Shadow Weaver (The Choir album)

Last updated

Shadow Weaver
TheChoir-Shadow.jpg
Studio album by
The Choir
ReleasedApril 9, 2014
Recorded2014
StudioAttic of Misfittt Toys, Spencer Creek Studios, Breathturn, Franklin, Tennessee
Genre Christian alternative rock, indie rock
Length56:20
Label Galaxy21
Producer Derri Daugherty, Steve Hindalong, Marc Byrd
The Choir chronology
Peace, Love & Light
(2013)		Shadow Weaver
(2014)		Live and On the Wing in Music City
(2014)
The Choir studio albums chronology
Peace, Love & Light
(2013)		Shadow Weaver
(2014)		 Bloodshot
(2018)

Shadow Weaver is the 16th studio release, and 14th full-length studio album, by Christian alternative rock band the Choir, released in 2014. This was the last album to feature Marc Byrd as a member of the band, and the first time the Choir used crowdfunding to finance a new studio project. [1] In 2019, UTR Media named Shadow Weaver as one of the "30 Best Gourmet Albums of the Decade (2010-2019)." [2]

Contents

Background

In the two years following the release of The Loudest Sound Ever Heard , the members of the Choir pursued other musical endeavors, sometimes together. Lead singer and guitarist Derri Daugherty and drummer and lyricist Steve Hindalong contributed audio engineering and percussion, respectively, to a number of projects during this time. The most notable was Dig Here Said the Angel by veteran Christian alternative rock band Daniel Amos, which was the band's first studio release in twelve years. [3] For Daugherty, this was a reunion of sorts, as he was a former roadie and studio hand for Daniel Amos back in the 1980s, [4] and engineered Daniel Amos' 1983 release Doppelgänger prior to forming Youth Choir with Hindalong. [5] Choir bassist Tim Chandler was the long-time bassist for Daniel Amos as well, and also played on this record.

Daugherty, Hindalong and Chandler also contributed similar efforts to the 2013 album Job by singer/songwriter Rick Elias, which proved to be his final release before his death in 2019. [6] Daugherty then co-produced the self-titled debut album from Vekora in 2013, featuring Jesse Sprinkle from Poor Old Lu. [7] Choir guitarist Marc Byrd continued to be heavily involved with his critically-acclaimed post-rock band Hammock, first with the band's double album Departure Songs in 2012, followed by Oblivion Hymns in 2013. [8]

Since saxophone and Lyricon player Dan Michaels had become a successful A&R man in the Christian music industry, [9] particularly with the band MercyMe while a senior vice president at Fair Trade Services, [10] he had financed the Choir's past three studio albums — Burning Like the Midnight Sun , de-plumed , The Loudest Sound Ever Heard — and also served as the band's manager. [11] However, the Choir opted to use Kickstarter to crowdfund this release, as both Dig Here Said the Angel and Job were funded and released this way. [12] [13] The Choir would then rely on crowdfunding for all future studio releases. [14] [15]

Recording and production

The Choir's successful 2013 Kickstarter campaign for Shadow Weaver proved to be instrumental in giving the band more time to record and mix the album, creating "a more complete sonic palette," according to Byrd. [16] "The thing about this band is that none of us are session guys," Daugherty added. "We're not the guys that can go in and nail something in one take and be out of there in a half an hour. We struggle with it all the time." [17] This was of particular help to Michaels, who would receive rough mixes and some of the demos weeks before he had to record his parts. [18]

The additional funding allowed the band to bring back mixer Julian Kindred, who mixed the Choir's Grammy-nominated 2000 album Flap Your Wings . [19] [20] "We really wanted him to mix this record," Daugherty said. "He's really creative, but it's hard to pin him down; he's real busy." In addition, Kindred had relocated to London, England, which was an additional production challenge. [19] "Steve's on the phone with him, Skype-ing with him in the middle of the night," Daugherty continued. "It was down to the wire. We're going into mastering, and we're waiting for songs to be uploaded on his Dropbox over in England so we can download them to mastering, and make any changes we need to make. It was pretty funny, but we got it done." [19]

