Harper youre such a good girl!

Thanks zach! Neat plastic bag on that camera of yours!

Gross seattle sky and cool trees.

Deciding how to get up in the trees for the photo shoot.

Steven in a Bush - 2010 Album Pre-Order

Click HERE for more information.

"To See You Well" Christmas Pre-Order

Click Here for more info!
(Offer expires Dec 15th)

23 Child Prostitutes rescued in King County

Sometimes, I get to post videos that I have fun making.
Today is not one of those days.

While there is good news: 23 girls in child prostitution (one as young as 12 years old) have been taken off highway 99 into custody.

The bad news is, firstly, they were in those circumstances, and secondly, "For the third year in a row we've led the nation, which is a good and bad thing," said Steven Dean, Assistant Special Agent in charge of the FBI's Seattle office when referring to the King County Area.

Read the Komo News Article here.

Here's the video:



That section of 99 is walking distance from where Jubilee practices. The problem is in our backyard! Stories like this make me more thankful for everyone doing their part to crack down on forced prostitution, and motivates me to keep doing mine.

If you're moved for these girls and others in their same situation, pick up a pen and write your senator, or check out our page about this cause for more information.

Much love,
Steven

Thank you friends, fans and random drunks at the High Dive

What a show on Friday! It's so much fun to play to a packed house. Thanks to those who came and enjoyed the good times at the High Dive.

Everything you heard at the show will be on our new album, available DEC. 10th for your Christmas giving (as always, 50% goes to freeing slaves). Follow the JUBILOG (you're looking at it) for further updates and album giveaways. Excitement!

Be well,
Curtis

Concert this Friday 11/5 at the HIGH DIVE

Gather friends for a fabulous musical fête this Friday at the High Dive in Fremont. Starts at 9:30 w/ Ian Jones... we take the stage from 10-10:45pm. Then Smoking Bill and Harmonic Superkill close out the evening.

In other news:

The new album is almost done(!) and will be ready for purchase by early December... just when you'll be on the lookout for great Christmas gift ideas. By purchasing our CD you can give the gift of music to your friends and family, and at the same time give the gift of freedom to people in modern slavery - because as always, 50% of your CD purchase is donated to International Justice Mission.

Keep checking the Jubilog for fun contests and album giveaways, and to stay in the loop about our upcoming CD Release! Email: curtis@livejubilee.org to pre-order the album!

RECORDING RECORDING RECORDING

Hey kids! Here's two videos that are inherently exciting.



and the bonus...

Jonas tells you how to get to the show tonight!

Its not too later, we playing at 9!

Return!

We got back from playing the University of Wyoming in Laramie two weekends ago, but I'm not sure we've really gotten back. You know? I may only be able to speak for myself, but we were so well received and taken care of, the thought crossed my mind of staying for longer. Not to mention, one of the guys Jonny and I stayed with did a backflip on a slackline, and another one climbed 18 mountains over 14,000 feet. All this summer. Yeah.

There were so many people interested in starting an IJM Chapter at UW, we couldn't have been more pleased. I was amazed in all our discussions to see people's heart for justice in our day. It's a worthy cause, no doubt, but any time we're allowed to see real passion, especially passion for the freedom of others, it's a beautiful thing. And my, this weekend was.

Here's a video of 1. A tragic accident at the airport. and 2. Curtis and Grace's baby Harper on her 5 month birthday, overcoming an obstacle that she had never before encountered. Behold.





Oh, and The Betty's (our hosts and musical partners) are amazing.

ALBUM TITLE REVEAL? A LAKE? FOR REAL?

We're headed to Wyoming to visit the lovely people of Laramie, play music, and talk about advocacy at the university of that beautiful state. For now - enjoy this bit of boat-inspired album-naming goodness from the shores of one of our favorite, or at least largest neighborhood lakes.

Toilet of the Future

Hi Friends!

This weekend is an exciting one, as we'll be heading up to the San Juans to shoot the first music video of the NEW ALBUM. Are you as overwhelmed with glee as I am? Unlikely. Though still possible. We can have a glee-off to determine the winner.

The album is in its final stages. Music videos are in the works. We're traveling out to play University of Wyoming in two weeks. We're playing The Can Can with Smile Brigade on October 14. Is it just me, or is life awesome? More news to come later, but for now I leave you with a magical quest during our adventures at Laura and Billy's wedding with CreativeLive and Jasmine Star. My friends, I present to you the Royal Restroom.

Monday Morning after the Post Office

Seattle Center Today!

WOAH!

Have you heard the news? Jubilee is playing the Mural Ampitheatre of Seattle Center (between Space Needle and the Children's Garden) TODAY AT 5:15. Pasado's Safe Haven, a fantastic animal rehabilitation shelter, is putting on a festival in the Center today, and asked us to provide some tunes.

