xtra! Extra! Something new and interesting has hit the Christian music scene! And that something is Julianna Zobrist. The Nashville-based indie artist released her debut CD “The Tree” January 12.

Taking influences from Plumb and Imogen Heap, Zobrist’s music is heartfelt, heavily produced and makes great use of ear-catching tones and noises. Her songs remind me of a beautiful, elaborate painting. Every time I direct my attention at these songs of art, I notice and appreciate something new.

Zobrist’s sound fits no Christian music mold, and I think that’s wonderful and absolutely necessary for the genre. “The Tree” puts to rest any remaining argument that Christian music is boring and repetitive. Although Zobrist’s musical sound is atypical, her lyrics and Christ-centered message cut to the core of what all believers in Christ profess: Christ and him crucified. Take the title track, “The Tree,” for example. The whole song is full of imagery and poignant reminders of Christ’s sacrifice, containing lyrics such as “Perfect substitution for all I’ve done. Absorbed all my shame and ascended to his throne. In lowly pride and broken boast I live to die for the Man that rose.”

A particularly interesting song is “Love You Still.” Zobrist lyrically interrogates herself and asks if she would still love God if he took away the most important things in her life. Since Zobrist’s pregnancy and recent birth of a son, the second verse of the song has taken on a whole new meaning to her. Verse two speaks of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac. Zobrist gets very emotional at the thought of sacrificing her child. Any loving parent could definitely relate to that scenario. 

Conservative Christian music listeners may typically avoid listening to Zobrist’s music. I caution against that. Her music is interesting, relevant and doesn’t compromise the testimony of Christ. Zobrist’s music could easily compete with the secular music of Katy Perry or Lady Gaga. To me, Lady Gaga’s music is random and irrelevant. However, Zobrist’s music is absolutely pertinent and directs listeners to Christ. If you know someone who likes the music of Lady Gaga (or any pop/dance music) and you want to share Christ with them, point them in the direction of Julianna Zobrist. While you’re at it, point yourself in Zobrist’s direction, too.    

I had the pleasure of meeting Julianna Zobrist at her CD release party in January. She kindly introduced me to her parents and her husband Ben Zobrist. If you’re a baseball fan, you may recognize his name. He played in the 2008 World Series for the Tampa Bay Rays.

Originally from Iowa, Zobrist moved to Nashville to attend Belmont University and major in Commercial Voice. Zobrist calls her music “Christian from pretty much day one.” She used to write poems and people kept asking her why she never turned them into songs.

While her husband Ben travels during baseball season, he speaks and she sings at churches and schools. Julianna says, “People were always asking, ‘Do you have a CD?’” so she made one to hand to people. Ben and Julianna ask churches what they are studying and try to cater to that. “We try to be a confirmation for what people are studying at that time,” she says.

Although being married to a major league baseball player makes living a private life difficult, the Zobrists try to engage her fans and share Christ. “We count it a privilege as an opportunity to love people, to show them that we’re normal and to ultimately share Christ with them.”

To find out more about Julianna and listen to her music, visit her MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/juliannazobrist. You can purchase her CD online at http://cdbaby.com:80/cd/zobrist.