The "thick" sound of the guitars on Shadow Weaver that both Daugherty and Byrd were determined to achieve was in large part due to Kindred's work. [19] "We kind of give him free reign with our mixes: 'Do what you think you need to do.' And so, he takes a lot of liberties as far as effects," Daugherty said. "It's not easy to mix stuff like that, because there's so much of that mid-range energy going on that it's hard to get any kind of clarity out of it at all. But Julian, he did a great job." [19]

As part of the Kickstarter effort, backers were able to pay for an opportunity to play on the album, and the band was initially uncertain about the quality of what would be recorded. [21] Five backers contributed vocally or instrumentally to Shadow Weaver, including Thom Granger, former editor of CCM Magazine . [21] The band was pleasantly surprised by the contributions, and were happy with the final results. [21] Michaels said that because of the "community of involvement," the album "sounds more expensive." [22] Hindalong agreed, emphasizing that "we didn't cut any corners; we’re very proud of the record." [23]

Composition

Music

"Now, [making music] is not really a struggle anymore. Sometimes, that's kind of the problem; it's easy, and you don't push yourself as much. And with this record, we had really decided from the very beginning we wanted to push ourselves a lot more."

—Derri Daugherty in 2014, regarding Shadow Weaver [24]

For this release, Daugherty wanted an album that people would listen to from start to finish. [25] "We wanted to start with a really cool mood, and end with a really cool mood," he said, "starting a little darker, and ending a little darker, going through the whole process of dark to light and back to dark." [25] Daugherty also wanted to have musical segues, since the Choir hadn't used those on an album since 1990's Circle Slide . [26] This was inspired by guitarist Byrd's significant participation in the recording sessions for Shadow Weaver. "One of the things that meant the most to me on this record is having Marc Byrd back," Daugherty explained. "He and I are very like-minded when it comes to guitar and musical tastes. We hear things on the same level, and we love the same kinds of music. I come up with melody lines for guitar, and then Marc fills it out with his beautiful, ambient noise. And it's just gorgeous stuff. It really meant a lot that we were doing that again. This was from the very beginning, both of us playing, like a real band would. [Previously,] Marc would come in and do his parts on the last two albums and then be done. This album wasn’t like that." [19]

To that end, one of the first songs written for the album was the opener, "Good Morning, Shadow Weaver." Originally, this was intended as a single track, but the Choir decided to split it in half with a reprise to bookend the record. [25] This song, like several others on the album, was originally generated out of a jam session between Daugherty and Byrd at the latter's studio. Daugherty would play a guitar riff into a loop, then Byrd would play over it and build the track from there. [25] In the case of "Two Clouds Are One," Daugherty and Byrd’s composition was essentially the final version, so Hindalong had to write lyrics to match, syllable by syllable. [27]

The driving rock track "What You Think I Am," which Byrd claimed was many listeners' "favorite song on the album," represented to him what the Choir was as a band. [28] The song is unique in that it features a horn section, something the Choir had never utilized up to that point. After hearing the "very metal" chord progression and the beat, Michaels was determined to create one, and worked on this contribution for hours at a time over several weeks in advance of recording. [18] "I have this app that can put eight bars on a loop, and I would just sit there in my chair, and try all kinds of different parts. So, I came up with those parts during those turnarounds. It's my tenor sax, and it's doubled, and then through my Lyricon […] I've got these custom sounds that I got from this guy in Dayton, Ohio [who] programs, and one of them is this beautiful-sounding trombone. It sounds like a trombone, but it's me on the Lyricon doing little support lines underneath the sax. So, it's a recurring thing in there, and a great opportunity to bring out my old horn arrangement capabilities." [18]

