Recording artist found working on ‘Hurricane’ was ‘like therapy’ after enduring darkness of post-partum depression

Five-time Dove Award-winning Female Vocalist of the Year Natalie Grant has been through a personal storm and now brings her experience to what she calls her “most personal record to date.” Curb Records (Word Distribution) releases Hurricane, Grant’s first project in three years, Oct. 15.

As a mother of three, Grant suffered with post-partum depression following the birth of her youngest daughter. Still touring, she struggled in that darkness for nearly two years until she began the creative process for the new release. 

With her initial plan to record 10 songs selected by her record company, she found herself inspired again. 

“It completely switched around and I ended up writing more,” she told Christian Retailing. “It’s just like the Lord when I planned it one way and it went the opposite, like a creative dam broke. This record was like therapy for me.”

Title track “Hurricane” was inspired by Grant’s personal life as well as the story of Jesus walking on the water in the storm. The single was released in May and has become the fastest-rising single of Grant’s career, striking a chord with listeners looking for hope while facing their own storms. 

Since her debut release in 1999, Grant has been consistent in her music projects and touring. Fourteen years later, she is still focused on making an impact on the culture in which her three young girls will be raised. 

“This is a time when it could be easy for anyone to (stop and) say, ‘It’s been a great career,’ ” she said. “As a mom to three young girls, one of the reasons I want fresh music and relevant messages is because of them. They’re going to be looking to the girls I’m impacting right now.”

Although many of the songs are weighty, Hurricane is still upbeat in outlook and tempo. As a self-described “pop-music junkie,” Grant wanted “fresh, relevant” songs for today’s listeners.

“I wasn’t trying to reinvent myself, but right now I’m more sure of who I am than ever before,” she said. “Mostly, I was overwhelmed and in a dark space, [but] this record is a result of hope. I wanted that to be reflected in this record.”

To order Hurricane, call Word Distribution at 800-876-WORD (9673).

Jonny Lang returns with Fight for My Soul (Concord Publishing/Capital Christian Distribution), his first full-length release in seven years. The artist, who first made headlines as a 16-year-old blues prodigy, delivers 11 new songs, such as first single “Blew Up (the House)” and “Breakin In,” in his signature blues-rock style tackling topics such as faith, hope, personal transformation and social justice. Lang will support the new release with full North American and European tours. 

The Pledge, releasing Sept. 3 from Bridgestone Multimedia Group ($19.95), is a family drama centering on 16-year-old Tory Hedderman and the lessons he learns from a group of veterans. When he is caught vandalizing a statue of a military hero, Tory is ordered to perform community service at the local veteran’s home where he is changed by learning about patriotism and sacrifice. The film stars Barrett Carnahan, Terry Kiser, Emily Capehart, Michael Guy Allen and Claudie Esposito. 

BEC Recordings will release the new project from rock group 7eventh Time Down, Just Say Jesus, through New Day Christian Distributors, Sept. 3. The group recently joined KJ-52, Shine Bright Baby and Manafest on the Air1 Tour, which drew more than 10,000 attendees and raised money for medical care for children internationally.

Band poised to release its ‘most pop-driven’ record 

The Newsboys are hitting Restart (5099997925729) with a new collection of pop-flavored tracks releasing Sept. 10 from Sparrow Records (Capital Christian Distribution). 

Although a Christian music staple for decades, the band is receiving fresh attention and accolades after the addition of Michael Tait on lead vocals and a string of successful releases, including Born Again and God’s Not Dead. 

For longtime drummer Duncan Phillips, the title of the new record carries a double meaning for the band and its listeners, who are living in a world of economic struggle. 

“In the last few years, people have been reevaluating their lives,” Phillips said. “The bigger house is not all they thought it would be, and they’ve realized that some of the stuff they’ve chased after does not matter. They’re focusing more on the things that are really important.”

As a band, Phillips said, members feel like they’ve “hit the restart button and are getting going again.” 

Part of the new emphasis is bringing more people into the creation process, such as producers Seth Mosely and Christopher Stevens, who has “great pop sensibilities,” Phillips said. 

“If you like pop music, you’re going to freak out over this record,” he said. “You tend to gravitate back to your first love in music and I really loved the ’80s music. This record is the most pop-driven record Newsboys has ever done.”

The collaborative process has helped the band improve with time, Phillips said.

