Preview: Colony House
April 5, 2018
Written By: Kate Dolan
Colony House is coming back to LU, and they’re better than ever! Since last being at Liberty in 2016, the Tennessee-based indie rock band has been hard at work touring after the release of their sophomore album Only The Lonely. I remember being in the crowd at their show my freshman year during Student Activities’ annual Block Party, and I will never forget the energy. Each song, though I knew every word, was a different experience when it was coming from ten feet away. The guitar riffs were more incredible, the drum solos more soul-rocking, and the retro mic was emitting even smoother vocals than I could have imagined. As the first few notes of each song rang out the crowd would go wild, knowing each song would bring about an enjoyable experience.
Block Party 2016 was not the first time this group had rocked Liberty’s campus. Back in 2011 they performed under a different name, “Caleb”, after the band’s lead singer. Though this band is not explicitly Christian, its roots and messages are clear as they consistently create music that is both hope-giving and raw. Two of the bands front men, Caleb and Will Chapman, are the sons of renowned Christian music artist Steven Curtis Chapman. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree when it comes to this talented bunch. The band also includes guitarist Scott Mills, who was good friends with the brothers even before the band came together in 2009. A more recent addition is bassist Parke Cottrell, who added the last factor needed to transform this trio into the band they are today.
In a day and age where uniqueness is hard to come by, Colony House spins a different twist on the popular indie-rock genre. The range of songs on their most recent album go from soft and real ballads like “This Beautiful Life” to more upbeat funky-rock songs like “You & I”. The band is not content to stay in one lane musically, as they always seem to be striving to mix up their sound. Their fresh sounds make for an exciting listening experience that keeps you hooked the entire way through. There is definitely something for everyone when it comes to Colony House.
Colony House will be making their big return to Liberty University on Friday, April 27, at 8 p.m. Jake Ziegler and the Locals, a local rock group, will be opening the show. Bring your friends, bring your mom, bring anyone that just loves to rock out to the LaHaye Event Space for an unforgettable night with a band that keeps getting bigger and better.
Preview: TobyMac
March 8, 2018
By: Kate Dolan
What do you think of when you hear the name TobyMac? I think for me, and many other people my age whose parents listened to stations like KLove and Air1 religiously, I almost feel as if TobyMac raised me. Whenever I hear songs like “Boomin” or “Jesus Freak” I am instantly transported back to morning car rides on the way to school dancing and singing my little heart out. I even remember the first album I downloaded onto my iPod shuffle, and it was TobyMac’s 2007 hit record Portable Sounds. Suffice it to say I was more than a little excited to hear he was coming here, to Liberty University, for a one of a kind concert.
So who is this guy TobyMac, really? If you don’t know the answer to that question, you may not have been at Liberty long enough. Toby Kevin Michael Mckeehan is not only one of the foundational and best known Christian hip-hop artists of our time, but he also is a Liberty Flame and Northern Virginia native. He got his start here at Liberty with a band made up of him and fellow students Michael Tait and Kevin Max Smith, eventually calling themselves dcTalk. They went on to win major awards in both the secular and Christian music arenas, but that was just the beginning for TobyMac.
After going solo in 2001, following over a decade with dcTalk, for TobyMac the ball just kept rolling. He broke further into genres and styles virtually untouched in the past by Christian artists, and people loved it. His songs gave people something to dance to that simultaneously gave them messages of hope and faith. From his first solo album Momentum in 2001 all the way to his newly released single “I just need U.”, TobyMac has always found a way to make his music appeal to every generation. It’s the type of music I can play in the car with my grandma and instead of being told to “turn down that racket” I am instead encouraged to turn it up so we can rock out together. He is the type of artist that doesn’t fall behind or become outdated, rather setting the standard for others to follow.
TobyMac was always ahead of the curve, paving ways musically for those to follow him. He made Christian music “cool” and got people talking. He made it onto MTV, to the top of the Billboard charts, and even won seven Grammy awards along the way, but something was different. He was talking about Jesus while doing it.
Come out and see the man, the myth, the legend, TobyMac perform on April 7th at 7:30 at the Vines Center. This is the kind of concert you don’t want to miss!
Preview: Chris Tomlin
February 1, 2018
By: Naomi Bower
Liberty students can’t get enough of Chris Tomlin’s music. From walks down University Boulevard to nights of worship in campus community, Tomlin’s songs continue to leave a mark on the student body. TIME magazine said it best when they stated that he is “likely the most often sung artist anywhere.”
While most of us are probably familiar with some of his most popular hits like “Good Good Father” and “Our God”, Tomlin has continued to create more inspiring music, such as his latest release “Resurrection Power”. Much like his other music, “Resurrection Power” encourages listeners and reminds them of the hope that comes to those who follow Jesus. This idea is common among Tomlin’s music as he uses his platform as a ministry to his listeners.
