For up to date (most of the time) news and original opinions before they hit the update, follow us on Twitter!
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Huge props to our Sydney friends for getting stuff in! From all accounts, Switchfoot played a show for the ages. Most of today's update will be dedicated to summaries and blogged thoughts about this show, and the rest of the Australia tour. Aussie friends (or mates, as you all like to say), you have given the band reason to come back. Way to go, guys and gals!
So first off, here's a video from the Sydney show, courtesy of our great friend David!
And then, here's is review:
First of all let me start off by saying that Switchfoot put on an amazing show as only they can do. Here are a couple of the highlights that I can remember: • They invited a guy from the crowd (probably in his late teens) to play guitar for a bit of "Stars" while Jon just sang instead. • Jon did the drum thingy at the end of Free (if you know what im talking about). He was hitting that big drum really good, there was an enormous cheer when he had finished. • Jon also dedicated 'Always' to a girl that he mentioned he had met before this show. She had flown all the way from Colombia to see Switchfoot. Pretty amazing!
So yes the entire show was spectacular and unforgettable.
In this email I've attached some pictures, the Youtube link to footage I took from the concert and.... the is the set list as i can remember, this order should be accurate but they def. played these songs:
Set1: Needle and Haystack Life Mess of Me Your Love Is A Song The Sound Free Hello Hurricane Always Bullet Soul Yet Sing It Out Red Eyes
Set2: Stars Oh! Gravity Gone On Fire Awakening Meant To Live This Is Your Life Sabotage <----(Jon said its the first time they played this in Australia) Dare You To Move
Here are the pictures he sent!
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Our friend Dot took some great pictures from the show! Here are just a few:
A blogger recounted her experiences during the show. Here's a small portion:
I think the most amazing part of the whole night was the unity with the crowd. Singing in time with over a thousand other people, all stuck in that moment, all feeling the words. Especially the parts where the band went quiet and we were the song, it was so powerful. I can't even put it into words. The band even seemed sort of in awe when those moments happened, they kept smiling at each other like 'wow, look at these kids'. Jon even talked about how this show felt like when he was a kid, and how it felt like everyone in the crowd was 'in it together', and it felt like family.
FOREFRONT RECORDS’ TOBYMAC WINS POP/CONTEMPORARY RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR
sixsteps RECORDS DAVID CROWDER* BAND WINS PRAISE & WORSHIP ALBUM OF THE YEAR
CREDENTIAL RECORDING ARTIST SWITCHFOOT WINS ROCK RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR
NEWS SOURCE: The M Collective April 23, 2010
NASHVILLE, TN….April 23, 2010…EMI Christian Music Group is proud to congratulate several of their label group artists for their recent Dove Awards. The 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards were held on Wednesday, April 21, 2010, at Nashville's historic Grand Ole Opry House, and will be televised nationwide on gmc Sunday, April 25, from 8 p.m. - 10 p.m. EST.
TobyMac’s “City On Our Knees,” which topped the sales and radio charts faster than any of his previous singles, and spent eight weeks at #1 on the Christian Audience Chart, was awarded the Dove Award for “Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year.” After celebrating his eleventh Dove Award as a solo artist (23rd career Dove), TobyMac performed “Funky Jesus Music” with his Diverse City Band.
Church Music, the latest from the David Crowder*Band, took home the top prize for “Praise and Worship Album of the Year” and is the band’s first win in this category. Crowder also performed “How He Loves” with MercyMe during the televised awards show. The group now has 7 GMA Dove Awards and has raked in a total of 20 nominations total.
Switchfoot received its ninth Dove Award yesterday for Rock Recorded Song of the Year for “Mess of Me” from the band’s acclaimed seventh album, Hello Hurricane, which debuted in the Top 15 of The Billboard 200 last November. A Top 15 hit at Modern Rock radio, the band has played “Mess of Me” on the “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon,” and more. The song was also tapped for use by NHL Music Nights on Fox Sports Net and by ESPN for college football bumpers.
About TobyMac: With over 10 million in career sales, his first three solo projects receiving RIAA Gold status and GRAMMY® nominations, and TobyMac’s live CD/DVD taking home a GRAMMY® award, the much-celebrated and acclaimed artist recently celebrated his fifth consecutive GRAMMY® nomination with his single “City On Our Knees” receiving a nod for Best Gospel song. The single was the first release from TobyMac’s latest, “TONIGHT," which also garnered him the highest sales debut of his solo career with over 78.000 units and a No. 6 Billboard Top 200 debut. Along with sold out tour dates, back-to-back radio hits, being named the GMA Dove Award’s 2008 Artist of the Year, and R&R’s Christian CHR Artist of the Year in 2007, TobyMac was also nominated for a 2007 American Music Award as Favorite Inspirational Artist. TobyMac’s music has been featured in major motion pictures such as “hancock,” “TRANSPORTER 2,” and on fox sports, The NFL network, 2009 SUPERBOWL and more.
