Jonathan returns to his '90s-era homeland with shows in Eugene and Seattle this month! Details at the TOUR DATES page.
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!
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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! |
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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."
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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:
- Special FREE MP3 posted on the Audio Page! Download a previously unreleased emerald-anniversary remix of "No More Walls," the first song that Jonathan ever wrote!
- Absolute Power Pop Blog has featured this review of Jonathan's new Insomniaccomplishments CD!
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."
- 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:
- Here's some perfect back-to-school music!
THE BEST OF JONATHAN RUNDMAN:
20 SONGS FROM THE 20th CENTURY now available!
The album features tasty remastered and remixed early classics like "Tape," "Armyman," "Janesville," and "This July" as well as some previously unreleased gems! All this PLUS an additional twenty-song BONUS CD called MYOPIA featuring super rare and rocking 4-track demos from the 1990s! CLICK here for full details. - Another exclusive FREE MP3 has been posted at the Audio page! Time-warp back 11 years and hear the original 4-track demo recording of "The Glasses Song" before it was re-done for the Sound Theology project! Download it and comment on the song at Jonathan's BLOG.
- Book Jonathan in your town! Big tours are on the calendar for the coming year, and if you've never hosted a Jonathan show in your area, here's your chance! An East Coast tour is planned for this November, and 2008 will find Jonathan in California, Texas, Iowa, and all around the Midwest and Great Lakes regions. See the Booking page for available dates and locations.
Summer 2007:
- FREE MP3 posted at the Audio page! Check out a previously unreleased alternate mix of "Nothing Old, Nothing New"! Download it and comment on the song at Jonathan's BLOG.
- Jonathan to return to LiFest! Jonathan will perform at multiple stages at this huge music festival in Osh Kosh, WI in July! Other bands include Jars of Clay and the Newsboys.
- More good press for Protestant Rock Ethic!
The May 2007 issue of The Lutheran magazine featured a review of the album, comparing Jonathan to Matthew Sweet, Ben Kweller, and Garrison Keillor! PLUS, the online mag Phantom Tollbooth rated the album 4-out-of-5, and had some nice things to say!
March 2007:
- Jonathan continues as a guest musician with songwriter MICHAEL MORRIS and band. Catch Jonathan (usually) playing accordion, melodica, piano, banjo, and bass with Michael Sunday nights at the 400 BAR in Minneapolis!
- PasteMagazine.com "Music Video of the Day" to feature Jonathan's "You Don't Speak For Me", March 26th! Previous "Video of the Day" bands include Bright Eyes, Billy Bragg, and the Barenaked Ladies!
January 2007:
- Jonathan's BLOG has been relocated to BLOGGER at this address jonathanrundman.blogspot.com. Please visit for commentary on Jonathan's adventures in showbiz, domestic life, etc. Comments are open to all!
- The great press attention for Protestant Rock Ethic continues: check out this album review in a recent issue of Christian Musician.
- Jonathan continues as GUEST MUSICIAN for songwriter Michael Morris playing Tuesday nights at the 400 Bar in Minneapolis. You might see Jonathan playing accordion, melodica, harmonica, and/or banjo!
- MYSPACE OVERHAUL! New songs, slideshows, details, and other goodies have been added to MySpace...check out the pages for Salt Lady Records (featuring a preview of the new re-mix of "Meeting Nixon"), The Styx Tribute Album (featuring Jonathan playing "Come Sail Away"), and Jonathan's 1997 trio project The Muckrakers, as well as Jonathan's own MySpace page.
December 2006:
- More press for Protestant Rock Ethic! Jonathan was interviewed in the current issue of the Youth Encounter newsletter.
- Another FREE MP3 has been posted! This month marks the 10-year-anniversary of the recording of Jonathan's third album Recital, so we're pleased to offer an exclusive remix of the CD's title track! Download it at the AUDIO PAGE.
- Jonathan as GUEST MUSICIAN: this month Jonathan will sit in with the band playing various instruments for Minneapolis-based songwriters Michael Morris and Micah Taylor. Visit their webpages for show details.
November 2006:
- SVEA IRENE RUNDMAN is born on October 15, 2006!
