It has been 1 year ago to date since Sleeper, Rise was released.  It has been an incredible year being able to share this Album with you.  Here is just one testimony someone has shared with me about the album:

“Personally, I have been struggling a lot with forgiving a very close friend who hurt me very deeply. Your reflections about wounds and forgiveness hit really close to home and really impacted me. Throughout your performance, I just kept looking over at my other close friend who is involved and thinking, “How does he know this is what we needed to hear?” Your words and lyrics spoke much truth to my heart and I’m continuing to pray that the Lord will help me to forgive my friend. I wanted to make sure that you know how impactful and inspirational your music truly is. Thank you for your words, your lyrics, your inspiration, and your talent.”

I’ve been so blessed to travel this past year and hear many similar stories from people who have been impacted by this Album and concerts.   In a previous post and  video explaining the music video of Why This Had To Be, I’ve shared a bit about the heart of this album: for the broken, from the broken.  It continues to be my prayer that others may find new life through forgiveness, as I know I have tasted atleast the first fruits of that journey.   It’s humbling for me to hear testimonies like the one above, which encourage me to keep song writing and sharing honest music with others.  I hope to have new music to share with you soon, maybe even as early this Summer (God Willing!)   Stay tuned!  

In the meantime, please help me celebrate the first Birthday of Sleeper, Rise with this DUBSTEP REMIX of “Not That Different” by Jesse Fex.

Not That Different (Jesse Fex Remix) is NOW AVAILABLE for digital download on iTunes and CD Baby

Special thanks to Studio Jaywall at jaywall.com for the graphic design.

Thank you again to all who have supported me and this Album!  AMDG

Here’s the (un)official song for the Happy Canada Day Tour.  This was filmed ironically on the 4th of July on a Rooftop in Baltimore.

*Filmed and edited by Pat McNamara with Drawn to the Image http://www.facebook.com/drawntotheimage
http://drawntotheimage.tumblr.com/

We are one week into the Happy Canada Day Tour.   Here are some photos to show you where and what we’ve been up to.  Today we head onwards to Wisconsin!  More shows and photos to come!

There are more photos here: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151009956531950.455331.87209461949&type=3

July is going to be an exciting month travelling around the States with a great friend and singer/songwriter Kevin Heider for the “Happy Canada Day!” Tour.  We’re heading to some States I’ve never been before, so I’m excited to cover new ground!  Check out the Shows page and keep updated through Facebook and Twitter to follow our travels.

If you haven’t heard of Kevin or his music before, now is the time to check him out on his Website and on iTunes.  You will not be disappointed!

Happy Canada Day!!!

During the Welcome Back Summer Tour (May 2012) we had a day off in Saint John New Brunswick and decided to set up the equipment in a basement and record some songs.  Special thanks goes out to the George’s for their hospitality!  Thanks to Kyle and Conor for playing, Nick for recording, and Jocelyn for filming.  Enjoy these Saint John Sessions videos! (even an unreleased song called the “Technology Song“!)

We just wrapped up the last show of the Welcome Back Summer Tour in Arden Ontario with 60 awesome people! Here’s a short video clip of the last song played on the Tour: Higher Than A Kite in the Sky.

It’s somewhat sad to say the Tour is over because we had such a great time this past month.  In 30 days we: made it through 8 provinces, drove 13835 kms, played 21 shows, ate over 36 Subway sandwiches,  kept down all the Subway sandwiches, broke 2 guitar strings, got 1 speeding ticket, and met many many amazing people across this beautiful Country!

I would like to send out a huge thank you to Jim and Marilyn Boissonneault for lending us their van for the month!  Also, a huge thank you to Larry at Sylvain Sound in Cornwall for setting us up with stellar sound equipment!  Thank you to everyone who opened their homes and parishes and hearts with us this past month!   If we didn’t make it to your town or church or house to play a show this tour, please send me a message and next time we’ll make it happen!

Keep posted for upcoming shows like this July when I’ll be heading south to join a good friend Kevin Heider for some shows in the USA!  More details to come!  Thanks again for a great Tour, and welcome back summer!

Hope you can come out to a show near you this May in my first Coast to Coast Canadian Tour!  With 21 shows in 30 days and over 13000 kms to travel, we are going to need any extra prayers you can offer!  I look forward to seeing some old friends and making some new, and hopefully you’ll get to pick up a new Sleeper, Rise CD and maybe even a Beard Tshirt!   Spread the word, and see you soon!

It is Friday April the 13th, 2012 which marks the released date of my 4th full length album Sleeper, Rise.  You can get a digital copy of the Album now on iTunes.  If you are waiting to get a physical copy, check out the Shows page to see when we’re playing a show near you.

Enjoy the music!

So maybe the music won’t interest you, but how about a Beard Tshirt!  These are Amercian Apparel Shirts BB401, 50/50 Poly-Cotton, in Heather Lake Blue, available in unisex sizes Small, Medium and Large.  Be sure to pick one up for $25 at a show (while quantities last), one for you, your brother, and mom!  :)

Beard Design by Cory at Likeable Art. Be sure to check them out!

I don’t like to do things without a reason, especially in music.  Every note has a purpose, and every word has layers of meaning.  It is therefore no coincidence that I am releasing my new album Sleeper, Rise at this time.  Today is one week to the release date and today is also Good Friday.  As I journey in remembrance of our Lord’s Passion, Death and Resurrection, I can’t help but see a similar thread woven into the garment of this album.

This album is probably lyrically the most raw I’ve ever written.  As Christ had his garments torn off his body, I feel similarly exposed in areas that have up until now remained in the shadows.  I think partly why this album is so raw and real is because others have been raw and real with me: sharing stories of abuse, divorce, addiction, depression and suicide.  So in me sharing these songs, I remember those who have shared with me.  I carry them with me.  I guess in some way, like Simon of Cyrene who helped carry the cross of Jesus, I am helping carry the cross of a brother or sister who is weighed down by many afflictions and sorrows.

There IS hope in this album.  But you first have to pass through the crap (*pardon me but I grew up on a farm…)  I’ve come to accept that this album won’t be for everyone.  I think for many the content will sound too “sad” and lack cheerful beats that you can crank while driving with your friends. (Maybe next album! ) But I do feel that this is an album for the broken, from the broken.  For those who are ready and willing to deal with the crap in their own life, I hope these songs can help you along the way.

I encourage you to read a post from the man behind the album artwork: Studio Jaywall. Here’s an excerpt of what Jay had to say about the album and art:

“Featured on the cover is an abandoned cabin hidden in a swampy forest outside North Bay, Ontario. I actually had to reach the cabin by snowshoes in order to photograph it on a gloomy winter day. The cabin is broken down, lonely, yet filled with pieces of memories left behind by the family that once lived there. In the midst of the broken glass, I still discovered subtle reminders of beauty and hope.”
(Read the full post here.)

If you are counting down the days like me, it is now just one week away!  #SleeperRiseCountdown