About David Crowder*Band: Church Music is the follow-up to David Crowder*Band’s 2007 release of Remedy. Along with the group’s 7 GMA Dove Awards and 20 nominations, David Crowder*Band has toured with Michael W. Smith, Third Day, and Mercy Me including a headlining tour with Mute Math. The first Christian artist to be named MSN.com’s Artist of the Year in 2006 as well as foster a partnership with M-Audio/Propellerhead’s Reason software, Crowder is also the namesake behind premiere guitar maker Tom Anderson Guitarworks’s Roadster Acoustic. They have received media coverage from such major news outlets as CNN, Fox and the New York Times. Despite the success, David Crowder*Band makes it a point to get back to University Baptist Church on most Sundays, a church they helped found near the campus of Baylor University in Waco, TX. The band is also featured at the enormously popular Passion gatherings. The group’s leader David Crowder is further an acclaimed author, having penned two books, including his acclaimed, highly personal, Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven, But Nobody Wants to Die: Or (The Eschatology of Bluegrass).
About Switchfoot: Double Platinum selling band Switchfoot, comprising Jon Foreman (vocals/guitar), Tim Foreman (bass), Chad Butler (drums), Jerome Fontamillas (keys/guitar) and Drew Shirley (guitar) – has been playing sold-out concerts since the November release of Hello Hurricane and is currently in Australia with a tour of Japan on deck before returning to the U.S. next month. Hello Hurricane has garnered acclaim and significant feature coverage in Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, Paste, Billboard, USA Today, Guitar Magazine, DRUM!, Relevant, and many more. In addition to playing on virtually all of the major network late night talk shows, Switchfoot’s Hello Hurricane has also helped propel the band into feature appearances on the ESPN National Championship Tailgate at the Rose Bowl Stadium for the National Championship Game, NASCAR Rev'd Up event and an appearance on the Pentagon Channel. The album’s songs have been used in ad campaigns for the Verizon Wireless Blackberry Storm 2 and Overstock.com , as well as for such national TV shows and films as To Save A Life, the CW’s One Tree Hill and Vampire Diaries, and more. With an ever-growing fan base, Switchfoot has also been actively involved in a number of humanitarian causes since its inception, including DATA, Bono’s THE ONE Campaign, Invisible Children, To Write Love on Her Arms, and Habitat for Humanity, as well as founding its annual Bro-Am surfing and music charity event six years ago to support Stand Up For Kids. Bro-Am will happen on June 26 this year in the band’s hometown of San Diego.
About sixstepsrecords: Founded in 2000 by Louie Giglio, sixstepsrecords (www.sixstepsrecords.com) is a worship label and a division of Passion Conferences. sixstepsrecords’ artists include Chris Tomlin (Hello Love), David Crowder* Band (Church Music), Charlie Hall (The Bright Sadness), Matt Redman (We Shall Not Be Shaken), Kristian Stanfill (Attention), Christy Nockels (Light Life Up) and Passion (Passion: Awakening). The label partners with Sparrow Records/EMI CMG Label Group for A&R, marketing, sales and distribution operations.
About EMI CMG Label Group: Brentwood, Tennessee-based EMI CMG Label Group is comprised of Sparrow Records, Forefront Records, and Credential Recordings, in addition to providing A&R and marketing support for sixstepsrecords via a joint venture and licensing partnership. Balancing freedom, discipline, creativity, profitability and ministry, EMI CMG Label Group strives for excellence in artist development. The Label Group is a division of EMI Christian Music Group. For further information, please visit www.emicmg.com.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (April 14, 2010) – Performances by alternative rockers Switchfoot and pop-soul band Parachute will headline this year’s “NASCAR Rev’d Up,” a six-hour fan-friendly event that celebrates the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. The eclectic North Carolina-based group Paper Tongues has signed on as the opening performance. In addition to the free concert, the event will feature driver appearances, NASCAR show cars and interactive displays.
NASCAR Rev’d Up will take place Thursday, May 20, between Third and Mint Streets in uptown Charlotte from 4-10 p.m. In 2009, the NASCAR Rev’d Up concert drew more than 13,000 fans in preparation of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. The 2010 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race will take place Saturday, May 22, at Charlotte Motor Speedway (SPEED, 9 p.m. ET), which will also feature an at-track concert performed by a popular rock band.
“NASCAR has worked with many amazing bands in the past, so it’s an honor to be a part of the All-Star week festivities,” said Jon Foreman, lead singer for Switchfoot. “We are looking forward to entertaining those descending upon Charlotte for this week of fun.”
Multi-Platinum band, Switchfoot, released their seventh full-length album, Hello Hurricane, with Atlantic Records late last year. Recorded with producer/bassist Mike Elizondo (Dr. Dre, Rilo Kiley, Eminem, and Pink), Hello Hurricane is Switchfoot’s first album with Atlantic Records. The album was a critic’s pick in USA Today’s Fall Music feature and Alternative Press hailed the title track as “an uplifting, hope-giving affirmation of resurgence.” In recent months, Switchfoot has performed on “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien,” “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” and “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” The band is currently on tour in the U.S.
“As NASCAR fans, we’re looking forward to performing at their biggest event of the year,” said Will Anderson, lead vocalist for Parachute. “We are excited to share our music with the NASCAR nation.”
Signed to Mercury / Island Def Jam in 2007, Parachute spent the past three years sharing the stage with such acts as Dave Matthews Band, Kelly Clarkson, Taylor Swift, and The Script. The band toured the U.S. with Kelly Clarkson in 2009, and joined her in the United Kingdom and Europe in February and March 2010. Parachute’s debut album, Losing Sleep, shot to No. 1 on iTunes and Amazon and has sold more than 96,000 units to date. The band’s hit single “She is Love” garnered more than 460,000 downloads and their third single “She (for Liz)” will be released in April 2010.