Svea and her Mommy are happy and healthy, and so are Daddy and big brother Paavo. Welcome lovely Svea! - NEW free MP3 for download! Visit the audio page to hear a previously unreleased LIVE solo-acoustic performance of the song "Tape" recorded at Club Mondo in Stockholm, Sweden during Jonathan's Scandinavian tour earlier this year.
- Good press for Protestant Rock Ethic! Jonathan's new double-CD receives a glowing review from the music blog Music Spectrum!
- "Best of" Jonathan CD in the works! Jonathan has been in the studio for the past month working on remixes of some of his best songs from the pre-Sound Theology era. Contributing to the amazing quality of these tunes is recording and mixing genius Matt Patrick!
- Jonathan Rundman POSTERS for free download!
Visit Jonathan's PRESS KIT page and scroll down to the bottom to choose between three different promotional posters, available for free download in .pdf form! Print 'em out on 11 X 17 or 8.5 X 11 paper and help promote a local Jonathan concert, OR use as a background for a dartboard! - BRUCE RUNDMAN releases new album Unorthodox.
The Salt Lady Records co-founder has released a special 10-song acoustic album featuring some excellent new songs, stripped-down versions of old faves, and a few choice cover tunes. Cousin Jonathan Rundman co-wrote the included songs "Out The Back," "Continental Divide," "Picture Day," and "Beige Slacks." Click HERE to purchase. - Jonathan Rundman eSongbook now available!
The complete piano arrangements, guitar chords, and lead sheets for Jonathan's HEARTLAND LITURGY are featured in this CD-ROM songbook, along with sheet music of other songs from the Protestant Rock Ethic, Public Library, and Sound Theology albums!
August 2006:
- More good press! Jonathan's July concert in SA was previewed by the San Antonio Express News! See why they said "Texas does not have a lock on first-class troubadours."
- Jonathan's songs available for licensing! Organizations, bands, and church groups who use Jonathan's music can now purchase licensing permissions online. Click here for online copyright/licensing info!
- Another FREE MP3 has been posted! Way back in 1995 Jonathan wrote this rather bitter and nasty little break-up song and recorded a quick demo of it with The Muckrakers. In 1997 Jonathan tried another demo of it backed by Echelon, but neither of these band demos were sufficient. Finally, on New Years Eve of 2000, in the frozen retreat center at Fortune Lake Camp, Jonathan recorded the definitive version of the song in this acoustic form! Visit the AUDIO page to download "I'll Be Gone."
- EXCLUSIVE LIVE TRACK available on benefit CD!
A previously unreleased live recording of "Librarian" appears on the new compilation CD Haiti Mission Project. Recorded at the Acadia Cafe in Minneapolis with Jonathan's full band, the track offers a especially rocking version of this song. The CD is released by Calvary Lutheran Church in Golden Valley, MN, and features songs by other bands like Lost And Found, Agape, and Echelon. All proceeds go to help provide aid and school supplies for children in Haiti. Click HERE for info.
July 2006:
- Jonathan plays club gigs in Austin and San Antonio, TX! While down South for the ELCA Youth Gathering, Jonathan scheduled additional shows at some cool venues along with other awesome songwriters Zack Hexum, Charlie Paxon, and Brandon Rogers! More info at the Tour Dates page. Minneapolis residents can see Jonathan, Zack, Charlie, and Brandon performing at the 400 Bar for Jonathan's BIRTHDAY SHOW on July 24!
May 2006:
- Jonathan's NEW album PROTESTANT ROCK ETHIC now available!
- PROTESTANT ROCK ETHIC CD RELEASE SHOW! Celebrate the new album at this performance featuring Jonathan and multiple backing musicians, to be held on June 9th in downtown Minneapolis! More info at the Tour Dates page.
- PREVIEW THE NEW CD! Visit Jonathan's Myspace page to hear the song "Were You There?" from the Protestant Rock Ethic album!
- Updated Discography! Click to see check out what recordings Jonathan has appeared on recently!
April 2006:
- Exclusive previously unreleased song available as a FREE MP3! Happy Daylight Saving Time to you all! In honor of this new time of the year, Jonathan has dredged deep into his musical vaults and unearthed one of his weirdest songs “Daylight Saving[s] Time”, unreleased until now! Ten years ago, Jonathan wrote and recorded (on a cassette 4-track recorder) this bizarre tune. Earlier this week those old tracks were transferred to computer and remixed. Download the song at the Audio Page.
