HM News Update: Week Ending 5-25
New EP from Family Force 5 on June 3rd
On the brink of a highly anticipated sophomore release, Family Force 5 revs up with brand new material on iTunes, including both a three-song EP Dance or Die available this coming June 3rd, as well as Blingin’ Blogs Volume 1, a collection of 12 audio blogs with over 70 minutes of content available May 27th. The Dance or Die EP will include three new songs available for .99cents each on iTunes. Fans will also be able to pick the packaged album up at tour dates beginning with the Warped Tour this summer. Blingin’ Blogs Vol. 1 will go for $5.99 on iTunes and offers a collection of 12 blogs with over 70 minutes of the world according to Family Force 5. The upcoming sophomore album from Family Force 5 is slated to street Fall 2008, with 10-plus songs. In the meantime, fans can catch a preview of new music and their explosive live show on summer tour dates including Ichthus Festival, Alive Festival, Creation East, Kings Dominion, Rock The Desert, Power Light Festival, Lifelight Festival, and 40 cities nationwide on the Warped Tour running June 21st- August 17th. Since their 2006 debut Business Up Front, Party In The Back, Family Force 5 has racked up over 1,200,000 views of the band’s “Really Real” shows on You Tube, a 200,000 plus person community on their MySpace site, and 10,000,000 online music plays. With over 110,000 copies of their debut album sold, Family Force has been catapulted onto the media scene with a performance on CBS TV’s The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson and a win as Yahoo! Music’s “Who’s Next” contest. They also have two #1 Christian rock radio hits to their credit with “Replace Me” and “Love Addict”. Family Force plays an average of 200 dates a year which has included 2007’s Van’s Warped Tour, their Dance, Rawr, Dance Tour where they played 16 sold-out shows and awed over 16,000 people, and the most recent Skeletour and the Rock-n-Roll Champions of the Universe Tour. Led by front man and guitarist Solomon Olds (aka Soul Glow Activator), Family Force 5 includes Solomon’s two brothers Jacob Olds (aka Crouton) on drums/vocal, and his twin Joshua Olds (aka Fatty) on bass/vocals. The force of five is rounded out by Nathan Currin (aka Nadaddy) on keyboard and Derek Mount (aka Chap Stique) on guitar.
For more information, please visit:
myspace.com/familyforce5
MTV Artist of the week for May 12th: The Myriad
The Myriad released "With Arrows, With Poise" on May 13th and it is now the #12 Top Best Seller (Alternative) and #58 Best Seller (All Formats) On iTunes...and climbing. Learn enough about The Royal Order of The Myriad to pass a history test (no matter how admittedly bogus it might be) and watch exclusive live performances of the band that deservedly took last year's MTV2 Dew Circuit Breakout crown. On MTV.com:
mtv.com/overdrive. The Myriad is currently featured on the front homepage of iMeem.com and their video for "You Waste Time Like A Grandfather Clock" is currently on Purevolume.com
On tour with Eisley:
5/21 Corpus Christi, TX
5/22 Dallas, TX
5/23 San Antonio, TX
For more information:
themyriad.net
myspace.com/themyriad
I Am Terrified signs with Mono Vs. Stereo
The metalcore band I Am Terrified has inked a recording deal with Mono-Vs-Stereo and will unveil their six-song EP digitally early July via iTunes and at live shows. The Birmingham-based quintet includes the three founding members, guitarist Jeremy Folse, vocalist and main songwriter Patrick Schefano, and Joel Bailey on drums, with bassist Dustin Carter and guitarist Brandon Henderson rounding out the mix. No stranger to touring, the band has spent over six years worth of constant gigs and draws upwards of 1,000 fans per show. They’ve shared the stage with the likes of Maylene and the Sons of Disaster, The Showdown, Anberlin, August Burns Red, As I Lay Dying, As Cities Burn, Inhale Exhale, and Mychildren Mybride. All three founding members come from southern Baptist church roots and their music reflects both those traditional ties, as well as the tastes of emo-loving girlfriends. Song titles on the forthcoming EP include the rock-driven “Some Glad Morning,” “Heaven Knocking, Hell Rising,” the classic rock rhythms of “Velvet Thunder,” as well as “Falling on Everlasting,” “To the Service,” and “The Parting.” The band, who performed under the name Fixed Til Tuesday up till a year ago, changed their name to I Am Terrified with the motivation Folse explains