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Local Christian News for August 2003
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29.08.03 - Antiskeptic announce 'Aurora' national tour.
From Australian Music Biz.

Melbourne's Antiskeptic have announced their mammoth national tour to support the release of their album 'Aurora' on August 25. With 'Nothing to Say' riding high on radio around the country, the boys have teamed up with Think Tank and Gyroscope to deliver one of the strongest tour lineups of the year.

Presented by Triple j, Blunt, Bombshellzine and Revolution Industries, the 'Aurora' tour will begin in Port Macquarie on August 27 and wind its way through Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia before finishing up on September 28 in Fremantle.

The album 'Aurora' will mark a new phase in the Antiskeptic story, with a progression in the bands career as evidenced by the first single 'Nothing to Say'. The single has been a fixture at #1 on the JJJ Net 50, won MMMs Battle of New Rock five weeks running and clip is currently doing the rounds on the major music TV outlets.

Fri 29 Aug - Waterloo Hotel, Brisbane
Sat 30 Aug - Sands Tavern, Maroochydore
Sun 31 Aug - Club Sabotage, Brisbane (All Ages)
Sun 31 Aug - Troccadero Sports Bar, Gold Coast
Check out www.antiskeptic.com.au for full tour dates.

29.08.03 - The Henrys are back.
From Steve Drinkall, The Henrys.

Following the success of their new album 'Sum Of Us', The Henrys are back for their mid-year show. Joined this time by retro enthusiasts Tonjip, The Henrys will again deliver a night of ambient music in one of Brisbane's best venues. Special feature this year is an art exhibition by upcoming artists and photographers. If you only get out to one show a year then get together a group of friends and make it this one. As usual all proceeds of CD sales goes directly to third world development through TEAR Australia. We hope you can make it.

Fri 12 Sept 2003 / 8pm-10:30pm, The Henrys, Tonjip & friends @ Wickham Room, 10th floor 'Goodearth Hotel', Wickham Tce Brisbane, participating artists - The Henrys, Tonjip, Sue Neilsen, Sam Eyles, Christy Clarke, Mark Usher, $12 at the door.

29.08.03 - Rocfish sign into South Africa.
From ACAN.

Aussie kids group Rocfish has partnered with Sarepta Music, South Africa’s premier Christian music distributor and record label, to launch their best selling DVD, video and audio series 'A Rip Roaring Tale'. Recently acquired by Integrity Music, Sarepta Music has been creating, marketing and distributing Christian music since 1984. Anton Bekker, from Integrity Inc and Sarepta Music says, "I'm excited to witness the impact of the vibrant and fun-filled ministry of Rocfish on South African kids and their parents." Check it out at www.rocfishkids.com.

29.08.03 - 6across - Firewood, bikes & the princess.
From 6across.

Firewood...
They say "never lug firewood before a gig" and 6across axe-man Geoff Rankin now knows why. It only took half a second last Saturday for a decent size gash to appear on his 'guitar' hand - a testimony to the dangers associated with carrying firewood without gloves. "It wasn't even on fire," Geoff said in a more pensive moment. "I didn't see the dangers. I had thought about gloves coz it was a bit chilly but that was it. I decided to keep my hands warm by rubbing them together." And that was, of course, when potential disaster struck. It was whilst Geoff was daydreaming about toasting marshmallows that a large lump of firewood opened up his left hand. Thanks to some prompt medical attention and probable divine intervention the cut is healing beautifully.

Bikes...
Have you ever dreamt of wearing your best leather gear, getting on your bike and enjoying some great music at the same time? Here's your chance. 6across are rocking the Tribe of Judah Spring Carnival at 11am this Sat (30th Aug) and promise to provide you with the ideal carnival soundtrack. 6across are also giving a prize or 2 away to 'Best Dressed In Crowd' so come along in your best biker attire.

The princess...
There's a new princess in town and she's inviting you round for tea, biscuits and some fine Christian rock 'n' roll! 'Live At The Princess', Woolloongabba's newest, grooviest music venue, is hosting Soulframe, Atoned and 6across for a night (Fri 05 Sep) of great music that you're likely to remember. It's all about sharing about Jesus through music and meeting others who know the Prince Of Peace or want to get to know him. You can't refuse a date with the princess!

Check the Gig Guide for all the details.

29.08.03 - IRON+CLAY on tour.
From IRON+CLAY.

IRON+CLAY are currently touring Sth Qld until 31st August. Check out their brand new website www.ironandclay.com.au for a gig near you.

29.08.03 - Bikes, Bands and Carpetman.
From Carpetman.