The Paper Tongues, best known for blending rock n’ roll melodies with hip hop beats, was born in the streets of Charlotte, N.C. in 2007. Managed by music icon Randy Jackson, the band is currently working with some of the industry’s leading producers, including Brian West (Nelly Furtado, K’Naan, Bela Fleck), Mark Endert (Maroon 5, Gavin DeGraw, Madonna), John Fields (Switchfoot, Jimmy Eat World), and Billy Hume (Ying Yang Twins, Bone Crusher, David Banner). The Paper Tongues are also scheduled to perform at the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race on May 22. The band’s debut album hit stores on March 30, 2010, earning No. 1 on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart.
“NASCAR Rev’d Up has established itself as a big part of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race Week celebration,” said Steve Gaffney, vice president of corporate marketing for Sprint. “It gives fans a great atmosphere to have some fun and get geared up for some of the most exciting racing of the season, the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.”
ABOUT SPRINT NEXTEL Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including two wireless networks serving more than 48 million customers at the end of the fourth quarter of 2009 and the first 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; industry-leading mobile data services; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. The company’s customer-focused strategy has led to improved first call resolution and customer care satisfaction scores. For more information, visit www.sprint.com.
- Sprint Nextel, Press Release
^Cool.
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There's a new Drewcast episode to watch.
Photoshoot:
^That looks like a ton of fun!
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And lastly, looks like "Dare You to Move" is back in the American Idol scene. The upcoming week on the popular television show will feature an "Inspirational" theme. Switchfoot's cathartic hit is on the list of songs for the remaining Idol contestants to choose from. Check out the list on iTunes or below:
* Your Love Keeps Lifting Me (Higher and Higher) – Jackie Wilson * A Moment Like This – Kelly Clarkson * Amazing Grace – Susan Boyle * Angels – Robbie Williams * Anyway – Martina McBride * Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In – The Fifth Dimension * Better Days – The Goo Goo Dolls * Bridge Over Troubled Waters – Simon & Garfunkle * Calling All Angels – Train * Changes – David Bowie * Dare You To Move – Switchfoot * Don’t Dream It’s Over – Crowded House * Don’t Stop – Fleetwood Mac * Dream Weaver – Gary Wright * Drive – Incubus * Everyday People – Sly & The Family Stone * Flying Without Wings – Ruben Studdard * From a Distance – Bette Midler * Go the Distance – Michael Bolton * Greatest Love of All – Whitney Houston * Hands – Jewel * Heaven Help Us All – Stevie Wonder * Hero – Chad Kroeger featuring Josey Scott * Higher – Creed * Holding Out for a Hero – Bonnie Tyler * I Am Changing – Jennifer Hudson * I Believe I Can Fly – R. Kelly * I Can See Clearly Now – Jimmy Cliff * I Hope You Dance – Lee Ann Womack * I Turn To You – Christina Aguilera * I Will Survive – Gloria Gaynor * I’ll Be There – Jackson 5 * If You Believe – The Wiz Original Broadway Cast * I’ll Stand By You – The Pretenders * I’m Coming Out – Diana Ross * It’s My Life – Bon Jovi * I’ve Had The Time Of My Life – Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes * Lifted – Lighthouse Family * Live Like We’re Dying – Kris Allen * Live Like You Were Dying – Tim McGraw * Livin’ on a Prayer – Bon Jovi * Living in America – James Brown * Lovely Day – Bill Withers * My Heart Will Go On – Celine Dion * My Wish – Rascal Flatts * Only Hope - Mandy Moore * Over the Rainbow – Judy Garland * People Get Ready – The Impressions * Rainbow – Sugar Ray * Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s Hand) – Diana Ross * Reflection – Christina Aguilera * Return to Innocence – Enigma * The River of Dreams – Billy Joel * Show Me What I’m Looking For – Carolina Liar * So Small – Carrie Underwood * Stronger – Mary J. Blige * That’s The Way God Planned It – Billy Preston * That’s What Friends Are For – Dionne Warwick, Elton John, Gladys Knight * The Boxer – Simon & Garfunkle * The Impossible Dream – Frank Sinatra * The Prayer – Andrea Bocelli & Celine Dion * The Time of My Life – David Cook * The Is My Now – Jordin Sparks * Up Where We Belong – Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes * Walking on Sunshine – Katrina & The Waves * We Are the Champions – Queen * What a Wonderful World – Louis Armstong * What the World Needs Now is Love – Jackie DeShannon * When you Believe – Mariah Carey * Wind Beneath My Wings – Bette Midler * World – Five for Fighting * You Light Up My Life – Debby Boone * You Raise Me Up – Josh Groban * You’ll Never Walk Alone – Barbara Streisand * You’re My Best Friend – Queen * You’re the Inspiration – Chicago * You’ve Got a Friend – Carole King
^Notice "Only Hope" is also on the list... under Mandy Moore. Are you kidding me?