Another early track was "White Knuckles," which was written the first day that Daugherty, Hindalong and Byrd got together in the studio. [17] Hindalong implemented a custom-made drum kit with maple shells that Hammock used in their studio for years, and modified it to include two hi-hats. "If you do a little thing like that to yourself, sometimes it makes you think of a different kind of beat," Hindalong explained. [29] According to Daugherty, this is due to Hindalong's role in the band as lyricist. "His drumming is very much pattern-based. It's really thought out. A lot of it revolves around the lyric." [17] Hindalong agreed. "I like very structured beats. I like the band the National, I like Larry Mullen from U2. I don't like crazy, reckless drumming. I get a lot of peace when things are brought into order. I want to play drums that way. Drums are the vehicle the song rides in. Since I wrote the lyrics, I care way more about the song than I do the drums. I don’t need to impress anybody." [29]

According to Hindalong, his songwriting style tends to echo that of Neil Young, so two of his songs had to be musically reinvented to fit with the overall sonics of Shadow Weaver. [30] The first was "It Hurts to Say Goodbye." At the time, Daugherty was listening to To the Happy Few by Medicine "non-stop," and that album featured a track with "acoustic guitars that were all distorted with these really pretty harmony vocals," so he took the song in that direction. [19] Byrd then added a slide guitar at the end. "That’s my inner David Gilmour," he said. "It was one of those spontaneous moments where I'm going to go up the neck as high as I can. I just love the intensity of that." [31] The other song was "The Soul of Every Creature Cries Out," which felt out of place on the album even after the acoustic guitars, drums and bass were all recorded. [24] Daugherty then "deconstructed" the instrumentation and came up with a different guitar intro. "It was a trick to make that one fit," Daugherty said, "but it’s such a great lyric and such a great song and melody that we had to have it on there." [24]

Lyrics

As is typical for a Choir record, the lyrics for several songs on the album were inspired by the relationships in Hindalong's life, including his daughters ("It Hurts to Say Goodbye") [32] his then-wife Nancy ("The Antithesis of Blue") [33] and even the Choir band members themselves ("Rhythm of the Road"). [21] However, the remaining songs addressed more universal themes, including the complexity of individuals ("What You Think I Am"), [34] the search for truth ("Everybody's Got a Guru," "The Soul of Every Creature Cries Out"), [35] [30] the reality of human suffering ("We All Know"), [36] and post-coital euphoria ("Two Clouds Are One"). [27]

"There's nothing wrong with trying to figure out what we believe, and certainly not having community and worshiping God together. I think that's really important. But I think it's dangerous that we have God figured out. We are shadow weavers; we have epiphanies, we have moments of understanding. And then, we’re confused and we're lost."

—Steve Hindalong in 2014, in reference to the album's title and theme [30]

"Everybody's Got a Guru" was considered by Hindalong to be the lyrical centerpiece of the album, [37] and Byrd agreed: "The lyric is kind of where everybody is within the band. What's worse: to live with a closed mind, or to have an open mind? To have a defensive posture or an open posture? To be more compassionate or more judgmental?" [35] While the first verse of the song referenced Hindalong's yoga instructor, the larger sentiment was that "we all have people we worship and idolize. I was really influenced by Bruce Cockburn. [But] it's dangerous to put people on a pedestal. We're just people." [37]

Even though Hindalong and Byrd had co-written the highly-successful worship tune "God of Wonders," [38] Hindalong considered "We All Know" to be his favorite collaboration with Byrd. [36] At a high school marching band reunion Hindalong attended when on tour in Southern California, he reconnected with his first girlfriend, who mentioned she was going to bring blankets to a homeless family living out of their car; this inspired the lyrics to the first verse. [36] "It’s cliché to say that the most personal things are the most universal, but it’s true," Hindalong said. "Life's hard. A lot happens to us all. It doesn't go the way we think it's going to go. The one thing about suffering is, it teaches us empathy. It teaches us how to love. And we are here to love one another. And that's one of the reasons I think we have to go through the pain we have to go through." [36] Hindalong was also inspired by the scene towards the end of the film Wings of Desire in which the angel Damiel is hit in the head and bleeds. Tasting his own blood, he realizes he is now human. This imagery stayed with Hindalong for years, ultimately inspiring the lyrics in the chorus, "And you know you're alive / When you taste your own blood / Open hands to the sky / With your face in the mud." [36]

