRAND NEW song "Flying On A Plane."
    Steaming hot and fresh from Jonathan's brain, this 3-track demo was written and recorded just days ago! Hear this rockin' song about technology at the Audio Page!
  • YouTube features vintage live performance of "Johnny Horton." Another song about Ishpeming, MI, this version of "581" was performed by Jonathan in 1999. See it here!
  • Jonathan appears on nationally syndicated radio show GRACE MATTERS!
    Jonathan was interviewed by host Peter Marty and some of Jonathan's songs were featured! Previous guests on this show include best selling author Jim Wallis, CBS News' Charles Osgood, and Emily Saliers of the Indigo Girls! The show aired in March but is now available for free download: CLICK HERE for show info.
  • Out-of-print copies of Jonathan's RECITAL album available while supplies last!
    A recent trip to the Salt Lady Records archives in Upper Michigan have uncovered 10 copies of Jonathan's 1997 album Recital! This album has been out-of-print an unavailable since 2001! Here's your chance to order this lost classic. Email saltlady@saltlady.com to reserve one of these CDs for $15. First come, first served.

March 2009:

  • More good press for INSOMNIACCOMPLISHMENTS:
    Jonathan's new CD received a nice review at the music blog PowerPopaholic...CLICK TO READ IT HERE. It's good to be associated with Neil Young, Marshall Crenshaw, and Nick Lowe!
  • FREE MP3 for download: the BRAND NEW song "Robert Traver Blues."
    For the very first time, the Audio Page features a NEW song that has not yet appeared on album! This song was written and recorded in Ishpeming, MI on December 27, 2008, and its lyrics describe author Robert Traver and other natives of Ishpeming who have had significant impact on American culture. 2009 is the 50th anniversary of the film "Anatomy of a Murder," shot on location in Ishpeming, and based on the novel by Robert Traver.
  • YouTube features vintage live performance of "581." Another song about Ishpeming, MI, this version of "581" was performed by Jonathan and his band in 1999. This is never-before-seen, newly unearthed video footage! Check out the YouTube video and read details here!
  • Jonathan's song "Meeting Nixon" included in new book REINVENTING RICHARD NIXON!
    Author Daniel Frick has recently released this book, subtitled "A Cultural History of an American obsession."
    A section of the book called "Nixon in Music and Comedy," features Jonathan and his song "Meeting Nixon" along with some legendary rock recordings that also mention Tricky Dick, including "Ohio" by Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young; "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd; "Gimme Some Truth" by John Lennon; and "We Didn't Start The Fire" by Billy Joel.
    ORDER FROM AMAZON.
  • Jonathan to perform at LIFEST in OshKosh, WI in July!
    The Lifest Music Festival in OshKosh, WI has been one of Jonathan's favorite annual events for the past 10 years. In July of 2009 Jonathan will perform again at Lifest, along with other artists like Peder Eide, David Crowder, and Toby Mac.

February 2009:

  • CONCERTS IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST!
    Jonathan returns to his '90s-era homeland with shows in Eugene and Seattle this month! Details at the TOUR DATES page.
  • FREE MP3 posted on the Audio Page. Download a tasty full-band live version of "Cold, But I Don't Mind" recorded one year ago. Perfect for these chilly nights!
  • More good press coverage!
    The Phantom Tollbooth gives Jonathan's new CD 4.5 stars and says it could be his "best original album."
    And Jonathan gets a shout-out in Worchester Magazine for his contribution to the Lutheran Songs Today compilation album!
  • Jonathan's song "THIS JULY" on new CD, recorded by Ben Durbin's Modern Antiques!

    January 2009:

    Ben Durbin, a native of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, and leader of Americana band Ben Durbin's Modern Antiques has released a new album called Sweet Precious Time. The CD features a rocking cover version of Jonathan's song "This July" with incredible banjo picking! ORDER IT!
    The CD features 18 new Jonathan songs, and is loaded with thought-provoking rock and roll with a jarring array of stylistic diversity. Musical guests include Beki Hemingway, Matt Patrick, Jeff Krebs, and Tim Rundman.
  • Special FREE MP3 posted on the Audio Page! Download a previously unreleased alternate mix of the song, "I'm A Liar."
  • MORE GOOD PRESS FOR INSOMNIACCOMPLISHMENTS
    The Minneapolis Star Tribune said about Jonathan's new CD: "Rundman shows plenty of cleverness beyond the album title."
    The Onion: AV Club called Jonathan a "clever popster."
    MetroMix said: "For music crafted in the dead of night, Rundman’s latest batch of tunes feature remarkably bright and sunny melodies."
    And author and blogger Daniel Radosh wrote a detailed review of the album, saying "One of my favorite songs on the album, 'Little Bible,' is almost certainly the best alt.country song ever written about the theological flaws of biblical literalism."
  • BRAND NEW homemade music video for Jonathan's song "If You Have A Question!" Click here to view on YouTube! Also, Beki Hemingway sings the song "Easy Chair," co-written with Jonathan, on this YouTube video!
  • Concert dates are on the calendar for Chicago (with Beki Hemingway), Rock Island, IL, Madison, WI, Eugene, OR, and Seattle, WA. More details here.
  • Jonathan's new album available now at the iTunes music store!
  • Jonathan's songs featured in CD / Cookbook project!
    Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and the Metro New York Synod of the ELCA teamed up to release a cookbook and compilation CD last month. In addition to tons of recipes, the book also featured a CD of Christmas songs from artists like Lost And Found and Jonathan Rundman & Beki Hemingway. The cookbook sold out instantly, with proceeds going to causes such as disaster relief and Habitat For Humanity.

