Press Releases
NEWWORLDSON’S SALVATION STATION DEBUTS FEB. 12, 2008
Band Continues on the Road With newsboys This Spring
(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) Dec. 6, 2007 – Newworldson will showcase its kinetic fusion of North American roots music on the band’s Inpop Records debut, Salvation Station, in stores Feb. 12, 2008. Produced by Newworldson alongside Justin Koop (Billy Talent, Silverstein), Salvation Station features an 11-song blend of energetic pop, soul and gospel.
“It’s difficult to classify our sound because we draw from different genres, but really, our foundation is soul music,” says keyboardist/vocalist Joel Parisien. “And soul music definitely has sacred roots. So, we want to return this familiar music to its sacred roots, all the while leading people to a place of praise, release, revival and worship.”
And revival permeates Salvation Station, beginning with the title track’s driving beat which then gives way to the steady pulse of “Working Man.” The album also makes room for introspective songs like “Sweet Holy Spirit” and “Waitin’ Till the Rapture Comes.”
“This project is like a child of the new world,” notes Parisien. “It really couldn’t have come from anywhere else, because the mix of styles, the whole history of gospel and blues becoming jazz, rock and hip-hop, that cultural experience happened here in the New World.”
Newworldson won fans this fall opening on labelmate newsboys’ highly successful “GO” tour. The band will again join newsboys for a spring leg, kicking off in February. Additional details are forthcoming.
Newworldson comprises Parisien, drummer Mark Rogers, bassist Rich Moore and guitarist/vocalist Josh Toal, four musicians who came together at a jazz club playing gospel music. The debut radio single “Salvation Station” is currently being played at Christian Adult Contemporary and Christian Hit Radio. For more information on Newworldson, visit www.newworldson.com or www.myspace.com/newworldson.
Founded in 1999 by newsboys frontman Peter Furler, artist manager Wes Campbell and Inpop President Dale Bray, Inpop Records is home to a variety of artists including newsboys, Superchick, Shane & Shane and Mat Kearney, among others. For more information, visit www.inpop.com.
Download This Press Release (word doc)
###
INPOP RECORDS SIGNS NEWWORLDSON
Band Opens for newsboys on Tour This Fall; Debut Album to Release in February
(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) Oct. 18, 2007—Home to today’s most influential Christian music artists, including newsboys, Mat Kearney, Shane and Shane, and Superchick, Inpop Records readies to launch its next big act with Newworldson. Featuring an energetic blend of pop, soul, and gospel, Newworldson will release its national label debut on Feb. 12, 2008.
Newworldson comprises singer-songwriter Joel Parisien, drummer Mark Rogers, bassist Rich Moore and guitarist/vocalist Josh Toal. Each a gifted musician in his own right, the members of Newworldson are collectively winning fans across the country, currently opening on labelmate newsboys’ highly successful “GO” tour.
Newworldson weaves its diverse musical influences and talents into a unique tapestry, passionately underscoring the spiritual content of its lyrics each time the band performs. As with its forthcoming album, Newworldson’s music inspires fellow Christians to actively seek God, encouraging listeners to unite in praise, share fellowship and experience revival. The band’s eclectic sound, combined with its compelling live show, draws a diverse audience of Christians and non-Christians alike, creating a demand for Newworldson’s music at churches, outreach events, and festivals.
“Newworldson is something special; I have yet to see this band perform live without receiving a standing ovation,” says Inpop President Dale Bray. “The band connects with our souls and excites us with its performance. Newworldson is a band with meaning, integrity and limitless talent, bringing life to an industry that needs air.”
The band’s February release, Salvation Station, produced by Newworldson and Justin Koop (Billy Talent, Silverstein), features the title track and debut radio single, “Salvation Station,” going for adds at both Christian Adult Contemporary as well as Christian Hit Radio on Nov. 2. Additional details on the project are forthcoming. For more information on Newworldson, visit: www.newworldson.com or www.myspace.com/newworldson.
Founded in 1999 by newsboys frontman Peter Furler, artist manager Wes Campbell and Inpop President Dale Bray, Inpop Records is home to a variety of artists including newsboys, Superchick, Shane & Shane and Mat Kearney, among others. For more information, visit www.inpop.com.
Download This Press Release (word doc)
###
Biography
Newworldson plays “speakeasy gospel.”
Much like everything else you’ll encounter about this four-piece band, the previous statement takes some explaining.
During the Prohibition, underground bars called “speakeasies” popped up in cities around the country. These gathering places were the primary breeding ground for what we now know as popular music and can best be used to associate the fusion of sounds that make up Newworldson.
It’s part gospel, a little soul, and all kinds of North American roots music. It’s garbed in a unique blend of guitar, bass, keys and drums, bolstered by universal truths that can live anywhere…a church, barroom, arena stage, or corner club.
