It has been nearly a year since Aaron Gillespie released his solo worship project Anthem Song to rave reviews and sales success. Today he follows up to this well received project with the release of an EP Echo Your Song (Live) on BEC Recordings. This six-song EP features songs from Anthem Song, two Hillsong covers as well as worship favorites from his tour.
Echo Your Song is already in the Top 10 on the iTunes Christian chart just hours after releasing. This project is available at all digital outlets including iTunes and Amazon and physically at the BEC Recordings' store as well as at Aaron's live shows. Click here to purchase: iTunes Amazon, BEC Recordings' store.
This project was recorded last April at Nine O Five (C4 Church in Ajax, ON). Beginning this week, he will be on a cross Canadian tour along with Parachute Band (dates below). This tour is sponsored by Nine O Five church and aptly called the “Nine O Five” tour. Aaron will be performing with AJ Cheek.
"This past year we have seen God move in so many ways, and I really feel like this recording captured this,” shares Gillespie. “Everything is for His glory, listen to this and be blessed not by the music, but by what He has done for you."
About Anthem Song and Aaron Gillespie:
In 2011, Aaron Gillespie released his solo venture, Anthem Song, on BEC Recordings to what he hoped will be a new generation of worshippers. On release day, Anthem Song, immediately charted on iTunes debuting at No. 17 on overall iTunes Albums chart, No. 2 on the Christian iTunes Albums chart and No. 1 on Canada’s iTunes Christian Chart. Anthem Song also charted in the Top 10 at No. 8 on the Billboard Christian Albums chart last year during its street week.
This album also garnered rave reviews from the press with Alternative Press’ 4-star review calling Anthem Song’s “greatest quality is its unapologetic fearlessness,” Christianity Today saying “Anthem Song is devoid of any preoccupation with ‘self,’ consistently pointing to God's goodness and glory,” and AbsolutePunk calling it “a true worship record at its finest.”
Anthem Song was sparked by a trip to Uganda with Compassion International. Following this trip, Gillespie retired his role as drummer for the popular metalcore band Underoath and began writing and recording for Anthem Song. He remains the frontman of the indie-rock band he founded,
The Almost.
Follow Aaron on Twitter @ AaronRGillespie as well as on his Facebook
Spring 2012 Tour Dates (all dates subject to change)
Feb. 29 Winnipeg MB
March 1 Saskatoon SK
March 2 Edmonton AB
March 4 Medicine Hat AB
March 5 Calgary AB
March 6 Lethbridge AB
March 7 Kelowna BC
March 9 Langley Twp BC
March 11 Victoria BC
March 15 Chicago IL
March 16 Sarnia ON
March 17 Kitchener ON
March 18 Ajax ON
April 12 Albuquerque NM
April 13 Albuquerque NM
April 14 Albuquerque NM
April 15 Albuquerque NM
April 28 Smithfield RI
May 18 Oshawa ON
May 26 New York NY
Announcing the HELLOSOMEBODY tour featuring the next generation of worship leaders Aaron Gillespie and The City Harmonic along with special guests Jake Hamilton (Jesus Culture), AJ Cheek and HELLOSOMEBODY founder Ben Pirtle. The tour begins on September 21 and will continue through October. Tour dates listed below.
"This is a different night, it isn't a concert, it isn't a popularity contest. This night is about Jesus and worshipping Him out loud and for real," shares Aaron Gillespie. "Bring everyone you know, we are being sponsored by HELLOSOMEBODY, and we are gonna be feeding needy kids through their incredible merchandise. Come hang!"
The tour’s namesake and sponsor, HELLOSOMEBODY’s mission will be the foundation for this evening of worship. This non-profit brand exists to impact and change the world through love, passion and creativity. Their purpose is simple: feed the hungry around the globe, which is what this tour will do – a global outreach through these creative and passionate artists.
“We want this tour to help people see their stories lining up with God’s story for them and the world. Worship ought to feel like that – some unveiling of something bigger than ourselves,” says The City Harmonic’s frontman Elias Dummer. “If we can somehow spark in people a dream, something they just can’t shake, then that will inspire them to sing like every word matters, to live like every day matters, and having tasted heaven they’ll get on with helping this world feel more like home. This tour promises to be a creative night of worship, and all for a great cause.”
For more information on the HELLOSOMEBODY tour, click here for the official Facebook page. Also follow each of the artists and their online community to learn more.
Aaron Gillespie is launching his debut single’s music video, “We Were Made For You,” produced by Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan’s Purse, today exclusively at GodTube.com. Click here to view the video.
