Painted Red
JJ Heller
©2008 JJ Heller ~

I first met singer/songwriter JJ Heller and her husband Dave about two years ago when they performed a chapel service at Remuda Ranch. I was immediately drawn to their unpretentious songwriting and honest lyrical sense. They also generously donated the song “True Things” to the True Campaign, a non-profit I co-founded with the goal of challenging cultural standards of beauty and helping those struggling with disordered eating (you can download it for free here).

In the last two months those opportunities have grown exponentially for this talented couple. After their song “Your Hands” was featured on the “So You Think You Can Dance” television show their music gained national attention and a Top 25 slot on Christian Billboard Charts—something almost unheard of for an independent artist.

What I love about their music, and “Your Hands” specifically, is its purity. In a world of overproduced and indistinguishable songs something with heartfelt lyrics and simple instrumentation stands out in the same way that a commercial on TV without a soundtrack gets your attention. Dave and JJ manage to write music that is clean and clear yet avoids being sentimental. It is mature as well as something my 12 year-old can enjoy. I think that’s because they are writing out of their life experiences as it is, not as they imagine it should be. That makes a tremendous difference. When an artist is able to articulate faith, hope and love in the midst of struggle it carries much more weight than the one attempting to inspire others while avoiding their own pain. Dave and JJ seem to be present in their own lives and it comes across in their music.

Your Hands
I have unanswered prayers
I have trouble I wish wasn’t there
And I have asked a thousand ways
That you would take my pain away
You would take my pain away

Your hands that shaped the world
Are holding me
They hold me still

~Travis (be sure to see below how to download JJ’s Christmas album for free!)

Listen to True Things:

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Visit www.jjheller.com or watch the So You Think You Can Dance segment here.

Watch JJ and Dave perform live on KLOVE:

Get JJ’s Christmas album for free!