In a time where all the music we can imagine is available at our fingertips, artists are oftentimes challenged to create something that will last. Nevertheless, Tomlin has repeatedly defeated the odds with music that the church has continued to sing throughout the years. As a result, his hard work has earned one platinum album and a GRAMMY followed by many more nominations.
Student Activities is excited to bring Chris Tomlin back to Liberty for a show in the Vines Center on February 23rd! There is so much to look forward to as he leads us once again in some of our favorite worship songs.
Five Questions with Jon Foreman
October 30, 2017
In the midst of the solo artist/lead singer of Switchfoot’s busy schedule, Jon Foreman was able to answer a couple of questions for us. Read his answers to our prodding questions below, and don’t forget to purchase tickets to see him live on November 11th here!
- Who was the first musician that you remember inspired you to start pursuing a career in music?
Led Zeppelin
- What is your favorite solo song to perform?
Depends on the night – every time is different.
- Who would you want to open for if you could open for any other artist?
The Beatles
- What has been one of the best benchmarks you’ve hit in your career?
Our 13th annual BroAm (a surf/music charity event that we throw every year) was a huge benchmark. It’s an event that has raised over 1.5 million dollars for San Diego kids.
- What has been the coolest venue you’ve ever performed at?
In a castle on a hill in Portugal.
Johnnyswim is Coming Back!
October 25, 2017
written by Naomi Bower
They’re back! Johnnyswim, the LA-based husband-and-wife singer/songwriter duo, is ready to bring another great show to the Liberty student body.
Music has played an obvious role in the lives of both Amanda Sudano and Abner Ramirez, as their website explains: “The pair met in Nashville in 2005, instituting a songwriting partnership not long afterward. They clicked together musically and personally, beginning a romantic relationship along with their creative connection.”
Johnnyswim’s style reflects an eclectic range of influences while maintaining distinct Nashville roots. Their most recent album, Georgica Pond, was honest and raw as they opened up about the loss and heartache they were experiencing in this season. This authenticity struck a chord with many of their listeners, putting their album at #34 on the Billboard charts. Johnnyswim’s most recent tour kicked off in August and their fans seem to be as in love with their music as they are with each other.
One of my personal favorite songs from this album was their song “Drunks”. “Drunks” was inspired by the experiences that the duo shared in pubs among strangers in attempts to recreate that same unity among the audience. This song aims to diminish any segregation between the people even if just for a moment. Regardless of our differences, this song seems to exude the message that we all serve someone far greater than these issues.
Last semester, Johnnyswim stunned the student body when they made a pit stop for Convocation during their Let It Matter tour. We’re excited to welcome them back to campus for a show on October 30th – find tickets here!
Resources:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-74BFMxNz8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2HEBZ2Zwpg
https://www.allmusic.com/artist/johnnyswim-mn0003014528/biography
http://www.billboard.com/music/johnnyswim
Preview: Jon Foreman
October 24, 2017
Ever since 1996, Jon Foreman has been rocking the music scene. Foreman has performed as the lead singer of the Christian rock band Switchfoot, alongside his brother Tim and friend Chad Butler, since 1997. The band’s rise began in 2003 with their double platinum album The Beautiful Letdown which included the hit songs “Dare You to Move” and “Meant to Live”. Because of the band’s many successes throughout the past twenty years, Jon Foreman’s influence has spread widely and even beyond Switchfoot.
Jon Foreman is a talented musician with a love for creating different kinds of music with moving messages. In 2006, as a side project Jon and a member of Nickel Creek, Sean Watkins, formed the acoustic duo Fiction Family which has two albums Fiction Family and Fiction Family Reunion.
Foreman also decided to write his own music in 2006 as a solo artist, mainly because he didn’t feel like his solo music fit within the parameters of rock music that Switchfoot performed at the time. The singer/songwriter’s solo music has an acoustic sound that differs from the upbeat rock that defines Switchfoot. Foreman’s solo career started off with the four EPs titled Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer. The first two EPs were combined in the album Fall and Winter in 2009. In 2015, Jon released the album The Wonderlands that consisted of the four EPs Sunlight, Shadows, Darkness, and Dawn. The album has 24 songs, and Jon says that there is a song for each hour of the day.
We are so excited to bring Jon Foreman back to Liberty as a solo act. Purchase tickets here to see him in the Grand Concert Hall on November 11th!
Resources
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5D3h9ZoobhetjXw3dKhcaq/about
https://www.facebook.com/pg/switchfoot/about/?ref=page_internal
Five Questions with Andrew Belle
October 11, 2017
We caught up with Andrew Belle and asked him a few questions about his new album. Read his answers below!
How did you get your start in music?