This effort to write more universal themes was driven by Hindalong's respect for Daugherty's role in the band as lead vocalist. "I'm writing lyrics that Derri's going to sing, so I want him to own them. I try to write things from his perspective whenever I can." [39] As a result, "Good Morning, Shadow Weaver" and its ending reprise not only musically opened and closed the album, but its lyrics did as well. "I love that it's a bookend," Byrd said. "Steve ends it with that lyric, 'What have you realized?' It's almost like asking the question, 'What did you learn from the record?'" [40]

Release

Shadow Weaver was initially released digitally and as a single CD in April 2014. One month later, the Choir provided a digital release of band commentary on every track from Daugherty, Hindalong, Chandler, Michaels and Byrd, along with mix stems for each track. When the double-disc vinyl was released in September 2014, it included a new studio recording of "Beautiful Girl," a track previously released as a digital single the prior year. In February 2017, the Choir reissued the entire album for free streaming and download via NoiseTrade, including the band commentary tracks, the album version of "Beautiful Girl," and three additional bonus tracks. [41]

Stretch goals of the Kickstarter campaign generated three additional releases: the live albums Live and on the Wing in Music City and The Livestream Bootleg, and the band’s first Christmas release, the EP Peace, Love & Light . Peace, Love & Light would precede the release of Shadow Weaver in late 2013, and the two live releases would follow in 2014 and 2015.

Shadow Weaver was released for digital download on iTunes and is now widely available on various music streaming platforms.

Live and on the Wing in Music City

Because the Choir did not tour in support of this album, the band opted to perform and record two live shows back-to-back on July 26, 2014, and livestream both performances. In partnership with MXL Microphones, Marshall Electronics, and StreamVu TV, the event was held at Studio Instrument Rentals in Nashville, Tennessee, and the live concerts featured the entire band, along with Christy Byrd on background vocals and additional percussion. [42] As a result of an additional stretch goal from the Kickstarter campaign, seventeen tracks were then released as a live album entitled Live and on the Wing in Music City, and this was made available as a digital download to Kickstarter backers in November 2014. [43] This concert would receive a physical release in 2016 in a CD/DVD combo as part of a stretch goal for the Circle Slide 25th Anniversary Kickstarter campaign. The video of the concert is now freely available on YouTube. [44]

The Livestream Bootleg

To publicize the launch of the Kickstarter campaign, the Choir streamed a live concert on October 1, 2013 that featured a selection of songs from the band's catalog, conversations with the band, and a cover of Bad Company's "Shooting Star." [45] Although recorded months before the Choir would go into the studio to work on Shadow Weaver, and before the July 2014 concerts that generated Live and on the Wing in Music City, this initial live project would be the final stretch goal to be delivered in March 2015. To date, this official live album has not received a physical release.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
CCM Magazine Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [46]
Christian MusicianFavorable [47]
World Favorable [48]
Jesus Freak HideoutStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [49]
Apple Music Favorable [50]
True Tunes Favorable [51]
The Phantom TollboothStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [52]
PopDoseFavorable [53]
The BannerFavorable [54]
Down the LineFavorable [55]

Critical reaction to Shadow Weaver was widely favorable. Bert Saraco of CCM Magazine said the "shimmering guitars, reverb-drenched vocals and the signature wall of fuzz-box sound make this album a delight for long-time fans of The Choir," [46] and in two reviews of Shadow Weaver from Jesus Freak Hideout, both Mark Rice and Bert Gangl agreed. Rice said "this impeccably written, melancholy storm of emotion and experience is a poster child for quality," while Gangl added that "it's a great effort, period — and one which proves, yet again, that the muse that rendered the band so singularly poignant when they first made their debut in the mid-1980s, shines just as brightly here in the present day, some thirty years later." [49] Shawn McLaughlin of Christian Musician also agreed, calling Shadow Weaver "music that is as vital, challenging and purposefully artful as anything out there, today," and added that the band is "seemingly […] just starting to reach their creative apex." [47] Apple Music's editorial review was similarly effusive, claiming that Derri Daugherty's "angelic lead vocals are at once otherworldly and deeply human. If Shadow Weaver leans toward the melancholic, it’s a beautiful sadness that can melt the hardest heart." [50]