December 2008:

  • Special FREE Christmas MP3 posted on the Audio Page! Download a previously unreleased full-band live recording of an original Christmas Carol, "Bethlehem Tonight."
  • Jonathan's new album available now at the iTunes music store!
  • Jonathan featured on Lutheran Songs Today compilation CD and songbook! Jonathan's songs "Hey Hey Samuel" and "Glory in the Highest" join other Lutheran hits by great artists like Lost And Found, Echelon, and Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan.
  • Hickory Wind Blog has featured Jonathan's first interview regarding the new Insomniaccomplishments CD! Jonathan discusses his appreciation of T-Bone Burnett, the challenges of insomnia, and offers a list of his weirdest gigs.
  • Book Jonathan in your town in 2009! Click here to see where Jonathan's travels will take him...maybe your neighborhood is on the way!

November 2008:

October 2008:

  • FREE MP3 posted on the Audio Page! Download an acoustic demo of "If You Have A Question," a song that appears on Jonathan's new CD!
  • Super-duper Fall Tour: Jonathan is on the road like crazy this Fall, with dates in WI, IL, MI, ND, NY, MA, TX, OK, and MN! Check the Tour Dates page for details!
  • Check out the very first online review of the new Insomniaccomplishments album HERE!

September 2008:

  • FREE MP3 new album preview posted on the Audio Page! Download an acoustic demo of "Get Behind The Wheel," a song that appears on Jonathan's new CD!
  • Jonathan's song "Forgiveness Waltz" on the new album by THE RIVER'S VOICE!
    Acoustic folk duo Richard and Trish Bruxvoort-Colligan have released a new CD of their favorite cover tunes including great songs by Julie Miller, David Wilcox, Paul Simon, Patty Griffin, and yes, Jonathan Rundman! ORDER THE ALBUM HERE!
  • Jonathan's song "The Prophetstown Tornado" on the new album by THE RELUCTANTZ!
    This bluesy Minneapolis rock group has released their debut album, and they've recorded a smokin' full-band version of Jonathan's song! ORDER THE ALBUM HERE or download the song at the iTunes music store!
  • YOU TUBE live version of "Forgiveness Waltz"!
    CLICK HERE to watch "Forgiveness Waltz" performed by Jonathan Rundman and Beki Hemingway at a house concert earlier this Summer!

June 2008:

  • SUMMER FESTIVAL APPEARANCES:
    Jonathan will perform at LiFest in OshKosh, WI, and FinnFest in Duluth, MN in July! Check the tour dates page for Jonathan's complete concert schedule for the Summer and Fall.
  • NEW JONATHAN RUNDMAN ALBUM due in July!
    Jonathan is finishing up the artwork and audio for his first CD of all new music since 2004's acclaimed Public Library album!
  • FREE MP3 new album preview posted on the Audio Page! Download an acoustic demo of "New Eyes," a song that will appear on Jonathan's forthcoming new CD!
  • PRESS COVERAGE! Jonathan was featured in a Father's Day story about Daddy bloggers in the Saint Paul Pioneer Press newspaper!
  • THE MUCKRAKERS ten year anniversary! It was a decade ago that Salt Lady Records released the debut CD May by the garage/grunge/prog/experimental trio made up of Ishpeming, Michigan natives Todd Berg, David Casimir, and Jonathan Rundman.
    The album came out and found a small, devoted following, but the band vanished from the public eye without ever playing a show.

    In honor of the album's anniversary, Jonathan and Dave convened in Wisconsin to assemble the first new Muckrakers song since 1998, based around one of Todd's thundering guitar riffs. Hear the new song "Idea One" at the Muckrakers MySpace page.

  • FREE MP3 posted on the Audio page! Check out this brand new remix of the Muckrakers song "Box of Nails."
  • The Muckrakers MAY album on sale for only $5!
    The ALL MUSIC GUIDE calls this album "gloriously raw...crafted in the true rock and roll spirit!"

    BUY this CD, and all other Jonathan Rundman albums at the order page!

May 2008:

  • FREE MP3 posted at the Audio page! Check out the previously unreleased acoustic demo of "I Got a Problem"! Download it and comment on the song at Jonathan's BLOG.
  • Jonathan's song "My Apology" featured on NY Times list of "10 Great Christian Rock Songs. Really." Click on the link to read the list submitted by author Daniel Radosh (see Daniel's new book, below).
    Jonathan's song is called "bright, catchy indie-pop" and shares the list with songs by Over The Rhine, Larry Norman, and Bob Dylan!
  • Jonathan's song "Xian Bookstore" from the Sound Theology album has been quoted in a brand new book!
    New York based journalist Daniel Radosh has written Rapture Ready!: Adventures in the Parallel Universe of Christian Pop Culture.

