#MusicLoveAction

[thesoulfest]

The Courage to Love

We live in the reality that love transforms, inspires, restores, and activates us to live the revolution Jesus started - standing up for those who could not stand up for themselves, supporting and looking out for the needs of those around us, and uniting people from unique walks of life under a common belief and cause. We are so thankful when stories, poems, and thoughts make it back to us explaining real experiences with community and True Love at SoulFest. This poem is just one example of the many testimonies of the fullness community and love can instill in us:

What Soul Fest Meant To Me…

Loving God is Cool I learned there were no rules, I don’t have to go to a building to believe That was the biggest relief Helping others is Love Like an angel sent from above, So many people were there Their hopefulness filled the air I listened to music with a different lens I could hear the words and the message, Music can feed your soul Like a beautiful spirit from old By opening my heart and letting go My fears melted away nice and slow, My heart grew bigger and warmer A sense of peacefulness took over But most important of all There was a beautiful wall, To aid each other was its purpose People needed help & vice versus At the end of each night He looked up at the starry lights, Deep down in his soul what he really wanted us all to know Was that when all else has failed True love will prevail First time Soul Fest Attendee, August ‘12 

[thesoulfest]

2015 ARTIST HIGHLIGHT: Sidewalk Prophets! (Saturday Aug 8, 6:00pm)

The band- comprised of Ben McDonald (rhythm guitar), Cal Joslin (bass) and Justin Nace (drums) and David (mentioned above)- got its start by leading worship at its alma mater, Anderson University. With a desire to encourage its fellow believers on how to integrate worship with real life, the band played independently for several years before signing a record deal and moving to Nashville. While independent, the band did whatever it took to make it, even if it meant sleeping in the janitor’s closet at some venues and subsiding on dinners of beans and cornbread while honing their skills. Teaming up with All Star United frontman and famed producer Ian Eskelin, the band recorded These Simple Truths, its first album with the goal to convince even the most jaded listener that it was possible to craft listenable music with a Christ-centered message.

[thesoulfest]

2015 ARTIST HIGHLIGHT: Jim Trick! 

Covered in blood and screaming are not descriptions typically applied to acoustic musicians. This however is exactly how Jim Trick began his career as a performer. The community theater production of The Wizard of Oz was underway. Jim's chubby eight year old thighs were crammed sausagely into a pair of yellow tights and he and the other two "lollipop guild" munchkins were about to take the stage. Heart pounding and palms clammy he stepped into the light. At that precise moment his tiny nose began to bleed so profusely as to evoke gasps from the audience and to launch him into a complete meltdown. Fast forward 32 years and you will find that Jim's thighs are still chubby. He has not worn tights again and virtually never gets nosebleeds. He has however evolved into a magnetic and engaging performer & speaker. For the last twenty years Jim has melded his original brand of alt-folk / solo acoustic rock with motivational life lessons taught and sung at retreats all over the country. Jim's concert appearances are intimate and with disarming humor and transparency Jim is able to instantly connect with his audience. Jim's fourth and most recent release is entitled Jim Trick Buying the Field was produced by Thomas Eaton (Vance Gilbert, Ellis Paul) and features a wonderful array of players including Duke Levine, Maeve and John Curtis (Pousette Dart, Patty Griffin)

[thesoulfest]

2015 ARTIST HIGHLIGHT: The Ongoing Concept!

Considering that THE ONGOING CONCEPT are the latest addition to Solid State Records - a label long recognized as the home to some of the biggest names in metalcore - one would be forgiven for assuming they have a vested interest in preserving the traditions of that genre. For this Idaho quartet, nothing could be further from the truth. The members of this literal band of brothers (three siblings and a childhood friend) are just as quick to mention artists like TOTO, YANNI and BRUCE HORNSBY as influences as they are genre giants UNDEROATH, BRING ME THE HORIZON and LETLIVE. From moment one, it’s clear THE ONGOING CONCEPT are zeroing in on a refined, artistically driven sound. But listeners can forget about this band coloring inside the metalcore lines. In fact, they can forget about the lines altogether. Exhibit A is the band’s debut full-length for Solid State Records, Saloon, an 11-track splatter-art canvas of jaw-droppingly heavy music swirled with a grab-bag of musical elements. Some ragtime here, some honkytonk piano there. Some banjo here, some spoon-playing there. Did you just hear scat vocals? Yes, you did. The only thing more surprising than some of the stunts THE ONGOING CONCEPT pulls on Saloon is the fact that it works so well, so seamlessly. The secret to the band’s success is, while they may not be particularly faithful to any genre, THE ONGOING CONCEPT never waver from their musical mission statement. “We write what we want. We don't stick to some genre or boundary,” explains guitarist and vocalist Dawson Scholz. “We write music not for today, not for tomorrow – we write it to last forever. You know what will still be playing in Taco Bell five years from now? ‘Don't Stop Believin’ by JOURNEY. Why? Because it's timeless. Thats the feeling we strive for.” Timelessness is not an easy quality to capture. But doing things the easy way doesn’t seem to be THE ONGOING CONCEPT’s M.O. To make sure Saloon perfectly captured the sounds they heard in their heads, the band spent four months trudging back and forth to a studio in Canada, ultimately recording every aspect of their album two times over. They did it for the same reason they produced the album themselves, the same reason they make their own videos, design their own merchandise. Controlling the chaos takes effort.