^Anyways... we'll see. What do you all think about the possibility of another "Dare You to Move" performance on the country's most popular karaoke contest? I'm not sure what I think yet... help me out in the comments below! :)
Two years ago, David Cook lent his talents to performing the song. Check it out:
For up to date (most of the time) news and original opinions before they hit the update, follow us on Twitter!
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Hey everyone! Just checking in with some quick news. First of all, Jon Foreman tweeted yesterday that he was in the studio working on some Fiction Family songs!
- My Fictional Family and I are making rock and such...
^Excellent. We look forward to hearing what will come of it.
- Dashboard Confessional, Switchfoot, and Augustana are looking for dates together in October.
And our friend Jeanna had this to say:
"I checked in with Switchfoot's management for some confirmation, and they said while they are looking at a lot of touring options for the Fall/Winter, nothing is confirmed yet."
We'll keep you posted friends. That would quite an interesting tour.
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"The Sound" is up for voting on RadioU. It is currently winning by 92% against the defending Battle of the Buzz champion, so let's keep it that way!
For up to date (most of the time) news and original opinions before they hit the update, follow us on Twitter!
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Check out Jon Foreman's latest tweet:
- What do John Lennon, Bon Iver and myself have in common? Miley Cyrus. http://bit.ly/bCo0KV (watch at 9:45)
Now, before I checked out the video, I must admit that I was ready to cringe... AND I did. More after the jump:
John Lennon's cool... but BOB Iver? It's Bon* Iver, Miley.
But nonetheless, it's cool to hear Jon Foreman mentioned, even it's Miley Cyrus saying it.
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In other news, the iTunes Download podcast featuring Switchfoot's Jon Foreman and Chad Butler is finally available! Subscribe here and it'll automatically download in your iTunes.
I wonder if some of their selections were influenced by iTunes staff... some very poppy tunes. Just a thought.
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Finally, some videos from KFMA day have surfaced on Youtube. Check em out:
For up to date (most of the time) news and original opinions before they hit the update, follow us on Twitter!
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Good news! Switchfoot's new single, "The Sound," is starting to get plays on several alternative rock stations across the U.S. Here's where it's appeared so far:
- KFMA - KITS - KBZT - WXDX - WRFF
^Stay tuned. We have big plans for release week, which comes on Monday, April 26, 2010, so be ready to promote the next single!
- Switchfoot's "Hello Hurricane" and Fiction Family's "Fiction Family" are up for Rock/Alternative Album of the Year. (choose Switchfoot! hehe)
- Fiction Family is also up for New Artist of the Year, so definitely vote for them there!
- Jon Foreman is up for Male Vocalist of the Year
- "Hello Hurricane" is up for Overall Album of the Year
- Switchfoot is up for Artist of the Year
- Write-in "Mess of Me" - Switchfoot as song of the year
- Write-in Switchfoot - "Hello Hurricane" as Best Album Cover Art of 2009
^Let's make our presence felt, Footsoldiers! Vote!
Also, we need all of you UK friends to start requesting the song on the station. Here's the link to do that! Let's spread the Hurricane all over the world!
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Here are some photo samples and sets from Sunday's KFMA day in Tucson. You may recognize that KFMA is one of the early supporters of "The Sound." I'd say that's one awesome radio station, huh?
Also, check out an interview with boundlessline.org.
You can listen to it on iTunes or at their wordpress. Tim Foreman and Chad Butler really weigh in and provide insight in this interview, so I recommend you give it a listen.
For up to date (most of the time) news and original opinions before they hit the update, follow us on Twitter!
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Carolinian friends! Check out the new shows that were JUST posted today on Switchfoot.com!
May 20 - Charlotte, NC - FREE show for Nascar Rev'd Up All-Star Weekend
May 21 - Charleston, SC @ Music Farm - FOTF presale 4/9 at 10am, General onsale 4/10 at 10am
Sweet deal!
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Also, check out this video of "Always" that someone uploaded on Youtube. If Switchfoot were to make a real music video for the song, would it look something like this?
Next, we need all of you UK friends to start requesting the song on the station. Here's the link to do that! Let's spread the Hurricane all over the world!
We are excited to announce that we will be performing at Lollapalooza 2010. This 3 day festival takes place at Grant Park in Chicago, IL from August 6-8. Also joining the lineup are Green Day, Arcade Fire, Phoenix, The Strokes, and more. For more information on the festival and the lineup, click here http://2010.lollapalooza.com/.
RADIO CAMPAIGN Thanks to all of you who helped get 'Mess Of Me' to #12 on the Alternative Rock Chart. This is a tremendous accomplishment, and you all played a huge role in the song's success.Our next single is going to be "The Sound (John M. Perkins' Blues)", and the official release date at radio is April 26th. Here's what Jon had to say about the song: "The Sound (John Perkin's Blues) is a very important song for us as a band. I see so much hatred and fear around me, I see so many people living out their pain. I hear it on the radio. I see it in the headlines. John Perkin's story needs to be heard. This song was inspired by a man who sang a louder song than hatred. In a world where we are defined by our differences, Mr. Perkin's life of service and compassion is a tangible demonstration of what it means to live a life of love. Love is the loudest song we could sing. Louder than racism. Louder than fear. Louder than hatred. John Perkin's said it right, love is the final fight. We're excited to hear this song on the radio, louder than pain." Let's do this!