As you can see, Mural Ampitheatre is a most excellent venue for music in our glorious Seattle summer weather. Come on out and join us to support Pasado's Safe Haven and enjoy the great gift of music. Mmmm.

Germany and Good Art

They may not have won the world cup, or even gotten to the finals, but I tell you they now have an IJM Affiliate Office between their borders, which is a different kind of win. This office will be working mostly for political change that will make it more difficult for human trafficking to thrive in Europe and abroad. Dare I say exciting!!!

In addition to having this office, Germany is a beautiful place with a rich history of art and literature. Earlier this week, I read an esteemed play that was most assuredly a comedy, but beneath the witty banter, it was essentially about two counts of incest within a family. It made me wonder,

what is good art?

Certainly there are people that create varying forms of art with excellence, masterfully pairing colors, notes, and words together in a way that few could attempt. Does this mean that ALL well-done art is good art, regardless of content? Does anything that anyone makes with artistic intentions actually art? Something in me hesitates to say yes, unless we allow ourselves to use the words 'bad art' (the exclusivity is making my skin crawl right now).

Seriously though, even the most excellently sung lyrics, if hateful, leave me feeling like I'd be better off listening to something else that puts something good into the world. I've been asking myself these questions recently, and encourage you to do the same.

Why do you read what you read?
Listen to what you listen to?
Watch what you watch?
What is good art?

No wrong answers. Open discussion. Go.

July 23rd: JUBILEE at the Sunset Tavern

Click here for the Sunset Tavern's Website...

Humility at Pride 2010

A few friends of mine posted Facebook links to this moving article about a Christian demonstration at the Pride Parade in Chicago last weekend. I don't want to say too much, because I hope you'll read it, but in summary a group of Christians took the opportunity to apologize for the way the church has treated the GLBTQ community.

This called to mind a section from Donald Miller's book Blue Like Jazz where he documents a confession booth that he and other fellow Christian students apologized to people on campus for injustices done and prejudices held by the church.

Parade participants are quoted in the article as being deeply touched by their act of humility and repentance. Forgive me if these questions seem like no-brainers, but I am really curious to hear what other people think about these (so, please comment *ahem* :) )

• Does this look like love to you? Why? or why not?
  
• What's so different about their action that it catches us off guard?
• How does this relate to justice?
  

Here's the link again: http://www.timschraeder.com/2010/06/30/a-different-kind-of-demonstration-at-gay-pride/

Busking on Tuesdays

Every TUESDAY (weather permitting) you can catch members of JUBILEE performing in the park across the street from Westlake Center from 12noon-2pm. We are an official selection of the City of Seattle buskers program. Come hang with us in the sun.

Jubicycle

What. Is a Jubicycle.

Well. I'll tell you what it isn't. It's not an icicle made of jelly beans. It's also not a new hair product. In fact, I just made up the word.

It's actually a word I just made up to relate JUBILEE to the "5 Weeks for Freedom" event that is being held in tandem with IJM to raise awareness about slavery. Fifteen cyclists will be biking 1800 miles of the Underground Railroad, accompanied by concerts and festivals in every major city they visit. AMAZING! You can support them and watch video of the event by clicking these links.
You know, I ride a bicycle around town. Not recently, since my wrist got sprained while I was making this ridiculously awesome block playing ultimate frisbee. But in general, the bicycle, I'm rediscovering, is a fantastic mode of transportation. I have new found respect for everyone who goes up Capitol Hill everyday, and have even struggled up the hill myself.

Basically, 1800 miles is a long way. This really makes me think, especially after we got to play the Seattle Against Slavery Benefit Dinner last week:

What am I willing to give up for the sake of someone else? If you were interviewing me (which you are welcome to do anytime), and asked this question, I would initially like to think my answer would sound generous. Seriously though, if you put my heart and mind in Excel, and created a pie chart revealing how I was apportioned, you and I would both find big slices of wasted space.

If I were a slave, what would I hope someone would do for me? If I were to love others as I love myself, what would I do then? I don't expect you to answer those for me, but I encourage you to answer them for yourself. Then look at your neighbor.

baby Harper. aww...

clean water benefit concert tonight.

South Africa's Public Service Announcement

HARPER SPARROW and The Armory

Last Saturday, in the wee morning, our sixth band member arrived. Harper Sparrow, the long awaited and hoped-for baby of Curtis and Grace Romjue, has landed!!! We have LOVED getting to sit with her before her bass lessons start Monday.

