Housefires — history and songs

History and sound

Housefires formed in Atlanta and recorded worship in an atmosphere reminiscent of a house gathering.

The voices of people sitting alongside the musicians often remain present in both the video and the sound. It was in this setting that Pat Barrett and Tony Brown’s “Good Good Father” first rang out, later recorded by Chris Tomlin. “This Love” conveys Housefires’ freer side: the repeated phrases give the musicians and those gathered time to linger on a single thought.

Albums and recordings

The later series “How to Start a Housefire” continues the practice of singing together in a small space. In “We Give You the Highest Praise,” you can clearly hear how the leader’s brief call becomes the response of the entire room. In “I Thank God,” performed by Housefires, that same energy is built on a more dynamic gospel rhythm. These recordings complement “Good Good Father” and show that the group’s intimate setting can sound highly energetic.