as, “the desire to give God straight-up worship, and to show the love of Christ to every kid we can possibly reach.” Thus the new name was pulled direct from the Bible scripture Job 23:14-15: “He carries out his decree against me, and many such plans he still has in store. That is why I am terrified before him; when I think of all this, I fear him.” I Am Terrified is already seeing great response with their video for “Heaven Knocking” cracking the Top 10 video play list on TVU, alongside of videos by Demon Hunter, Hawk Nelson, and Leeland. Fans can anticipate I Am Terrified out on tour this summer with Blessed Is He, performances at the Ichthus and Cornerstone Festivals, as well as additional touring plans in works for 2008. For More Information, visit:
myspace.com/iamterrified
Seabird's debut album releases June 24th
Cincinnati-based piano-rock outfit Seabird will release its Credential Recordings debut, Til We See the Shore, on June 24. Already generating an early buzz among critics, the project contains songs of real life struggles, relationships, losses, bittersweet goodbyes and the courage to share love. “We want to invite the listener to share the emotions, victories and defeats we all experience as normal, everyday people,” says frontman Aaron Morgan. “There is a redemptive quality present in this record, even in the darker moments. We hope it will be an oasis for those who were left thirsty by years of heartache.” Seabird’s primary aim is to connect with its audience, “to be approachable and to write songs that people can rely on,” says frontman Morgan. “We want the listener to remember that there is always something worth fighting for and someone around to help keep our heads above water.”
Comprising Aaron Morgan (vocals/keys), Chris Kubik (bass), Aaron Hunt (drums) and Ryan Morgan (guitar), Seabird and Til We See the Shore is already connecting with listeners. The band’s hometown CityBeat writes, “Strewn with British influences, Seabird’s music holds the echoes of Coldplay and Radiohead, but there’s an American structural dynamic that runs throughout it as well. And Seabird’s sounds do call out for attention.” Similarly, Chattanooga’s The Pulse comments “Their melodies have a solid background in Britpop, and sound a bit like a mixture of Travis and the Doves, with vocals reminiscent of the Weakerthans. The piano acts as a strong base for several of their songs and gives the lyrics an opportunity to resonate with the listener.” Seabird also recently signed an exclusive booking agreement with APA Talent Agency. With major offices in Beverly Hills, New York, and Nashville, APA is one of the largest full service talent/literary agencies in the U.S., representing top artists in all genres of music, as well as theater, movie, and literary clients. JR Montes, the band’s APA agent, comments, “APA is proud to represent Seabird. The band’s solid work ethic, soulful lyrics and dynamic live show make them a perfect fit for our roster. We look forward to long, rewarding relationship with the band.” The album’s first single “Rescue” is currently available digitally through iTunes and all other digital music outlets. A music video for the song will be serviced to all major video outlets in June.
For more information on the band, visit:
seabirdmusic.com
myspace.com/seabird.com
Inhale Exhale recording a new video
Solid State Records metal/rock outfit Inhale/Exhale will be recording a new video on May 17th for the song It’s Myself Vs. Being A Man. The video for the song which appears on the band’s upcoming album I Swear… is being directed by Endeavor Media who have filmed videos for The Devil Wears Prada and August Burns Red. Guitarist John La Russa commented “Endeavor is going to do some cool stuff with the film, and they are going to do some different stuff with lighting. I think all of us might do a little bit of acting in it but there's going to be a lot of casting for the video.” The whole theme is about betrayal and broken promises, same as the album. Artistically, it will be grainy and will contain a lot of angular shots. The video will be dark, but beautifully dark.” The song It’s Myself vs. Being a Man is now available for download exclusively through iTunes. The band has also posted the song I Needed a Spaceship (Instead I Got Problems) on their myspace page, which is the first track from the new album. The band have just finished the Purevolume.com “Night Of the Living Tour” and will be embarking on a new tour shortly.
