We were thrilled to have the opportunity for some back-and-forth with Hundred Year Storm, rockers who love breaking new ground. One listen to their new Floodgate Records project, “Hello From the Children of Planet Earth,” says it all. Guitarist/vocalist Bill McCharen was happy to fill us in on the band’s innovative sound. […read more]

David Bazan is quite the anomaly. From his music to his live performance, he personifies and embraces the self-depreciating tortured artist caricature all the way down to his diverted gaze, stumbled-over-words and plain black t-shirt and jeans. But when you get him on the phone and begin prodding about his latest work, Mr. Bazan becomes an open resource with very few areas off limits.

To catch you up to speed, Pedro the Lion was Bazan’s much acclaimed slowcore, narrative, social commentary and religious musing darling band of over a decade. Early in 2006, PTL, composed of Tim W. Walsh and Bazan, split ways and each continued making music under respectable solo careers; Bazan under his own name and Walsh as the Soft Drugs. Upon first listen, it is difficult to interpret these new songs outside the filter of the break up. […read more]

After a few years off, Adie Camp (former lead singer of The Benjamin Gate) has embarked on a solo career. Titled Don’t Wait, her debut album is a project that has been highly anticipated and has had fans anxious to hear. True to the title, the album emphasizes the adage that our time is short here on earth, encouraging listeners to make the most of each day they live. The title track talks about our tendency to fall into an apathetic pattern of life and just let time pass by without accomplishing anything. [ …read more]

See the Morning finds Tomlin using a very similar approach to the writing and recording process as he in the past. Therefore, the eleven-track album captures the same sound and passion that listeners and fellow worshipers have come to love about Tomlin’s music. There’s plenty of “church” anthems for the coming years on the album, including “How Can I Keep from Singing,” which opens the disc with a message of a joy and praise that cannot be contained in light of God’s splendor, “Everlasting God,” which offers encouragement and reminds us to wait upon and lean on the Lord, and “Glorious,” which Tomlin has been performing as part of Passion. […read more]

Mark Schultz returns with another album full of songs that tell stories from life. Known largely as a storyteller, Schultz steps into that role again, this time exploring the theme of redemption and finding beauty amidst the brokenness of everyday life. Introduced on his live project from a year ago, “Walking Her Home” quickly stands out as one of the prime examples of this aspect of Schultz’s writing. The song is based on an elderly couple that Schultz knows and tells about the joys of growing old together, enjoying life and loving each other until the very end where we find a picture of beautiful love. […read more]

Nevertheless is an anti-emo band that has all the trappings of the genre without any of the annoyances. Good emo is like finding that one ripe peach at the grocery store. You muscle the other shoppers out of the way, dive over other carts, circle around and drop the grocer to his knees with one quick maneuver, and land your sweaty palms on the choice, delicious fruit. Ah, yes: exaggerated allegories, I love them. But there is a sense of excitement when you finally discover an emo band that doesn’t waste time getting to the chorus, could play regular alt-rock if they choose to, and doesn’t really mince meat when it comes to sing-able lyrics and a non-whiny style. Somehow, Nevertheless manages to focus on everything good about the genre and catapult all the bad stuff out to space. Thwack. [ …read more]

Chris Tomlin, Bebo Norman…and Bruce Springsteen? Find out why they are name-checked in the same paragraph. Also, we mention Chris Rice, but not in a fun way. The name says it all. Bebo Norman is trying a little too hard on his latest release, “Between the dreaming and the coming true.” I mean, I’d just call it “Truth in Dreaming,” or maybe “Dream, then Truth.” What the album titles says to me is that he is kind of trudging over the same ground, adding prepositions to sentences that worked fine the way they were before, on his first two records. Chris Tomlin has the same issues: when you are successful at a certain sound, there’s not a lot of opportunities in CCM to make your statement release, to go all Bruce Springsteen Ghost of Tom Joad on your listeners. […read more]

“I’m giving my testimony about how I’m embracing my faith and how it has changed my life, my music, my marriage and my whole perspective in everything.” Once I reached all of my goals, there was still a void inside me, so I had to change my definition of success. I started pursuing the whole pie. I consider myself more successful now.” - Cheryl “Salt” James, former member of the noted female rap group Salt-N-Pepa, in Vibe.com interview.