[thesoulfest]

Congratulations Newsboys!!! “We Believe” won the K-Love award for Song of the Year on Sunday!! Check out this music video, and don’t miss their show at SoulFest 2015 Thursday night Aug 6th with for KING & COUNTRY, Family Force 5, Moriah Peters, and MORE! Full line-up at www.thesoulfest.com

[thesoulfest]

We need your help promoting #SoulFest15 in your church and community!! Email us at information@thesoulfest.com or call us 978-346-4577 to get a FREE promotion kit of flyers, posters, and programs!! #soulfeststreetteam #sf15 #musicloveACTION (at SoulFest and New Sound Concerts)

[thesoulfest]

Congratulations for KING & COUNTRY on winning *three* K-Love awards last night: Group/Duo of the Year, Best Live Show, AND Artist of the Year!!!! 

Guess what?! This show is coming to you at SoulFest 2015!! Don’t miss them on Thurs Aug 6th in Gilford, NH!! Get your tickets today!  http://www.eventbrite.com/e/soulfest-2015-tickets-12588615889?aff=PRICESPAGE

“To Joel and Luke, remaining focused on what truly matters is crucial to succeeding musically. “The best legacy I can leave is if I am a good dad and good husband. If my family environment was out of whack, I don’t know if I’d even be able to write songs anymore,” says Luke. “A lot of my passion and zeal for life is because I have a wife who counts on me and a son who looks up to me and says ‘Dada.’ I can’t believe how much love he has in his eyes when he says that word. I can see the complete trust and safety that my son feels when he is with me. When he began to walk, I often thought, if I could run wild like a one-year-old does and live a life that embraces adventure in that way, I think I would see life entirely differently.”

And therein lies the phrase that has ultimately become not only the title of their sophomore album, but also a statement of what it means to truly be alive. Joel sums it up this way, ‘RUN WILD. LIVE FREE. LOVE STRONG. is a statement of reclaiming our birthright as humans, to live a life that is for others, and in that find what it truly means to run wild, live free and love strong.’”

Check out their full story at http://www.forkingandcountry.com/bio!

[thesoulfest]

Jay Hocking (Water for Good) -True Love Essay

Water for Good works collaboratively, in long-term partnership, with communities in central Africa, empowering people with sustainable access to clean water, transformational sanitation principles, and improved agricultural resources.  www.waterforgood.org

[thesoulfest]

2015 ARTIST HIGHLIGHT: We As Human!

Check out We As Human’s music video for “Strike Back”! They’re headlining the Inside Out Stage this year at SoulFest 2015 on Thursday and it’s going to be SOLID. Don’t miss them, Nine Lashes, Kardia, and MORE!

“We As Human” Album Inside look: “This record is not just a compilation of songs; every song is a part of my heart and this band and our story," Cordle says. "This record is shaped by our history, and real stories of real things that five real guys have gone through.” 

[thesoulfest]

2015 ARTIST HIGHLIGHT: The Vespers!

The Vespers are one of those bands that have built an extensive underground following simply through word of mouth and heavy touring. The band is uniquely made up of two sibling duos; the Cryar sisters, and the Jones brothers. The four have distinguished their sound with an arsenal of acoustic instruments and harmonies only siblings can create. Their showmanship generates a roller coaster of sight, sound, and emotion and their inherent chemistry and instrumental versatility continues to set them apart. The band has independently released two full-length records and left a reputable impression on both Americana and Christian audiences. They have toured all over the United States in their short 3 years, playing all different environments from colleges and festivals to listening rooms and theaters.

The Vespers are playing at SoulFest 2015!! Don’t miss their show on Thursday, Aug 6th at 2:20pm at Gunstock Mtn Resort!

[thesoulfest]

#tbt Here is a photo of @FamilyForce5 on the main stage at SoulFest in 2012. Who's ready to see them this summer at #SoulFest2015? This year, they will also be hosting a late night DJ / dance party...hope you're ready for this. Get your tickets today!! #familyforce5 #soulfest #musicloveaction (at The SoulFest Office)