SAN DIEGO COUNTY FAIR Tickets are onsale now for our big hometown show at the San Diego County Fair at the Del Mar Fairgrounds on June 24th. If you are a member of our FRIENDS OF THE FOOT, you had exclusive access to the presale for this show. Here is the link to buy reserve seat tickets - the show is FREE with purchase of admission to the fair.
'SABOTAGE' SWITCHFOOT STYLE If you haven't seen this video, you need to. The guys have been playing the Beastie Boys' classic 'Sabotage' at select shows, and our trusty pal Andy filmed one of the performances. The video is currently trending as one of the most discussed videos on all of youtube. Check it out now - http://www.youtube.com/switchfoot
SUMMER FESTIVALS We are playing at some great festivals this summer all across the US of A. Make sure to check out the tour dates at www.switchfoot.com for a complete list and ticket info.
SWITCHFOOT ON TOUR (NEW SHOWS ADDED!) Switchfoot is touring the WORLD right now. Be sure to check the dates below and see if we are coming to a city near you! Apr 11 - Tucson, AZ / KFMADAY Festival Apr 21 - Brisbane, AUS/ Hi-Fi Apr 22 - Melbourne, AUS / Billboard Melbourne Apr 23 - Sydney, AUS / Forum Apr 27 - Tokyo, JP / Duo May 1 - Dallas, TX / Edgefest May 2 - Buzzfest XXIV / Spring, TX May 8 - Sacramento, CA / Journey's Backyard BBQ May 22 - DC101 Chili Cook-Off / Washington, DC May 29 - Leicestershire, UK / Stanford Hall May 30 - West Sussex, UK / Wiston House May 31 - West Sussex, UK / Wiston House June 1 - London / United Kingdom June 2 - Koln / Germany June 3 - Berlin / Germany June 5 - Trnava / Slovakia June 6 - Frauenfeld / Switzerland June 8 - Hamburg / Germany June 9 - Silkeborg / Denmark June 10 - Amsterdam / Holland June 11 - Ballymena / Ireland June 12 - Edinburgh / Scotland June 17 - Wilmore, KY / Ichthus June 18 - Brainerd, MN / WOW Festival June 20 - Williamsburgh, VA / Busch Gardens June 24 - San Diego, CA / Del Mar Fair June 29 - Marietta, IL / Cornerstone June 30 - Shirleysburg, PA / Creation East July 3 - Vaughn, ON, CAN / Canada's Wonderland July 21 - Enumclaw, WA / Enumclaw Expo Center Aug 4 - Gilford, NH / Gunstock Mountain Resort Aug 6-8 - Chicago, IL / Lollapalooza
Visit switchfoot.com for more info including how to get tickets!
This is the sound, and thanks for listening. - jon, tim, chad, drew, jerome
Been wondering what the newly added Switchfoot track "Meant to Live" looks like on Rock Band? Wonder no further:
^I found the animations hilarious.
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Our friends at LOBH report that "Mess of Me" has hit No. 1 on Argentina's Rock and Pop chart. Cool beans!
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Here's a relatively old interview with Andy Barron, from back in October that I've managed to miss! He offers a lot of insight, and if you're wondering what camera Switchfoot has been using lately for their SwitchfootTV footage, it's all revealed here.
"switchfoot also recently got a new 5dmarkII so when i’ve been out shooting video for them lately, it’s been with that. the new music video for switchfoot’s single ‘mess of me’ is actually a lot of footage i shot on that thing... it’s kind of stupid how good the footage from those things looks."
For up to date (most of the time) news and original opinions before they hit the update, follow us on Twitter!
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The Sun Times in Chicago revealed the Lollapalooza lineup for this year, and guess who's going to be playing at this giant musical festival? None other than Switchfoot!
They will be playing at the same festival that will be headlined by the likes of Green Day, a reunited Soundgarden, and Lady Gaga. Check it out:
The rest of the Lollapalooza lineup, listed in the order in which they were announced -- and presumably corresponding to the size of the stage and the time of day they'll be playing -- includes Social Distortion, Hot Chip, the Black Keys, the National, Cut Copy, Slightly Stoopid, Chromeo, X Japan, Mutemath, Metric, Dirty Projectors, Matt & Kim, the xx, Drive-By Truckers, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, the Temper Trap, Jamie Lidell, Frightened Rabbit, F--- Buttons, Deer Tick, Blitzen Trapper and Stars.
Also: The Cribs, Minus the Bear, Switchfoot, the Walkmen, Mumford & Sons, Wild Beasts, Rogue Wave, Los Amigos Invisibles, the Big Pink, the Dodos, Hockey, Cymbals Eat Guitars, B.o.B, Dawes, Warpaint, the Antlers, the Soft Pack, Rebelution, Balkan Beat Box, Wavves, American Bang, the Ike Reilly Assassination, Company of Thieves, Nneka, Harlem, the Constellations, Miniature Tigers, Mimicking Birds, the Kissaway Trail, Health, Javelin, the Morning Benders, Foxy Shazam, Violent Soho, Royal Bangs, Neon Trees, Freelance Whales, Semi Precious Weapons, Dan Black, the Band of Heathens, Dragonette, My Dear Disco, Shawn Fisher, Neon Hitch, Skybox, the Ettes, Jukebox the Ghost, These United States and MyNameIsJohnMichael.