For more information:
myspace.com/inhaleexhale
New EP from My Son My Executioner "burns" up on 5/20
It's been a while since MY SON MY EXECUTIONER released their consistent and confident debut In Between Heaven and Hell, over three years to be exact. Now, after several tours and two almost complete line-up changes, the group has returned to unleash The Burning, a five-track reclamation of their power, talent and diehard approach to all that is metal. he Burning is fueled by the frustration of almost consistent bad luck, canceled tours and routinely exiting players. Despite the band's near crumbling, bassist Tyler Berry kept it in action, taking on vocal duties and commanding a larger presence to accomplish this follow-up. Due to his dedication, MY SON MY EXECUTIONER is now stronger then ever and The Burning proves it. Bred of a colossal-almost-experimental process of songwriting (which includes now-absent band members), this EP plays with a furious consistency and shows the group triumphant in their pursuit of true metal. Captured flawlessly in the studio by Jeremiah Scott (The Showdown, Twelve Gauge Valentine) and mastered by Alan Douches (Converge, Mastodon), this EP will please fans of the past eras of MY SON as well as cement the beginnings of their legacy in the halls of modern metal.
You can stream the full EP on the band's MySpace:
myspace.com/mysonmyexecutioner
Code of Ethics to play after 7 year absence
Christian Rock Band - Code Of Ethics makes their return to ICHTHUS Festival June 11-14 2008 in Wilmore KY. The new passion of Code of Ethics founder and front man Barry Blaze will be heard on the EDGE STAGE Saturday June 14 at 6:00PM through the new music of CODE OF ETHICS. The new Cd is scheduled to be release in the summer of 2008. This will be the first release for C.O.E. since their Dove award nominated Cd "BLAZE" in 2000. It was soon after that tour in 2001 that Barry Blaze and his wife left for Jacksonville, Florida where he has been leading worship for the past 7 years. But it was after a near-fatal motorcycle accident in 2004 and multiple surgeries that left him with only partial hearing and vision that he was inspired to record again. First, with the Independent release of the Barry Blaze worship album titled "PATIENTLY WAITING" and now with a new Code Of Ethics Cd. According to Blaze "this will be the true Code of Ethics electronic / pop sound that COE was known for". But it is not the spotlight Blaze is looking for, but an avenue to share what he calls the "God Story" he has learned these past few years. "Even with a 7 year absence Barry seems to have not lost any of his ability to write and record, & we are very excited to have CODE OF ETHICS back at ICHTHUS" said the Edge Stage manager for Ichthus after watching a recent performance by Code Of Ethics as part of GMA week in Nashville TN.
Skillet sells out 60% of Comatose Tour
Skillet completed their “COMATOSE” headline tour with Thousand Foot Krutch and Decyfer Down this past weekend to a SOLD OUT crowd in Lancaster, PA., something they got used to during the 2.5 month tour with 60 % of the shows selling out, turning away hundreds, while packing out houses in Birmingham, AL (2482/The Basement), Kansas City, MO (1870/First Baptist Raytown), Des Moines (1656/Val Air Ballroom), Chicago (1142/House of Blues), Springfield, MO (1817/Remington’s), Anderson, IN (1383/Reardon Auditorium) and South Bend, IN (Elco Theater/1665). Skillet’s explosive 2006 Lava/Atlantic/Ardent/INO Records GRAMMY-nominated release, Comatose follows 2004’s Collide, which launched the group into the public eye and garnered the band their first prestigious Grammy nomination. A critical fave, Comatose has become their best-selling project to date, doubling the sales of Collide in half the time. In follow up to packed out headline club shows, a tour with Flyleaf, and summer festivals Skillet spent last fall opening for mainstream rockers Breaking Benjamin and Three Days Grace. In the process of becoming one of the hardest working, most rocking, and broadly appealing acts of its generation, radio welcomed Comatose with open arms, as the first single, “Rebirthing” spent seven-weeks at No.1 on Christian Rock. Their second single, “The Last Night,” also took the top spot, this time at both Rock and CHR (CRW/R&R), while their latest singles, “The Older I Get” (CHR/Rock) and “Comatose,” which received a 2008 GMA Dove Award for “Rock Song of the Year,” have become their third and fourth consecutive No. 1 singles. At the end of 2007 the band was lauded with R&R’s No. 1 Christian CHR Song of the Year for “The Last Night”, which was also R&R’s No. 2 Christian Rock song of the year. In addition, Skillet was named 2007s No. 2 top artist on both the CHR and ROCK year end lists.
