A Closer Look:
A Rotterdam November
By: Kristin Sepeda
A Rotterdam November is an alternative – rock band from Boise, Idaho. The band consists of David (lead vocals, guitar), Jared (backing vocals, lead guitar), Dylan (backing vocals, guitar), Alan (scream/vocals, guitar and keys), Andy (bass), and Ryan (drums). ARN has been a band for a little over a year; they became a band in the summer of 2006 and added Dylan in the spring of 2007. How they got their band name is quite interesting. “Rotterdam is a city in Holland that was destroyed in WWII. Soon after, they quickly rebuilt the downtown area. Our band is about rebuilding. Jesus rebuilds us,” the band explained in a recent interview.
With the release of their self-titled debut album in December 2007, ARN has hit the touring scene right. They went on a west coast tour with Ever Stays Red for the “Rock and Reeds Tour.” Touring for a band is not only hard work but can also get very boring, but for ARN touring is something they look forward to. “While being on tour, I like to read, listen to music, hang out with the guys, see new places and meet new people,” Ryan shares. “I really enjoy the fellowship, not just with my band but also the promoters, the other bands, the sound guys and our fans,” Dylan adds. Being on tour also means a lot of driving for bands. “The road is sometimes really smooth, other times it’s really bumpy, depending on if the state we are in has enough money to maintain it,” Jared describes. “I like it; it gives me time to think. It also gives me time to communicate and have a closer relationship with God/Jesus,” Alan professes. ARN has an energetic onstage performance. They love being onstage and playing music. “The crowd’s reaction and then getting to meet people later is my favorite part of a live show,” David tells.
Not only is ARN a cool Christian band that loves music, but they also have a message to today’s youth. “We would say that our message is to show that there is something bigger and better out there. Don’t live for yourself because adventure comes from serving others,” The band conveys. We all have to agree that being a rock-star is a pretty sweet job, but for ARN it’s much deeper than that. “I felt God had a purpose for my life and even if what we do gets hard I would rather be 90 years old and know I did what God called me to do then if I lived a comfortable easy life doing something other than what I was called to do,” David explains.
Be sure to check out A Rotterdam November on myspace for updated information about the band and upcoming shows.
www.myspace.com/arotterdamnovember
Paramore and Dierks Bentley performing “My Hero” by the Foo Fighters in the replies. The video is from a private Grammy party.
I had this gut feeling that 08 was going to be a good year, and guess what, its already heading that way!!
The best news so far is oh so sweet, the reunion of the oh so missed Living Sacrifice, that’s right, they are back together.
Even better? An 08 tour with LS and Demon Hunter!!
Better still, a new LS album THIS YEAR!!!
Oh how good it is!!
This is the post on thier official myspace which can be found at:
www.myspace.com/livingsacrifice
LIVING SACRIFICE has returned. Founding members Bruce Fitzhugh (Vocals / Guitar) and Lance Garvin (Drums) have reunited with Rocky Gray (lead guitar) and Arthur Green (bass). The band will be on tour this summer and we are already writing material for our brand new album, which will be released in 2008. We like and appreciate the fan pages but this is the OFFICIAL Living Sacrifice MySpace page. Stay tuned for updates.
The 2008 LineUp
The best album you’ve never heard:
Conquering The Fear Of Flight
Unless of course you are one of the blessed
The debut release from the boys from Tupelo, Mississippi is truly one of the best albums released in recent history. The one problem with it? Not enough people have heard it.
Conquering the Fear of Flight manages to blend together some indie rock, strong guitar rifts, powerful drums and some orchestra thrown in for good measure to bring something unique to the table that the genre has been lacking for some time now.
Many CHR stations have picked up the song “Praise and Adore” and it has rightly been very well received, but those same stations would never dream of putting such strong songs such as Part One, Tale of the Dragons Defeat or my favorite, Forgive and Forget due to fear of scaring their mellow music loving listeners. The album does have both rock songs and ballads, both done beautifully. The songs not only hit you musically but are lyrically well crafted as well. Lead singer Dave Stovall has a wonderful gift of bringing together the influence of profound writers such as C.S. Lewis and the thoughts on his heart to write amazing songs that reach deep.
Take a recommendation from me and pick this album up, you will not be disappointed, from first to last. And another thing, check out their myspace for show info because Dave, Matt, Seth, Coon, Jaime and lets not forget Jay, truly know how to put on a good show. Then make sure to take time to chat with them after, these guys are legit, from musicians to faithful guys.
Make sure this is not the best album you have never heard anylonger.
Unbreakable
Hits the streets 03.04.08
The sophomore release from Fireflight seems to be holding nothing back.
EXHIBIT A: A month before the release of the album and the title track is already 2 weeks at #1 on the charts.
EXHIBIT B: The video for the title track is the first in Nashville to use Red One video technology. Which from what I’ve read is the king of High Deff, actually 4 times better quality than normal high deff cameras. Intense is the word I’ve heard thrown around for the video. Releasing sometime this month.
So yeah, not too shabby for Fireflight. I had a chance to hear the album its truly a good one. You can check out their myspace for details on how to preorder it and get some good stuff thrown in.
It’s far more common for the hype surrounding an album to overshadow it than the album actually to live up to it. That is not the case for the debut release from Tooth & Nail artist Secret & Whisper titled Great White Whale. You can assume a heavy influence by Saosin but they really add their own style to create something truly amazing. This will be a top album for 08.
I happen to catch them on The North Pole Project Tour with Number One Gun and Brighten, and they really know how to put on a great show. Check out their myspace for tour details.
Over the course of the year Jon Foreman, front man for Switchfoot, will be releasing 4 e.p.s with 6 songs on each e.p. The e.p.s will be seasonal (Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer)
Fall A raw look at life, love and what on earth are we doing here on this place called earth. (Check out The Cure for Pain & Lord, Save Me From Myself) Listen to Fall
Winter Another display of Foreman’s poetic mastermind. Each song is a new adventure waiting to be had. (Check out I Am Still Running & Learning How To Die) Listen to Winter
Check out updates from Jon Foreman here
You wanna talk about a busy year, then look no further than P.O.D.
When Angels & Serpents Dance
New Album out 04.08.08
And if you preorder the album before 03.16.08 for only $9.97 you can get your name on the limited artwork ‘The Warriors Wall’
Head over to their site www.payableondeath.com to order and also for a free download of the title track from the album.
What else do they have going on??? How about a book from Traa and a new label they formed, check out their myspace for more details. Should be a fun 08 for the boys from Southtown!!
oh yeah, in case you haven’t heard, Marcos is back in the lineup. Like I said, a busy busy year!
Skillet announced New Years Eve the departure of one rockin’ chica drummer and the and the welcoming of a rockin’ chica drummer. Lori Peters has stepped down to begin a new chapter in her life and so starts the era of 18 year old British phenom Jen Ledger.
Catch the new line up on several tours through 08, details on their myspace
After much searching Norma Jean finally announced their new drummer earlier this year. And who it? Wouldn’t you like to know?!?!
Just messing, its the bands long time friend Chris Reigns of SPITFIRE. If you want to hear him you can check out some of the new SPITFIRE stuff. Hes good is all I need to say, and I’m stoked to hear the new album they are currently working on.