We have a new poll in the sidebar! In the wake of the new Switchfoot cover of "Sabotage" by the Beastie Boys, we want to ask you:
"What is your favorite Switchfoot cover?"
Please note that exclusively Jon Foreman and Fiction Family covers are not included.
There are quite a few choices, but I'd have to say "Sabotage" is my favorite. What is yours? Vote in the sidebar! Comment below and weigh in on your thoughts! If your choice doesn't show up, let us know as well.
For up to date (most of the time) news and original opinions before they hit the update, follow us on Twitter!
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Hey friends, sorry for the lack of update in awhile. Been relaxing a lot, due to Spring Break and a relatively busy Easter Weekend. Anyways, as many of you know, Switchfoot recently played the Final Four NCAA Tournament tent party, and there is a new Daily Foot for that as well as several other shows the band has played. Check them out here.
Here are a couple of videos of Switchfoot playing during the Final Four party
Meant to Live
Dare You to Move
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A recent news story about last year's American Idol winner Kris Allen, has Switchfoot weighing in on the singer's talents:
Foreman added, "He's got his own voice, and he's trying to find what he's saying, you know he's a really young guy, and kinda has this whole scene thrust upon him, so that's kinda what we wrote about, it's a song called 'Lifetime'.
Kris seems like a really sweet guy, you know. It's always an honor when somebody from a different place in life wants to write a song with you."
Shirley agreed with Foreman saying, "I mean a great voice, a great performer, and to just come out of the gates having never performed, as far as like professionally, in front of that many people, to come out and do what he did was just amazing."
In fact Shirley said he wouldn't mind seeing Allen on tour with Switchfoot, "Yeah, I'm pulling for him man, I hope we can catch up with him on the road sometime, you know, I'm pulling for him."
^Let's hope Switchfoot can do just as well as Kris Allen is doing right now. These are two truly genuine acts.
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"The Sound" impacts three weeks from now. Get ready to support the single!
For up to date (most of the time) news and original opinions before they hit the update, follow us on Twitter!
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Jon Foreman played a couple of new songs last night in his solo acoustic show in Tyler, Texas.
"My Coffin"
"Mercy's War"
^These songs prove once again why Jon Foreman is one of the most underrated lyricists in our modern age. Thanks to LOBH, here are the lyrics:
MERCY'S WAR I was looking for excuses And you offered me my soul In the name of all my weakness In the name of rock 'n roll
By His sickness I am healed Cause they broke you I am whole Oh the wonderful blood of Jesus
I went looking for the fig leaves And you asked me what they're for I was building up a wall And you offered me a door
I was hoping for silver spoons But you handed me a sword Oh the wonderful blood of Jesus
Maker is unmade Love succumbs to hate Life Himself is slain Is death the only way? Is death the only way?
I went looking for religion Absolutely not a friend I went looking for ways out And you showed me the way in
I went looking for a ghost And instead I found a man Oh the wonderful blood of Jesus
Felt like I was at the end Felt like giving up on life I talked about your mother And denied you once or twice
Yeah I plucked out your beard Put a sword into your side Oh the wonderful of Jesus
Life and love are torn By the blades of earthly swords We cut the final cord This is mercy's war It's mercy's war
I was just chasing after safety When my world went up in flames I saw my defenses Washed my ashes down the drain
I thought mercy was a stranger But you called me out by name Oh the wonderful blood of Jesus
Your wounds are gaping open Couldn't recognize you at first And all I had to offer you Was an insult or a curse
Blood dripped down like poison On the nauseated earth Oh the wonderful blood of Jesus Oh the wonderful blood of Jesus
This is mercy's war This is mercy's war Oh the wonderful blood of Jesus ^ I will be checking with the guys to make sure these lyrics are accurate, but if anyone has any corrections please feel free to make them in the comments!
(The ???? symbolize the lines I'm not sure of... again please feel free to add your thoughts in the comments!) MY COFFIN Dear blue sky Are you afraid to die Do you fear you'll never see the morning?
And the twilight comes And you lose your sun Does it come to you without a warning?
When the ??????? How will I know When the carbon bonds that hold me Start to let go
Is there someone buried Beneath this skin? And is he free when I am lost In my coffin
Dear moonlight When you shine at night Do you fear you'll use up your resources?
With the sun as king Do you feel for it's string When the higher powers run their courses
When the rain falls down What brings it back? Opens the resurrected cloud From white to black It's a second birth Under this skin My coffin My coffin
Yeah
Resurrection comes But death comes first All of our entitlements and rights Will drive the hearse I'm bleeding death Death is unmade The minute I lose myself I'm saved From my coffin
Also, "Vice Verses" from the same show:
For more videos, check out the channel: Calebcanal
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Oh, new DrewCast episode, featuring friends from Mute Math and Eisley!
^Nice.
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Now, for some Switchfoot news!
Harmonix/MTV announced that there will be a new Switchfoot songs added to the Rock Band Music Store and LEGO Rock Band Music Store for XBOX 360, Playstation 3, and Wii!
