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JFH Indie Review

JFH Indie Music Spotlight Review

Lee Marie
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Lee Marie
All About Jesus - Single

Artist Info: Discography
Street Date: October 1, 2021
Style: Electro-Pop, Electronic Gospel
Official Site: LeeMarieBand.com
Buy It: Apple Music



Lee Marie is the name for husband/wife duo Dustin and Kaylee Griffith, who lead worship with a pop-heavy bent. As they prep for their debut EP to release next year, they're dropping singles to help hook listeners. "All About Jesus" is among that number. This nearly 5-minute track contrasts how empty our lives are when we're in control, and tries to refocus Kingship on Jesus alone. The message is simple, conveyed by a laid-back pop soundtrack, and even features a rap bridge sung by Jordan Bernard. That bridge is probably the weakest part of the track, not really adding anything to the song message-wise. Still, lovers of worshipful pop will find it worth their while to give Lee Marie's new single a listen to see if they want to look for the EP, Crowns, when it drops next year.

- Review date: 10/21/21, written by John Underdown of Jesusfreakhideout.com



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JFH Staff's Second Opinion

    "All About Jesus" may be the debut single for husband/wife duo Lee Marie, but it's also the work of a couple of longtime musicians who clearly know how to write a song. Pop and R&B is the name of the game, and with thick, slow beats, a healthy dose of synth, and smooth, layered vocals that bring together the best of acts like Boyz II Men and the Backstreet Boys. The lyrics are rather simple, but they're strikingly effective, as I find myself relating to them - especially the parts I wish I didn't relate to, as vocalist Dustin Griffith confronts himself as he attempts to find comfort and solace in his own glory instead of the true glorious King of Kings. But the chorus reminds us of what life is really all about: "It's all about Jesus, the King of Kings / it's all about knowing, He has a plan for me / so I will lay down My crowns at His feet / it's all about Jesus, it's all about Jesus." If I'm being honest, I think the song would be stronger without the rap section. It fits from a stylistic perspective, but the rhyme scheme and flow aren't as strong as the melodies and vocals in the rest of the song, so it stands out as a weaker moment. But all things considered, "All About Jesus" is a strong debut single from an act that I'll be keeping my eye on! - Review date: 10/10/21, written by Scott Fryberger of Jesusfreakhideout.com

 

 

. Record Label: None
. Album length: 1 track: 4 minutes, 44 seconds
. Street Date: October 1, 2021
. Buy It: Apple Music

  1. All About Jesus (4:44)
spacer     Click For Song Lyrics

 

 


 



  • Jesus Freak Hideout (John Underdown): What's a quick musical background for Lee Marie? How did you meet and start making music together?

    Dustin Griffith: Kaylee (my now wife) and I met when she showed up at my home church, during our Wed night youth service. I was leading worship that night and remember making sure to hit every note just right. :) Later that night, she grabbed an acoustic guitar, and I knew I wanted to make music with her the rest of my life. 11 years later we are still making music together and leading people the best we can to the Gospel.

  • JFH (John Underdown): Where did the name "Lee Marie" come from and why did you decide to use that as a stage name?

    Dustin: "Lee" Is my middle name and "Marie" is Kaylee's. As far back as our return home from our honeymoon (2014), we have gone back and forth on names. We really didn't want some random band name that we needed to find a cheesy meaning for, but our full names weren't cutting it either. After talking about it with a cousin of mine, I mentioned the name "Lee & Marie. She quickly, without even acknowledging my idea, said It should be Lee Marie !!! I liked it because it is our name and so no one can take that away. I also felt it kind of personified the internal me of whom I wrote "All About Jesus" about.

  • JFH (John Underdown): What's the story behind your single, "All About Jesus"? Is there a particular verse it's based on?

    Dustin: "All About Jesus" is my story. I have been blessed to have so many opportunities to use my musical gift on all kinds of stages, especially at a young age. But there was a point (I call it my Abraham/Issac moment) where God very clearly asked me to lay my plans down for His. After years of doing what God had asked of me but watching other friends of mine "make it" in the music industry, I decided it was time to "get mine too''. I spent 5 hours one day trying to write and got nowhere. At that moment I got pretty heated with God and sincerely asked him WHY WON'T YOU GIVE ME WHAT I WANT!!! He let me finish my tirade and loud and clear spoke to my spirit and said: "BECAUSE IT'S ABOUT YOU AND NOT ME." I immediately started envisioning myself as a king on a throne, yet my kingdom was barren, dead, and worthless. I realized right then, life is better when I lay down my wants and desires for His, EVERYTIME!!! Ten minutes later, "All about Jesus" was written.

  • JFH (John Underdown): When you are trying to be king of your own life, how do you turn it around and surrender to Jesus?

    Dustin: Good question, I don't think I've "arrived" yet. Paul said in Gal. 5:24 "Those who belong to Christ Jesus HAVE crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." That's not a suggestion, It's a requirement if we want to be a part of his kingdom. But what's great about God ,like Joseph in scripture, when you are in his will you seem to always look back and see what God has actually done and you wouldn't want it any other way. During quarantine God confirmed this for me teaching a class in the same room God asked me to lay everything down. 7 out 7 young people got the message and one of them said to me "Your message was more impactful than anything you could do on a stage of 20,000" ... Full Circle!!!

  • JFH (John Underdown): I'm always curious when a band/artist who doesn't rap invites someone on who does. Who writes the rap section? What led to that decision?

    Dustin: Hey who says I can't rap? haha No I honestly can't and I definitely can't write rap lyrics!!! Jordan Bernard Is one of my first youth kids who has just become an amazingly gifted artist. So we knew for sure we had to get him on something plus im terrible at writing bridges so it was a perfect fit. He KILLED IT!!!

  • JFH (John Underdown): All this is prelude to your debut EP Crowns, when will that release and what can listeners expect from a larger setlist of your songs?

    Dustin: Yes, We are releasing 4 singles over the next few months and then the full EP will drop 02/18/22. Were looking at about 7-8 tracks (still deciding :) ) all of which seemed to follow the central theme of it being "All about Jesus" ... Funny how that happens. Were super pumped for everyone to hear it!!!!

  • JFH (John Underdown): Finally, a silly question: would you rather be a king and queen in Narnia or go on an adventure with some hobbits?

    Dustin: So literally everyone on this [site] may never turn on another song we sing because of this answer but I have never read/watched Chronicles of Narnia (Insert groan here). But I am short and have been called Frodo by many of my friends. I have, however, seen Lord of the Rings, so I'll gladly take a trip to the Shire!!!

     

     

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