“We have had a certain amount of success (when we produced and wrote our songs), but we realized we weren’t the best at it,” he said. “Now we’re getting the best songwriters to co-write with us and ultimately we’re getting a better record because of it.”

The first single, “Live With Abandon,” released to Christian radio during the summer and carries a challenge for listeners to re-engage the culture. 

“People are feeling isolated and insulted, and our culture is getting crazier,” Phillips said. “Our natural reaction is to recoil into our subculture, but as Christians, we’re supposed to be in the world, but not of it. We need to jump back in and show them what Christianity is all about.”

Following that same thought process, the song “Love Like You Mean It” also encourages Christians to change their world by showing love to others. When Christians re-engage the culture, Phillips said, it models the love of Christ, who often reached out to those that society deemed unlovable. 

“I just want to love people,” he said. “I want to show them the love of Christ that He showed them.”

Order Restart by calling 800-877-4443 or visit the distributor’s website, www.capitolchristiandistribution.com.

PLUS: Girl group keeps it positive while Tammy Trent returns with her danceable pop

1 GIRL NATION
1 Girl Nation
Reunion Records
(Provident Distribution) 
602341017923
Aug. 20

Five young women—Lauryn Taylor, Kayli, Kelsey, Carmen and Lindsey—make up new Reunion Records group 1 Girl Nation. Following the release of first single “While We’re Young,”  the full release features 10 pop tunes co-written with songwriters including Jason Ingram and Tony Wood. The group addresses topics such as self-worth, purpose and true beauty through songs such as “Daddy’s Girl” and “Love Like Crazy,” which features labelmate band Royal Tailor.  

EVENING: MORNING
The Digital Age
Fair Trade Services (Provident)
736211607591
Aug. 13

Although David Crowder Band disbanded last year, four of its members are pressing on with a new group, The Digital Age, and a new project, Evening: Morning. Comprised of Mike Dodson (Mike D), Mark Waldrop, Jack Parker and Jeremy Bush (Bwack), the group has the same mission as the David Crowder Band: “to make music that bridges the gap between our mainstream culture and our Christian faith,” Waldrop said. The new project, which includes 12 tracks varying from upbeat to low-key worship tunes, features strong electronic elements. 

LOVE & THE OUTCOME
Love & The Outcome
Word Records 
(Word Distribution)
08068865122
Aug. 27

Comprised of husband-and-wife team Chris and Jodi, Love & The Outcome follows the release of the lead single “He Is With Us” with a self-titled full-length debut. The project was produced by Seth Mosley (Newsboys) along with Ben Glover (For King & Country) and David Garcia (TobyMac). The group has already appeared on the Hundred More Years Tour supporting Francesca Battistelli and The Afters. 

STRONG GOD
New Life Worship
Integrity Music
(Provident) 
000768518229
Aug. 13

Strong God is the new release from New Life Worship from New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colo. Known for worship standards such as “Overcome,” “I Am Free,” “Your Name” and “My Savior Lives,” the album should attract the attention of worship leaders and listeners. Strong God features songwriting contributions from Michael Farren, Jason Ingram, Glenn Packium and Meredith Andrews, creating a live modern worship experience. Songs include “Alive and Free,” “More Than Enough,” “Victorious God” and the title track.

SUNNY DAYS
Tammy Trent
September Day Records
(Infinity Music Distribution)
654367859995
Aug. 6

Singer, author and speaker Trent’s  hope-driven Sunny Days is produced by Doug Beiden and is her first studio release in five years. The project features her signature danceable pop with worshipful lyrics and Trent writing eight of the 10 songs. Reflecting God’s faithful commitment in the songs’ lyrics, the release includes “You’ll Come,” “Your Grace Is Enough” and “Fall at Your Feet,” co-written with Beiden and Scott Krippayne. 

THE LIVING YEARS
The Isaacs
Gaither Music Group 
(Capitol Christian Distribution)
617884877422
Aug. 13

The Isaacs, a Gaither Homecoming staple, offers a new collection, The Living Years. It includes a capella and acoustic arrangements of songs about faith and family, including Dottie Rambo’s “Grandpa, Tell Me ’Bout the Good Ole Days,” the album’s  title track and “Leave It All on the Altar.”

