This week was thick with some long-awaited releases climbing the charts, a Bieber sighting in the heart of Christian music homeland, and some unusually exciting performances on the road. (How exactly does an amp catch on fire mid-performance anyway?) Here is your weekly commentary on the tweets and chirps of Christian music.
As always, if you'd like to keep tabs on over 1,200 Christian artists, check out our exclusive
NRTwitter page to read the latest tweets from the Christian music community. And if you've discovered some great tweets of your own, feel free to pass them along by using the hashtag #nrtweets.
UP AND COMING
@ManicDrive: Don't miss our live chat on @newreleasetue next Monday! on.fb.me/oLI7bI (September 26)
This week has been a busy one in the Manic Drive camp. In addition to releasing their new album
Epic, they are looking forward to a new music video (and they were stoked on the chat they had with NRT a couple days ago).
@NEEDTOBREATHE: Thanks to the 50,000 of you who bought #TheReckoning this week! Feels incredible to have our first Top 10 record! We love y'all. #fb (September 27)
NEEDTOBREATHE’s latest effort reached the much-deserved position of No. 6 on Billboard’s Top 200--their most successful release week so far.
@eleventyrock: Sample SUGARFIST!!! make your friends listen too. fb.me/1dp9sTl4u (September 27)
Electronic pop rockers Eleventyseven are approaching the release of their next project, Sugarfist. They have samples up on YouTube.
@b_reith: PreOrder the new record NOW &download the new single! breith.com peep the trailer 11.1.11 ft @lecrae @gungormusic@pjmorton @davebarnesmusic (September 28)
Genre-defying artist B. Reith is preparing to release his independent sophomore album, featuring an incredibly strong line-up of guest musicians. This will definitely be an album to watch.
@StevenCurtis: Rockin on bus last nite w/new Switchfoot "ViceVerses"! Strong!! as always from Jon & the fellas. (someday @calebtheband must open for them!) (September 29)
The incredibly highly-anticipated release of Switchfoot’s
Vice Verses sparked a flood of Twitter support from artists in a wide variety of genres. Other artists who tweeted about it include @amygrant, @lifehousemusic, @ethanluck (Relient K), @bartmillard (MercyMe), @jarsofclay, @anberlin, @MUTEMATH, @mikedonehey (Tenth Avenue North), @skilletmusic, @therealtobymac, @flyleafmusic, and @TheRocketSummer.
@Charmainemusic: Here is a FREE download remix of "Tokyo"! By David Thulin! Hope you like...xox fb.me/11VAptDQK (September 29)
Charmaine is offering a free download of an exceptional remix of her track “Tokyo.”
@derekwebb: DO NOT MISS this free @noisetrade 30-song fall sampler, exclusively on facebook: facebook.com/noisetrade?sk=… (September 29)
NoiseTrade, the music service founded by Christian artist Derek Webb, is offering a sampler on their Facebook page. It is well worth looking into for fans of indie music.
@therealFools: We're having a handful of CD release shows next week in MS, AL, LA and OH. Check our Facebook to see where we'll be! http://j.mp/qlW02B (September 29)
Rush of Fools released their third album (“We Once Were”) this week after a long silence, and they’ll be playing several release shows. Check their Facebook to see if there’s a show near you.
BURNING UP
@marcmartel: Back stage at the Ellen Show. Wishing Jason, Glenn and Jeremy were here with me. So amazing to be here, but weird to be without my brothers (September 29)
The saga of Marc Martel (of Downhere) and his audition for the Queen tribute band continues. He recorded a performance on the Ellen Show (which aired on Monday, Oct. 3). This was definitely a step outside of his normal scope of performance.
@michaelgungor: Watched Jacks amp from DCB literally burst into flames from backstage tonight. It was so rock and roll. (September 29)
The 7 Tour (featuring John Mark McMillan, Chris August, Gungor, and the soon-to-be disbanded David Crowder*Band) got off to an intense start in Texas this week with some unintentional pyro.
@Manafest: we just hit a car in Atlanta Traffic... small dent, but dude made us call the cops... all good now...CAN'T STOP THE CHASE!!!! (September 30)
Manafest lives life in the fast lane—perhaps literally.
@aaronrgillespie: So stoked to be a part of this. instagr.am/p/Ot57N/ (October 1)
Aaron Gillespie and The City Harmonic are out on tour together right now in support of the nonprofit organization Hello Somebody.
Check here for dates.
@jonforeman: Who doesn't like ice cream for breakfast?! (October 1)
Touring seems to have thrown off Switchfoot frontman Jon Foreman’s perception of mealtimes... but on the other hand, maybe he’s on to something.
@anberlin: A real life conversation on the bus right now... @Manberlin "Who do you think would win in a fight, Gandalf or Dumbledore?" -NY (October 1)
Anberlin tackled a debate of nerds everywhere on their bus this week. (For the record, Gandalf would totally own Dumbledore.)
ON THE HOME FRONT
@davelux: Sorry....here... #biebersighting yfrog.com/hs1ihzdj
@davelux: Don't you even think about unfollowing me for that. (September 28)
When Justin Bieber arrived in Franklin, TN to film a music video, the fans showed up in force... along with Kutless’s bass player.
@TFKTrevor: This guy really exists...back from tour, my life consists of music and moles... pic.twitter.com/npuP8q9k (September 28)
Rocker Trevor McNevan traded out the stage for something a little more mundane this week.
@marktheshark: #thatawkwardmoment when you go to Chick Fil A on a Sunday... (October 2)
This is probably a pretty universal awkward moment that chicken lovers everywhere share.
