My name is Joel Bidderman, and Memory Residue is my little creative space on the web. Here you can read some of my thoughts, on God, culture, and the arts, as well as listen to my original music. I live in the Twin Cities area (MN) with my wife and daughter, and am a worship leader on staff with North Heights Lutheran Church (Fellowship Hall), in Roseville. Central to my life is my relationship with Jesus, and I believe that when He calls us, He invites us to follow Him. I guess that's really what anything that I write (music or blog/essay) is about. My life has been changed by Jesus Christ, and while I fall short in loving others (often), my life is about learning how to love (both God and others).
I've been writing, performing and recording music for a little over 15 years now. I perform original music for youth groups, colleges, art & music festivals, random gatherings, coffee houses, as well as lead worship in churches and at conferences. I prefer intimate settings where I can share the stories behind the songs, and the journey that led me to write them. My progressive folk style is influenced by a blues, jazz and gospel music upbringing, and my production is characterized earthy acoustic instruments. I also have a vocational degree in sound engineering, and enjoy engineering and producing creative projects for myself and others.
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"Joel is one of those special people who is able to be many things well. He is a passionate and thoughtful songwriter whose music's story finds a way of telling your story. He is an energetic and connected performer, able to hold the attention of the most diverse of crowds on any given night. He is a poet, reader, thinker, and learner, and strives to grow in his abilities in each while encouraging you to do the same. He is a compassionate servant of Christ, and seeker of truth in all aspects of life, art, and culture." - Chad Cronin, Youth Minister