- Visit Jonathan's Myspace Blog to view some of his earliest song lyrics! A song written in 1986, "Bulldozer Slaughter," has been unearthed! It's an inspiring tune.
- "Forgiveness Waltz" recorded by Greg Adkins! Jonathan’s song “Forgiveness Waltz” from his album Sound Theology, has previously been recorded by power-vocalist Beki Hemingway and instrumental duo Setterholm/Michelson. Now in 2006, the song has been reinterpreted yet again by Knoxville-based acoustic musician Greg Adkins on his new album The Bluegrass Service. The album also features tunes written by Gillian Welch and Bob Dylan. Greg’s version of “Waltz” is absolutely beautiful...learn more about the album, and purchase the new CD for $12 by visiting Greg’s webpage.
- Jonathan to perform with Tom Freund and Zack Hexum! On Jonathan's upcoming Ohio tour he'll share the stage with these excellent musicians from LA who've been making quite a splash in the big-time music industry. Check out these fine artists!
March 2006:
- Jonathan is back from his six month sabbatical, and is looking forward to upcoming performances in WI, IL, OH, and more! Check out the Tour Dates page to see the Spring schedule!
- Did you know that Jonathan played shows in Finland and Sweden back in January? A new FREE MP3 DOWNLOAD of Jonathan's song "Meeting Nixon" has been posted on the Audio Page, recorded live on January 9th, 2006 at Club Mondo in Stockholm, Sweden!
- PRESS COVERAGE: Jonathan's album Public Library has been reviewed at the Finnish online music magazine Noise. Try translating that! An English-language review (with photos) of Jonathan's recent performance at St. Paul's venerable Turf Club is posted at How Was The Show? The reviewer called Jonathan a hybrid of Woody Guthrie and Bryan Adams....hmmm...
- MORE PRESS COVERAGE!
The Minneapolis monthy music magazine RIFT has published a very detailed travel journal from Jonathan's last tour to Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Read the online version here, or pick up a copy (eventually) of the March issue of RIFT at these locations. - Thanks to web-wizard Pat Tomek for the webpage redesign on Valentine's Day!
- Thanks to photo-wizard Ryan Torma for shooting Jonathan's new promotional pictures (seen on this very index page, as well as in the Promotional Photo page.
- More media attention for "THE GLASSES SONG!"
Yes, once again this song from Sound Theology has been discovered by the global media. This time, it's been licensed for use in a British documentary film called "Specky" about the challenges of wearing corrective lenses! Stay tuned for more info about the film's release!
Fall 2005 Mid-sabbatical update:
- JONATHAN'S ON NATIONAL TELEVISION!
In October Jonathan's music was featured on the Ellen Degeneres Show! "The Glasses Song" (from Sound Theology) was used as thematic music for a comedy skit called "Ellen Goes to Lenscrafters." - Another FREE MP3 has been posted! Way back in 1997 Jonathan wrote a frantic minor-key bluegrass tune and arranged it with his cousin Bruce. Finally, a few weeks ago, Jonathan and Bruce have recorded the definitive version of the song! Visit the AUDIO page to download "The Sound of the Cicadas."
- New pix in the PHOTO pages: Check out these shots from Jonathan's last full-band pre-sabbatical show in Minneapolis, PLUS brand new pix of Jonathan and his cousin Bruce in the studio!
- Sabbatical reflections and the lyrics to the above-mentioned "Cicadas" song can be found on Jonathan's BLOG.
July 2005:
- JONATHAN RUNDMAN GOES ON SABBATICAL!On July 20th, 2005, his 34th birthday, Jonathan Rundman has announced that for the remainder of the year he will be on sabbatical. No shows, no web updates, no tours. Jonathan looks forward to spending time at home with his sweetie Dawn, and their son Paavo. Click on the photo for a large picture of Paavo.
- Jonathan's MySpace BLOG will continue to be updated with various observations on life away from showbiz. Check it out, make your own comments, and join Jonathan on his sabbatical journey.
- Jonathan is pleased to be a featured performer on many new CDs from a variety of artists. He plays banjo, mandolin, and sings on the new album Pronto by the acoustic duo Lost And Found. Jonathan adds Hammond organ and Wurlitzer electric piano to the forthcoming new CD by power vocalist Rachel Kurtz. The new album Don't Hesitate by Madison, WI band The Pull features the song "Time To Go" co-written by Jonathan. And Jonathan sang on the song "Reliving the Past" by Chicago-based prog-rock collective 9 On Bali, to be released soon as a vinyl single!