Last month musician Aaron Gillespie traveled to Haiti with Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan’s Purse to see first-hand the work of the organizations, as well as to tape a documentary that will debut this summer. Gillespie hopes that this music video and the upcoming documentary will bring back an awareness to Haiti since the 2010 earthquake as well as the work of BGEA and Samaritan’s Purse.
“God's heart is humanity, and you really find it in Haiti. We are so convinced that we have it all figured out here, with our prosperity and all of our stuff, but we don't. Gods heart is waiting, go find it,” shares Aaron Gillespie upon returning from his trip.
The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team and Samaritan’s Purse deployed within 24 hours of the tragic earthquake and has maintained a strong presence in the country since. The two groups are meeting the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the families that have been affected by the earthquake. Samaritan’s Purse has provided shelter for more than 10,000 families and over 50,000 Haitians.
Gillespie and his wife, Jamie, visited various areas and worked with these organizations to learn more about the country and the current situation. Areas that Gillespie visited include the small villages of Titanyen and Simonette, Jesus’ Name orphanage as well as the Samaritan’s Purse Cite Soleil Cholera Treatment Center.
While visiting the Jesus’ Name orphanage, the director Jean Louis Esaie and the children personally touched Gillespie and his wife. While they were visiting, they saw the urgent need for a new latrine at the orphanage. The funds raised will go to this and other immediate needs at Jesus' Name. A portion of the music video includes Aaron playing with the kids from Jesus' Name. Also launching today is a micro-site, which includes a trailer for the documentary, exclusive photos from Aaron’s visit to Haiti, plus links to how you can join Aaron in helping the people of Haiti. You can visit www.ransom.tv/AaronG
For more information on Aaron Gillespie, follow him on Twitter @AaronRGillespie as well as on his Facebook http://www.facebook.com/AaronRGillespie. His solo debut, Anthem Song, is available now in stores and digital outlets. He is also touring nationwide - check his website for dates near you. http://www.aarongillespie.com
BEC Recordings’ Aaron Gillespie’s solo debut, Anthem Song, has received widespread attention. After releasing strong last week, Gillespie’s single, “We Were Made For You,” has been selected as the featured iTunes Discovery Download this week. Fans can snag this track for FREE as well as the entire album for $7.99 at iTunes now.
Anthem Song resounded loudly with fans as it charted in the Top 10 at No. 6 on the Billboard Contemporary Christian Albums chart - the second highest selling new release last week. The album also debuted in the Top 20 of the overall iTunes Top Albums, No 2 on the Christian iTunes Albums and No. 1 on Canada’s iTunes Christian charts. The single, “We Were Made For You,” remains in the Top 15 at CHR radio as well.
As an album that was both very personal as well as a long-time coming for Gillespie, Anthem Song continues to receive acclaim from media. GMCtv notes Aaron as “one of the most familiar faces in both hardcore and alternative rock circles (and) amidst the most prolific and varied.” Hollywood Jesus states that this album has “everything from great melodies to musical diversity to solid lyrics, these songs are very well done.” Likewise, Christian Music Zine praises the debut single as “a song that deserves to be played from town to town.” Fans can also hear an in-depth interview with Aaron this week on the NewReleaseTuesday podcast.
Here are some comments from fans who are loving Anthem Song:
“Aaron Gillespie has never sung with more emotion or passion, and it carries the album from start to finish.”
“His musical diversity is so awesome and inspiring.”
“Aaron lives, sings, and worships at full throttle.”
Today, Aaron Gillespie is thrilled to release his album, Anthem Song, to what he hopes is a new generation of worshippers. Upon releasing today, Anthem Song, immediately charted on iTunes debuting at No. 17 on the overall iTunes Top Albums chart, No. 2 on the Christian iTunes Albums chart and No. 1 on Canada’s iTunes Christian chart.
This album has already been making waves among the media of various musical outlets - from a 4-star review in the March issue of Alternative Press to multiple features sharing the heart behind this album. Anthem Song has also seen success at radio - as the single “We Were Made For You” climbed three spots to No. 13 at CHR this week.
Media outlets on Anthem Song:
“Anthem Song reaches deeper in Gillespie’s heart than any other project, because it both hearkens to his personal calling as well as his innocent beginnings as a musician.”
- CCM Magazine
“Anthem Song solidifies Gillespie's position as a gifted artist who continues to craft music that is surprising and refreshing.”
- Crosswalk
"Anthem Song's greatest quality its unapologetic fearlessness."