But you also have to take a look at the root words of “speakeasy” to understand what Newworldson (guitarist Josh Toal, bassist Rich Moore, keyboardist/vocalist Joel Parisien and drummer Mark Rogers) is trying to accomplish.
The band is speaking easily of the Spirit that each member has welcomed to filter through their lives and music. They want their creative output to reflect the diverse ways and places in which they’ve experienced that Spirit. And they’re determined to share that Spirit with anyone and everyone.
Most discussions about brand new bands on the national scene quickly turn to name origins. But rather than sending writers diving through dictionaries, asking about Newworldson’s moniker points to maps instead.
“Sometimes when I start answering this question, it becomes a geography lesson as well as a musical one,” Parisien says of the band. “North America’s known as the new world, and we feel like the musical traditions we’re tapping into are very uniquely North American.
“This project is like a child of the new world,” he continues. “It really couldn’t have come from anywhere else, because the mix of styles, the whole history of gospel and blues becoming jazz, rock and hip-hop, that cultural experience happened here in the new world.”
That’s not to say Newworldson’s music is mired in a single era, though. The hallmark of each player, and therefore the music as a whole, is a sense of influences and experience functioning collectively.
Josh Toal has clearly immersed himself in the work of twangmasters like Dick Dale, as well as reggae rhythms galore. Rich Moore must have picked apart the bass stylings of jazz masters such as Jaco Pastorius in addition to a lot of rockabilly. Mark Rogers’ versatility has its roots in listening to great rock drummers à la Keith Moon and a blue ton of jam bands. And while Joel Parisien doubtless spent time contemplating Stevie Wonder’s inventiveness, he surely also dug into the music world’s great piano and Hammond B3 players alike.
So meshing all these influence into a signature sound that doesn’t end up a sonic mess can only happen via two key factors: experience and divine intervention.
“It was very unplanned,” Rogers says. “Rich and I had a jazz gig on Tuesday nights, playing in an acoustic trio with a guitar player. The guitar player left and the venue’s owner wanted to keep the night going.
“Long story short, Joel, whom I knew from a worship conference we once played, came to the club one night with Josh. Both sat in, doing gospel music. It got a fantastic response! And that’s where we all came together.”
It’s the one aspect of the Newworldson story that’s simple: they met, they played, and they knew it was something special.
That something special has resulted in Salvation Station, the band’s full-length debut on Inpop Records. The 11-song set runs the gamut Newworldson has been honing on stages large and small for three years. It folds together pop, soul and jazz elements into a sound completely unlike anything currently on the pop music landscape.
—more—
And because Salvation Station is infused with those transparently spiritual messages, the band knows it’s facing an uphill battle getting the public to understand who and what it is musically.
“It’s difficult to classify our sound because we draw from different genres, but really, our foundation is soul music,” Parisien says. “And soul music definitely has sacred roots; it started in the church. So we want to return this familiar music to its sacred roots, all the while leading people to a place of praise, release, revival and worship.”
That kinetic atmosphere is felt all over Salvation Station. The steady pulse of “Working Man” echoes the title track’s driving beat, giving way to the greasy stomp of “Empty Heart.” But the album still has room for loping, introspective songs like “Sweet Holy Spirit” and the joyous yearning on “Waitin’ Till The Rapture Come.”
All of the emotion, style, movement, and energy that fills both Salvation Station as well as Newworldson’s finely crafted live performances reflects hard work and a willingness to be free in who they are as men and musicians. It’s that rare combination of both style and substance, married to a higher calling.
“I think the anointing is clear to anybody, Christian or not. To see that there’s something extra there, and we surrender to that when we play,” Parisien says. “We don’t want to take credit for what’s happening on stage, just like we can’t take any credit for how this band was put together. All we’ve done is show up with a positive attitude and put in the work. Anything that happens on stage, any hearts that are touched, really has very little to do with us.”
###
Song by Song Lyrics
All Words and Music by Newworldson
Song x Song written by Joel Parisien
Salvation Station
Words and Music by Newworldson
This is my response to Curtis Mayfield’s lyric: “People get ready, there’s a train comin’. You don’t need no baggage, you just get on board.” I thought, well, if I don’t need any baggage, then you don’t even need to slow down, I’ll just hop on!
There’s a train leaving from Calvary and it’s goin’ to salvation station
There’s a train leaving from Calvary and it’s goin’ to salvation station
I’m gonna jump that train I’m gonna jump that train
I’m gonna jump that train oh Lordy I
I’m gonna jump that train I’m gonna jump that train
And we gonna reach salvation station in the sky
Gonna leave sin city leave it all behind
‘Cuz where we goin’ they don’t take that kind
Gonna leave sin city leave it all behind
‘Cuz where we goin’ they don’t take that kind
Can you hear that whistle blowin’
And can you see that black coal smoke?