June 2005:
- More national press for Public Library!The brand new June issue of Performing Songwriter (with the lovely Aimee Mann on the cover) features a Top 12 DIY review of Jonathan's new CD! Among other niceness, the review states "Rundman's lyrics paint vivid pictures," and celebrates Jonathan's "clever phrasing and fresh rhymes." Read more of the review on the press page and pick up the issue at your local newsstand!
- Check out Jonathan's new page on MySpace! The site features additional info about Jonathan's music, plus his first attempt at BLOGGING!
- Even more national press! Link here for a brief review in the current issue of Christian Century.
- This month's FREE MP3 is a live recording featuring Jonathan and the amazing Beki Hemingway. Download an acoustic performance of the song "You Never Last Where You Land" at the audio page! The original version of this song is found on the duet album Tennesota, which was released exactly one year ago!
- Jonathan continues in the studio, working on previously unreleased songs from the past, as well as two brand new tunes, "Calm the Storm" and "Miracle Song" commissioned by Augsburg Fortress Publishers. Multiple new albums are in the works!
- Sound Theology has just been added to the iTunes Music Store! Download your favorite tunes for only $0.99 per song!
May 2005:
- Jonathan performs with Tom Freund! These two songwriters kicked off the month of May with their first joint appearance, held at the lovely Acadia Cafe in Minneapolis. It was an excellent show, and it was captured on audio!
- This month's FREE MP3 is taken from Jonathan's show with Tom. Check out the rarely-performed song "Cold, But I Don't Mind" at the audio page!
- This Spring, Jonathan has spent some time in the studio working with engineer Scott Malchow on completing some previously unreleased tunes. Recent finalized mixes include some guitar-heavy prog-influenced songs entitled "I Saw Greenland" and "There Was Nothing Downtown" and a very experimental 1995-era 4-track recording called "Soluble" featuring Jonathan on distorto-violin. Watch for their inclusion on an upcoming release.
- Goin' back to Cali. Jonathan will perform in the Golden State twice in the next couple months, as well as some Midwestern shows. Check out the tour date page for the entire schedule.
- Bad press and good press! Check out new reviews of Public Library courtesy of Epinions, Buffalo Roots, and the San Antonio Current.
- Jonathan Rundman song lyric icons have been created by Bridget in Louisiana for free download. Use 'em on your blogs, webpages, on-line journals, etc.
April 2005:
- Jonathan tours with the MONSTERS OF FOLK! Together with fellow Twin Cities songwriters Matt Patrick, Nate Houge, and Micah Taylor, Jonathan ventured into the depths of South Dakota on a 5 day tour in March. Each musician performed their original songs on the tour, all while switching around on guitar, bass, and drums, and serving as one another's backing band! A photo slideshow, tour diary, and downloadable MP3s can be found on the Monsters of Folk Webpage. The tour was so awesome, the quartet will reunite for another show in Maple Grove, MN on Friday, April 15th. See tour date page for more info.
- This month's FREE MP3 is taken from the Monsters of Folk tour! Check out the live performance of Jonathan's song "Every Town's the Same" (with lengthy introduction), recorded at the Black Sheep Coffeehouse in Sioux Falls, SD. Get it now via the audio page!
- Jonathan makes his debut as an author!
Augsburg Fortress Publishers has just released The Lutheran Handbook, a comedy/theology manual written in the droll, retro style of the Worst-Case Scenario Survival Guide. Jonathan wrote numerous chapters of the book including "How to Sing a Hymn," and "How to Receive Communion." Order a copy from Augsburg Fortress! - Tennesota album added to iTunes music store! Visit the store and download each song for $0.99!
- Pitch Music in California has just released Myrtle's Favorites Sampler CD featuring the finest in independent songwriters. Jonathan Rundman's song "Smart Girls" and Beki Hemingway's song "Saturday" appear, as well as 17 other fine tunes from various artists. SPECIAL DEAL: Buy $10 worth of music from Jonathan Rundman, and get a FREE Myrtle's Favorites Sampler courtesy of Salt Lady Records!
- Public Library reviewed at Music Box Online.