If you want to see some great bikes and bands, come over to the Tribe of Judah Spring Carnival at River of Grace Church, 16 Queens Rd Kingston, on Saturday. Carpetman will be playing there at 2pm, with a new band - Nathan Roberts on drums (last seen performing in front of thousands of people at the Youth Alive gig) and Heather Crust on vocals. There will be some other great acts through the day. Entry is free. Hope to see you there.

29.08.03 - Forest Edge 2004 artist applications now open.
From ACAN.

"Expressions of Interest" for bands and artists wanting to perform at the ACAN Forest Edge Christian Music Festival 2004 are now open. The festival runs March 5-8 next year, and takes place in a lush woodland setting at Neerim East in central Victoria. To register your interest in performing at Forest Edge 2004, send a demo/promo pack to Forest Edge 2004 Artist Applications, PO Box 650, Belmont Vic 3216.

29.08.03 - Come aLive At The Princess.
From Live At The Princess.

Brisbane's new live Christian music nightspot comes alive on Fri 05 Sep, 7pm till late. 'Live At The Princess' this month features Soulframe, Atoned and 6across with a video special from Paul Colman, prizes, a cafe and more. For more info visit www.liveattheprincess.com. All welcome.

22.08.03 - Alabaster Box hits the studio.
From Box Publicity.

Alabaster Box are currently recording the second half of their third album. Fresh from a hugely successful tour to the USA and a 25 concert trek throughout central Queensland, the Box will be returning to Ebony Recording Studios on the Gold Coast to complete the project which commenced in June. The album will be released in early November, with a national tour to follow.

22.08.03 - 'Live at the Princess'... is coming.
From 96five.

96five is committed to supporting Aussie music. Join us for the first ever 'Live at the Princess' on Friday September 5 featuring Soulframe, Atoned & 6across, plus late night acoustic music, café, and be the first in Australia to own the awesome new Paul Colman Trio CD. 

'Live at the Princess', Friday September 5 from 7pm till late, at 'The Princess Theatre', 8 Annerley Rd Woolloongabba, opposite the Mater Hospital. Tickets from $7 at the door, for more info check out www.liveattheprincess.com. Sponsored by World Vision and 96five.

22.08.03 - Good 'One' pc3.
From Wes Jay, The Rock Across Australia.

The Paul Colman Trio releases its new CD 'One' in Aus/NZ during October. Recorded at Sing Sing studios (Melbourne, Australia) and Soundwerks (Bellevue, Tennessee), the album features additional guitar work from David Carr, Adam Lester and Mike Payne.

Two versions of 'One' will be released - one for Australasia, the other for the rest of the world. The Australasian version will feature two songs that will not appear on the international release - 'Love This Life' and 'Your Love'. The international version will feature new versions of 'Pray', 'Live It!' and 'Save My Soul'.

Australia & New Zealand track list...
1. I'll Be With You
2. Big Blue Planet
3. One Generation
4. Love This Life
5. Solution
6. One
7. Your Man
8. Birthday Song
9. Who Do You Say
10. Your Love
11. Into Your Arms

USA & Europe track list...
1. I'll Be With You
2. Pray
3. Solution
4. The Birthday Song
5. Your Man
6. Big Blue Planet
7. One
8. Who Do You Say?
9. Live It!
10. One Generation
11. Save My Soul
12. Into Your Arms

22.08.03 - Pacemaker win 94.9 rising star comp.
From Pacemaker.

On August 14, Pacemaker won the River 94.9FM Rising Stars comp held at the Ekka and in doing so won themselves recording time, a year long contract, and a new guitar. There are new stars on the horizon.

22.08.03 - Qld Musicians Breakfast postponed.
From ACAN.

Due to unforseen circumstances, we have postponed the Qld event. Stay tuned for more info. (Maybe you would like to help with a rescheduled Qld Muso's Breakfast? Drop us an e-mail and let us know!).

22.08.03 - Stacie Down Under promo tour.
From Wes Jay, The Rock Across Australia.

Stacie Orrico sang an acoustic version of 'Stuck' on Channel 10's 'The Panel' on Wednesday. The appearance is part of a promotional tour that will include Sydney and Melbourne media outlets.

Stacie's '(There's Gotta Be) More to Life' is #1 on TRAA's Contemporary Top 30 this week, and #21 on ARIA's mainstream chart. Her single 'Stuck' has gained platinum status in Australia for sales more than 70 000 units. In New Zealand, Stacie's single Stuck has struck gold. It is one of 11 songs in NZ's Top 50 that has sold more than 5000 units [NZ gold = 5000 units]. Her self-titled album is #40 this week on the RIANZ album chart.

