Offworld: A Review
By John Wofford
GENRE: SCI-FI/THRILLER
PUBLISHER: BETHANY HOUSE
PUBLICATION DATE: JULY 2009
Sales trends come and go, but quality writing—that’s a mainstay. Christian fiction too often rides the fads of the mainstream industry, popping out knock-off titles that offer some cheap version of your favorite secular novelists, sans the language and violence concerns. Can I be the first to say that censoring those “naughty words” is not enough reason to persuade me to buy exclusively in the Christian market? And don’t get me started on the quality of faith-based science fiction. The mainstream genre is fading fast in terms of originality, so it only seems a given that a Jesus-infused take on the same archetypes (over and over again) is even more uninspired.
I want my faith challenged. I want to experience vivid characterizations and bold plotting that engage my senses and my intellect. Wake up, industry! We’re not idiots. Now’s the best time to drop a bomb on our expectations; surprise us, thrill us, chill us.
Enter Robin Parrish. His Dominion Trilogy didn’t exactly redefine Christian science fiction, but it was a glorious start. I, for one, am a huge superhero nerd (I love Batman, adore Superman—the kind of guy with all the random paraphernalia and meaningless trivia stored in his brain), and Dominion really did a number on my psyche. Evil cults? Relatable superheroes? An unstoppable villain? Oh, yes!
With Offworld, Parrish’s fourth (and highly anticipated) novel, he ups the stakes a bit – taking us on a smart ride that owes more to ‘Lost’ and ‘24’ than it does a comic book. The novel is an homage to all those serialized stories that are taking over television at the moment: a series of random occurrences, with seemingly no explanation or connectivity, red herrings, and a complete revelation at the novel’s conclusion. I won’t spoil the story, because—well, that’s part of the fun. The less you know about these things, the more entertained you will be.
Parrish doesn’t preach – he believes; what I mean is this: he never panders to a “Jesus quota” but enforces certain ideas consistent with Christian spirituality. The joy is that none of this gets in the way of telling an entertaining story – like early Ted Dekker, before the Project Showdown series took that writer in a new, more overt direction.
Robin Parrish has pulled off an exciting premise in Offworld, paid his dues to popular storytelling trends, and made a promise of greater things to come in his career’s future. He’s the future of Christian publishing; if there’s one thriller you buy this year, make it this one. It’s worth the read.
Tenth Avenue North Announces Its First Headlining Tour
(NASHVILLE, TN)—July 10, 2009—Honored at this year’s GMA Dove Awards as the industry’s New Artist of the Year, Tenth Avenue North gears up for its first headlining tour launching on Sept. 3. Special guests include singer/songwriter Audrey Assad (EMICMG) and worship leader Brenton Brown (Survivor/Kingsway). While a full list of markets and venues have not yet been released, the “Inside and In Between” tour has been confirmed in five major cities including Indianapolis, Ind.; Omaha, Neb.; San Antonio, TX; Houston, TX and Washington, DC.
“I’m unbelievably excited about this tour and the artists that we have coming out with us. Brenton and Audrey are deep thinkers and compassionate souls. Our hope with this tour is that people would encounter truth, and be moved and changed by that truth,” shares Mike Donehey, Tenth Avenue North. “We want this to be a place and time that people can experience community, and hopefully, walk away with a deeper understanding of the gospel.”
“We are excited about Tenth Avenue North’s first headline tour this Fall,” shares Kevin Huffman, TCAA/Paradigm. “With them being a part of larger tours over the past year, many fans have only become familiar with the band’s music. This time out, audiences will get to experience more of what the band is about at its core. They’ll really get to hear the heart behind Tenth Avenue North.”
Earlier this year Tenth Avenue North performed on the “Rock & Worship Road Show” with MercyMe, Jeremy Camp, Hawk Nelson and Addison Road. With almost 170,000 in attendance at the shows and nearly 75,000 people watching online, Tenth Avenue North was given a huge platform to share its message of hope.
“We had the opportunity to work with Tenth Avenue North on the ‘Rock & Worship Roadshow’ this Spring and were very impressed with the band’s art and ministry. As result of that experience we jumped at the chance to be involved in Tenth Avenue North’s headlining Fall Tour,” offers Jacob Reiser, Rush Concerts promoter.