Can you hear that ole whistle blowin’
Salvation station, that’s where we goin’
Working Man
Words and Music by Newworldson
Before Newworldson, we were all working musicians getting paid to make people dance and drink. That all changed when the Spirit called us away from our vocation as we knew it and into a life of ministry. Funny thing is, we were still mostly playing for those same people, and this became our most requested song. Same working men, same customers; new boss, new job description.
I am a working man I get things done
Work for the Holy Ghost work for the Son
I am a working man oh yes I am
I am a special agent of the Lamb
I’m gonna wear your covering I’m gonna wear your robe
I’m wear your righteous mane everywhere I go
You’re gonna light my candle Son you’re gonna make it shine
You’re gonna lead me to the throne
Brother testify!
I was born in the city child I was born in the north
I was born in the autumn time Lord only knows what for
I was born when leaves turn red born when things are dying
But I was born with a big ole mouth
Brother testify!
Gimme
Words and Music by Newworldson
As growing kids are being taught their manners, they learn that “gimme” isn’t the most polite way to ask for something. I wrote the lyrics to this song to remind us that we are God’s children and sometimes we too behave that way. Actually, most times…
Gimme what I need to get me through one more day
I need to know you love me
Help me along and see me through
I need you oh I need you
Yes it’s true
I really need you now gimme now
Gimme gimme some shine gimme gimme love
Gimme gimme favor with God above
Show me show me mercy gimme gimme Grace
You’ve got to let me know that you’re in this place
Empty Heart
Words and Music by Newworldson
“There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be satisfied by any created thing, but only by God, the creator…” Blaise Pascal.
There’s a hole in my heart that’s shaped like you
And it’s just big enough to let you through
My whole empty heart’s just like a cup
Fill me up fill me up fill me up
Calm in my soul when you’re with me
Peace in my heart that sets me free
You’re the one that I call to fill me up
Fill me up fill me up fill me up
Now I know the reason why there was such a hole inside
‘Cuz I needed you in my life in my life in my life
Sweet Holy Spirit
Words and Music by Newworldson
We were coming to the end of a full day in the studio when I decided to sit down at the piano to unwind. I just started playing these chords when Mark came over and said “we’re recording that tomorrow.” And that was that. I wrote my lyrics and Josh wrote his right on the spot. It’s a prayer. They’re words we needed to hear.
Pride is weighing me down
It’s choking my heart
I’m chained up and bound
If pride is my prison
Then Grace be my key
Sweet Holy Spirit
Come rescue me
Spirit Spirit I surrender
Spirit Spirit I submit to you now
Spirit Spirit I surrender
Spirit sweet Holy Spirit
You know for so long I was a drowning man
I was hopeless and lost at sea yes I was
But Lord you threw me a line
Brought me back to your shore
Now I can feel the light from your lighthouse
Shining down on me yes I can
Worry oh what can I say
I’ve worried so much
I forget how to pray
Well I’m down on my knees
And this is coming from my soul
Sweet Holy Spirit
Come make me whole
Babylon Is Gonna Fall
Words and Music by Newworldson
Christians, Jews and Rastafarians alike allude to Babylon as a metaphor for the man-made system of power that places money, greed and sensuality above righteousness and devotion to God. I wrote this song a long time ago when I was a very young man disenchanted with the fallen world into which I had been born.
We build towers made of steel
But that won’t connect Heaven and the ground
These days money not love
Is the thing that makes this world go round
We’ve got no more faith in our foundation
And this base ain’t strong at all
This world is just an illusion
And one day soon
Babylon is gonna fall
Take a look around and see
Why aren’t we people living in unity?
Self-serving humans we’ll always be
Indulging our humanity
Down From The Mountain
Words and Music by Newworldson
In the Bible, lots of big, monumental events seem to transpire on mountains. Just ask Moses or Elijah. When I wrote this song, I was thinking about the Sermon on the Mount. It’s a metaphor for my own spiritual rebirth.
I’ve got no explanation for why I feel this way
I ain’t seen sun for months and the skies are always grey
It’s been that kind of winter you wanna leave the north behind
But I’ve never been so happy
I’m in a summer state of mind
On my darkest day your light shined right in
Now I’m miles away from where I’ve gone and been
What else can I say about the state I’m in?
People say I’ve changed since I came down
Down from the mountain
I see angels and devils surrounding us down here
We were born somewhere in between love and fear
Just like a compass needle we spin from north to south
We see and hear no evil ‘till it’s comin’ from our mouth
My cup’s been filled since I came down from the mountain
The wheat’s been milled since I came down from the mountain
My slate’s been cleaned since I came down from the mountain
And my soul’s been redeemed since I came down from the mountain
(more)
Borderline
Words and Music by Joel Parisien, Mark Rogers, Richard Moore, Joshua Franklin Toal and Jonah Nadir Omowale
Our friend Nadir, a very talented artist and social activist from Detroit, came to stay with me for a few days to write some songs together. Coming over the border, he faced the usual long interrogation by customs that we musicians get, which got us talking about the true meaning of justice. So we decided to take the idea of a borderline and turn it into a gospel message.
