Jamie Grace—One Song At A Time
Have you ever watched a movie scene where the seasons change in a matter of seconds, progressing the story from the present to the future? There, in one sweeping scene, you can witness the passage of time and its impact on people’s lives.
Put that cinematic montage onto a music recording, what you get is One Song at a Time by Jamie Grace. One Song at a Time picks up where her imaginative debut Hold Me e.p. left off, revealing the heart of a unique young woman in progress. Here, this self-taught musician who plays six instruments carves out some unforgettable new music—think Sara Bareilles, Macy Gray and Colbie Calliat—infusing a funky, laidback vibe as unique as the young woman herself.
“She writes, sings and plays her own music. And she has this style that can’t be put into a typical label box,” says tobyMac, who signed the Atlanta-based Jamie Grace after tracking her clever YouTube videos for more than three years. “When some people sing and play, it’s almost effortless, and their joy is all over them. That’s what grabbed my attention with Jamie Grace. I’ve not been this excited to work with an artist in a long, long time.”
Jamie Grace’s effervescent spirit and contagious joy can only be understood in the context of her story. And her struggle. Diagnosed with Tourette’s Syndrome at age 11, her young life became a series of heartbreak and challenge, a long season of physical exhaustion, emotional stress and spiritual doubt. But at age 13, inspired by the powerful testimony of Tammi Trent, Jamie Grace came to a life-changing conclusion: “I knew, ‘I’ve cried enough. It’s time to accept my joy.’ I still have something to do with my life. I love to sing. I have a story, and I’ve got to share it.”
Produced by Christopher Stevens (Carrie Underwood, TobyMac), Arch Nemesiz (GabeReal and Dave Wyatt of DiverseCity) and David Garcia (Mandisa, Group1Crew) One Song At A Time features 11 distinctive tracks, including the #1 Christian AC & #1 Christian CHR radio hit “Hold Me featuring tobyMac”, “You Lead,” “With You,” “Come to Me” and “God Girl.”
“I’ve come a long way spiritually,” says Jamie Grace, who at age 19 is embarking on her senior year at college. “Not that I was lost or bewildered, but God has shown me so much. I’ve gotten rid of some of my insecurities, and I’m learning a lot more about my voice, my point of view and myself. I’m still exploring different genres, but within that I’m discovering that is who I am. And I’ve been inspired by people like tobyMac and Nicole C. Mullen to embrace all those differences. I guess you could say I’ve grown up a bit.
‘One Song At A Time’ is a perfect title for the record because that’s basically how I’ve been growing, ‘just give me my guitar’ and one song at a time.”
The innocence and honesty of songs like No. 1 hit “Hold Me” and “God Girl” resonate with students, especially young girls who struggle with self-acceptance and the need to belong.
“I wrote ‘God Girl’ as an anthem for all those girls, 16 and under,” Jamie Grace says of the infectious, spirited melody. “The lyrics are what got me through my elementary, middle school and even high school years. Answering the question: ‘Am I gonna look like them or am I gonna be my own person?’ This one is for all my sisters out there, one to sing at the top of their lungs. I’m God’s girl, for the whole world to see.”
Other tracks like “Come To Me,” “With You” and “You Lead,” make it clear that finding purpose and security during craziness of life at any age is rooted in relationship with God.
“I’ve inherited my parents’ (who are both pastors) drive to succeed, to make your life count,” Jamie Grace says. “They’ve always been such great encouragers. After Tourette’s, kids would be bullies and say mean things, and I didn’t know if I could handle it, my Mom would remind me to stay focused on the dreams God had given me, to keep working hard, because God wouldn’t give me these dreams without giving me what I need to fulfill them. …So many of my songs are about saying ‘God, you lead, and I’m gonna follow. You’re in charge and I’m just rocking the back seat.’”
Like height-marks on the doorframe throughout a child’s life, One Song At A Time charts the spiritual awakenings and undeniable talent of a young woman in the most beautiful spring of her life. “The other day, my brother-in-law said, ‘You know, you’re kind of like a woman now.’ And it struck me as funny, but also true. I’m still that goofy kid that I always was. But know I’m at a new place, stepping into the time God has for my life, really jumping in to what God has for me. And I definitely think I’m ready.”
Jamie Grace will be playing at Soulfest 2012 on the Revival Stage at 1:15 pm on Friday August 3rd, at the Mountain Top at 1:00 pm on Saturday August 4th, and at the Mercy St. Cafe at 6:45 pm on Saturday August 4th. Come check her out!
Project 86 to Release New Studio Album Wait For the Siren August 21, 2012
In the three years since P86’s last release Picket Fence Cartel, band founder and front man Andrew Schwab has been inspired by the idea of getting back to his roots—and why he started the band back in 1996.
“The first time I walked on stage to perform it felt foreign, other-worldly. The freedom I felt was powerful. We were part of an underground movement that took hardcore and made it accessible. With the new album, Wait For the Siren, I wanted to pull from a similar place emotionally while integrating new sounds, new instruments and new collaborations.”