- Alternative Press 4-star review
“Despite the ironic danger of the genre, Anthem Song is devoid of any preoccupation with ‘self,’ consistently pointing to God's goodness and glory.”
- Christianity Today
“With Gillespie's talent and passion, this is an album you are going to want to hear.”
- JesusFreakHideout
“Anthem Song, a true worship record at its finest.”
- AbsolutePunk. net
Fans can also catch Gillespie on tour supporting this new project with dates across the country. He will also be supporting Jeremy Camp on two dates later this month as well as performing at festivals this summer (also listed below). Tour dates are below as well as at http://www.aarongillespie.com.
About Aaron Gillespie & Anthem Song:
Anthem Song was sparked by a trip in 2010 to Uganda with Compassion International. Following this trip, Gillespie retired his role as drummer for the popular metalcore band Underoath and began writing and recording for Anthem Song. He remains the frontman of the indie-rock band he founded, The Almost. Follow Aaron on Twitter @AaronRGillespie as well as on his Facebook http://www.facebook.com/AaronRGillespie
Next month on March 8th, Aaron Gillespie will release his solo debut, Anthem Song, on Tooth & Nail Records / BEC Recordings. Fans can pre-order the album in a variety of bundles at www.aarongmerch.com including autographed packages, t-shirt and sweatshirt bundles as well as a lyrics book. There is even a songwriter package that is complete with an acoustic guitar. Other unique pre-sale options are available here that include a t-shirt and free instant download of the current single. Album pre-orders begin at $8 including the digital download.
This solo album was something Gillespie felt compelled to record. “I just felt so pressed upon to make a worship record that ‘the youth’ of our culture could relate with,” shared Gillespie in a recent interview with All Access. “I felt like it was time to help myself and others like myself enter into worship of our great big God.”
Supporting the forthcoming record, Gillespie is also touring across the nation for the next few months. The tour dates are listed below. Additional information on these tour dates can be found at his Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/AaronRGillespie .
Anthem Song’s debut radio single “We Were Made For You” is currently climbing the charts. This week the single moved up five spots on the National Christian Audience Chart at No. 40, and at CHR the single is at No. 26.
Aaron recorded Anthem Song in Seattle with versatile producer Aaron Sprinkle (Jeremy Camp, Kutless). Both multi-instrumentalists, they played nearly everything on the album. Co-writers Paul Baloche, Sarah Hart, and Phillip LaRue also helped pen what is largely a very personal record. The track listing for Anthem Song is listed below.
Nearly four months until the release of the debut solo project, Anthem Song, from Aaron Gillespie (former Underoath drummer, front man of The Almost), is already generating a strong buzz amongst his loyal fans. This album is set to release on Tooth & Nail Records / BEC Recordings on March 8, 2011. Fans can experience a taste of this album with the debut radio single, “We Were Made For You” (co-written with Paul Baloche), premiering now on Aaron’s Facebook page.
“I’ve always wanted to make a record like this. The Almost is a rock band, and we didn’t want to mix the two styles,” Aaron begins to explain. “I have this desire to see our generation worshipping God. But a lot of the people I get to meet through music—kids with tattoos and swoop over haircuts—don’t think of worship as ‘cool.’ I want them to find a home and a vocabulary to experience this kind of music.”
As a dynamic, outspoken artist in the music scene, Aaron Gillespie isn’t always what one might expect to find in a faith-based performer and such is the case with this project. Aaron’s strong musical history began at the young age of 14 as a standout drummer and co-founder of the popular metalcore band Underoath, which he amicably left earlier this year.
Aaron recorded Anthem Song in Seattle with versatile producer Aaron Sprinkle (Jeremy Camp, Kutless). Both multi-instrumentalists, they played nearly everything on the album. Co-writers Paul Baloche, Sarah Hart, and Phillip LaRue also helped pen what is largely a very personal record about adoring God, worshiping Him “because He is and because you are; just because you woke up today.”
Much of that outlook was influenced by a mission trip Aaron took to Africa.“The people in Africa, which I experienced were so happy, so joyful despite their circumstances. They have nothing, but they worship so wholeheartedly,” recalls Aaron. “I went there as a rich American expecting to fix something in their world. But we are the ones who need fixing. I’ve learned that God’s goodness is an anthem that will play forever. Our job is to grab a piece of that song while we are here.”
Be a part of this Anthem Song. Stay tuned for more announcements with Aaron Gillespie and his solo debut. Follow Aaron on Twitter @AaronRGillespie as well as on his Facebook http://www.facebook.com/AaronRGillespie.