February 2005:
- Jonathan to embark on the MONSTERS OF FOLK tour! Together with Minnesota songwriters Matt Patrick, Nate Houge, and Micah Taylor, Jonathan is preparing for a group tour to South Dakota in March! Each artist on the tour will play his original songs with the other three musicians serving as a back-up band, requiring each performer to rotate on guitar, bass, drums, and auxiliary instruments! That's FOUR bands in one! Check the tour dates page for complete venue info, etc.
- Jonathan is featured in the February issue of Mpls/St.Paul Magazine! The article raves, “In his latest album, Public Library, Rundman is at his best...cohesive, yet adventurous and varied.”
- One of the coolest unreleased Jonathan recordings of all time is now available as a FREE MP3, downloadable on the Audio page! For those of you who are observing the season of Lent (or Black History Month, for that matter), check out Jonathan's arrangement of the African-American Spiritual "Were You There." Yet another Sound Theology out-take from the Fall of 1999, this recording was renovated and mixed in 2004.
January 2005:
- Coast-to-coast tour dates in 2005! Visit the tour dates page and check out Jonathan's upcoming shows in LA, NY and places in between!
PUBLIC LIBRARY ranked in theTop 10 albums of 2004!
More and more and more good press! Read these reviews courtesy of Metro Lutheran, Swiss Records (written in German!), and City Pages. Also, the St. Paul Pioneer Press ranked Public Library #15 in their best albums of 2004 list, and the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported that Jonathan's song "The Serious Kind" showed up on two separate critics' polls for Best Song of 2004!- Yet another FREE MP3 has been posted on the Audio page! Due to the huge response to last month's ancient hymn "Of the Father's Love Begotten," we're posting another Sound Theology out-take! This time it's a 600-year-old Epiphany tune, arranged by Jonathan in homage to R.E.M.'s late-80s classic "Swan Swan H."
December 2004:
- Salt Lady Records is TEN YEARS OLD this month! That's right, it was December of 1994 when the upstart record label debuted two new albums: Seven Summers by The Chandlers (Bruce & Jonathan Rundman), and Wherever by Jonathan Rundman. Take part in the anniversary festivities by visiting the Salt Lady Records webpage, and check out old pictures of the Rundman cousins, a photo history of the label, and more!
- Last chance for Wherever! Yes, after 10 years on the market, Jonathan's 1994 album is going out of print. There are less than 10 copies remaining!
- Not two, but THREE FREE MP3s have been posted on the Audio page! This month we're looking back at Jonathan & Bruce's music then and now, with a remix of The Chandlers' "Busted Pencil Lead" and a brand new full-band recording of "Continental Divide." Plus, download a special acapella mix of an unreleased Jonathan song from 2000 entitled "December Chicago" that's perfect for these chilly Midwestern winters!
- Many of you know John Kerns thanks to his fantasic bass playing and harmony vocals in Jonathan Rundman's trio, and on select recordings (including the version of "Continental Divide" mentioned above). Kerns has a brand new webpage for his own band Kerns and The Hemispheres...surf over and check it out!
November 2004:
- Jonathan's song "Smart Girls" is featured on the CD sampler included in the Oct/Nov 2004 issue of Paste Magazine. Order it NOW from Paste! Other artists on the sampler include Buddy Miller, Ben Harper, Peter Case, and Camper Van Beethoven.
- Two free downloadable MP3s have been added to the Audio page. These special holiday tunes are only available here! Check out the rocking live performance of Jonathan's Christmas classic "Out Behind the Old Hotel" recorded in concert at Augsburg College, PLUS hear the rare Sound Theology out-take "Of the Father's Love Begotten" written in the 13th century! Happy Advent!
- New Jonathan song available! Jonathan has recorded a rocking bluegrass version of the African-American spiritual "Where You There" that appears on a new Hymns compilation CD released by Lutheran Youth Encounter. Other artists doing hymn interpretations include Beki Hemingway, Todd Miller, Lloyd Garrelts, and Lost And Found.
- Jonathan as guest musician! Composer extraordinaire Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan has released a new album called Worldmaking, featuring Jonathan Rundman on accordion, chord organ, and vocals. Paavo Rundman makes his first recorded appearance on this album as well.