22.08.03 - Amy Grant, pure pop.
From Wes Jay, The Rock Across Australia.

Amy Grant's latest pop album 'Simple Things' will be released in Australia and New Zealand on 1 September through Christian distributor, Word Australia. Universal Music Australia, who has mainstream distribution rights, has no plans to release it in the general market.

Grant will make appearances on several US talks shows including The Today Show and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno over the next couple of weeks.

22.08.03 - Real Sister Act - (a slice of history).
From Wes Jay, The Rock Across Australia.

The first Australian record to sell more than a million records in the US was recorded by an Adelaide nun. Sr Janet Mead taught at St Aloysius College and began writing rock masses in the early 70s.

The 'Sisters of Mercy' nun came to the attention of Sydney "radio priest" Fr Jim McLaren when she recorded Donovan's 'Brother Sun, Sister Moon' (the theme from a movie about St Francis of Assisi). Fr Jim played the B-side, a toe-tapping rendition of 'The Lord's Prayer'. The response was so great that 2UW added the song to the playlist and it became one of the most successful pop hits of 1974. It reached #3 and stayed in the Sydney charts for 21 weeks.

To date, the song has sold more than two million copies worldwide with releases in more than 30 countries, and more than 20 covers. Sr Janet resisted the call to further her pop career and donated all the song's royalties to charity. 'The Lord's Prayer' is the biggest selling Christian single by an Australian.

13.08.03 - Sweet voice gathers on a hill.
From Wes Jay, The Rock Across Australia.

Paul Colman and pc3 have recorded three songs for the fifth and final 'City on a Hill' CD. 'The Gathering', which will be released next month, sees Colman collaborate with Dan Hastletine (Jars of Clay), Derri Daugherty (The Choir), GlassByrd, Bebo Norman and Sara Groves on 'Jesus Went to the Garden', and with FFH on 'Table of the Lord'. pc3 performs 'Instrument of Peace' written by Colman and Phil Madeira.

In the past year, pc3 has also scored songs on 'City on a Hill - It's Christmas Time', 'Our God of Wonders - Volume 1', 'Essential Top 10 Hits', and 'Wow Hits 2003'.

The trio's second international release 'One' will be available next month [September].

13.08.03 - Roma goes Face To Face on TV.
From Wes Jay, The Rock Across Australia.

Roma Waterman will appear on Channel 10's 'Face To Face' program this Wednesday 13 August at 11:45 PM. Her song 'Lifting Me Up' is receiving regular airplay on the Australian Christian Channel and is again the most played song on Christian radio in Australia this week. 

Roma performs with a 30-piece orchestra, a choir, a rock band, plus solo on piano at the Melbourne Central Conference Centre on 23 August.

13.08.03 - Crew cuts.
From Wes Jay, The Rock Across Australia.

Hillsong's 'Hope' CD continues to chart on ARIA's mainstream album charts. 'Hope' has been in the ARIA report for four weeks peaking at #3 on its first week. The album is #10 this week on the ARIA Australasian chart ahead of CDs by John Farnham, The Whitlams, Keith Urban and Kasey Chambers.

Stacie Orrico's 'More to Life' debuts at #32 on the ARIA singles chart this week.

Parachute Band releases its latest album 'Glorious' next month.

Disney's upcoming 'Extreme Skate Adventure' skateboarding video game features music by Jump5 (Spinnin' Around), Newsboys (Live In Stereo), GRITS (Here We Go). Last year, Souljahz, LA Symphony, Chevelle and Pigeon John appeared on the Xbox game, Project Gotham.

06.08.03 - Translucent concert on this Saturday.
From Translucent (JoshKerrBAND).

If you don't already know, we have had a few changes, the first being (since early this year) we are now called 'Translucent'. One of our members, Aaron (percussion) had to move on to other things, so we change our style to suit. We have more of a rock theme surrounding us now, and you don't see the acoustic guitar too much any more (unless the occasion calls for it).

Just letting you know that this Saturday we are playing with 'Half Way Out' and 'Reclaimed' and also have Steve Davies from the Bible Society sharing a bit. It is a free event and runs for 6pm to about 10pm. There will be food, tea and coffee, and cold drinks for sale, so you can come for tea. It's at Village Avenue Community Church, 1 The village Av, Coopers Plains. It will be really good!

Our brand new website www.translucent.com.au should be on air tomorrow, so check it out. And we have just finished recording a new demo, and we are really happy with how it's turning out. We are just doing the finishing touches, and we'll get it back. It will have 6 songs, and if you would like a copy, let me know and you can have one for $10.

06.08.03 - Roma's dreams come true.
From Wes Jay, The Rock Across Australia.

