Brisbane Christian News @ Brisbane Christian Chat (Queensland, Australia)


	24.04.03 - Interim over for 'Interim'. From Interim. After 7 years of performances in the Queensland music scene, Interim is finally over. Beginning as Thrive during 1996, the band formed when guitarist Matthew Newton and brothers Tim and Steve Moss met lead singer Chris Mundy and drummer Dale Crump. With performances at many battle of the bands, youth camps and festivals such as Sonfest, AGMF and Just Arts, Interim have shared their music with thousands of people over the many years as they served local schools, churches, conferences and communities. They released their only recording in 2002, an EP entitled 'Part of Design' which received airplay throughout Australian community and Christian stations. The boys plan to concentrate on their families in the future with Matt, Chris and Dale having children in the past year and Steve's first due later this year. While lead singer Chris Mundy has pursued a solo career since 1999, persistent vocal problems during performances in the last six months threatens his future in the industry. Interim wishes to thank everyone who supported them over the past 7 years. God Bless Matt Newton, Steve Moss, Darren Bryett, Dale Crump and Chris Mundy.
	24.04.03 - Sean departs. From ACAN. Antiskeptic return to their Melbourne hometown this weekend for the last show of their aptly titled 'End of the Beginning' tour, their most successful run of shows ever. The show will also be an emotional one, marking the last performance for bass player and friend Sean Daly, who is moving on to see what life is like outside a band. Special guests for the evening include Thinktank (SA), No Plan B and Wishful Thinking. Check www.antiskeptic.com.au for more info.
	24.04.03 - Inflight new website. From ACAN. ‘Rocktronic’ pop-rock/rock-popsters Inflight have launched their latest website amidst news of new recordings, a US tour and a deal with Apple Computers to place an Inflight song onto iPod and iTunes in South East Asia. All the details are at www.inflightinflight.com.
	23.04.03 - Kids... join the live Rocfish video recording! From Rocfish. Hey Kids! Rocfish would like to invite up to 150 children aged 4 to 9 to be a part of the live studio audience for the next Rocfish video. We will be reproducing 'The Rip Roaring Tale' video with the new international team of Rocfish performers. Filming will be held at Brisbane's Channel 7 studios at Mount Coot-tha on Saturday May 24. To be a part of this exciting event or to receive more information, please register on: Office: 07 5598 4644 Mobile: 0413 743 892 Email: karyn@rocfish.com.au NOTE: This event was postponed from Sat 17 May.
	23.04.03 - Aisle6 Records - new Brisbane record label. From Aisle6 Records. New Brisbane record label Aisle6 Records has just released the 'Finest Hour' single from everyone's favourite pop/punksters, Rookie. This is the first release from the their soon to be released debut album. Aisle6 Records is interested in developing Christian artists through being a stepping stone to bigger things. Aisle6 Records are interested in all genres of youth related music. Please send any demos to Attn: Scott Mullane, c/- Aisle6 Records, PO Box 263, Salisbury Q 4107.
	23.04.03 - Andy Chapman & Destination Nepal 2003. From Andy Chapman. Help send Andy Chapman and friends to Nepal in May with Cornerstone Missions. In May the 'musicionaries' head to Nepal for the Golden jubilee celebrations of the first ascent of Mt. Everest. Artists include Andy Chapman & LegRope Band, Steve Apirana, The Agents, InaHarmony, Phil Butterworth, Koda Jo. Sun 27 April, 6pm at Victory Christian Outreach Centre, Old Maryborough Rd Gympie. An offering will be taken up to assist the team going to Nepal. As well as building musical bridges of friendship, some of the team will be building a new roof for one of the three orphanages sponsored by Cornerstone. CDs and supper for sale. 10% of sales of Andy's CDs goes to help the team get to Nepal. Info Andy ph. 5482 9320, www.andychapman-au.com. Cornerstone Ministries: Ian Farrington ph. 5449 0319.
