Before the infamously long-delayed release of their stellar Gotee Records album Pro*Pain, Jesusfreakhideout.com sat down with Dust and manCHILD of Mars Ill to discuss a little about their past, their struggles with getting the record to the public, and their thoughts on the current rap scene. Jesus freak Hideout (John DiBiase): I have a ton of questions about the new record, Pro*Pain. Before we get started, can you say your names for the tape? Dust: This is Dust from Mars Ill. I’m a producer / DJ. manCHILD: This is manCHILD from Mars Ill. […read more]

In the flurry of promoting his third solo project, Portable Sounds, we got a chance to chat with TobyMac on the phone about the record before getting a chance to hear the finished product. As we battled the inconvenience of a cell phone speaker versus public background noise, the following conversation unfolded. Jesus freak Hideout (John DiBiase): So how’ve you been? TobyMac: I’ve been good man, just been trying to finish this record and finally got it done. Now I’m just slowly trying to work on some band songs, where it’s not just TobyMac but where it’s the whole Diverse City band. […read more]

TobyMac has successfully launched a musical career on his own as having been one of the driving forces behind his previous venture, dc Talk. For those who have followed McKeehan since his days with the famous three-piece, one thing has remained predictable of this artist - his ability to craft memorable songs that listeneres can truly connect with. His third full-length solo project, Portable Sounds, continues his string of catchy hip hop-driven pop tunes backed by an entourage of talented musicians and vocalists. […read more]

You’ve got to hate the politics of the music industry. The Showdown’s sophomore release has been pretty much done for nearly a year now. Why such a long wait before its actual release? Your guess is as good as mine. But regardless, the wait is finally over, and metal-heads have had ample time to gear up for the release of Temptation Come My Way. When we first met these Tennessee boys in 2004 on A Chorus of Obliteration, they were playing metal like nobody’s business. Roars, screams, guttural growls… all intricately and carefully placed within the confines of the metal carnage they were presenting. […read more]

After two releases loaded with infectious post-emo flavored alt rock, Anberlin has become sort of a staple in the indie rock scene. The band returns for a third outing with Cities, a lyrical departure from their previous effort Never Take Friendship Personal, and musically the next step in the band’s artistic evolution. At first listen of Cities, it’s clear there isn’t a whole lot that’s changed for Anberlin stylistically. If anything, there’s a more mature and focused approach to their songwriting, with less concentration on fun than previous efforts (not that there’s anything wrong with that). Anberlin’s sound has always been a mixture of social reflection and a youthful excitement towards love and life. […read more]

The boys from Bakersfield finally have a proper LP. Dance for joy, children. I have enjoyed Lost Ocean since hearing their independent releases, so it warms the cockles of my heart to see them with the potential of reaching a broader audience. And if there were ever a set of songs to serve as a proper introduction - the collection on Lost Ocean’s self-titled debut would be the ones. The songs are glossy in composition and thickly layered with lots of harmonized vocals and wistful guitar licks. […read more]

For the fourth annual Jesusfreakhideout.com Reader’s Choice Awards, Skillet nabbed three of the eleven awards including Song of the Year for 2007, while Underoath was chosen by you as our 2007 Artist of the Year! Congratulations to all of the winners and the runner-ups! Thanks also to all who voted! […read more]

With rap and R&B flooding radio on both Christian and secular markets, it’s no surprise that many new bands and groups will emerge with a similar sound. Group 1 Crew is another one of these, yet they have their own unique way of doing their music, with a style that mimics that of Black Eyed Peas and the currently put-on-hold Christian R&B/rap group Souljahz. G1C definitely has potential to go far in both mainstream and Christian radio, with party hits like “Let It Roll,” “No Plan B,” “Clap Ya Hands,” and “Put Like That,” which all have those beats that just make you want to bob your head, yet still have the straight-forward lyrical rap content. […read more]

Seventh Day Slumber serves up their third album, “Finally Awake,” drenched in fervency, along with their standard guitar-heavy pop-metal fare. From the beginning, Seventh Day Slumber made it clear where their allegiances laid. Always willing to address the tough issues confronting their young audiences, the quartet (lead vocalist Joseph Rojas, guitarist Jeremy Holderfield, bassist Joshua Schwartz, and drummer Ray Fryoux) unapologetically offered the Solution that had worked so well for them: Christ. […read more]

John Waller is a talented singer, songwriter, and worship leader with a debut album coming out March 6th from Beachstreet Records, “The Blessing.”
No stranger to the music scene, Waller previously gained national attention fronting the group According to John. His story back to the studio is one full of inspiration, struggle and redemption that everyone can relate to. Suite: John, I read about your earlier disappointment as a recording artist, when your old record label fell apart on your band According to John. What is your perspective on that experience now, given the benefit of hindsight? […read more]

One year after crowning the Father of Gospel Music Andrae Crouch with its prestigious Cherub Award, this summer LaMar Boschman, dean of the International Worship Institute (IWI) will name award-winning singer-songwriter Michael W. Smith, the 2007 award recipient. In recent years, Smith has dramatically contributed to the worship movement with his best-selling albums “Worship” and “Worship Again.” Thousands celebrating freedom to worship and other liberties are expected to attend IWI’s week-long worship classes and free nightly concerts by some of the industry’s most popular artists. […read more]

When you turn on your television and you see a number of multi-colored dressed dancers with a musician or two standing beside several pots of flowers or in a hotel, do not mistake it for a documentary. That is unfortunately just one of numerous low standard and unprofessionally shot gospel videos bombarding our TV screens. Sure, you might have seen a number of those on your screen. […read more]

The multi-talented Myron Butler didn’t want to think that he would win an award at the 2007 Stellar Awards. He won a bunch and was excited about being compared to other phenomenal artists. He was moved by the ministry displayed by Donald Lawrence. Giving from one artist to another, from one generation to another is what it is all about. […listen now]

LaShun Pace is a tremendous woman of stamina and perseverance. She has endured the death of her daughter, two divorces, sickness and yet she still sings praise to God for all He has done. Her latest project, Complete, is a testimony to her belief that God is yet on the throne and worthy to be praised. She and Justin Gilbert produced the CD. […listen now]

Kurt Carr (ever the dapper gentleman) enjoyed the many powerful moments experienced at the 2007 Stellar Awards. It was hard to choose just one but his selection will give you a chuckle. Carr thought it was a very balanced gospel evening. He also spoke briefly of starting a new clothing line for men. Look for it in the very near future. […listen now]

Vanessa Bell Armstrong believes the theme of giving was what the Lord wanted the crowd to hear at the 2007 Stellar Awards. When Kirk Franklin began to preach to the crowd (who didn’t really want to hear what he was saying), Armstrong believes people began to understand about giving one to another. She knows this is so needed in the industry. […listen now]

Click here to listen to an album preview and audio interview with CMCentral’s J Gonzo.