After college I moved to Chicago, got a job waiting tables, and began playing out at any bar, coffee shop, restaurant, and open mic I could find. I spent the next two years writing songs and learning how to perform live all over the city. Eventually I moved to Nashville, met a few friends who helped me record my first album The Ladder and was asked to join the national touring group Ten out of Tenn. It was at that point that I began having success with placing my music on television and was able to begin building my career.
What has been your favorite venue to perform at so far?
In 2015 I was able to perform at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville with Ten out of Tenn. I had heard so much about that venue but never had the chance to perform on its stage. Practically any legendary musician or band you can think of have performed there at some point, so I was thrilled to be a part of that history. And the show we put on that night was incredibly memorable – it was probably the most fun I’ve had on a stage since I began doing this ten years ago.
What picture do you want to paint through “Dive Deep”? (What theme is the album trying to portray as a whole?)
A bunch of the songs on this album are about entering into a new season of your life and the choices that come along with those transitions. As I get older, decisions become harder and harder to make because there’s more at stake now. I remember when my wife and I decided to have our first child – we were excited but also terrified at the notion of our entire life changing as we knew it. It’s easy to get caught up in indecision or to be so afraid to make the wrong choice that you don’t end up making any choice at all. I decided to call this album Dive Deep because what I seem to be saying in a lot of these songs is, no matter what stage of life you’re in or what decisions lie in front of you – don’t be afraid to move forward, to be all-in on a choice you make. If it’s the wrong one – it’s ok, that’s how we grow. Some of the best things in my life have come from not knowing if something was going to work or not – but taking a leap anyway.
If you could open for any musician/band, who would you choose?
I would love to open for Radiohead more than any other band.
What is your favorite song to perform?
My favorite song to perform live lately is a new one called Black Clouds. There is just something about the vibe and the energy of it – and it’s not too hard to sing!
You can check out ticket information and prices to the Andrew Belle concert here!
Facing A Task Unfinished: Getty Music
September 28, 2017
We’re so close to having Keith and Kristyn Getty perform for us in the Grand Concert Hall! This show is sure to be one that you won’t want to miss.
If you’re wondering more about who the Gettys are and what “Facing A Task Unfinished” is all about, check out this article!
We can’t wait to see you at the show!
Five Questions with Young Oceans
September 12, 2017
We caught up with one of Young Oceans’ band members/songwriters, Eric James Marshall, and asked him a few questions about the band, their future, and their favorite memories. Read our interview below!
Where did your band start out making music?
We were all involved in various bands and projects in New York and came together to record a collection of songs that I had originally written for our church. It had no name, no plan. We just wanted to create something that we might want to lay on the floor and listen to.
What does the name “Young Oceans” signify?
I’m not always sure. I think its meant to be a paradox, or something unknowable to us. When was it that our oceans were fresh and new? Who can say. It’s also a reference to our history and our future… There’s a translation of Psalm 103 that reads, “you’re always young in His presence.” I love that.
What has been the most exciting project for your band to date?
The most exciting thing is always the thing we’re currently immersed in. It’s a privilege to create art like this. We don’t take it lightly. Right now, we’re fighting to get a concept record out there that humbly distills the mystery and the action of partaking in the Lord’s Supper.
What are you most looking forward to in the future when it comes to the direction your band is going?
We’re excited to get in front of people and perform this music. We’ve not played live at all the last 5 years. Don’t know why exactly. But now feels right.
If your band could open for any other band/artist, who would it be?
Neil Young circa 1992.
Preview: Capital Kings
August 16, 2017
Block Party is coming upon us quickly – so quickly that we can barely believe it! In just under three weeks from now, we’ll be celebrating the new school year with great food, attractions, music and so much more. One reason we’re particularly excited is because of our upbeat, dynamic headliner this year – Capital Kings!
Capital Kings is an American Christian pop duo including producer/rapper Cole Walowac and singer Dylan Housewright. Housewright wasn’t always a member of the duo, as it was formed by Jon White and Cole Walowac in their hometown of Washington, D.C. When White left the duo in early 2016, Housewright joined Walowac within a few months to continue making music.*
The self-titled Capital Kings debut album was released in 2013 and made it to the Top 5 on the Billboard Christian Albums Chart. In 2014, they released a remix album of their first production that also included a new song, “Be a King”. They released a second album, II, in 2015, and “Love Is on Our Side” is a new song that was released in June. Capital Kings has been featured on albums such as Tobymac’s This Is Not a Test and Group 1 Crew’s #STRONGER. They were also nominated for New Artist of the Year at the Dove Awards in 2013, and for Rock/Contemporary Song of the Year in 2015.
Capital Kings’ music is the kind that makes you want to get on your feet and have the time of your life, which is exactly what we expect to see at this year’s Block Party! Check out their music and more information here!