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Decyfer Down Announces Addition of New Lead Singer
INO/Columbia Records’ rockers Decyfer Down have recently announced the addition of a new lead singer, TJ Harris. Formerly with the band Fighting Instinct, Harris has joined the band effective immediately. “TJ brings a unique vocal edge to the band with his dynamic style, and is an exciting and engaging live performer,” remarks drummer Josh Oliver. “Combined with his heart for ministry, Decyfer Down is looking forward to starting this new chapter in the band’s career.“ TJ has been filling in at recent shows for Caleb Oliver, and will now be a permanent fixture on stage with fellow members Josh Oliver (Drums), Brandon Mills (Guitar) and Chris Clontz (bass). Addressing the changes,“Caleb (former lead singer) is dealing with some personal things,” continued Oliver. “We had hoped they could be dealt with in the context of the band, but it has become apparent that he needs to step away to find resolve. He is my brother, I love him, and we as a band support him and still consider him a brother as well. Moving forward with Decyfer Down, we are excited to have TJ as our new lead singer – the shows we’ve done together have been great.” “At first, I filled in with Decyfer Down for a couple of shows,” recalls Harris. “It felt great on stage, and hanging out with the guys before and after felt good as well. We had toured together a few times before, but now I was really able to sit down and hear their testimonies and see where their hearts are. I'm really excited about this new chapter that God has opened in my life. It's a great opportunity as a writer and a performer. I'm glad to be a part of the Decyfer Down family." Decyfer Down’s new Digital EP released on Sept. 30th, and their new single, “Crash,” recently peaked at No. 1 on Christian Rock radio. The digital EP is a preview of four-selected tracks from their upcoming sophomore record, aptly titled CRASH, due April 2009.
For more info on Decyfer Down:
decyferdown.com




The Almost's New EP Set To Release November 25th
On November 25th, Tooth & Nail Records will release No Gift To Bring, an EP from The Almost. The five-song collection, which will be available in stores and online, is an eclectic one offering up a brand new song from the band (the achingly introspective "Awful Direction"), a cover song, radically new versions of two tracks from 2007's Southern Weather and a little Christmas surprise. Fans who take advantage of the online pre-sale, which is currently underway, will receive free limited edition merchandise along with the EP. "It was actually a friend of ours idea," recalls Aaron Gillespie, The Almost's founder and lead singer. "She said 'why don't you guys put out an EP with a Christmas song on it?' I said, 'That's a really great idea - it would be a good way to get some cool things out that don't really fit within the context of a full-length album." No Gift To Bring was produced by Tim McTague, lead guitarist for Gillespie's other band, Underoath. It was McTague's idea to re-imagine Southern Weather's country-leaning "Dirty And Left Out," imbuing this raw reflection on the baffling nature of unconditional love with a sparse, electronic vibe. "Tim did all the sequencing on the song, then had me sing over it," says Gillespie. "We wanted to strip it way down - it's a complete and utter departure." Southern Weather, The Almost's debut album, entered The Billboard 200 at No. 39 in April of 2007. The band scored a Top 10 hit at Modern Rock radio ("Say This Sooner"), was selected as an MTV/MTV2/mtvU "Discover & Download" artist and went out on the 2007 Vans Warped tour as well as tours with Paramore, The Starting Line, Say Anything and, most recently, Emery, Envy on the Coast and Army Of Me. Alternative Press tapped Gillespie for a cover story and Spin gave Southern Weather a three-and-a-half star review, noting: "Gillespie wails on the sort of hard-charging anthems that will probably make Switchfoot seethe with jealousy," Gillespie, who's currently touring with Underoath in support of its new Top 10 album, Lost in the Sound of Separation, has already begun writing songs for The Almost's next full-length album. The band will begin recording next spring.
For more info on the EP, go here:
audiblediversiongroup.com/TheAlmost
myspace.com/thealmost