More information about Skillet and its touring, visit:
skillet.com
myspace.com/skilletmusic
Seventh Day Slumber releases Spanish Collection
After six top ten R&R Christian Rock singles, four No. 1 Rock hits, three R&R Christian CHR top five hits, a BMI Award and Dove nominations, Seventh Day Slumber has recorded Spanish versions of their hits from their past three BEC Recordings' albums in one special release entitled "Rescatame." This album will bring Seventh Day Slumber's music and message to the Hispanic community in which lead singer, Joseph Rojas, was born. Seventh Day Slumber was deeply honored when Latin Grammy-award winning writer and producer, Soraya, contributed her translation and production talents to this album. Soraya had been moved by the lyrical content of Seventh Day Slumber's No. 1 hit "Caroline" ("Carolina" in Spanish). Her work on that song was completed just prior to her untimely death from breast cancer. "Carolina," which speaks of how beautiful each of us is in God's eyes, is dedicated to her memory. In addition to Soraya, Argentina singer Pablo Oliveras makes a guest appearance on "On My Way Home." Pablo is known as the most popular Christian Rock artist in Latin American with several No. 1 hits and multiple Latin Grammy and Dove Award nominations. "Rescatamé" means "Rescue Me," a sentiment that captures the lyrical content of SDS' songs, which talk about the healing power of Christ who delivered lead singer/writer, Joseph Rojas, from a life on the street stealing, dealing, and doing drugs. This is a part of the inspiring testimony that SDS is known for and that fans have come to be encouraged. The combination of lyrical vulnerability from Rojas' past plus a bone crunching rock sound to reach a hurting audience has translated into an incredible connection with listeners and led to the commercially successful US efforts "Picking Up the Pieces", "Once Upon A Shattered Life", and "Finally Awake." In terms of both lifting up the Lord and reaching out to others, "Rescatame" is stocked solid with ten gripping tracks. Issues relating to Rojas' recovery are plentiful, as are references to being born again (brought first hand by Fryoux) a look at divorce and rebellion (contributed by Holderfield) and a commitment to sexual purity (conveyed by Schwartz). Such scenarios are steeped in reality, but also intertwined with a tangible hopefulness that promises peace when truly surrendering over a life of sin. "The fact of the matter is there are kids we talk to every day that want to end their lives, just like I did at one point, because their struggle is so great," Rojas relays. "We're trying to point them toward the truth and we're not afraid to lay ourselves on the line in these songs in order to do that." The spirit of "Rescatame" is also at work in Joseph Rojas' ministry to those struggling with personal crisis through his helpline, Teenhopeline. An ordained minister, SDS lead singer Joseph Rojas is also the head of Teenhopeline. Teenhopeline Inc. strives to impact young people through relevant music, powerful testimonies and personal interaction. It operates a 24/7 cyber radio station broadcasting from hopeinanguish.com , and also a three hour syndicated broadcast show that airs on FM stations across North America. Teenhopeline.com also operates a one-on-one chat helpline, which has reached out to hundreds of thousands of students, giving young people counsel, preventing suicides. In 2007 alone, the helpline brought 7,000 students to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
For more information on Seventh Day Slumber, their upcoming Spanish project and touring, visit:
myspace.com/7thdayslumber
myspace.com/seventhdayslumberrescatame
Page France to appear on Weeds Season 3 Soundtrack
The time for Soccer Mom’s gone Drug Dealer’s has returned to TV! With season 4 of Weeds gearing to premiere in a few weeks, the kind folks at Showtime & Lionsgate Records have decided include the Page France track, Chariot on the soundtrack for Season 3, which comes out on June 3 via Lionsgate Records.
