WRITING

My current research focus is an exploration of the applicability of postcolonial and decolonial thinking for theological reflection on the interconnectedness of human oppression and ecological devastation in Appalachian region of the united states. I am planning to pursue a dissertation along these lines.

Two papers of mine have been published recently. “The Totus Christus and the Crucified People: Re-Reading Augustine’s Christology from Below With the Salvadoran Jesuits” has appeared in the Journal of Postcolonial Theory and Theology and “Destructive Obedience: U.S. Military Training and Culture as a Parody of Christian Discipleship” was published in the Spring 2011 issue of the The Conrad Grebel Review.

I continue to work with Liturgical Press’ Rock and Theology project, contributing regularly to its blog and participating in discussions about future publishing projects. As part of these discussions, I have written papers, blog posts and assorted notes on punk rock, underground music cultures/communities, ecclesiology, and liberation theology. Members of the project, including myself, are planning to publish a collection of essays—tentatively titled Secular Music and Sacred Theology—with Liturgical Press in 2012.

MUSIC

I recently released a solo acoustic digital EP called No Matter How Deep The Darkness, He Descends Deeper Still which is available as a pay-what-you-want download here.

My solo work continues with several upcoming planned releases:

1) I have begun recording a new M Iafrate & The Priesthood album tentatively called Christian Burial.
2) The long-awaited St Louis Jesuits tribute album, The Lord Hears the Cry of the Poor: Songs of the St Louis Jesuits, is still going to happen. I nearly finished one version of the record and then decided that I hated it and wanted to start over.
3) An album of M Iafrate outtakes and demos tentatively called Idolatry.
4) Leftover songs from the Christian Burial sessions could develop into an EP.
5) I am contributing a cover of Billy Bragg’s “Ontario, Quebec and Me” to a benefit CD for a Morgantown, WV community radio project.

Dave Klug and Dallas Campbell of my former band The Minus Tide are currently remixing that band’s final full length release Anakuklosis. It will likely be re-released in some format.

Dave Klug recently remastered our band COBRA’s full length record Feels Like Freedom and it is available as a pay-what-you-want download here.