    The author examines the complete weirdness of Contemporary Christian media, music, and marketing, also explored in Jonathan's song "Xian Bookstore."

    BUY THE BOOK HERE!
  • THE BEST OF JONATHAN RUNDMAN:
    20 SONGS FROM THE 20th CENTURY     now at iTunes!
    Visit the iTunes Music Store and download your favorite Clinton-era Jonathan songs for only $0.99 each!

March 2008:

  • JONATHAN'S FIRST TRIP TO SXSW! That's right, for those of you attending the South By Southwest music festival in Austin, TX, please check out Jonathan's performance on Tuesday, March 11! Jonathan will join twelve amazing artists (including Tom Freund, Jon Dee Graham, Syd Straw, and The Silos!) for the Swollen Circus show at The Hole In The Wall club. This year the show is a tribute to Silos' bassist Drew Glackin (who you know from Jonathan's Public Library album) who died unexpectedly in January.

December 2007:

  • Jonathan's song "Front Row at the Fashion Show" featured on the Paste Magazine Sampler CD included in the December '07 / January '08 issue of the magazine!
    Jonathan joins other artists such as Jens Lekman, Mindy Smith, and Jars of Clay on this invitiation-only CD sampler!

    Check your local newstand in the next week or so!
  • BILL MALLONEE of Vigilantes of Love will play a Christmas show in the Twin Cities on December 11th, with Jonathan as the opening act! Details at the TOUR DATES page.
  • Book Jonathan and Beki Hemingway in your town! Yes, the amazing Beki Hemingway will be in the Midwest for a few days in January, so here's the rare opportunity to schedule a duet performance in your area on January 11 or 12! If you live within a few hours drive of Minneapolis, and would like to put on a house concert, or coffeehouse gig, or church concert, or whatever, email Jonathan ASAP!
  • Jonathan to perform at Gala Celebration of Finland's 90th Anniversary of Independence, December 8th, in Minneapolis.
    A variety of Finnish artists will perform. CLICK HERE for ticket and schedule information.
    In other Finnish news, Jonathan is also scheduled to appear at Finn-Fest 2008 in Duluth, MN!
  • Jonathan's song "Narthex" appears on Out of the Extraordinary benefit CD, in support of Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries!
    Jonathan joins long-time musical pals Dakota Road, Amalia Vagts, Agape, and Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan, PLUS bigtime national acts like Indigo Girls and Carrie Newcomer on this album project. Proceeds from the CD sales will help raise awareness and funds to support people of all sexual orientation and gender identities in the life and ministry of the Lutheran church. Song details and purchasing info HERE.
  • GREAT REVIEWS POUR IN! The blogosphere has discovered Jonathan's Best of CD! Read excellent reviews at Twangville and Hickory Wind. Also, here's a review from Phantom Tollbooth from October, when Jonathan was the monthly "Writer's Pick" along with Over The Rhine and Mark Olson (Jayhawks)!
  • FREE MP3 posted at the Audio page as a musical stocking stuffer! Check out a previously unreleased alternate mix of "Worse For You"! Download it and comment on the song at Jonathan's BLOG.

September 2007:

CLICK HERE to read previous news entries.



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Jonathan's MySpace page features tons of photos, etc!

Visit Jonathan's YouTube page to watch the music video for the song "You Don't Speak for Me" (pictured below)

Purchase the rights to use Jonathan's music! COPYRIGHT and LICENSING INFO found here!

Jonathan's latest CD

BEST OF THE 20th CENTURY
20 songs from Jonathan's early days including hits like "Ask Me in Nebraska" and "Front Row at the Fashion Show"

Jonathan's latest CD

PUBLIC LIBRARY Jonathan's 2004 release produced by Walter Salas-Humara and featuring The Silos

Protestant Rock Ethic cover

PROTESTANT
ROCK ETHIC
a huge double-CD, 42-song compilation featuring Jonathan's Heartland Liturgy

Lutheran Handbook imageThe Lutheran Handbook:
Jonathan was a contributing writer for this theology / comedy manual, available from Augsburg Fortress

iTunes logo

the iTunes Music Store features Jonathan's albums for downloading!
$0.99 per song!

Tennesota album cover

TENNESOTA
The first full-length duet CD by Jonathan Rundman and Beki Hemingway

11 Years and 28 Days cover

Eleven Years and
28 Days in the Yellow Room: Jonathan's 1992 debut reissued on CD with 14 bonus tracks

Sound Theology cover

Sound Theology
Jonathan’s double-CD 52-song rock & roll masterpiece

Extra Credit cover

Ten previously unreleased recordings from Jonathan, plus other highlights from the entire Salt Lady Records catalog

Styx Tribute cover

Jonathan was the executive producer for this compilation CD, featuring 13 different bands reinterpreting their favorite Styx songs. Hear Jonathan sing “Come Sail Away!”