	16.04.03 - AGMF - 2 days to go! From AGMF. There is only two days to go until Australia's largest positive music and lifestyle festival Australian Gospel Music Festival (AGMF) 2003 kicks off in Toowoomba. Hundreds of crew have been working in Queen's Park since 6am Monday to get ready for the huge crowds on Easter Friday. Queen's Park is starting to take shape with most of the structures in place... so we thought it would be nice to let you all know some of the more interesting things that are already in the Park! * 2km of security fence! * Enough tents to shelter 10,000 people! * The QCCC Big Top (which stands 17m high) * The Entry Pavilion (which is as long as a football field) * The 96five Mainstage (Complete with 5 tonne of loud speakers) * 3 Million $s of production equipment! * Half a kilometre of festoon party lighting! * Enough power to run 8,000 fry pans!! And more is arriving every day! Make sure you don't miss AGMF 2003 - book your tickets now on 1800 66 55 11.
	11.04.03 - Aussies win Dove Award. From The Rock Across Australia. Australia's Paul Colman Trio has been awarded the nod for Best New Artist at the 34th annual Dove Awards at a presentation in Nashville today. No other Australian artists were successful. The 2003 Dove Awards is the longest running, most prestigious awards show in which the Christian music community recognises its peers for their accomplishments. The Dove Awards are voted on by the members of the Gospel Music Association. The full list of winners can be found here. This year, Australians Rebecca St James, Paul Colman Trio, Darlene Zschech, Rivertribe and the Newsboys garnered a total of eight nominations for Christian music's international night of nights, the 34th Annual Dove Awards. Rebecca St James was nominated in three categories: Female Vocalist of the Year, Praise and Worship Album of the Year for 'Worship God', Short Form Video of the Year for 'Wait for Me'. Newcomers, the Paul Colman Trio were nominated in two categories: New Artist of the Year, Pop/Contemporary Artist of the Year for 'New Map of the World'. Hillsong's Darlene Zschech gained a nomination for Praise and Worship Album of the Year for 'Blessed'. Rivertribe was in there for Instrumental Album of the Year with 'Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble'. And the Newsboys gained a nomination in the Long Form Video of the Year category for 'Thrive From the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum'.
	11.04.03 - New COG12 website. From COG12. Hurray! COG12 have just put up their brand new website! It includes all new mp3's from their new album (will be released this month) called 'Healthy, Wealthy and Wise... And then you die!' plus a gigs listing, diary entries from the guys, new photos, news, biographies, and guestbook. Plus, in the coming weeks, there will be all new videos, and even gig reviews; where you get your say on how COG12 perform live. So, check it out now at www.cog12.com.
	11.04.03 - Geoff Rankin Band to rock liturgical dancers. From Geoff Rankin Band / 6across. Local acoustic rock outfit Geoff Rankin Band are readying themselves for 2 shows with a difference - the Australian Unofficial Amateur Liturgical Dancing Championships. The cream of Australia's amateur "liturgical interpreters through the ancient art form of dance" will ascend upon Toowoomba this Easter, once again transforming Toowoomba into the unofficial liturgical dance capital of Australia. As part of the 2 early morning Geoff Rankin Band/6across performances in the Festival Cafe, Queens Park, the 2 dancing competitions have been organised to coincide with Australia's largest Christian music festival - the Australian Gospel Music Festival. "Competition last year was a nail biter as the 7am Easter Sunday 'dance-off' went down to the last 4 bars of 'Homely Ghost'. This year competition promises to be bigger and better with as many as 600 dancers expected on each day." The 2 events are... Easter Sat 19 Apr 2003 @ 9am (sharp), Festival Cafe and Easter Sun 20 Apr 2003 @ 7am (sharp), Festival Cafe. Both competitions will go for approx 15mins and entry to the Festival Cafe & each liturgical dancing competition is free. Registration is not required. Entry is open to the first 600 contestants per day. For those not wishing to compete, there will be great breakfast food and drinks on sale. Both day's competitions will feature live music by the Geoff Rankin Band. The competition will be followed by Geoff Rankin with 'The Farmyard Animals' (his audience participation, sing-a-long song) followed by 6across (the new GRB incarnation) performing 3 brand new acoustic rock songs - one of which is looking to be a #1 hit in liturgical dancing circles. For some time now the Geoff Rankin Band has been regarded by many of our best liturgical dancers as being the best 'dance band' in the country. This esteemed position is now being challenged by WA residents the jive express. It seems that jive dancers Australia-wide are rallying behind the Perth-based band. "We'll have to wait and see how many of them get out and support them at AGMF this year," a source close to the band said this morning. "We're hoping for a big turnout." Each morning bonus points will be awarded for 'Best Cassock (gown)' & 'Most Liturgical Facial Expression'. Arrive early to get a good space. Don't fight the urge to liturge!