For more information, visit:
myspace.com/pagefrance
Third Day releases Revelation on July 29th
Revelation, multi-million selling rock band Third Day’s first studio album in three years, will be released on July 29th by Essential Records, a division of SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT. Recorded with producer Howard Benson (Daughtry, All American Rejects, P.O.D., Flyleaf, Hoobastank) in Los Angeles, Revelation is the follow-up to Third Day’s Wherever You Are, which debuted at No. 8 on The Billboard 200 chart in 2005 and went on to become the band’s third consecutive studio album to win a GRAMMY award. “Call My Name,” the achingly beautiful lead single from Revelation, released to radio on April 4th with an impressive 69 adds out of the box. The album reflects Third Day’s Southern-rock influences, but also exudes a palpable vulnerability in both song matter and performance as the Atlanta-based band explores mankind’s never-ending search for identity. Guest artists include Chris Daughtry (on “Slow Down”) Flyleaf’s Lacey Mosley (on “Born Again” and “Run To You”) and pedal steel guitar wizard Robert Randolph (on “Otherside”). Billboard has called Third Day “one of the best rock bands, period” and, over the past decade, the group has racked up 24 No. 1 radio singles, sold more than six million albums and garnered three GRAMMY awards (with eight nominations), 23 Dove Awards, two consecutive American Music Award nods and multiple ASCAP honors. They’ve been covered by CBS’ “60 Minutes,” ABC’s “Nightline,” NBC’s “Today” show and USA Today, performed on NBC’s “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and forged a historic partnership with Chevrolet. Comprised of lead vocalist Mac Powell, guitarist Mark Lee, bassist Tai Anderson and drummer David Carr, Third Day’s humanitarian efforts include raising nearly $300,000 for the victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita and charities such as the Blood: Water Mission, and encouraging more than 15,000 fans to sponsor children across the globe through the work of World Vision. One of the top-ranked touring bands according to Pollstar, Third Day will embark on the “Music Builds” tour, its most ambitious outing to date, which will take the group to more than 100 markets later this year. Also on the bill are Switchfoot, Robert Randolph & the Family Band and Jars of Clay.
The track listing* for Revelation is as follows:
1. This is Who I Am
2. Slow Down
3. Call My Name
4. Run to You
5. Revelation
6. Otherside
7. Let Me Love You
8. I Will Always be True
9. Born Again
10. Give Love
11. Caught Up in Yourself
12. Ready
13. Take it All
*Track listing subject to change
For more information, visit:
thirdday.com
Blastbeat's Battle of the Bands at Emo's in Austin
Blastbeat, an international award-winning music business and social entrepreneur program and competition for High School students, will be hosting the southern region of the USA Finals of the Blastbeat battle of the bands for Austin schools on Saturday, May 31 from 2:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Emo’s located at 603 Red River in Austin. The event is open to the public and is all ages. Tickets are only 5.00 USD in advance and are currently available for online purchase at Emo’s (www.emosaustin.com) and at Waterloo Records. Tickets will also be sold at the door for 7.00 USD. The winning band from the May 31 competition will receive a recording session by the Austin School of Music’s award-winning studio, a music video shot and filmed at Austin’s ME Television studios, and an all expense paid trip to the Blastbeat World Finals in Dublin, Ireland. There, the winning bands from four continents will compete for a recording contract with Blastspace Records and a world tour.
For more information on the organization, please see:
blastbeat.org
Vans Warped Tour 2008 Schedule
The 46-date VANS WARPED TOUR® 2008 Presented By AT&T kicks off June 20 in Pomona, CA and wraps August 17 in Los Angeles, CA. The traveling punk rock summer camp features a diverse array of artists as well as a variety of lifestyle attractions at a traditionally low-ticket price. Check out bands like Anberlin, As I Lay Dying, Norma Jean, Paramore, Relient K, among others.
