Featured Artists
Sanctus Real
In the industry of cool known as rock ’ n’ roll, it’s a particularly rare feat when substance actually triumphs over swagger. Even more surprising is when a band blatantly wears its heart on its sleeve, rather than simply championing lyrical ambiguity set to a catchy beat.
But in the musical world of GRAMMY-nominated Sanctus Real, substance and style have peacefully co-existed over the course of five albums that have garnered seven No. 1 radio singles (and six more that landed in the Top 5). Not afraid to experiment with new textures or leave things stripped-down and simple if the song calls for it, the Dove Award-winning act that features Matt Hammitt (lead vocals, guitar), Chris Rohman (lead guitar), Mark Graalman (drums), Dan Gartley (bass) and Pete Prevost (guitar) also hasn’t shied away from tackling life’s tough questions. Offering glimpses of the guys’ own joys and heartbreaking struggles, that refreshing level of candor—and unflinching commitment to honesty—has endeared the band to fans around the globe.
And now with the March 9 release of Pieces of a Real Heart, Sanctus Real has continued to push themselves both artistically and thematically. Fueled by the real-life experiences culled from a life often spent traveling from city to city, not to mention the maturing that inevitably results when raising families, the album is confessional, thoughtful and really anything but surface-level. Sanctus Real's website.
Addison Road
Addison Road's self-titled INO Records debut is proof enough that great things happen when people put their heads and hearts together toward a common creative goal.
The Dallas-based pop-rock band was 'invented' on the fly in 2001 when then dating Baylor students Jenny and Ryan Simmons (now married) were offered $500 to 'bring their band and play' for a large Disciple Now gathering. The only problem: Jenny and Ryan didn't have a band. But $500 was a great motivator. So Jenny and Ryan pooled some student loan money, snagged some friends, and with barely a rehearsal under their belts, this rag-tag group of fledgling musicians played that $500 gig, and by the time school was out, the doors of opportunity were wide open.
Six years, thousands of miles, hundreds of performances at festivals, conferences, camps (and everywhere in between) and three impressive independent recordings later, Addison Road has renewed its mission and found its voice. Addison Road's website.
Above the Golden State
For Michael Watson, songwriter and lead vocalist of Portland, Oregon- based band Above the Golden State, there has never been an inkling of doubt as to why he is doing what he is doing. In no uncertain terms, he explains:
“Music is from God and for God. And I believe God is raising up a new generation of young musicians who want to see music being used for its original purpose — to glorify God,” Watson says.
“Above The Golden State has no desire to bring glory to itself but to join in with you and everyone else to glorify God together. We know not to find our worth in anything other than Jesus Christ. We are in this together. We are the church, the body of Christ; this music is to fix the ‘gaze of our soul’ on Jesus, our Hope of Glory! These songs are meant to be sung in the heart and mind of the listener, like a soundtrack to our lives.” Above the Golden State's website.
Me in Motion
Formed in mid-2006 by then-19-year-old writer-artist-producer-wunderkind Seth Mosley, Me In Motion had by 2008 already grabbed the attention of GMA producer-of-the-year Ian Eskelin and signed a development deal to write and record a full-length project. When Centricity Music signed the band in 2009, Seth’s production skills had already so rapidly matured that he was the obvious choice to produce the remaining handful of songs for the band’s self-titled debut. Or, as Eskelin remarked when he heard the new batch of hooky, brit-rock influenced demos: “Dang. Those guys don’t need me anymore.” Flash forward a few short months. Mosley has not only produced the back half of Me In Motion’s record, he’s producing or co-producing several tracks on the next Newsboys album, many of which he also co-wrote. Not to mention the fact that Me In Motion is already signed to tour with the Newsboys.
A huge part of Me In Motion’s unique identity as a group is expressed in their first radio single Losers. The aggressive, groove-based anthem instantly emerged as a huge crowd pleaser and as a song with power to affirm and motivate listeners.
Other standout songs on the project include the Coldplay-esque ballad Back To You (a personalized nod to the prodigal son narrative), the infectious, caffeine-on-eleven rollercoaster ride of Leaving Here Someday, and the energetically bright and dark show-opener Gotta Be Something, which sets out to deconstruct our culture’s shallow view of happiness and refocus our attention on something more enduring. Me in Motion's website.