Every singer dreams of performing with an orchestra, a choir, a band, or a grand piano! But not everyone gets to achieve all their dreams - in just one night! Well, that's what's going to happen later this month when critically acclaimed Australian singer-songwriter Roma Waterman performs with a 30-piece orchestra, a choir, a rock band, plus solo with a grand piano at the Melbourne Central Conference Centre on 23 August. The performance will be another achievement in her amazing "dream" year!

06.08.03 - CCC Youth hot in Europe.
From Wes Jay, The Rock Across Australia.

Europe's Premier Music magazine has hailed Australia's CCC Youth project 'Run With You' as the "Contemporary Album of the Month". Featuring Nikki Fletcher on the cover, Premier Music says the diversity of musical styles on the album "really impresses". The magazine describes Fletcher's 'Dream Maker' as "Avril Lavigne-styled pop perfection".

'Run With You' is #1 on TRAA's Australasian Independent Artists Chart.

06.08.03 - Crew cuts.
From Wes Jay, The Rock Across Australia.

A couple of familiar faces have made the Top 40 finals of 'Australian Idol' - Guy Sebastian (Planet Shakers) and Ben Manusama (son of Bram and Dianne).

Artists recently revamping their websites include the Paul Colman Trio and Tania G.

Antiskeptic releases its latest CD 'Aurora' on 25 August. The group's latest single 'Nothing to Say' has been in the top 10 of Triple J's Net 50 for the past five weeks.

Rebecca St. James' book 'Wait for Me' on the subject of abstinence and sexual purity is now in its sixth printing. The book has been translated into several languages, and earlier this year reached #1 on the Christian Booksellers best seller list.

02.08.03 - the jive express - a frontline message.
By Lynne Stringer, The Queensland Baptist.

In the past twelve months the jive express has taken the Australian Christian music scene by storm. The band formed in Perth in 1998, but it wasn't until their first tour in 2002 that they received high acclaim for their music. Their performance at 2002's Australian Gospel Music Festival (AGMF) was an unscheduled, brief spot during Saturday's street activities. They were so well received that the management extended their spot for an hour, with the jive express closing AGMF's Street Festival. This year's AGMF was the platform from which the band launched their latest album 'Covered'. Since then they have toured around Australia promoting it.

"[The band] started as a collective group, and it's gone from there," says Paul Mabury, jive's drummer and 'pastor', "I'd been working in the music industry for about seven years and I knew a lot of professional musicians, and I used it as much to reach out to them as to give Christians an outlet to be creative."

Preaching the Gospel to non-Christians through their music is the major drive of the jive express. With this goal in mind, a good percentage of their gigs are played on the secular music scene.

"We play in clubs," says Paul, "It's frontline stuff. We go and play our music and it's not like a hidden message. The message is blatant. As a band, [our] bullseye is reaching the lost in the most common meeting places of young adults, which is bars and pubs. Some Christians will say, 'What are you doing in a bar?' and I'll say, 'That's where people go! Get over it!'.

"Jesus was doing far worse, as far as the Jews were concerned. If you touched a woman while she was menstruating, you were considered unclean. If you touched an insect, you were considered unclean. And He was hanging out with prostitutes, lepers, tax collectors and all these 'sinners', and there aren't too many of those people in our churches."

Paul also has a heart to reach the church through jive's music, in the hope that this will help churches in their outreach.

"As Christians, we need to remind ourselves that we have the most exciting message to tell the world. There's no more profound and life-changing reality than that Jesus Christ, the creator of the universe, is seeking a relationship with us, and that He is far more desperate to be in a relationship with us then we will ever be. That's unbelievable!

"[We] don't understand how vast and how amazing [He is], yet with all that power, He says to us, 'You be my hands and feet'. It's like He's said 'I'll limit myself to your obedience', because we're His kids. Jesus showed how to do it, and now it's up to us."

Jesus showed us that we need to love people above all else, Paul says.

"[We] have ten commandments, and Jesus made them two. Love the Lord your God with everything you are. When you do that, you receive insight on how valuable you are. He [also] said love people with the same love. Love people like you love yourself. You know you're invaluable. You know the person you're looking at is invaluable too, whether they know the Lord or not.

"Jesus was saying just go out and love people, and the people that you're loving will know who you belong to. I never really understood that, because I thought, you're not telling them about faith, so how will they know? [But] they know there's something different about you, and it's a freedom that's not of this world. Then they're open to it and you've earned the right to speak into their lives.

"[One] guy that I led to the Lord outside a bar said, 'There's something in you that is bigger than what I'm looking at. It's just out of this world, and I've been trying my whole life, striving to get that. But you've got it, so hook me up!'