Following is the complete list of dates for the VANS WARPED TOUR 2008:
Fri 6/20 Pomona,CA Pomona Fairgrounds
Sat 6/21 San Francisco,CA Pier 30/32
Sun 6/22 Ventura,CA Seaside Park
Wed 6/25 Phoenix,AZ Cricket Pavilion
Thu 6/26 Las Cruces,NM N.M.S.U. Practice Field
Sat 6/28 Salt Lake City,UT Utah State Fairgrounds
Sun 6/29 Denver,CO Invesco Field
Tue 7/1 St. Louis, MO Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
Wed 7/2 Kansas City,KS Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
Thu 7/3 Dallas, TX Superpages.com Center
Sat 7/5 San Antonio,TX Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
Sun 7/6 Houston,TX Sam Houston Race Park
Wed 7/9 Atlanta,GA Lakewood Amphitheater
Thu 7/10 Orlando,FL Central Florida Fairgrounds
Fri 7/11 Tampa,FL Vinoy Park
Sat 7/12 Miami,FL Bicentennial Park
Sun 7/13 Jacksonville,FL St. Johns County Fairgrounds
Mon 7/14 Charlotte,NC Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
Tue 7/15 Virginia Beach,VA Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
Wed 7/16 Washington,DC Merriweather Post Pavilion
Thu 7/17 Cleveland,OH Time Warner Cable Amphitheater
Fri 7/18 Detroit,MI Comerica Park
Sat 7/19 Toronto,ON Downsview Park Allen Road
Sun 7/20 Montreal,QC Parc Jean Drapeau
Wed 7/23 Boston,MA Tweeter Center
Thu 7/24 Buffalo,NY Darien Lake Performing Arts Center
Fri 7/25 Camden,NJ Susquehanna Bank Center
Sat 7/26 Uniondale,NY Nassau Coliseum
Sun 7/27 Scranton,PA Toyota Pavilion
Mon 7/28 Englishtown,NJ Raceway Park
Tue 7/29 Pittsburgh,PA Post Gazette Pavilion
Wed 7/30 Cincinnati,OH Riverbend Music Center
Thu 7/31 Indianapolis,IN Verizon Wireless Music Center
Fri 8/1 Milwaukee,WI Marcus Amphitheatre
Sat 8/2 Chicago,IL First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
Sun 8/3 Minneapolis,MN Canterbury Park
Tue 8/5 Saskatoon,SK Credit Union Centre
Wed 8/6 Calgary,AB Race City Speedway
Fri 8/8 Boise,ID Idaho Center Amphitheatre
Sat 8/9 Seattle,WA George Amphitheatre
Sun 8/10 Portland,OR Columbia Meadows
Wed 8/13 Fresno,CA Save Mart Center
Thu 8/14 San Diego,CA Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre
Fri 8/15 San Francisco,CA Shoreline Amphitheatre
Sat 8/16 Sacramento,CA Sleep Train Amphitheatre Lot
Sun 8/17 Los Angeles,CA Home Depot Center
For more info:
warpedtour.com
Zao playing with Demon Hunter in July
July, 3 2008 at Mr Small’s Theater with Demon Hunter, Oh, Sleeper, Advent
400 Lincoln Ave, Millvale, Pennsylvania 15209
Cost : $18
Facedown releases track listing for Take It Back!
Take It Back!'s "Can't Fight Robots" comes on June 24th and you can check in with the Take It Back! myspace for a new song from "Can't Fight Robots" as well as tour dates and up to date information.
Track Listing for Can't Fight Robots:
1) Standing On the Edge of Hope
2) Times Have Changed
3) Together, Burning Bright!