This Sunday, we played at Seattle's historic Town Hall as part of the 2010 Seattle Poetry Slam GRAND SLAM, and had a slammin' good time. I felt like I was at the Denny's they closed in Ballard, eating a GRAND SLAM... because it was so delicious.

Seriously, what an honor! The Grand Slam is SPS's biggest event of the year, showcasing some of Seattle's finest spoken-word artists (with this year's feature Joaquin Zihuatanejo), and Sunday's show was no let down. I kind of 'have a thing' for this community. Many of the artists in the event continue to be good friends to me and have helped me exponentially as a writer and performer. We thoroughly enjoyed (and were thankful for) the opportunity to share our music and anti-slavery purpose as a group with such a warm audience. I even opened the event with a poem! Thanks again to the Seattle Poetry Slam.

The poetry that night was particularly heavy, with many of the poets sharing very deep, intimate thoughts and experiences about themselves. I was talking with world-renowned poet Danny Sherrard about vulnerability yesterday, and it made me think of Harper, as well as the slam - these two vastly different pictures of vulnerability. Harper has no choice. Her needs are so evident (and her parents are SO caring, by the way). But poet after poet took the stage, with every right to stay guarded and closed off, able to wear as much armor as they chose, yet many shared the most intimate of details about their lives. That kind of honesty scares me.

Why be vulnerable? Are you vulnerable with anyone? Why is it so hard? Leave your comments, I want to know what you think.

Skinny Jeans

Hi. Steven here.

So, most of my pants are singing The Fray these days. As a result, I'm out questing for pants today in Capitol Hill. In every store, my size has shrunk. Same numbers, same waist, but very, very tight. What's the deal? Is this a commentary on the de-emphasis of solitude and personal space in our modern day? Has fashion flattened into a mirror of the voyeuristic-internet-social-site movement? Tell us what you think. I am still searching for pants.

In Jubilee news:

-Curtis and I will be finishing up the drum tracks for our new album (!) this week, and we are SO EXCITED about this CD. Already. I have laughed, cried, and even endured a short stint of graham-cracker-addiction as a result of these songs.
-We are in our new rehearsal space (The Carriage House), which rocks and is the result of many hands' hard work. We are so thankful for all the effort that has gone into this room. It is awesome.
-AND arguably most importantly, Curtis and Grace be expecting a baby this week! Harper Sparrow should be here any day now. Join us as we chomp at the bit-of-our-lives in excitement.

Just in case I was misunderstood earlier, it's totally cool if you like skinny jeans. Maybe I'm just not ready for that kind of commitment yet?

Steven's so excited about our new practice space!!!!!!!!

UNBOUND conference coming up!

Hey you! Yeah, you in Seattle! There's this really cool conference coming up we think you should attend.

Unbound 2010 Conference (April 16th-17th) is a pretty cool experience if you want the best possible information regarding human trafficking and its contributing factors. You'll prolly get a better idea of how you want to respond to modern slavery. The cost is $15, or $10 for students, and all proceeds go to the WARN network. To register, and to see a detailed schedule, please visit www.freedominitiative.org. If you are not able to register in advance, you are welcome to register at the door (Cash or Check will be accepted).

See ya there!

---

Harper Sparrow Update: As of 12:11pm on this Monday April 12th, Harper is still kicking around in Mama Romjue's belly. We're already scheming of ways to incorporate her little rattles into the next album! So exciting! The countdown continues...

Steven's new bartering system...

This month is National Poetry Month. In honor of that, our drummer, Steven Wilbur has written several poems to go along with the sentiment of poetry appreciation. The following is one of my (Emily) favorite poems he's written:

3/30

At Gordito’s, you might let your newborn lie down
next to a burrito of comparable size for its first photo,
and they will give you this burrito free of charge.
Here, a burrito the size of your child. Be our guest.

On one hand, you’ve lost,
but in the other hand, you have a free burrito
that takes two hands to eat, and therefore, not enough hands
to hold onto any sadness.

I would like to adopt this for a personal bartering system,
and announce my first purchase,
a small bear.

At the zoo, I will approach the zookeepers,
kneel down fetal-ly next to my new bear,
grant them a photo to commemorate our spacial similarities,
and take the bear home, free of charge.

Once I have obtained the bear,
this bartering system can be more easily enforced.
The bear will follow me everywhere, at all times,
with pause enough to remember each moment,
drying the cement in my requests amidst an unsettled world.
We will walk confidently upon
golden sidewalks built on the pretense of our volumes.

As a result of my ongoing discount,
everything in my house will be as tall,
or at least as awkward, as I, including the house itself.
The bear and I will take turns sunbathing in our one-person pool.
The salt and pepper shakers will have a 32-waist and faithfully
hold the volleyball net when we are not seasoning our nachos
from the closet-sized oven we have hidden from the children.

