Today, Grammy Award winning rock band Switchfoot releases their new LP, this is our Christmas album. Marking the band’s first-ever holiday record, this is our Christmas album finds Switchfoot infusing their signature West Coast sound to a number of holiday classics and five, new original Christmas songs. Cheery, nostalgic and brimming with sunshine, the 11 track collection was inspired by everyone from the Beach Boys to Black Flag, and promises to be the perfect soundtrack for the holiday season with a new California twist.
“Christmas is an emotional treasure chest for a songwriter to pull from,” lead Singer Jon Foreman says. “It’s a season stretched tight with contradictions: celebrating the free gifts of love and grace with an outburst of materialist capitalist consumption. An emotional roller coaster of family and friends, hopes and scars- bringing out the worst and the best in all of us.” A project that’s been years in the making, this is our Christmas album, wraps its arms wide around these contradictions.
Alongside the album announcement, Switchfoot announces their North American “this is our Christmas tour” which sees the band visiting Napa, Detroit, Monterey, Anaheim and more. Switchfoot’s live show is a force to be reckoned with, and the band’s first Christmas tour is no exception. Since the band’s creation they’ve performed to sold out audiences in over 40 countries and have racked up over five million tickets sold. These shows are going to be special as the group, that’s been described as “definition of cool” by Vulture, will perform one Christmas themed set, and another set filled with the band’s classic hits like “Dare You To Move,” “Meant to Live” and more.
“It’s truly incredible the way music connects us all: making even strangers feel like family,” Jon Foreman says.“To celebrate this season, singing these songs together in the same room is a gift that we can’t wait to unwrap. We’re so excited to head out on our first Christmas tour ever!”
this is our Christmas album is a follow up to 2021’s interobang, which saw the band opt for raw 60’s era pop-infused feel and straying away from their typical rock sound. Penned through the pandemic, interrobang celebrates the journey when the destination is unsure. It illustrates the contrast between joy and pain, faith and doubt, and marks a bold new creative peak for the multi-platinum rockers.
Curb | Word Entertainment artist We Are Messengers crowns their Christmas EP with new original, “Saviour,” available today (11/4). The fresh selection extends the band’s 2021 seasonal offering to six tracks and can be heard HERE.
New for 2022, “Saviour” exalts the extraordinary child-turned-King whose sole purpose was to rescue and redeem all of humanity. We Are Messengers marvels at the unmatched splendor of Christ and the true meaning of Christmas on this personal, yet universal, declaration of hope. The song serves as the title-cut of We Are Messengers’ expanded Christmas EP, Saviour. “Saviour” was written by the collective’s front man Darren Mulligan and Jeff Pardo, who also produced the anthem.
In September, Mulligan made his Grand Ole Opry debut. Meanwhile, he and his live band have spent the fall traversing the country on “The Wholehearted Tour” in support of We Are Messengers’ third full-length album. The act’s 28-date headlining run, which features special guests Jordan St. Cyr and Ryan Ellis, is set to conclude Nov. 17 in Waverly, Ohio. See a complete list of remaining shows below.
Saviour – Tracklisting:
Remaining Dates on We Are Messengers’ “The Wholehearted Tour”:
Integrity Music presents a new compilation of ‘Songs of Thanksgiving’ featuring many leading voices for the Church’s worship. As we set the table and invite friends and family over to celebrate, these songs are meant to help invoke the season of giving thanks. Full list of tracks and artists is below.
We Give You Thanks – All Sons & Daughters
I Speak Jesus – Here Be Lions
10,000 Reasons – Vineyard
Give Thanks – Don Moen
Living Proof (Reprise) [Live] – David & Nicole Binion
Son of Suffering – Matt Redman
Upon Him (Live) – REVERE, Thrive Worship, Lee University Singers
Light Of Your Grace – Citizens
We Believe – Travis Ryan
Call Upon Him (feat. Trillia Newbell) – FAITHFUL, Sandra McCracken, Rachael Lampa
Philadelphia, PA – Amanda Danziger will release her highly anticipated Seasons EP on Friday, November 4. This project is unique because it isn’t a typical worship album; it was created to emulate cinematic soundscapes, which Danziger describes as devotional worship.
“Devotional worship is a place of listening and stillness,” explains Danziger. “It doesn’t sound like corporate worship or an anthem you sing in church. It’s made to be a spiritual experience in your devotional time with the Lord.”