Keep your soul in mind when you reach that borderline
There’s a crossing that divides right from wrong
There’s a line in the sand
Have you chosen where you stand?
You can linger but you can’t linger long
When you’re standin’ at the borderline…
Better believe that there’ll be snares
Better believe you’ll see your share
Better believe temptation’s gonna come around
You gonna stumble here and there
You gonna think that life’s not fair
You gonna feel just like the world is tryin’ to bring you down
There’s a fork in the road
Do you know which way to go?
You can’t always see what’s comin’ round the bend
You better watch for the signs if you’re gonna walk that line
Or you just might have to turn around again
Turn around…
Standin’ at the borderline
Citybus Lovesong
Words and Music by Newworldson
This is a true story about being too broke to own a car. Takin’ long trips on the bus by yourself late at night is a great time to practice spiritual disciplines like meditation and stillness. I wrote this little prayer to God over the course of 24 hours of transit travel.
Well I was waitin’ on platform 9 ‘cuz a boy’s gotta pay his dues
I was sittin’ there killin’ time
I was doodlin’ on my shoes
And I was noodlin’ on this song
I was hummin’ it all along
When the bus finally came I put my book away and I didn’t get back home ‘till dawn
Where would I go without you?
Without you to guide my way?
Where would I be without you?
I’d be wandering day by day
So when the garbage truck woke me up I remembered this simple tune
I filled up my coffee cup and I greeted the afternoon
‘Cuz everyday is a brand new start and the sun always warms my heart
When I got on the bus I wrote this one for us so we might never be apart
Waitin’ ‘Till The Rapture Come
Words and Music by Newworldson
Old man Jonah sittin’ in his chair got no teeth and got no hair
Got no daughter and got no son he’s just waitin’ ‘till the rapture come
Waitin’ ‘till the rapture come
He never did marry and he never went far never bought a house or a big ole car
But he ain’t no beggar and he sure ain’t dumb he’s just waitin’ ‘till the rapture come
Waitin’ ‘till the rapture come
And when the rapture come the Lord’s gonna call his name
(When the rapture come) Jonah’s gonna put down his cane
(When the rapture come) Heaven’s gonna take him away
But until that day…
Old man Jonah’s got an old brass horn had it since the day that he was reborn
But he ain’t gonna blow for just anyone he’s gonna wait ‘till the rapture come
Waitin’ ‘till the rapture come
Preacher come a-walkin’ down that country mile said ‘hey Jonah, know it’s been a while’
But Jonah keep his eyes on the settin’ sun he’s just waitin’ ‘till the rapture come
Waitin’ ‘till the rapture come
Waitin’ ‘till the rapture come
Pledge of Allegiance
Words and Music by Newworldson
God’s love is perfect and unfailing. But the love we experience from other people is conditional. This is a song about entering a relationship with Him but worrying that it might turn out like all of our earthly ones.
Do yes I do yes I pledge my love to you
I do yes I do I pledge my love to you
Don’t break my heart
Please don’t tell me things that I can’t bear to hear
Don’t let me down
Show me what I’ve got to do to draw you near
Don’t pass me by
Please don’t overlook the servant at your side
Don’t slip away
If you leave my hand I’ll be paralyzed
Press Photos
*Click on photos to enlarge.
Tour Dates
| Feb 15 2008 | 7:00P | Maranatha Hall | Lynchburg, Virginia |
| Feb 16 2008 | 7:00P | Jaffa Mosque | Altoona, Pennsylvania |
| Feb 21 2008 | 7:00P | Oakley Lindsay Center | Quincy, Illinois |
| Feb 22 2008 | 7:00P | Star Plaza Theatre | Merillville, Indiana |
| Feb 23 2008 | 7:00P | Val Air Ballroom | Des Moines, Iowa |
| Feb 24 2008 | 7:00P | North Central College | Chicago, Illinois |
| Feb 28 2008 | 7:00P | Kearney Events Center | Kearney, Nebraska |
| Feb 29 2008 | 7:00P | Shrine Mosque | Springfield, Missouri |
| Mar 1 2008 | 7:00P | Kemper Arena | Kansas City, Missouri |
| Mar 2 2008 | 7:00P | Budweiser Events Center | Loveland, Colorado |
| Mar 6 2008 | 7:00P | Lubbock City Auditorium | Lubbock, Texas |
| Mar 7 2008 | 7:00P | Moody Coliseum | Abilene, Texas |
| Mar 8 2008 | 7:00P | Berry Center | Houston, Texas |