One day, if I am gifted with a daughter, I’ll take her to the leather-man,
who will craft a bear-saddle just her size, take a picture, and send us away
to parade her around on the back of a full-grown black bear.

I am not building an empire,
but if ever a baby is rewarded for its tenderness,
we should give them a gift they can conquer with,
or at least eat.

Stepping out of the pool

Hey Jubifans! Steven here.

Thanks to you who came out to the High Dive and hung out with us this week! We were filled with glee as we fell from the heights of Wednesday night into the shiny waters of music and friends. Thanks also to both Taryn from Lawn-dree and Bryce from Yuni in Taxco for sharing your drum kits with me! Mine is still mic'd up for recording, so I'm super thankful for your generosity.

Also, everyone at the Moore Theater last night knows the kind of walk down a refurbished memory lane I'm talking about when talking about the Seattle Rock Orchestra playing the songs of David Bowie this week. What a show! Emily did a fantastic job, and was in Bowie-suit with stars painted on her face amidst the bright colors and lightning on the rest of the orchestra. I forgot how much I love some of Bowie's songs.

In recent IJM news, ABC did a short feature on the Cambodian Sex Trade and showed some of IJM's partners' aftercare facilities for rescued victims. It's encouraging to see the lives of children being restored through advocacy and after-care facilities, while at the same time heartbreaking to know that millions of women and children are still trapped in slavery. I strongly encourage you to watch the video. It's just a few minutes long and gives a sober but hopeful look at both the injustice and recovery that is taking place in the world. We can celebrate and be motivated to keep up the work of abolition!

If I were a robot, I would tell you that our practice today was a combination of thousands of sine waves. But I'm not a robot, so I can say today's practice was THE JAM. We're excited for the Jubigrooves comin' your way, and our Jubibaby Harper Sparrow is comin' in April. Hey!

Wha??!?!

Hey guys! Emily here. Wanted to mention our next show real quick.

News Flash: Wednesday we're gonna present to you one or two new songs to be released on our new album late this summer. (EEEeeeeek! We can't wait!) Grace and Curtis will be patiently awaiting the arrival of little Harper Romjue who is still in "the incubator." (We can't wait for that either! or at least not much longer, espcially Grace!) This will probably be their last show as "just a couple" and the band's last show as "just a band." Wait, we've already moved past the "just a band" phase... I guess that means we'll soon be "Jubilee: not just a band but also nonprofit and slightly large quirky family with a child." Anyway...

Yuni in Taxco and Lawndree will play Wednesday night. Personally, I can't wait to hear them, especially Lawndree. Lawndree's bassist, also named Emily, plays with me in the Seattle Rock Orchestra and even played next to me during SRO's performance on-air with Grand Hallway on KEXP earlier this month. (See photos & videos to prove it.) Consider Wednesday night's concert a brief rockin' preview of the David Bowie Tribute Concert by the Seattle Rock Orchestra on Friday at The Moore Theatre! (extra tidbit: I will don a lightining bolt across my face for that show and perhaps Wednesday's show too!)

Come hang out with us Wednesday and enjoy some great music! (See?! or rather, Hear?! www.lawndree.com & www.myspace.com/yuniintaxco)

HIGH DIVE ---WED. 3/24/10 --- 8pm, $6, 21+, yes

Deepest Tree

Poetry by Steven Wilbur
Sound by John Teske

feed the ducks.

"that's how it goes when you're in the zone."

for Abby.

snoqualmie

if I had no bridge.

Columbia river.

are we there yet? (4 hours later)

the beards x 2.

pit stop on the way to Moscow, Idaho.

Moscow, ID - Nuart Theater - 3/5/10

Who || You, Hueco & JUBILEE

What || The final installment of Abolition Week - sponsored by Resonate

When || March 5th, 2010

Where || Moscow, ID - The Nuart Theater

How || $5 and a smile :-)

Get this...!

Early this morning, the IJM Kolkata office and local police conducted simultaneous operations at two brothels, freeing approximately 30 trafficking victims, among them girls as young as 13. The rescued girls and women are now receiving care from IJM social workers. Seven suspected perpetrators have been taken into police custody, and police have locked the brothels to prevent their re-opening. Freedom!!!

Bottled-up Emotion

So it’s been almost two weeks since I drove Jubilee’s treasured Romjues to the airport and saw them off to Australia. I love the reasons behind this trip. I’m excited for their new baby. I’m excited that they get some time away before things get crazy later this year. But I feel so detached! Does two weeks have to feel like two eternities? Curtis and Grace, come back soon! Let’s assemble! Let’s have dinner! Let’s take anti-slavery rock to the Carolinas!