The Seasons In Sound
Seasons caps Danziger’s musical journey through the year. Each season she teased listeners with singles included on the album, starting with “Vindicate” for winter, “Prison Walls” for spring and “Refining Fire” for summer. And in the album release, “Be Still” will complete the seasonal journey with fall. Plus, the EP will include a bonus instrumental.
Each song in Seasons begins with a distinctive sound to evoke the season. “Vindicate” starts with the rush of a winter storm. Rain and thunder open spring’s “Prison Walls,” and the crackling of a summer campfire introduces “Refining Fire.” For fall, the sound of walking along a leaf-strewn path in the woods begins “Be Still” (pre-save the EP here).
“Each song is approached in a cinematic style that paints a musical picture of the season,” Danziger shares.
With Danziger musically drawing the outline for each song, she relied upon producer and co-writer Filipe Michael to paint in the colors.
“While the songs are my melodies, lyrics, prayers, and my heart, Filipe composed the soundtrack of the entire album. This gave him the ability to think outside the box when it came to composing. He only had stems of my vocals to work with to create the sounds in this album,” she continues.
Collaborating in His name
Childhood friends who met in church, Danziger and Michael have been collaborating since 2019, but they now live in separate states – Danziger in Pennsylvania and Michael in New Jersey. Working remotely with musical sounds as thir primary means of communication, they brought the album together.
“Soundscapes are like painting a picture and my part of our collaboration is to bring these visions to life,” Michael says.
Adding spice to the soundscapes they create is that both come from multi-cultural backgrounds. “Filipe will joke with me that my melodies don’t sound American or mainstream, and that’s because of my upbringing. I’m a first-generation American after my parents moved from Egypt in the late 70s. I grew up listening to Arabic music in my home, so I find myself singing in minor keys and experimenting with the sounds of Egypt.”
Michael grew up in Sao Paulo, Brazil though they first connected in an Arabic-speaking church. “We used to lead our peers in worship, and from then on, we’ve always known we would create a very special musical piece one day. Seasons is it,” Danziger believes.
Recognition
After releasing the first song of Seasons with “Vindicate,” Integrity Music recognized the unique contribution that Danziger made in the contemporary worship genre and signed her to a licensing deal through its Integrated Music Rights program. This allowed Danziger to remain an independent artist, but also gain access to a record label infrastructure and opportunities.
“The timing was all in God’s hands. I was so excited for this opportunity because it came right in time for the launch of Seasons,” Danziger states. “Seasons is a journey. It is a walk through of an entire year of thoughts, prayers, and life — and I’m grateful to launch this project with the Integrity team. They’ve encouraged us and helped us navigate throughout the entire process.”
Seasons arrives on Friday, November 4 on all streaming platforms. To learn more about Amanda Danziger visit www.amandadanziger.com or find her on most social platforms @amandanziger. Be sure to subscribe to her YouTube channel where you can experience visuals of the songs.
Lastly, remember to pre-save her EP Seasons — every save helps independent artists like Danziger and Michael to get their work heard.
Praise for Danziger’s Work
“There is always that indescribably out-of-this-world feeling you get when you get to listen to an artist like Amanda for the first time. Amanda Danziger has a voice of gold; one that you’d easily confuse for a mega superstar and the way she performs, owning the craft and showcasing passion will leave a lasting impression on any listener. Her music really transcends the spiritual boundaries and having a strong foundation through her church upbringing and also from her own personal experiences, she is now a vessel for the gospel and the best thing about her moving songs is that they reflect a very inner and deep reverence for God and his never-ending grace and love.” – Derrik Tchie, Gospel Hydration
“Amanda Danziger sprung onto the music scene in 2019 with her five-song EP, Head & Heart, which featured a refreshing indie/alt bent adding a slight twist on the familiar worship formula. With lyrics drenched in Scriptural influence, arresting vocal chops, and musical soundscapes soaked in gorgeous string sections, she quickly established herself as one to watch.” – Josh Balogh, jesusfreakhideout.com
“Amanda Danziger has become one of my more highly-anticipated recent discoveries. Single after single, she proves to be a competent songwriter with a strong gift for songwriting. She’s even caught the attention of Integrity Music, who struck up a licensing deal with Danziger just in time for her current series.” – Scott Fryberger, jesusfreakhideout.com
“This is not your typical worship leader kinda of stuff that all sounds the same to me.” – Ross Cluver, CCM Magazine
Singer, songwriter, and worship leader Benjamin William Hastings releases his self-titled solo debut today (Nov 4). Hastings’ debut full-length album is an artistic 25-track journey of honest self-expression featuring dynamic songwriting.