	11.04.03 - Soljah gig update. From Soljah. The Skate Bowl Redevelopment Launch has been officially dubbed 'Lemke Launchpad'. Soljah will be playing with Headkase and Satisfaction Guaranteed as well as DJs Mongo and Phibre, and DJ Florida. Other activities include a skate and bike comp, playstation van, sausage sizzle and other giveaways. The fun will begin at 12 midday on Sunday 13th April at the Albany Creek Skate Bowl on Old Northern Road. Entry is free, so bring your skates and your mates down for some fun and live music. For more details, check out our website here.
	11.04.03 - Chris Mundy @ AGMF. From Chris Mundy. AGMF 2003 is going to go off! After his recent performance at the Forest Edge Festival in Victoria, Chris Mundy is once again hitting the festival trail and heading to the Australian Gospel Music Festival in Toowoomba this Easter. Don't miss some great acoustic performances by Chris at the Festival Cafe (seating up to 600 people) at 2pm on Good Friday and 1pm on Easter Saturday. With AGMF less than two weeks away, its important to grab your passes ASAP. 3 day passes (with free compilation CD) are available for $60 (adult) and $85 (with camping). For tickets and further information visit www.agmf.com.au.
	11.04.03 - 'A Celebration of John Wesley'. From 96five. 96five FM and Albert St Uniting Church are pleased to present 'A Celebration of John Wesley'. The church will be packed to the rafters to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the birth of John Wesley. As well as singing along to your favourite John and Charles Wesley hymns, the story of Wesley's life will be re-told. There will also be guest soloists and instrumentalists participating. The Celebration of John Wesley will be held on Sunday 15 June from 2pm to 4:15pm at the Albert St Uniting Church, cnr Albert and Ann St Brisbane (Opposite City Hall). Tickets are only $5 and are available at the door or from 96five on 3217 5999 or online at www.96five.com. A special car parking rate at King George car park of only $4 is available. For more information contact Jason Berry (96five) on 3217 5999 or John Stebens (Albert St UC) on 3886 5180 or 0409 057 989.
	11.04.03 - TRAA Song of the Week - 'The Valley Song' by Jars of Clay. From The Rock Across Australia. We are living in disturbing times. Death is on the front page of newspapers and the lead story on radio and TV news. The images of death are in our face. Everywhere. No wonder many people in our world are afraid. We've come face-to-face with the realisation that we are mortal beings. In 'The Valley Song' multi-platinum Grammy Award winners Jars of Clay face their fears and handle the theme of death in a positive way. Guitarist Stephen Mason says 'The Valley Song' serves as the natural next step to the story presented in the band's song 'Fly' from 'The Eleventh Hour'. While 'Fly' exhorts a suffering loved one to let go and trust they will see each other again in Heaven, 'The Valley Song' deals with the aftermath of that sorrow. "A lot of people have been able to connect and identify with the emotions we sing about on this song," Mason says. "When someone is taken out of our lives in such a way, we sometimes feel helpless, and wonder at the silence of God. We long to hear Him speak in the midst of those situations, and sometimes He doesn't," Stephen admits. 'The Valley Song' examines the mystery of suffering. "What we're trying to do in 3.5 minutes is show that, as Christians, we're tied to Jesus' life, death and resurrection. And that we can gain hope in our sufferings by identifying with His resurrection. We hope that with all the difficulties in the world that people will rely wholly on Christ," Stephen concludes. 'The Valley Song' from 'Furthermore' is #6 on TRAA's Top 30 this week.
