New BEC Recordings signee
Shine Bright Baby released their debut album
Dreamers on July 23rd, 2013. I had the opportunity to meet the band in 2011 at
Creation Festival Northeast, where we spent time discussing their formation as a band and the story of their song "Hourglasses."
Watching their set on the Fringe Stage that first time, I saw an energetic band with a lot of potential, reminding me of a blend of other faith-based rock bands that have female lead singers. But since then, the band has added more pop and electronic elements to their sound. If you like upbeat, high-energy pop/rock, then don't hesitate to pick up
Dreamers. Their set featured several selections from that album, including the super catchy lead single "Beautiful Love," the achingly beautiful "Love Restores," "Lumineux," "Dreamers" and current single "Made to Glow." We discussed a couple of songs for upcoming behind the song devotionals.
This year at the Fringe Stage at Creation Festival on Saturday, June 28th I sang along with the band and was thrilled to see the culmination of their past four years of hard work and determination to sing about the love of Jesus really come through in their energetic and worshipful set on the Fringe Stage. All of their songs are catchy, uplifting and focused on the deep love of Jesus and the how the Light of the World indwells in us to "shine bright, baby."
The band name is based on
Philippians 2:14-16 (NIV): "Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing." I often feel like a ‘dull' person that isn't showing God's light in my life, but their set of songs were very affirming reminders to know that my life ‘shines' for Christ, even on my bad days. These songs help me pray to live every day for God's glory!
NEEDTOBREATHE closed Creation Northeast on June 28th . They have very quickly become one of my all-time favorite bands because of how they are able to move me with such amazing spiritual lyrics that truly reflect how I feel as a Christian. Their new album
Rivers in the Wasteland is all about the restoration of the band when their drummer Joe Stillwell quit, a response to the overwhelming tension brought on by touring and being thrust into the limelight with his fellow South Carolina natives and lifelong friends Bear Rinehart, Bo Rinehart and Seth Bolt.
Their story is chronicled in the documentary film
Prove the Poets Wrong, drawn from the lyrics of "Drive All Night." NEEDTOBREATHE is getting back to their roots with
Rivers in the Wasteland, based on Isaiah 43:19 (NLT): "For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland."
No matter your situation, this band has songs that can really bring healing and reflect the cry of your heart, such as in their Dove Award winning songs "Washed by the Water," "Something Beautiful" and "Keep Your Eyes Open." Fans of the band's trademark high energy live shows were treated to "Feet Don't Fail Me Now," "Oh Carolina" and "The Heart." "Feet Don't Fail Me Now" is an incredible ZZ Top-style catchy song, with the band's trademark high octane musical pacing. The message of the song is an autobiographical expression of the band's musical journey.
"Difference Maker" is a gorgeous, moving and encouraging song about knowing that God's plan is far greater than any success or failure. It is about the beauty of grace and having faith. Christians are called to be difference makers and friends of God. I got choked up singing: "
Isn't it amazing how God can take a broken man, and let him find a fortune and then ruin it with his own two hands? He climbs on up the hill on the Rock on which he stands, He looks back at the crowd he looks down at his hands and he says 'I am a Difference Maker.'"
The lyrics to "Multiplied" are prayerful and moving: "
Your love is like radiant diamonds, Your love will surely come find us, like raging wild fire. Singing your name, God of mercy, sweet Love of mine, I have surrendered to Your design... these Hallelujahs, be multiplied." A moment I will never forget was singing "Hallelujahs multiplied" by 80,000 worshippers at Creation Northeast.
As "Something Beautiful" reflects, sometimes we need to be on our knees in prayer and submission before God and cry out "
Hey now, this is my desire, consume me like a fire, 'cause I just want something beautiful." The band consistently makes songs that remind us to get to that place where we are in humble submission to God, choosing not to play it safe but to take a chance and ask for God to be real in our lives. You'll never see true beauty if you don't fully submit to God.
One of the main messages of their set and their amazing new album is that we need to set our differences aside as the body of Christ, and to rely on God's grace and mercy to seek and speak the truth in love. Righteousness comes from faith in the unseen, like Abraham displayed in the Bible. That's why he is called a "Friend of God." That's the blessed hope we all share in God's Kingdom. The band has played before big crowds before, but not always for the right reasons. As Bear Rinehart stated, "Tonight is for the right reason, we are here to celebrate our Creator." Amen to that!
Photography by Joey Zimmerman. Check out the full photo sets on our facebook page:
NEEDTOBREATHE photo gallery
Shine Bright Baby photo gallery