Tenth Avenue North got its tour name from the very moving, “Times” from its Over and Underneath project. The lyric says: “My love is over, it’s underneath, it’s inside, it’s in between,” as it speaks of Christ’s love for us. According to Mike Donehey, lead vocalist for Tenth Avenue North, the “Inside and In Between” tour is designed “to remind people of the audacious grace and impenetrable love offered to them through Jesus Christ. If people can get that, then this tour will have been a success.
Tenth Avenue North’s breakout single “By Your Side” remains the second most played single on the Billboard’s National Chart this week, one full year after its release to radio. The new single “Hold My Heart” jumped from No. 26 to No. 22 at AC Monitored and broke into the Top 25 at AC Indicator this week.
Molly Jenson Hits The Road On Upcoming Tour
(LOS ANGELES, CA)—July 10, 2009—Award-winning Bully! Pulpit/Nettwerk recording artist Molly Jenson will take her show on the road this summer across five states, playing her way through California, Nevada, Arizona, Washington, and Oregon on a mini-tour she’s dubbed the “No Place Like Home” tour. Starting in Reedley, CA, Jenson will play at house concerts that have been booked by fans by popular demand.
“I love house concerts,” she noted. “I know they are more popular in other parts of the country but I think people are just starting to warm up to them out here on the West Coast. I love the intimacy that a house concert brings and I’m looking forward to this tour!”
Jenson’s label is now opening up dates for others to place requests to bring Molly to their town. For a complete list of tour dates and locations or to request a show for your town, check out www.mollyjenson.com or email info@mollyjenson.com
Jenson was also just added to the lineup of Switchfoot’s Bro-Am after-party at San Diego’s Popular, Belly Up. Bro-Am benefits StandUp For Kids, a national volunteer nonprofit outreach founded in San Diego.
Jenson’s single “Give It Time” is featured on a 9-song Digital compilation called Modern Muses Volume One: Diverse Voices in Music, alongside Nettwerk-affiliated artists Miranda Lee Richards, Butterfly Boucher, Maria Taylor and others. Proceeds from sales will go to charity. The compilation was released exclusively through Amie Street on May 19, and is available on all major digital service providers.
It has also been a busy season of musical collaborations for Jenson, having completed co-writing sessions with DJ Fei-Fei, recording with friend and producer Greg Laswell for his forthcoming album, singing a duet on Sherwood’s next album QU and appearing in Nylon Pink’s latest music video. Jenson has also been working with Japanese hip-hop star/producer Verbal of the million-selling collective M-Flo who has been creating a remix of her duet with Jon Foreman of Switchfoot, “Do You Only Love The Ones Who Look Like You.”
“I love collaborating with different people and it’s been fun to use this time before my next tour to work with so many interesting and talented artists,” noted Jenson. “Working with such a diverse group of artists helps keep me creative and is preparing me for the next season of my own music.”
Jenson was also recently featured in StyleSubstanceSoul.com, a site designed to bring social awareness and activism to women, which chose her as one of their newest influential artists as a part of their Week of Music giveaway, available to subscribers. The feature can be viewed here: http://bullypulpit.com/administrator/components/com_civicrm/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=45&qid=130169
Jenson has also begun to regularly blog at two new locations: www.mollyjenson.tumblr.com and www.bullypulpit.com.
To read more about Molly Jenson, please visit www.mollyjenson.com. For further information on Bully! Pulpit Records and Nettwerk Music Group, please visit www.bullypulpitrecords.com and www.nettwerk.com.
The Glorious Unseen Set to Release Sophomore Album 8.25.09
(SEATTLE, WA)—July 9, 2009—Alternative worship band, The Glorious Unseen has just completed recording their sophomore album on BEC Recordings aptly titled “The Hope that Lies in You” releasing on August 25th. With a grassroots following from fans of hard rock bands like Underoath, Haste the Day, Classic Crime and mewithoutyou, The Glorious Unseen has written a new collection of authentic reflections dealing with the ups and downs of Christian life.
This upcoming album serves as a battle cry of optimism in our increasingly pessimistic world. The Glorious Unseen wants to encourage listeners to not live in fear and isolation–even when the media is saying everything is a disaster.
“If you sit and listen to the news, it’s very, very depressing,” shares worship leader Ben Crist. “You feel like you don’t even want to leave your couch because there is no hope outside. It gets us in a mode of isolation. But when we’re out there worshipping, everything is alive. God is alive–and moving. The title track is a reminder of the hope that lies in us as believers–and the hope that lies in God.”
It was in his personal chaos that Crist found worship music and the birth of The Glorious Unseen. After college, Crist was searching for his next step when his former youth pastor started a Sunday night small group for anyone seeking community.