"Jive express exists to go out and share that with people. The music is [just] a tool. It's a tool to reach people and communicate a message."

For more information on the jive express, check out their website at www.scopemusic.com/jiveexpress .

01.08.03 - The launch of 'Softly Spoken Lies'.
From Pseudo Llama.

The EP that we have been furiously creating this year is being unveiled to the world; five tracks of the best of Pseudo Llama. We are putting on a concert to celebrate the launch of the EP in a few weeks. Here are the details, so get your diaries out right now!

Who? Pseudo Llama, supported by Floyd's Dad and Paisley
When? Saturday night, August 16th, starting at 8pm, 
Where? The Healer, a very funky and stylish club in the Valley (27 Warner St, Fortitude Valley, to be exact)
Why? To launch PL's debut EP 'Softly Spoken Lies'
How much? $10 entry, or $16 entry plus a copy of PL's EP

It will be a fabulous night of quality music that should definitely not be missed! There will also be art inspired by the EP cover art on display by Brisbane artists Robyn Downie and Campbell Butler, who designed our cover art. After this event, the EP will be $12 which means that they will be sold for half price if you buy your copy at the door of the launch.

01.08.03 - Introducing... Shem Jackson Jared Haschek.
From Jared Haschek, Compliments Of Gus.

Shem was born at 12.45pm on Thursday 31st July 2003, weighing in at 8 pounds 11 ounces. He is 54 centimetres long, and has a head circumference of 36.5cm. Mother and baby (and dad!) are doing very well. We are so excited to have this new addition to our lives, and covet your prayers as we start this brand new adventure.

01.08.03 - Tecmandoo EP available.
From Tecmandoo.

We have released our EP with a private BBQ on the sunnycoast. Sales & offerings have seen this recording already hitting American shores as well as local areas. Tecmandoo are working on a website, and will be doing a full length show sometime in August.

01.08.03 - New solo project for Darlene.
From Wes Jay, The Rock Across Australia.

Darlene Zschech - the woman at the forefront of the worldwide worship revolution and the songwriter of the hugely popular worship anthem 'Shout to the Lord' - will release a new solo studio project in October. Titled 'Kiss of Heaven', the new CD will feature personal worship songs, a love song for her husband and a cover of U2's 'Walk On'. The CD title takes its name from her song which previously appeared on the 'Mercy Project' compilation album. 

'Kiss of Heaven' is not the first solo project for Darlene. Previous solo albums include 'Pearls and Gold' (1993) and 'Make the Choice' (1987). Darlene also teamed up with Peter Beveridge to form 'Present History' in 1990. The duo released just one self-titled album.

01.08.03 - Networker's dream.
From Wes Jay, The Rock Across Australia.

One of the highlights of the Australian Christian music calendar is the ACAN Musician's Breakfast. Around 150 artists and industry people get together in Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra and Brisbane each year to share a meal and enjoy the artist showcases. Artists, songwriters, youth leaders, journalists, radio presenters and programmers, distributors, retailers, marketing and management people, production and recording studio personnel, publicists, event organisers, promoters and 'behind-the-scenes' people get together and network like crazy!

ACAN National Coordinator Martin Fawkes says the Musician's Breakfast is a "supportive, relationship-building environment, designed to nurture and support your work". 

"For artists, this is a unique opportunity to be seen and heard, and to make those all important contacts," Martin says. "For other key people in the industry, this is the perfect opportunity to raise your profile and promote your services to the Christian artists and industry people of Victoria," he adds.

ACAN Musician's Breakfasts will be held in:
Melbourne - 16 August - Kingston Links Reception Centre, Corporate Ave, Rowville. Hosts: Roma and Ted Waterman.
Sydney - 30 August - CCC Parramatta, Clyde Street, Silverwater. Host: Nathan Tasker.
Brisbane - 6 September - Lions Den Cafe.
Canberra - 22 November - National Gospel Happening.

Credit card payments call 1300 138 826 Tickets must be pre-paid, and can be collected at the door. For further information check out www.acan.org.au.

01.08.03 - Stacie talks about her faith.
From Wes Jay, The Rock Across Australia.

No one can accuse Stacie Orrico of not making the most of her newfound international platform to express her faith. The teenager who took Stuck to the mainstream charts recently sat down with Christianity Today and spoke from her heart about her faith, her music and how she wants to reach people by integrating the two. You can check out the interview at www.ChristianityToday.com.

Stacie will appear on Channel 10's 'The Panel' on 20 August. The appearance is part of a national promotional tour that will include Christian and mainstream radio visits.
 


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