Grown-up Tricia Brock explores themes relevant to life as a wife and mother

Tricia Brock—the voice behind successful radio singles such as “One Girl Revolution,” “We Live” and “Stand in the Rain” by the band Superchick—debuts Radiate (804147167028, Inpop Records), her first solo project, Aug. 13. 

Brock joined the contemporary Christian band, which has sold more than a million albums and had five No. 1 singles, soon after high school and toured the world with the band as a young single. Now a wife and mother, she says the new project is a chance for her to connect more personally with listeners. 

Songs on the project include “Enough,” a song about trusting God when life isn’t going well; “Mirror, Mirror” speaks about the temporary things people chase after; and “What I Know” a tender piano ballad of praise to God. 

While some themes are universal, Brock—who goes by Tricia now—feels the new project may endear itself to some older listeners outside of Superchick’s main demographic. 

“Honestly, I’ve always felt like a big sister to our fans, being there to encourage them and let them know other people have felt the same things they are experiencing, and that they can make it through,” she said. “But now that I’m a wife, mom and working woman, I also have a whole new respect and understanding for a new group of people.”

Though the band allowed Brock to deliver positive messages to the teens-and-younger set, she’s also aware that feelings of insecurity and self-doubt follow them well into their adult years, emotions that she has also faced. 

“Even as an adult there are different areas that make me feel the same way I did in high school—that I’m not good enough, that I don’t measure up,” she said. “I have bad days where I feel easily discouraged, depressed and listen to the fear. But those moments in particular are the times where I have to hold on to my faith and to let my heart be convinced of the things that my mind knows.”

Making the new record also allowed Tricia the chance to collaborate with her husband, Nick Baumhardt (Stellar Kart). The duo wrote the album together, recorded it in their home studio, and Baumhardt served as producer. 

To order, contact Capital Christian Distribution at 800-877-4443 or www.capitolchristiandistribution.com.

New Russian band Everfound and renowned music producer Wayne Haun also release albums this month

EVERFOUND
Everfound
Word Entertainment (Word Distribution)
080688856021
July 16

A band of four Russian-born brothers, Everfound is set to release its self-titled Word Entertainment debut. Co-produced by Seth Mosley (Francesca Battistelli, For King & Country, Newsboys, Audio Adrenaline) and Pete Kipley (Phil Wickham, Matthew West, MercyMe), Everfound features 12 tracks written or co-written by the band. The brothers, who began at an early age playing classical piano, have used that influence throughout the album with Nikita on lead vocals and keys, Ruslan on guitar and keys, Yan on drums and Illarion on bass. Along with lead single “Never Beyond Repair,” the project includes “What Love Means,” which is also featured on Word Entertainment’s musical companion to the History Channel’s The Bible miniseries. 

GLORIOUS RUINS
Hillsong Live
Hillsong/Capitol CMG Label Group (Capitol Christian Distribution)
5099909748828
July 2

Recorded live in London and Sydney, Australia, Glorious Ruins celebrates the fact that ruins come to life and become glorious through Christ. The album comprises 12 new songs written by Hillsong team members, including Joel Houston, Reuben Morgan and Matt Crocker. Along with the title track, the album features “Man of Sorrows” and “Glorify Your Name,” a collaboration between Morgan and Chris Tomlin.

INSPIRED
Joey+Rory
Gaither Music Group (Capitol Christian)
617884877620
July 16

Husband-and-wife country music duo Joey+Rory share songs of faith on this all-new gospel collection. Known for their RFD-TV series, The Joey+Rory Show, the singer-songwriter couple has combined fan favorites with brand-new tunes on Inspired: Songs of Faith & Family, recorded in the historic West Barn south of Nashville. The couple will also be known to “Gaither Homecoming” fans.

MORNING RISES
Aaron Shust
Centricity Music (Capitol Christian)
829619119824
July 16

Produced by Ed Cash (Chris Tomlin, Laura Story), Morning Rises is a celebratory collection of songs, including “God of Brilliant Lights,” a reminder that God is faithful and transcends life’s circumstances.

OLD SOUL
Wayne Haun 
Stow Town Records (Provident Distribution)
0643157426011
July 23

A four-time GRAMMY nominee and 19-time Dove winner, Haun is in demand for his work as a producer and arranger. Haun, who toured with  Ernie Haase, offers timeless love songs and Broadway tunes along with two original love songs.