Listeners have come to know and love Hastings’ lyrics and voice as he co-wrote and is featured on UNITED’s RIAA Certified Gold song, “So Will I (100 Billion X),” Hillsong Worship’s widely acclaimed “Seasons,” and has co-written fan favorites such as Cory Asbury’s No. 1 single “The Father’s House” and Brandon Lake’s “Gratitude.” The songs he has written have been streamed globally more than 600 million times. Hastings has also toured this year on the Chris Tomlin x UNITED tour along with Jesus Culture’s Bryan & Katie Torwalt.
Leading up to his debut, Hastings has released additional songs that will live on this project: “Homeward” “A Father’s Blessing,” “Anyway,” and “The Jesus I Know.” The Benjamin William Hastings album includes songs co-written by Joel Houston, Aodhan King, Blessing Offor, David Leonard, Hank Bentley, Jeremy Lutito, and Josh Grimmett.
As Lecrae releases, Church Clothes 4, he boldly stands at the crossroads of sacred and secular, a lane he unashamedly accepts.
In the ten years since the first Church Clothes mixtape (hosted by DJ Don Cannon) released in 2012, no one has been able to surpass the heights that Lecrae has reached crossing CHH over to the mainstream, planting his feet simultaneously in the street and the Church without compromising.
While the critics blasted him for not picking a side, the people spoke even louder, downloading the music for the original Church Clothes over 100,000 times within 48 hours.
Today (Nov 4), he brings the righteous and ratchet together yet again and this time for Church Clothes 4, the last of the mixtape series! He maintains the unashamed posture reflecting on Romans 116, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to EVERYONE who believes first to the Jew, then to the Gentile!’ emphasizing that his music also is not just for believers, but for everyone!
GRAMMY® Award-winning recording artist Regina Belle is releasing her new holiday album, My Colorful Christmas, available now through all digital outlets. The chart-topping vocalist, whose acclaimed career spans thirty-five years, debuts her first holiday album. Released by Regina Belle’s record label Tashi3 Entertainment and distributed through Altavoz Distribution, the ten-track album features holiday classics like “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” “Away in a Manger,” the new song “I Had to Leave (A Song from Bernie)” that she had co-written with her late brother Bernard Belle, mother-daughter duet with her daughter Sydni Battle on “A Baby Changes Everything,” and more.
My Colorful Christmas reflects on love, family, faith, and bringing people together during the holiday season. Regina Belle takes fans on a dazzling musical journey with joy and hope to warm our spirits, with soulful sophistication and lush vocals including on the featured single “A Cradle in Bethlehem,” a Nat King Cole classic that is her favorite holiday song. A longtime dream to make a holiday album that’s now a reality, Belle says of the album, “It’s something I’ve wanted to do for many years, but never got around to it. Thanksgiving to New Year’s is my favorite time of the year. The music, the closeness of family, everything the season represents, means so much to me.”
Starting her career with debut album All By Myself in 1987, Belle’s esteemed repertoire includes the chart-topping album Stay With Me, and the albums Reachin’ Back, Believe In Me, This Is Regina!, Lazy Afternoon, Love Forever Shines, Higher, and The Day Life Began, as well as the chart-topping timeless hit duet “A Whole New World” (with Peabo Bryson), the OSCAR® and GRAMMY®-winning theme song from Disney’s Aladdin.
Regina Belle, MY COLORFUL CHRISTMAS, Available Now (Tashi3 Entertainment):
The platinum-selling worship ensemble, Shekinah Glory Ministry (known for gospel classics such as “Praise is What I Do” and “Yes”), have teamed up with an urban producer on the rise, Avehre, to release a four-song digital EP, The Artist Project, Vol. 2 (Kingdom Records). The set of songs, now available on all digital music platforms, features bright but overlooked talents who deserve the public’s attention. Avehre is a protégé of soul music legend, Gladys Knight, and he is making noise in urban circles with his slick productions.