Rock Band is answering fans’ requests for more alternative rock with six singles from a range of artists. Next week’s Rock Band Music Store additions include “Feel Good Drag” from Florida alternative rockers Anberlin’s 2008 album New Surrender, “Live Life Loud” from Canadian punk rockers Hawk Nelson’s 2009 album of the same name, “Monster” from Grammy Award-nominated hard rockers Skillet, “Stand in the Rain” from American pop rockers Superchick’s 2008 album Rock What You Got, “Meant to Live” from alternative rockers Switchfoot’s 2003 album The Beautiful Letdown, and “Fire It Up” from Canadian rockers Thousand Foot Krutch’s 2009 album, Welcome to the Masquerade. All of these songs will also be available for download in the LEGO Rock Band Music Store.
^"Meant to Live"; so predictable. But hey, still awesome!
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"The Sound" is now posted on all the major radio station news sites like FMQB and allaccess as impacting on April 26-27!
^Awesome. Can't wait to see how this one does.
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Sabotage Summary
Well, our "Sabotage" campaign came to an end yesterday, and you guys killed!
2 out of 3 is pretty impressive, guys! We got some small front page coverage, and are getting posts on other blogs and websites too! Here are the final honors the video ended up with:
#23 - Most Discussed (Today)) #2 - Most Discussed (Today)) - Music #65 - Most Viewed (Today)) - Music - Australia #33 - Most Viewed (Today)) - Music - Canada #66 - Most Viewed (Today)) - Music - India #27 - Most Viewed (Today)) - Music - New Zealand #38 - Most Viewed (Today)) - Music #84 - Top Favorited (Today)) #27 - Top Favorited (Today)) - Music #26 - Top Rated (Today)) - Music #97 - Most Viewed (Today)) - Music - Mexico #97 - Most Viewed (Today)) - Music - Czech Republic #84 - Top Rated (This Week)) - Music #10 - Most Discussed (This Week)) - Music #60 - Most Discussed (This Month)) - Music
^For everyone who participated in pushing this video, well done!
Check out the new Drewcast titled: Jon plays trumpet!?!
^Not bad at all!
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Hearitfirst.com posted a video of Switchfoot playing "Always" acoustic from Spot X. I feel like we've seen this thing before somewhere else, but anyways, our friend Brad uploaded it to Youtube:
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Check out a video of "Mess of Me" from the Albuquerque show back in February:
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Apparently S.F. did an interview w/Youth Walk Magazine. Check it out! (thanks to Jana for a the full transcription)
The Art of Switchfoot: an interview the surfboarding sages of Switchfoot by Laurin Makohon
How did your journey with God affect the direction of Hello Hurricane?
JON: The word journey is an incredible word to start with, because my experience with anything transcendent—whether it’s poetry, a worship service, or a walk on the beach—is that it feels like it’s a journey. And this record was certainly a journey. We’re what, five records into our career? Is this our sixth one?
TIM: This is our seventh.
JON: Okay. So enough records to forget how many we’ve done. (laughs) And before this record, we kind of stepped away from things for a while. We cut ties with our label, we cut ties with management, and we built our own studio. That extra breathing room in our lives allowed us to look back and reflect and say, “Wow, it’s incredible that music has been such a huge part of our lives. Music has taken us to Japan, Singapore, the Philippines, Europe, India, South Africa—places that we never thought we’d go.” Then we were able to look forward and say, “Well, what do we want to do? What do we want to say with our music? What’s worth singing about? What’s worth being in Atlanta when our families are all in San Diego?” Because there’s a price to pay for all of this.
We recorded about 80-plus songs for the record, and I think what came to me at the end of the journey is the punchline of the reason why we play music. And that’s this: Music is one of the few things in life that gets under the skin without asking for permission. And because of that, it’s an incredible honor to sing a song of hope for someone else because many people have sung those songs for us. So because of the reflection that went into the journey of making this album, I think that this record has a potency that our last few haven’t.
In “Your Love Is a Song” you sing about how God’s love is a symphony playing all around you. Can you explain what you mean by that?
JON: Music helps me understand the world because there are a lot of parallels between what I see in a song and what I see in existence. There are certain notes—blue notes you can call them, accidentals—notes that might clash. There’s this dissonance in a song, a tension. And then there’s release. So when I see the world and I see Darfur and I see human rights struggles in India and I see sex trafficking here in the U.S., I think that it’s only right to have your heart broken by these things, to recognize it for the dissonance that it is, for the absurdity. These elements shouldn’t be happening—they make no sense, they’re absurd. And yet I feel like it’s only within the context of harmony that I can even understand these to be dissonant elements. Because if there weren’t such a thing as harmony, of notes going together and sounding right, I wouldn’t know what dissonant notes sound like. The constant of the scale puts all these things in perspective, just like we know deep in us that there’s a rightness in life that’s found in God. And so for me, “Your Love Is a Song” pictures this Master Songsmith who is writing the world into existence, continuing to create and re-create, to redeem these wrong notes.
Since God is the Author of everything good, true, and beautiful, how do you see God in the world?
JON: I feel as believers we like to divide up our lives into segments. I think it’s absolutely a fallacy to think that you can’t find beauty or truth in something that doesn’t have a Christian kosher stamp on the back of it; that if it’s somehow not sold in the Christian department or the Christian this or that, then redemption doesn’t exist for it. And the moment we put redemption in that category, we’re degrading the very faith that we’re afforded. God isn’t limited to labels. So I feel like it’s a disservice to view art in that perspective. I think that Radiohead has some incredibly worshipful moments. I think Picasso’s got some incredibly poignant elements and things to say to everyone. And to put Christianity into a box is wrong. How does your faith influence your art?