New Matisyahu EP Out Now
Grammy-nominated artist Matisyahu is back with his newest work, Shattered, through Epic Records. Produced by David Kahne (Paul McCartney, Regina Spektor, Sublime), Shattered features songs from Matisyahu's forthcoming album, recorded and mixed in Jamaica, New York, Los Angeles, and Virginia. Several guest artists contribute to the four-song EP: ground-breaking Jamaican reggae rhythm section Sly & Robbie (drums and bass, "Two Child One Drop" and "I Will Be Light"), son of legendary reggae artist Freddie McGregor and among Jamaica’s youngest and most innovative young producers Stephen McGregor (co-producer, keyboards, drum-programming, "Smash Lies") , Fish (drums, "So Hi So Lo") and Norwood Fisher (bass, "So Hi So Lo") of the legendary L.A. alt-punk-ska band Fishbone and experimental turntablist Ooah from the Glitch Mob (co-producer, co-writer, drum programming on "Two Child One Drop").




Fireproof Crosses $20 Million In Four Weeks
Samuel Goldwyn Films' FIREPROOF starring Kirk Cameron continued its incredibly successful run having crossed the $20 million dollar mark less than four weeks in release. After opening #4 in the country on Sept. 26 with a per screen average of $8,111 making it the highest opening weekend box office (non 3D HANNAH MONTANA) of the year for films released on 1,000 screens or fewer, the film remained in the top 10 for three consecutive weeks while competing against films released on more than double the number of screens. FIREPROOF marks the second successful theatrical release in the ongoing collaboration between Sherwood Pictures, Provident Films, Samuel Goldwyn Films, and Affirm Films. The first joint venture was FACING THE GIANTS, which went on to gross north of $10 million. Currently on 905 screens, the film grossed $2,578,271 this weekend-declining only 18 percent-for a cume to date of $20,628,110. FIREPROOF was written by Sherwood's Alex and Stephen Kendrick and directed by the former. The film stars Cameron and newcomer Erin Bethea in a story about a firefighter who must learn how to rescue his own marriage. On both FACING THE GIANTS and FIREPROOF, Sherwood, Provident Films, Samuel Goldwyn Films, and Affirm Films worked together to devise and execute a marketing strategy to blend traditional theatrical marketing with an aggressive grassroots and faith-based outreach. Provident held screenings across the country and provided resources and materials for pastors and churches to spread the word about the film. Through its vast network and databases, Provident created opportunities for them to bring the film to their respective areas and generate excitement within their communities. Communities across the U.S. are using the film as a tool to support local firefighters, police, and other first responders' groups with divorce rates up to 90 percent. As churches, individuals, and groups send first responders and their spouses for a night at the movies, volunteer babysitting brigades are freeing up couples to go. Parents are buying tickets for their married children. Churches are buying for members and using the movie to kick off marriage courses. Said Meyer Gottlieb, president of Samuel Goldwyn Films: "We are thrilled with FIREPROOF'S astonishing reception and grateful that audiences all over America are raving about this entertaining and inspirational film." According to Bob Rubin, executive vice president of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, one of the acquisition partners for the film, and which oversees Affirm Films: "Affirm is delighted to have once again partnered with Sherwood Pictures, Provident Films, and Samuel Goldwyn Films in achieving another outstanding box office success in FIREPROOF. The performance of this film obviously reflects the need for this kind of inspiring entertainment among a large audience and Affirm is committed to continuing to make such content available to this community in the future." "FIREPROOF's inspiring love story has captured the heart of America. People leave theaters passionate about sharing the hope and inspiration of FIREPROOF with family, friends, and everyone they know!" said Terry A. Hemmings, president & CEO, Provident Music Group. Alex Kendrick goes on to say: "Calls, letters and emails are pouring into Sherwood Pictures to tell us how FIREPROOF has inspired them to pursue covenant in their own marriages. We know we have a lot of growing to do as filmmakers, but we will always look for the 'God' idea that inspires and motivates people." A book entitled The Love Dare, originally a plot device in the film until audiences repeatedly requested copies for themselves, is #1 on THE NEW YORK TIMES PAPERBACK ADVICE BEST SELLER'S LIST for the second week in a row. Written by the Kendrick brothers, The Love Dare is currently #9 on Amazon.com and in its seventh printing. Goldwyn plans to expand the release of the film over the upcoming weeks to more than 1,000 screens.