The focus radio single, “Live Up,” is a lite, upbeat track with R&B flavored programming. It’s led by the Kansas City sister act, Tobbi & Tommi, who have done background vocals for a who’s who in music ranging from Chaka Khan to Patti LaBelle. They were the featured vocalists on Donald Lawrence & Company’s ‘s gospel rendition of Khan’s classic “Through the Fire” on the group’s bestselling album, YRM (Your Righteous Mind), in 2011. Then, Bebe Winans showcased them on his 2017 No. 1 gospel hit, “He Promised Me.” The sisters’ soulful voices glisten and shine brilliantly on “Live Up.”
Alternative R&B artist Adam Ness joins Avehre for a smooth duet of perseverance and faith entitled, “Never Lose.” St. Louis native Jai is best-known for her Holy Hip Hop credentials that were birthed with her 2011 debut album, Culture Shock. Over the years, she’s collaborated with Christian rappers such as Lecrae, Trip Lee, and Tedashii. Her tone is low and smoky on the down-tempo track about finding favor with God. “Voyage” is a synthesized nod to Hip Hop with a melodic rap about the journey to salvation by Mars Kidd. The Artist Project, Vol. 2is an enticing spiritual invitation to experience four awesomely talented, up and coming artists.
Shekinah Glory Ministry Introduces New Acts With the Artist Project
Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame inductee and Journey band member Jonathan Cain releases Christmas Is Love today (Nov. 4) from Identity Records with The Fuel Music distribution. The EP is available now at digital and streaming outlets everywhere via https://slinky.to/ChristmasIsLove.
Produced and written by Cain with all but one track recorded, mixed and mastered at Addiction Sound Studios by David Kalmusky (Justin Bieber, The Fray, Keith Urban), Christmas Is Loveis a five-song holiday offering bearing this legendary musician’s signature. Familiar, yet unconventional, the EP paints a musical palette highlighting the remarkable story of the birth of Jesus in the opening track, “Hope Was Born,” and marvels at the miracle in “Who Is This Child” while underscoring the core message in the title track.
“Christmas is love. It is that simple,” shares Cain, as the EP highlights the artist’s brilliant keyboard work along with his dynamic vocals that have been forged through six solo albums since 2016 and as a worship leader at City Of Destiny Church in Apopka, FL where his wife, Paula White-Cain, is pastor.
“I enjoy celebrating Christmas every year,” says Cain, who remembers the joy of singing carols at home with his family growing up. “What went down in the desert at Bethlehem, it’s such a monumental miracle that shouldn’t be taken for granted. It was a game changer.”
Christmas Is Love is rounded out by Cain’s Top 5 Christmas radio hit “Wonder of Wonders,” which first released in 2019 and features GRAMMY®-nominated, Platinum®-selling Newsboys lead singer Michael Tait, and “Behold,” a song never before released but featured on Cain’s “Wonder Of Wonders Christmas Concert” from City Of Destiny last year.
Leading the new music, as well as hits from his Billboard–premiered album Unsung Noel (2017), Cain will again host a Christmas Concert from his church Dec. 18. He will also debut new music from Christmas Is Love live during his wife’s annual Unleashed Conference to take place at City Of Destiny Oct. 20 – 22.
Offering a timely reminder that the Spirit of Christmas is alive every day, acclaimed singer/songwriter and speaker Billy Ballenger’s aptly titled All Year is now available.
The three-song EP was produced by Riley Friesen and features the message-driven title-cut as well as two new interpretations of Michael Card’s Christmas classic, “Joseph’s Song.”
Co-written by Ballenger and Friesen, “All Year” is a joyful pop anthem showcasing the heart of the Gospel: “Every laugh, every smile when we celebrate/is a love that’s a gift that we all can take/when we find out that Jesus is here all year.” Understanding that Christmas is more than a holiday, Ballenger hopes the song will encourage listeners facing troubled times—no matter the season.
“It’s easier to catch the Christmas spirit during the holidays,” he says. “We can turn joy on at will just because it’s that time of year again but if you’re struggling, Christmas isn’t always a joyful season. The reality is that we are meant to have lasting Christmas joy and true Hope every single day because we have a Savior who is with us ‘all year.’”
In addition, Ballenger delivers two impassioned renditions of “Joseph’s Song,” a classic he readily embraced as a father himself. “It’s an absolute honor to cover this song for so many reasons,” he shares. “Beautifully written by Michael Card, it speaks to the weight of Joseph’s unique situation as the earthly father of God’s Son. Like many of us fathers, I can relate to the responsibility Joseph must have felt to get it right in raising his child. Yet in his case, the pressure to raise Jesus well was infinitely magnified.”
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