JEROME: Well, as far as music is concerned, music has gotten me through a lot growing up. To do music and to affect people, us singing our songs and them singing back to us, it’s encouraging but it’s also pretty powerful. Music can affect people in a positive way, which means we have an opportunity to communicate the hope of God in our songs.
DREW: My faith affects everything in my life—and art is one of those areas. I think my faith has given me much more of a freedom than I would’ve had without it. For instance, in the Psalms, there’s a very wide range of highs and lows. That’s an example in Scripture of the range that art can have. We believe in a God who is much more expressive than anyone here is, He’s much wiser than anyone here is. And we don’t even see Him clearly now—we see as in a mirror that’s faded and gives a dim reflection of Him. I think that as an artist, you’re reaching for those things that are just out of reach; you’re reaching toward an infinite God who is so incredibly diverse. I mean, just look at the animals He created. No human could make all of these amazing creatures up—God is incredible. Knowing that there’s a God who’s that creative and diverse has freed me up to allow greater highs and greater lows in the art that I make. It has taken the barriers away.
CHAD: When it comes to faith and art, I think there’s freedom to express the challenges and the hardships and the doubts in life. When you know there’s a hope that’s deeper than the wounds and the pain, you can dive into that and express that through all kinds of different mediums. I’ve seen incredible theater that has taken me to emotional depths that were uncomfortable but really challenging and beautiful. I’ve seen paintings of a woman crying over her dying baby that have stirred me and haunted me, but I know that there’s truth in that—we live in a broken, painful world. I’ve heard and played songs that have moved me and that were difficult to play, but because there’s truth in it, because there’s honesty in it, there’s beauty and those things resonate. I think this is something that I’ve grown to realize. I grew up in the church, and I think that there are a lot of words thrown around about being positive or to view the world through this filter. It’s really freeing when you realize that you can see the world in its highs and lows, as Drew said, without fear of leaving your faith behind. Because of the hope that’s in our faith, we have the chance to experience life in its fullness, knowing that we take with us that hope and that freedom through God and His Truth.
What advice would you give to students who want to create great art?
JON: As creations of God, ultimately your worth is in your unique position in life, to be able to sing from that position and sing your unique song. And when we do that, we’re essentially joining in with the song of creation. Our creative God created everything with just words. He said: “Let there be,” and there was. To be an artist is an invitation to put the words God has given you into that song. Your unique location, your language, your attitudes—all of these things are yours alone. So to create good art, you first have to be honest with yourself. Then there’s the craft of just plugging away every day. Write a song every day. Why not? You’ll get better at it. Paint a painting every day. Why not? You’ll get better at it. Don’t be afraid of it. Dive in; play as much as you can around town. Anywhere that you can play, that they’ll let you play, play a song. TIM: I think art is about storytelling—whether it’s a painting or a song or a book, I think the story is very important. It’s key to acknowledge that we’re all part of a much bigger story. That’s exciting to think that we get to write a small chapter, maybe even just a paragraph, in a much larger story. What is the story that you want to tell?
What would you say to people who want to be influencers of culture and not just consumers of it?
JON: I think ultimately to be influencing the people around you and the culture around you is to have a deep understanding of your place in the world, which as a believer, is to have a deep understanding of your Creator. We all need to be connected with the greater story that’s unfolding. And the greater story is that we have a God who wants us to bring His Kingdom to earth—and then He’s going to bring it in full when He comes. We all have these little stories and at times we get distracted from the greater story. You know, you see an infomercial on TV about how this product’s going to do such-and-such. And you buy in, and then you get the product and you remember that you don’t have a need for the product at all. We lose the bigger story for the smaller one. I think we do that with our lives in much less comical ways, where we see a very small glimmer of light and we chase that for years, rather than the sun that’s rising behind us. I think that to be influencing people around you is to step away from the small pictures for a moment, to catch what the bigger picture is.
TIM: To add to that, I think it’s very difficult to affect change outside of love, and actions without love, like Scripture says, are like a clanging cymbal. Love should be informing all of our actions and all of our thoughts and what we say and how we interact with each other—that’s the most powerful weapon that we have for change.
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"Sabotage" video UPDATE:
We got front page last night!
Also, the video has gotten these honors so far:
#23 - Most Discussed (Today)) #2 - Most Discussed (Today)) - Music #75 - Most Viewed (Today)) - Music - Australia #43 - Most Viewed (Today)) - Music - Canada #73 - Most Viewed (Today)) - Music - India #39 - Most Viewed (Today)) - Music - New Zealand #48 - Most Viewed (Today)) - Music #84 - Top Favorited (Today)) #27 - Top Favorited (Today)) - Music #26 - Top Rated (Today)) - Music #100 - Top Rated (This Week)) - Music
Switchfoot is also: #31 - Most Viewed (Today) - Musicians
GREAT JOB footsoldiers!
We have until 6:00 PM PST today to promote this thing. Let's keep it going guys! Watch it here