4) These Days
5) Lights In This Town
6) A New Day
7) The Truth
8) Knees to the Earth
9) Time Waits For No Man
10) A Struggle to Stay Standing
11) Act Your Age, Not Your Shoe Size
12) All That Keeps Us Strong
Remembrance breaks up, closeout on CDs
Remembrance was the very first metalcore band under the imprint "Sancrosanct Records". After an amazing year of coast to coast touring, playing the main stage at Cornerstone California, and being featured three times in HM, the band has unfortunately broken up. One of the band members is staying on board to help take the Sancrosanct imprint in bold new directions in metal, while the other band members are pursuing other projects. They have about 200 copies of last year's album "Beyond the Scope of Reason" that will be selling for only $6.
For more information:
myspace.com/remembrancemetal
Petra's lead singer releases solo album
Legendary recording artist John Schlitt--solo artist, lead singer for the GRAMMY Award-winning Christian band Petra and former lead singer for the mainstream rock band Head East--is gearing up for the release of his third solo album, The Grafting, releasing June 24, 2008, on 4K Records. With more than three decades worth of water under the musical bridge, Schlitt has earned multiple Gold Records, GRAMMYs and Dove Awards. He's toured all over the world and has been inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. After 20 years fronting Petra, the most successful rock band in Christian music history, Schlitt is still passionate about the message of the Gospel and is compelled to deliver it in his own inimitable fashion, so he called on the multiple talents of rising star producer/songwriter Dan Needham (Amy Grant, Petra, Michael McDonald) to help craft his vision. The result, a stunning collection of nine new songs and one old favorite, is a multi-layered look into the very nature of love and life, lost and found in Christ. While the moods may be many, at their core, they are all pure Schlitt. "Dan is my son-in-law, and I had him produce it for me because I knew the sound he would bring would be exactly what the album should sound like," Schlitt says. "It was amazing! He is a natural. There were some other writers that contributed to the songs, including Mark Heimermann, Scott Faircloff, Mark Martel, Kevan Cyka and Steve Merkel, but Dan was the main writer." That close bond between father-in-law and son-in-law allowed for the creation of a uniquely new style for Schlitt--one that appeals not only to the Boomer Generation that grew up on his music, but is also relevant to younger generations. "I wanted it to be an album that would appeal to folks who grew up on Christian rock 'n' roll, an album for folks who want some tension in their music, but not too much," Schlitt explains. "We took our time with it and came up with a sound that is very fresh, very current, yet still very familiar." To a large degree, The Grafting focuses on the light that love brings. Nowhere is that theme more boldly proclaimed that in the project's first two cuts, "Stand" and "Keep Your Light On." While Schlitt is known for his remarkable rock 'n' roll voice, "Only Men" proves he is equally adept at delivering a poignant, emotion-laden ballad. Schlitt encourages believers to imitate the compassionate nature of God in the gently driving rocker, "Face of God," a song that was written specifically due to his involvement with such benevolent organizations as Food for the Hungry. He employs his amazing vocal range to great effect on such power ballads as "First Song" and "Carry On," tunes that are both encouraging and triumphant. The gorgeous title cut is apt to draw tears from even the hardest of hearts. A celebration of the bravery of those women with the courage to choose life rather than death for their unborn children, "The Grafting" might be the most personal song on this album, as it is about Schlitt's adopted grandsons. The Grafting finds Schlitt exploring uncharted musical territory, while remaining anchored by his unmistakable voice. It is a combination that is sure to please his legion of fans and attract a new generation of adherents. At once intimate and accessible, The Grafting is without a doubt Schlitt's most potent album to date. The Grafting will be available on 4K Records and will be distributed by TAG Artist Group.