Schwab called on an all-star lineup of musicians to join him in the studio and bring his vision for P86’s 8th album to fruition. The new album features Andrew Welch (Disciple), Blake Martin (A Plea for Purging), Rocky Gray (Evanescence), Cody Driggers (The Wedding) and guest vocal appearances by Bruce Fitzhugh (Living Sacrifice), Brian “Head” Welch (Korn, Love and Death). To help steer the recording process, Schwab also tapped Nashville producer Steve Wilson (Juliana Theory, Jonezetta) and engineer/mixer Steve Blackmon (The Showdown, Hank Williams Jr). As the chief songwriter and co-producer, Wait for the Siren has become an opus of sorts for Schwab:
“On this record I was really able to take the reins of the creative process in a direction I was passionate about. I was able to write songs that pushed me to grow as an artist. I was also empowered by a great sense of camaraderie in working with so many talented friends.”
P86 has always taken a progressive approach to the evolution of their patented sound. Wait For the Siren is a combination of what fans have come to expect—a blend of heaviness, melody, and lyrical prowess—butSchwab has added another layer this time around, using his personal lineage as influence on sonic growth:
“My ancestors came over from southern Ireland, and during the process of writing this record, I went on a journey of personal discovery, hoping to better understand who I am in the context of where I come from. So, there are some definite lyrical themes of ancestry, breaking generational curses, and the fight for territory, as a metaphor for personal discovery. We even added some instrumentation which captured some of these themes—hammered dulcimer, mandolin, and Ueallian pipe. Adding these to the heavy elements really took the music to an epic place, where you can almost taste the fight in these songs.”
There is little doubt that this chapter in P86’s history is about reinvention. Not only is this true in the musical sense, but in the lineup as well. And the changes are palpable, with fans being treated to a reinvigorated live show which includes Scott Davis on drums, Dustinn Lowry on guitar, and Mikee “Norman” Williams on bass. Schwab is excited by P86’s new direction:
“I look at it like any living organism: there are times when you have to be pruned in order to grow back stronger. If it’s a truly inspired change, it will show.”
The band has a busy touring season ahead and will be hitting the road again this summer on the Wait For the Siren US tour with special guests I Am Empire on the west coast and Wolves At the Gate on the east coast. P86 will also be featured on more than a dozen premiere summer festivals, including appearances at Purple Door, Creation East/West, Spirit West Coast, Kingdom Bound, Lifest, Soulfest, Joshua Fest, Uprise Festival, Awesome God Fest, Jesus Fest and more. Project 86’s new album Wait For the Siren is slated for release on August 21, 2012 and the band’s debut single “Fall, Goliath, Fall” will be hitting rock radio at the end of May.
Additional info on Project 86:
P86’s music has been featured on television shows such as: MTV’s Real World/Road Rules, Parental Control, Date My Mom, Next, One Bad Trip, Pimp My Ride and Viva La Bam. They have also been featured in EA games WWE Raw vs. Smackdown, NFL Tour 2008, Project Baja Racing, Arena Football as well as Indie film “Pathology” and Spike TV show “The Shield”. They have been spotlighted in Billboard Magazine, Alternative Press, Outburn Magazine, Mean Street Magazine, Revolver Magazine, HM Magazine, CCM and Relevant Magazine. The band has also had live performances on G4’s Attack of the Show along with appearances on major national rock outlets such as: KROQ-Los Angeles, WXDX-Pittsburg, The Edge-Tulsa, KRXQ-Sacramento, KRZR Fresno and more. Project 86 has toured with artists such as Linkin Park, P.O.D, Sevendust, Trapt, 30 Seconds to Mars, Queensryche, Taproot, Finger Eleven, August Burns Red, Haste the Day, Disciple, Brian “Head” Welch and Blindside. The group is also a 3 time Dove award nominee, has 8 No. 1 singles, received multiple SESAC awards, as well as the Orange County Music award for Best Hard Rock Performer.
This year at Soulfest, on Friday August 3rd, Project 86 is playing on the Inside Out Stage at 8:00 pm, and Project 86’s singer, Andrew Schwab, is speaking at the Mercy Street Cafe workshop at 1:05 pm.
For more information regarding P86 visit project86.com or facebook.com/project86
Share hope and support during Self-Injury Awareness Day today by wearing orange and starting conversations. You can also join us by adding a little orange to your profile photo in support of SIAD. http://www.twloha.com/facts
Standing with our friends on this day.
In episode 10, we take a look at the SoulFest skateboard park and interview pro skater Brian Bishop. This video is an inside look at some of the activities that take place off the stage at SoulFest!
Stay connected! If you haven’t seen any of our SoulFest TV webisodes yet, what are you waiting for?! These dynamic episodes are full of exclusive SoulFest artist interviews… and quick enough to watch in between phone calls if it’s a slow day at work :) Subscribe to our youtube channel to see them all.
March savings only! Get Adult Single Day - Wednesday tickets to SoulFest for 50% off — just $16.25 each. Don’t miss this incredible deal!
In case you missed it, The March 15 Casting Crowns show in Lowell, MA is now officially SOLD OUT!
But don’t worry, there’s another chance to see them at SoulFest this summer —Saturday, August 4. Watch them from the On-stage seating section, or watch from the pit pass area. Meet & Greet passes also available for Casting Crowns’ appearance at SoulFest, and other artists performing that day. There are a limited quantity of these upgrades available, so order now!