“It’s funny because while I certainly do think that many people in the Christian music industry conduct themselves with great honor and integrity, it is still a business. They want to sell records, and that’s not always what happens when you make largely instrumental, freewheeling music. So I’ve never quite fit into any genre where you could easily market my music.” –Phil Keaggy, discussing his role in Christian music.

Watch the exclusive online trailer for New Line Cinema’s upcoming movie about Mary and Joseph–and Jesus’ miraculous birth.

“The Nativity Story” (opening Dec. 1) tells the story of Mary and Joseph in the months leading up to, and just after, the miraculous birth of Jesus. Directed by Catherine Hardwicke (”Thirteen”), the film stars Keisha Castle-Hughes (”Whale Rider”) as Mary, Oscar Isaac (”Guerrilla”) as Joseph, and Shoreh Aghdashloo (”House of Sand and Fog”) as Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist. […Watch Now]

One of the questions that I’m asked most by readers, family and friends is, “Is ______ a Christian song/band/album?” Since Christian music has many different styles (rock, pop, country, rap, metal, inspirational, praise and worship, reggae, blues, celtic, etc.), it truly is the only genre’ of music out there that is defined by its lyrics; however there is more to it than just the lyrics. The band or artist that is making the music and that person’s beliefs have to come into play somewhere in the equation. Doesn’t it? […read more]

It’s been two years since much-lauded worship leader and songwriter Chris Tomlin has released a full-length CD with all-new material. Since then, he has participated in the annual worship-filled Passion events, which provided us with sneak peeks of new worship songs, and written and released a book. He also released Live From Austin Music Hall, a unique live recording.

Tomlin’s fifth project, See The Morning, is produced by Ed Cash, as was Arriving, which was released in 2004. Aiming to be a “record of hope,” as Tomlin puts it, See The Morning will most likely also rocket to the top the charts, along the lines of Arriving, for which Tomlin won numerous awards. […read more]

With well over five million albums sold, seventeen #1 radio hits, and three Grammy Awards, what’s left for the members of Jars of Clay to do? Plenty. With a new album on the way, Infuze sits down with keyboardist Charlie Lowell to discuss monsters, creativity, and their continued relief work in Africa. […read more]

The Grammy-nominated Kim Hill has been through a lot over the years, and has seen quite a musical journey as well. Now, after venturing through various genres from country to praise/worship, she is back to her rock roots, crafting an album with super-producer Paul Ebersol (3 Doors Down, Sister Hazel). Hill opens up to Editor-In-Chief Robin Parrish about the road of redemption, good friend Wes King, and rocking out again. […read more]

Bebo Norman has long been noted for everything from his odd nickname to his highly publicized single life. But after marriage, maturity, and tragedy, the vulnerably honest singer/songwriter has emerged with a new passion for music. Bebo sits down with Senior Editor Matt Conner to discuss these things and more. […read more]

Infuze recently had the chance to sit down with Canadian rock outfit, Starfield. The quartet have recently released Beauty in the Broken, their sophomore effort featuring some of the most memorable rock music you will hear this year. The guys tell us about their struggles with pride, lessons learned on album sales, and their calling as musicians. […read more]

Jason Morant is a popular worship artist/leader from New Orleans and was actually in the middle of his sophomore release for Vertical Records when Hurricane Katrina hit. Morant speaks honestly and insightfully to Infuze about the tragedy, musical storytelling, and the city of New Orleans. […read more]

The buzz on these guys is absolutely huge. Those who see Leeland live or hear their record are instantly taken back with their twist on worship music. It’s original, creative, and emotional. With the band taking Nashville by storm, Infuze sits down to find out what the buzz is all about. […read more]

Playing in the bar scene on Saturday nights and in the church on Sunday morning, Circleslide definitely has an interesting mission in the music industry. And the stages are only going to get bigger. On their debut Uncommon Days, the band creates meaningful, accessible music easily appreciated by anyone, regardless of the venue. Here, the quartet sits down with Infuze’s Matt Conner to discuss their obsession with The Choir, their mission and the legacy of Rich Mullins. […read more]

Celtic punk isn’t exactly the most mainstream form of music these days, but it is not without its merits. Tobin Bawinkel–guitarist and lead singer for Flatfoot 56–recently took time out to speak with Infuze about brotherly butt-kickings, mandolins, Celtic storytelling and fans who hate their lyrics. […read more]