For more information on John Schlitt and his new album, The Grafting, visit:
johnwschlitt.com
Tenth Avenue North featured in Billboard Magazine
Reunion recording artist Tenth Avenue North was featured in the May 10 edition of Billboard Magazine. The piece highlighted the band’s momentum at radio and consistent success on the road. Deborah Evans Price, Billboard’s Christian/gospel music correspondent, also underscores the band’s unique lyrical depth as a distinguishing feature; a consistent opinion among listeners. “Love Is Here,” the band’s debut single, is currently in the Top 10 on R&R’s AC and CHR charts, with five more stations being added in markets including: Green Bay, Wis.; Louisville, Ky.; Albuquerque, N.M.; Erie, Pa. and South Bend, Ind. At present, the band is seeing more than 10 million weekly impressions at radio. Tenth Avenue North continues to tour in support of Over and Underneath, which drops today. Tenth Avenue North, Mike Donehey (lead vocalist/acoustic guitar), Jason Jamison (drummer), Jeff Owen (electric guitar/background vocals) and Scott Sanders (bass guitar), have been featuring its brand of intellectual melodic pop-rock on its 21-city promotional tour in support of “Love Is Here,” as well as its upcoming album project, Over and Underneath. “Simply, our mission as a band is to know Christ and to make him known,” says Donehey. “It’s a grand adventure.” With one listen to the music of Tenth Avenue North, it becomes obvious that songwriter Mike Donehey and his bandmates have a gift for expressing truth in a way that simultaneously educates, enlightens and entertains. They are as much teachers, as artists, demonstrating this through their intellectual, yet vulnerably accessible songs that echo the heart of the human condition and the hope of the risen Savior.
For more information on Tenth Avenue North:
tenthavenuenorth.com
myspace.com/tenthavenuenorth.com
reunionrecords.com
Switchfoot songs all over network TV
The multi-Platinum selling rock band Switchfoot was not only featured performing its new song, “This Is Home,” on NBC’s The Tonight Show with Jay Leno last week, but the band’s song, “Dare You To Move,” was sung Tuesday by American Idol® finalist David Cook on the highly rated FOX program. “This Is Home” was written and recorded by Switchfoot for the Walt Disney Studios and Walden Media theatrical release, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, which released Friday and became the No. 1 movie at the box office over the weekend. The song is heard over the end title credits of the film, and appears on the Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack CD, the current No. 1-selling soundtrack at iTunes. “Dare You To Move” is from Switchfoot’s RIAA certified double-Platinum recording, The Beautiful Letdown, and was a top-five single at both pop and alternative radio, as well as was named one of the Top 50 Most Performed Songs of 2005 by ASCAP. “This Is Home” is also gaining momentum at radio, with numerous stations adding the song last week to rotation in cities like Detroit, Tulsa, Knoxville, San Luis Obispo and many others coast-to-coast. The song is already in rotation in cities like Chicago, Nashville, New Orleans, Jacksonville and Toledo, and is being played on Radio Disney, Air 1 Radio Network and more. With over 5 million records sold, three albums in the Billboard Top 20, two top-five singles at both pop and alternative radio, performances on all the major late night talk shows, and a Les Paul Horizon Award, Switchfoot is recognized as one of the hardest touring bands in rock. The San Diego-based band has sold well over three million concert tickets worldwide since the 2003 release of its double-Platinum breakthrough album The Beautiful Letdown. This summer Switchfoot will be performing at festivals nationwide followed by the “Music Builds” tour that hits major markets across the country beginning Aug. 21 in Detroit, MI. The “Music Builds” tour benefits Habitat for Humanity and also features Third Day, Robert Randolph & the Family Band and Jars of Clay. Oh! Gravity., Switchfoot’s newest studio album, debuted at No. 1 on the iTunes Top Albums chart and has received stellar reviews, with Billboard magazine calling it “the best of the San Diego group’s nearly 10-year recording career.” Spin exclaims this album is “their liveliest record, full of dive-bombing guitar fuzz, juicy arena-alt choruses.” “This is an outstanding record in every sense,” raved Associated Press. MTV’s “Life of Ryan” tapped the album’s title track for its theme song as the album showcases a harder rock direction for Switchfoot. With an ever-growing fan base, Switchfoot has also been actively involved in a number of humanitarian causes since its inception, including DATA, Bono’s THE ONE Campaign, Invisible Children and Habitat for Humanity. The band further founded the Switchfoot Bro-Am, a surfing and music benefit-event, and the online magazine, lowercase people, a daring new endeavor to revolutionize the way beauty, truth and humanity is viewed.
More information about Switchfoot and its touring can be found at:
switchfoot.com
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