Help Spread the Word About 12 Stones
Help spread the word about 12 Stones and join the new street team. You'll gain exclusive access to new music and video releases plus chances for free tickets and special promotions. Enlist your friends so they can help spread the word too! Check out a video message from 12 Stones here.
Sign up for the street team here:
12stones.fancorps.com/signup.php?type=member&artist=12stones&ref=&agree=




Caleb Morgan Releases Book
Artist Manager Caleb Morgan (Becoming The Archetype) has published a book titled "I Killed Myself." According to his website: Caleb Morgan shares his life story in his book, "I Killed Myself." Follow Caleb through the struggles and trials that he has been through during his life. At the age of 7 Caleb was raped, by a trusted friend of the family. As you read you see he has many fond memories as a child however that rape has always been a gray cloud that has hung over him. Walk through the valley with Caleb as he battles drug addiction and depression. Pick up the gun with him and place it in your mouth. Then declare victory with him and walk out of that valley and up the mountain. Hear Caleb share about God's love, grace, and mercy for and on him. Caleb wants you to know that God has all of these things for you; with God absolutely anything is possible.




DecembeRadio Headlines Fall Tour
GRAMMY® Award nominees DecembeRadio are scheduled to hit the road this fall in support of their new release Satisfied (Slanted Records). Headlined by DecembeRadio, whose new album debuted at #3 on the CCM chart and at #116 on the BILLBOARD Top 200 chart on street week, the Satisfied Tour will also feature bands Ruth (Tooth & Nail Records) and Sevenglory (7 Spin Music) in addition to speaker Billy Wayne. The band’s set will feature new songs from the recent release which was described by BILLBOARD Magazine as “Christian rock that will make you drive fast and pray loud” and by Stereotruth.net as a “sledgehammer—[an] album that hits you over the head like a ton of bricks and doesn’t let up until you’re well into the whole disc.” “We’re stoked about the tour,” stated DecembeRadio lead singer and bass player Josh Reedy. “We are most at home when we are playing live, and the songs on the new record are full of energy. They have already been a blast to share with audiences. We're excited to have Sevenglory and Ruth out with us and our good friend Billy Wayne who has been speaking to youth for over twenty years. It’s gonna be a night of 'rock ‘n roll for your soul'.” DecembeRadio’s new CHR single “Believer” is currently at #28 on the R&R CHR chart with 50% of the panel already on. “Believer” was recently the Most Added song weekly at CHR radio and has also been #1 with Most Increased Airplay. The band’s rising rock single, “Better Man,” has appeared at #1 on the New and Active chart and continues to gain momentum.
Tour Dates:
10/31 Kernersville, NC
11/1 Auburn, NY
11/2 Portland, ME
11/7 McGaheysville, VA
11/8 Roanoke, VA
11/9 Harrisburg, PA
11/14 Bloomington, IL
11/15 Minneapolis, MN
11/16 Earlham, IA
11/21 West Columbia, SC




Faceless International Posts New Website
Faceless International sent out news about their new website: "Thanks to our friend Ron at Studio Epic, we have a great band new website. On our new site, we have an "About" page, where you can meet all of us at Faceless! On our "Event" page, we can post events that you are holding to raise awareness of various causes. So if you are planning an event, make sure you let us know. You can visit our "Friends" page to meet the people we are lucky to call friends. We are most excited about our "Interact" page. Here, we have a bulletin board all set up so you can talk to each other! We would like to say thanks to Reid, who is the moderator for the Anberlin, Copeland, and TWLOHA bulletin boards, for moderating ours as well!"
Check out their new website here:
facelessinternational.com