- Jonathan on film! Two new independent short documentary films feature Jonathan and his music. The System of Cool, directed by Jaime Leigh Nelson, explores trends in the music business and features an interview with Jonathan, as well as live clips of Jonathan performing his songs "The Serious Kind," and "Falling Down." Threatening to Stay, directed by Amy Carlson and Jaqueline Brady addresses the struggle of homosexuality in the Lutheran Church, and features Jonathan's song "Easier" on the film's soundtrack. The debut screening of Threatening to Stay will be in DeKalb, IL on December 5th.
October 2004:
- The Public Library CD release weekend was a huge success! Jonathan opened for The Silos, and also played two other concerts in Minneapolis. Check out PHOTOS of the shows.
- Another free downloadable MP3 has been posted on the Audio page! Listen to a pre-Public Library demo version of the song "Narthex."
- Great reviews for Public Library have been pouring in! Check out the on-line press coverage at OnMilwaukee.com, City Pages, Pulse, Green Man Review, Rake on Music, Power of Pop, Fufkin, and Melodic.net.
- Jonathan has scheduled a long-awaited multi-date tour of Michigan's Upper Peninsula! Check out the November tour dates.
September 2004:
- Public Library CD release show scheduled for Saturday, October 2nd at the 400 Bar in Minneapolis! Jonathan opens for The Silos!
- Another free downloadable MP3 has been posted on the Audio page! Check out this remix of the 10-year-old recording of "Old Man September."
- Jonathan on iTunes! That's right, the previously out-of-print Christmas EP Present, recorded with Beki Hemingway, is the first Salt Lady Records title available from the iTunes Music Store! It's never too early to add to your holiday music collection!
August 2004:
- Pastemusic.com features Jonathan's new CDs Public Library and Tennesota, PLUS free downloadable MP3s from each album!
- Jonathan has just returned from playing music with Echelon in Orlando, Florida. A review of their performances has been posted at Music Spectrum.
- Jonathan on DVD! Acoustic duo Lost And Found has released their first DVD, featuring a live-in-the-studio video of their song "Multiply" featuring Jonathan Rundman playing banjo! Details HERE.
- New pictures have been added to the promotional photos page. Check out Jonathan's updated shots.
- Tennesota has been reviewed on the Phantom Tollbooth webpage...4.5 stars!
- Thanks to web-wizard Pat Tomek for creating the new flash animation on the front page of this web site!
July 2004:
- Jonathan's new album Public Library is available for sale! CLICK HERE to order.
- Also available for sale, the new album Tennesota by Jonathan & Beki Hemingway! CLICK HERE to order.
- Dozens of cool photos have been posted, documenting the recording of the Public Library album. CLICK HERE to visit the updated photo page!
- Free Public Library preview! Visit the Audio page to download a previously un-heard acoustic demo of "Librarian," the new album's title track.
June 2004:
- Jonathan's Midwestern Summer tour dates are now posted!
- It's been four years since the release of Sound Theology, Jonathan's last solo album, so we're thrilled to announce that his long-awaited NEW ALBUM Public Library is complete! The songs were produced by Americana legend Walter Salas-Humara, and feature THE SILOS as Jonathan's backing band! Pre-release copies of the album will be available at all Summer tour performances!
- Jonathan appears along with The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Talking Heads, and other groups on the recording "Anticipation" by sonic-collage artist Daniel Levitin. The track appears on the album A Call For Silence, a compilation of not-quite-sound recordings released by the Sonic Arts Network. "Anticipation" is a collection of recorded count-offs (you know, when the drummer goes "1, 2, 3, 4..." before the music starts?) featuring the introductory yells from The Beatles' "Yer Blues," the famous cowbell hits from The Rolling Stones' "Honkey Tonk Women," Jonathan's voice counting-off the song "Front Row at the Fashion Show" from the album Recital, plus other interesting pre-song noise. You've never heard (or almost heard) an album like this before!
May 2004:
- Yes, one more previously un-heard Jonathan recording is available for FREE downloading in MP3 format on the Audio page, and this time it's a 1997-era Beatle-esque cover tune called "Now That You Are Gone." Music nerds take note: a complete description of Jonathan's recording of the song is posted.
- Finally, Salt Lady Records has released an updated Biography for Jonathan.
- Hopefully some performance and studio photos will be added soon to the Photos page.