	04.04.03 - Legend returns to Australia. From The Rock Across Australia. David Meece is a "legend" to anyone interested in Christian music. He's best known for songs like 'We Are the Reason', 'My Father's Chair' and more recently 'No Other Hope'. Throughout his 25-year career, David has recorded 13 albums, sold millions of records, and performed to packed-out stadiums, theatres and churches all around the world - including numerous visits to Australia and New Zealand. David returns to Australia in April-May for concerts and church services in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart and regional areas. The tour begins at the Australian Gospel Music Festival in Toowoomba, and concludes in Canberra where bush fires caused widespread destruction earlier this year. Click here for tour details.
	04.04.03 - David Willersdorf 2003 pre-album tour. From Artist Ministries, Inc. David Willersdorf starts his Australian Tour with a bang at Goodlife Community Church on the Sunshine Coast of QLD on Saturday 26 April (7pm) and at Southport Church of Christ on Sunday 27 April (6:30pm). David will be presenting a number of free praise and worship concerts around Australia over the coming months. Many would know of David's songs which are being sung around the world, the most popular being 'Let Your Presence Fall' recorded by Darlene Zschech and Hillsong Church. For more information on a concert near you, see David's website.
	04.04.03 - New Christian record label established in Brisbane. From First Aid Records. First Aid Records is a small DIY Christian record label starting up in Brisbane Rock City. We're into everything from emo, indie, rock, punk, hardcore, screamo, nu-metal, whatever. Pretty much anything good with guitars will do. If you're interested in releasing yor bands new record on First Aid Records. Just send us a demo or previously released record to First Aid Records, c/o Petter Kirkeholmen, 301/220 Melbourne St West End, QLD 4101.
	04.04.03 - AGMF - 2 weeks to go! From AGMF. It is only two weeks to go until the Australian Gospel Music Festival (AGMF) 2003... Australia's largest positive music and lifestyle festival. Thousands of people have already got their tickets and hundreds more are booking in every day! Remember that the AGMF will be packed with 140 Australian and international artists, 25 major attractions including fireworks, Robinsons circus, skydiving, rodeo, movies, animal farm and lots more. Tickets are available online at www.agmf.com.au or by calling 1800665511. See you at Easter!
	04.04.03 - Roma Waterman exported. From Roma Waterman. It is now confirmed that Melbourne solo artist Roma Waterman has signed a distribution deal with Music Sales Pty Ltd USA for 'The Working Singers Handbook' for the territory of USA and Canada. There has been much success with the book here in Australia, and we are very pleased that so many people are benefiting from the teaching in the book. We look forward to it being a bestseller in the USA!
	04.04.03 - Country sensation records Aussie composition. From The Rock Across Australia. Nineteen-year-old Canadian country sensation Amanda Stott has recorded 'Lifting Me Up', a song written by Roma Waterman and Andrew Naylor (House2house Band/Prayerworks). Roma's version of the song will be released to Australian and NZ radio next month.
	04.04.03 - Soljah's gig news. From Soljah. Here's a brief rundown on some future gigs: We'll be playing a set at the Albany Creek Skate Bowl for the Redevelopment Launch on Sunday 13 April. We'll keep you posted with more details as we receive them. It's a double-booking on April 26, with two Soljah sets in one day. There's one for the northsiders with the Frenzy Youth Arts Festival. There'll be 12 bands, including the Tourists, Ladyfinger and Elephant Mojo. And for the southsiders there's Quixotic in Mansfield. There'll be heaps of awesome bands playing, including Void if Removed, Half Way Out, Another Day Down, Coma and a plethora of others!
	04.04.03 - TRAA Song Of The Week - 'Show Me Heaven'. From The Rock Across Australia. Melody Crystal burns with the desire to express herself. That's obvious from the title track of her debut solo EP 'Show Me Heaven' which enters TRAA this week. This is not the Delirious or Maria McKee songs of the same name, rather a new song written during a particularly tough moment for her and her husband. "Gavin and I had just been told we'd never have kids," Melody says. "Feeling a little depressed, I thought that life would be a little easier if God could show me just a small part of what Heaven is like. I soon found myself singing 'la la la... show me heaven' and the song just flowed from there," she explains. Two years on, Melody and her husband have a beautiful one-year-old daughter Lily and a positive song that presents a message of hope.