Haste The Day Debuts #68 On Billboard
Haste the Day’s new album Dreamer has debuted at #68 on Billboard. The album has been receiving a deluge of positive press including Outburn Magazine who said “Saddled with crisp, pristine production, Dreamer is the most mature, focused and will constructed album in the Haste The Day catalog.” The band is currently the feature story in this week’s Metal File on MTV.com. The band is currently tearing it up on stages nationwide on the Solid State Records Tour with Norma Jean. The band has also announced tour plans for their upcoming headlining run, The Twelve Days of Christmas Tour. The tour will run from December 9th to December 20th, where they will be accompanied by Sky Eats Airplane, Emarosa, and Inhale/Exhale, covering the midwest and southeast.
Tour Dates:
10/29 St Paul, MN
10/30 Chicago, IL
10/31 Louisville, KY
11/1 Pontiac, MI
11/2 Cleveland, OH
11/4 Buffalo, NY
11/5 Pittsburgh, PA
11/6 Lancaster, PA
11/7 Syracuse, NY
11/8 Sayreville, NJ
11/9 Hartford, CT
11/11 Baltimore, MD
11/12 Norfolk, VA
11/13 Charlotte, NC
11/14 Charleston, SC
11/15 Atlanta, GA
12/9 Joplin, MO
12/10 Little Rock, AR
12/11 Metarie, LA
12/12 Pensacola, FL
12/13 Tampa, FL
12/14 Orlando, FL
12/15 Jacksonville, FL
12/16 Augusta, GA
12/17 Raleigh, NC
12/18 Richmond, VA
12/19 Dayton, OH
12/20 Indianapolis, IN




Deep Elm Records Accepting New Submissions
They see their label being about people coming together, meeting, singing and sharing that experience with each other...those are the times that we remember forever. It's about the power of music and the bands that create it. Founded on respect for music and the creative process, a goal of discovering and developing new artists and undying integrity in everything we do, Deep Elm strives to further its reputation as one of the world's most reliable sources of quality independent recordings. From ownership to distribution, Deep Elm is 100% independent and intends to stay that way.
For music submissions details/submissions, go here:
deepelm.com/submit




The Police Creates Hit For Catharsis & the Humdrum
When Catharsis and the Humdrum released their posthumous, second album, it was a relatively quiet affair. Given that the band had already broken up, there were no photo shoots, interviews, or tour to help call attention to the album. They did leave behind a modest fanbase. There was also some renewed interest when singer Kevin Thornton's solo project won Nashville Scene's music award in the Best Experimental/Rock category. And it probably didn't hurt when drummer Jonathon Newby's post-hardcore band Brazil signed with Immortal Records. Nevertheless, it was The Police's recent reunion tour that ended up sparking the most interest in the band. In short, folks looking for "Every Breath You Take" on Itunes and other music download sites have been stumbling upon Catharsis and the Humdrum's acoustic version of the song. And, in the past few months, the track has become the most downloaded track on their final album—and the best-selling track in the history of the group's record label. A low-key cover of a pop song might come as a surprise to anyone familiar with the band's members' more challenging and better-known work with Brazil and Thornton. Moreover, fans of the Police's original might be thrown off by the reworking, which forgoes the song's trademark guitar part, in favor of quiet strumming. But the fact that an album, which seemed doomed to go unnoticed, inherited so many fans on account of a different band's equally unlikely reunion is probably the biggest surprise of them all. So, thanks to The Police.




Castanets Announce Tour In Support Of New Album
Castanets will tour the U.S. in support of the release of City of Refuge, Castanets' fourth album for Asthmatic Kitty. For this upcoming tour, Ray Raposa on guitar keys and vocals, will be joined by Annie Palmer on bass, banjo and vocals and Yoni Kifle on drums, bass and keys. Special guests are likely to appear in various towns as well. The trio will play a harmonious and gentle, yet powerful set comprised of songs from the Castanets' catalogue.
Tour Dates:
11/6 Columbus, OH
11/7 Chicago, IL
11/8 Beloit, WI
11/11 Vancouver, BC
11/12 Seattle, WA
11/13 Portland, OR
11/14 San Francisco, CA
11/15 Santa Monica, CA
11/17 Denver, CO
11/19 St. Louis, MO
11/20 Memphis, TN
11/21 Atlanta, GA
11/22 Chapel Hill, NC
11/23 Washington, DC
11/24 Philadelphia, PA
11/25 Boston, MA






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