April 2004:
- Another previously un-heard Jonathan recording is now available for FREE downloading in MP3 format on the Audio page. Enjoy this rocking full-band performance of "The Prophetstown Tornado" recorded LIVE at Augsburg College in Minneapolis, featuring Jonathan singing through a telephone receiver.
- Jonathan has been in the studio playing Wurlitzer, organ, and singing harmony on the new solo album by Lloyd Garrelts. The CD will be available later this month, and features the song "Same Square Mile," the first song co-written by Lloyd and Jonathan! For more information visit the homepage of Lloyd's band Echelon.
- Jonathan's complete Discography has been updated. How many of these CDs have you heard?
- While purging the internet of old unused webpages Jonathan's on-line journals from 2000-2002 were salvaged. The music picks are especially interesting. Current journals are posted on the Message Board.
March 2004:
- Previously un-heard Jonathan recordings are now available for FREE downloading in MP3 format on the Audio page. Check out the anti-Clapton anthem "Sick of Eric Blues" and a new remix of "One Night in the Month of May" by Jonathan's basementy grunge/prog/lo-fi trio The Muckrakers.
- Jonathan Rundman and Beki Hemingway have been booked to play at Cornerstone Festival in Bushnell, IL this coming July! Check out the details at the Tour Dates page.
- After taking a few months off for the birth of Paavo, Jonathan looks forward to Spring and Summer performances in the Pacific Northwest, Chicagoland, and Florida. Visit the Booking page to schedule a show in your town.
February 2004:
- Sound Theology songs are analyzed by Pastor Ben Squires every Monday in the season of Lent. Check out Ben's comments and leave some of your own by visiting his Monday Devotions Blog.
January 2004:
- Jonathan becomes a FATHER! On January 2nd Dawn & Jonathan Rundman celebrated the birth of their first child, a son! His name is Paavo Sten Rundman. PAAVO is the Finnish form of Paul, and STEN is Dawn's family name from Sweden.
- Jonathan's debut album REISSUED on CD! In late-1992 Jonathan released on cassette his first album 28 Days in the Yellow Room, a rollicking 10-song 4-track capsule of his formative musical years. Now Salt Lady Records has released the album on CD, completely remastered and with FOURTEEN NEVER-BEFORE-HEARD BONUS TRACKS from Jonathan's earliest days as a musician. The new release is called Eleven Years and 28 Days in the Yellow Room. Click here to learn more and click here to order a copy of the album.
December 2003:
- Jonathan completes the remixes for the CD reissue of his debut album 28 Days in the Yellow Room to be available next month!
- The PRESS section for this webpage is updated!
- The tracking is completed for Jonathan's new album! Producer Walter Salas-Humara records the final tracks for the album in New York City, featuring special guests Mary Lee Kortes on vocals, Mary Rowell scoring and playing a string quartet, and lead guitarist Jason Victor of Steve Wynn's band.
November 2003:
- Salt Lady Records is pround to announce the launch of jonathanrundman.com, Jonathan's new website, built by Pat Tomek.
- Jonathan has completed the recording of his newest album, and producer Walter Salas-Humara is working on the final mixes of the songs in New York City. The CD is scheduled for release in Spring/Summer of 2004. Check out the RECORDING SESSION DIARY, featuring photos and details of the album's creation!
October 2003:
- Two of Jonathan’s songs are featured on college compilation CD Free As Grace. Other artists on the album include Beki Hemingway, Todd Miller, Nate Houge, and Lost And Found.
September 2003:
- Jonathan and Dawn Rundman are becoming parents!
Yes, that's right, in January of 2004 the Rundmans are expecting baby #1! Jonathan has decided to be a stay-at-home-Dad once the kid arrives, so this Fall’s schedule of recording and touring will be extra exciting. These are Jonathan’s last few months as a traveling musician, so he has scheduled one more long-term solo road trip in a rental car…. Jonathan tours in MN, WI, MI, IN, OH, PA, NJ, CT, NH, VT, NY, and spends a week recording new music in New York City!
August 2003:
- Jonathan begins recording new album in Madison, WI, with The Silos.
- Jonathan co-produces and engineers the album True North by cousin Bruce Rundman. The 12-song CD features “Nancy Drew,” “Liberty Island,” and “Quiet Sound,” co-written by Jonathan, and Jonathan can be heard playing bass guitar, Hammond organ, and singing harmony vocals throughout the album.