“When I showed up, everyone was just really honest–really authentic in direct pursuit of God,” he says. “There was no fluff. No schedule. No agenda. We didn’t pass an offering plate. It was refreshing because we were just getting together to connect with God in worship.”
It was in this community of believers that Crist soon fell into the role of worship leader. “I’ll never forget the first night I ever led worship. I was scared out of mind, but excited at the same time. But I felt like the Holy Spirit showed up, and it was a really intense night with this brutally honest worship.”
Fast forward a few years and a label debut project later and The Glorious Unseen is ready to introduce new, fresh worship songs with their upcoming release. Serving as an anthem to the questioning soul is “Heavy Hearted,” the album’s first single hosts a melodic sound with pensive, thought-provoking lyrics.
“Whether we’ve grown up in church or are relatively new in the faith, we all feel like we’re under God’s judgment sometimes–whether that’s accurate or not,” Ben shares. “Maybe we feel like God doesn’t like us. Or that He’s disappointed in us. Heavy hearted is how we feel when we’re struggling or dealing with various addictions we go back to time and again.” Yet in those heavy hearted moments, Crist wants to remind listeners that there’s still Hope in the midst of them.
The Glorious Unseen will be touring around the country; visit their MySpace for tour dates. The Glorious Unseen includes Ben and his band, which includes guitarist Ryan Stubbs, bassist Ben Harms, drummer Jon Todryk and pianist Patrick Copeland.
Michael W. Smith’s “A New Hallelujah” World Tour Rocks 12 Countries in Europe Alone
(NASHVILLE, TN)—July 9, 2009—GRAMMY® award-winning and multi-platinum selling artist Michael W. Smith recently completed the highly successful European leg of his “New Hallelujah World Tour.“
While Smith’s “World Tour” started May 18 in Ontario, Canada, the European run of 19 dates kicked off three days later in Finland. Along the way, Smith performed in Sweden, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Latvia, Estonia, Germany, Spain, Italy, Hungary and Holland before concluding in Paris, France on June 14. Smith’s stops in Spain, Latvia and Hungary marked his first ever performances in those countries.
Smith performed to a sold out crowd in Jönköping, Sweden, bringing a life-changing night of worship to those who attended. Tomas Lindéh, a promoter for the event and manager for Another Level Productions says, “Michael and the band really connected with the crowd, and a fantastic night of worship took place. At times Michael got silent and let the 200 person local choir sing together with the audience the same lyrics but in Swedish. It was really powerful.”
European fans expressed their support for Smith by attending his concerts in droves. “The European dates had enormous crowds–especially in Finland, the UK, Latvia, Hungary, Sweden, and for Michael’s two performances for Franklin Graham’s crusades in Estonia,” says Michael’s longtime manager, Chaz Corzine. “And the ministry in France, Switzerland, Italy and Spain was just amazing.”
Smith performed classic fan favorites as well as music from his award winning A New Hallelujah album, and A New Hallelujah – The Live Worship DVD.
Smith also performed in front of 30,000 fans when he headlined this year’s EO Youth Day in Holland. The annual gathering, which has been described as “the biggest event in Dutch Gospel history,” was broadcast to more than 1 million television viewers.
Musical director for the event, Tim Dik, says, “Michael is unique because he appeals to all generations, young and old. He is a real worshipper who is more passionate and committed than ever before to impact Europe and the Netherlands. It was a great blessing to have him back this year!”
The night before EO Youth Day, Smith performed in the same venue for 12,500 people who attended exclusively to see him.
Michael W. Smith has toured extensively for over 25 years, but says he will remember this tour as one of his favorites. “The Europe leg of the ‘New Hallelujah World Tour’ was absolutely one of the most memorable tours of my life,” says Smith. “The crowds were amazing, the ministry was off the chart. The European crowds love the music and are so passionate about worship. I’ll never forget the experiences from this incredible tour.”
Smith’s European adventures began shortly after he saw his A New Hallelujah album win the Gospel Music Association’s Dove Awards for “Praise & Worship Album of the Year” and “Inspirational Song of the Year” (title track). After Smith’s high profile shows during this summer’s festival season, the “New Hallelujah World Tour” will continue in August and include performances at all eight of Sean Hannity’s “2009 Freedom Concerts,“ which will also feature Billy Ray Cyrus, Charlie Daniels, Lee Greenwood and Oliver North. (For specific tour dates, please visit www.michaelwsmith.com)
