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Listen Up - Newworldson
Listen Up - Newworldson
Feature Article
Soul Satisfaction
by Melissa Riddle
Let’s just go ahead and say it up front: there’s a lot of hype out there. There’s always been a lot of hype, much of which is generated by long-suffering publicists working way too hard for too little money. But every now and then, an artist or a band comes along that simply shatters the hype with its own mind-blowing reality.
Self-professed music geeks who cut their musical teeth in clubs and music halls around the globe, Newworldson is that band. This Canadian funk/soul/blues/jazz/gospel hybrid packs more power in four instruments than most five- or six-man bands can boast. Joel Parisien (vocals, keys), Josh Toal (guitar, vocals), Rich Moore (bass, vocals) and Mark Rogers (drums) have managed what so few bands even imagine, something that’s never been done before in Christian music: fusing the soul roots of Sam Cooke, Stevie Wonder, and Donnie Hathaway with unapologetic, spirit-filled lyrics, while simultaneously injecting a huge shot of fun.
“Growing up, I never heard pop music,” Parisien says. "As a singer/songwriter, you want to express what’s on your heart, so you’ve gotta find a language for it. This is the language we know how to speak.”
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Newworldson
Armed with inspirational lyrics and a fresh new sound, Newworldson are rescuing soul music from being a mere genre or label and returning the art form to its sacred roots. Singer Joel Parisien says "there's a lack of community in people's lives today. If you trace back the roots of 'roots' music, of 'soul' music, of 'folk' music, it's about folks; it's social music. We hope our fans become our friends. We hope they leave our shows feeling inspired. Our community is about uplifting people." To a post-modern world that revolves around celebrity and consumerism, a manifesto like that seems anachronistic and distinctly un-cool. But this kind of prevailing cynicism reveals the need for classic music with a universal message...
Gospel Music Channel unveils LISTEN UP, an exciting new way for fans of all genres of Gospel/Christian music – rock, pop, country, soul, and everything in between – to discover, hear and see the best and brightest new and emerging artists.
Fireflight of Orlando is the first to be recognized as a LISTEN UP artist by the nation's first and only 24/7 all-Gospel/Christian music television network. Each month a new artist will be highlighted.
Gospel Music Channel fans will experience 360 degrees of access to LISTEN UP artists. Watch for customized spots introducing the artist of the month, world premieres of their music videos, appearances on the network’s weekly series The Kitchen Sink, and go online for exclusive interviews, performances and special features.
Fireflight
If there's a word to describe Christian rock band Fireflight, I might call them instrumental (no pun intended) in changing the perception of the ever-evolving Christian music industry.
Take the veteran musicianship of bands like Pillar and P.O.D., throw in the appeal of guy/girl voices together (think Skillet), imagine lead singer Dawn Richardson's angelic voice (reminiscent of Evanescence's Amy Lee) soaring above audacious guitar riffs, and add to that inspiring, powerful lyrics, and you have Fireflight, whose song Unbreakable was used for promos of NBC's Bionic Woman. Read more