While The Phantom Tollbooth awarded the band four out of five stars for the album, writer Derek Walker was a bit more critical, saying that "while some tracks show a new lease of energy, others ("Rhythm of the Road") tend towards filler. Long-term fans may also question whether Daugherty is starting to recycle some tunes." [52] Arsenio Orteza, writing for World , disagreed. Calling the Choir "CCM's most artful band for nearly 30 years," he wrote that "the musical incarnation of the intersection between faith and doubt that does aural justice to both" was most represented by "White Knuckles," and that the Choir finishes "a close second with everything else." [48] Dw. Dunphy from PopDose shared similar sentiments, saying, "let's be clear that this is not just a monolith of feedback and reverb. With Byrd and Hindalong firmly in the mix, these are songs, not experiments. The offerings on the disc are well-rounded." [53] Paul Delger at The Banner also highlighted the album's musicianship, writing that "the guitar talent steals the spotlight. In several songs, powerful guitar sounds opening and closing the pieces create definite "wow" moments." [54] Joshua Lory at Down the Line praised the album’s "darker musical vibe" and "big spacey soundscapes," comparing Shadow Weaver favorably to the band’s 1988 release Chase the Kangaroo and even the Cure’s Disintegration . [55] Echoing that sentiment, John Thompson of True Tunes said of the Choir, "if you loved them in the '80s or '90s and have lost track, let this record be your re-introduction." [51]

Track listing

All lyrics by Steve Hindalong. All music by Derri Daugherty, Steve Hindalong and Marc Byrd, except where noted.

Standard edition (CD)
No.TitleMusicLength
1."Good Morning, Shadow Weaver" 3:19
2."What You Think I Am" 4:32
3."It Hurts to Say Goodbye" 6:59
4."Get Gone"Daugherty, Hindalong4:07
5."We All Know"Byrd, Hindalong4:58
6."Two Clouds Are One"Daugherty1:44
7."White Knuckles" 4:43
8."Everybody's Got a Guru" 4:39
9."The Soul of Every Creature Cries Out"Hindalong4:19
10."Frequency of Light" 1:31
11."Rhythm of the Road"Byrd, Hindalong5:08
12."The Antithesis of Blue"Daugherty, Hindalong4:47
13."Shadow Weaver Reprise" 5:34
Total length:56:20
Vinyl release bonus track
No.TitleMusicLength
14."Beautiful Girl (Album Version)"Daugherty4:42
Total length:61:02
2017 NoiseTrade release bonus tracks
No.TitleMusicLength
15."To Cover You (Live from District Drugs)"Daugherty, Hindalong3:43
16."After All (featuring Leigh Nash)"Daugherty, Hindalong4:59
17."Rhythm of the Road (Alternate Version)"Byrd, Hindalong3:37
Total length:73:21
Band commentary (Digital download)
No.TitleLength
1."Good Morning, Shadow Weaver - Commentary"3:19
2."What You Think I Am - Commentary"4:34
3."It Hurts to Say Goodbye - Commentary"7:01
4."Get Gone - Commentary"4:09
5."We All Know - Commentary"5:00
6."Two Clouds Are One - Commentary"1:46
7."White Knuckles - Commentary"4:45
8."Everybody's Got a Guru - Commentary"4:39
9."The Soul of Every Creature Cries Out - Commentary"4:18
10."Frequency of Light - Commentary"1:30
11."Rhythm of the Road - Commentary"5:10
12."The Antithesis of Blue - Commentary"4:49
13."Shadow Weaver Reprise - Commentary"5:34
Total length:56:34
Live and on the Wing in Music City (Digital download)
No.TitleMusicLength
1."Midnight Sun"Daugherty, Hindalong4:07
2."White Knuckles" 4:22
3."What You Think I Am" 3:34
4."Sad Face"Daugherty, Hindalong, Tim Chandler 5:06
5."Consider"Daugherty, Hindalong, Chandler3:48
6."Children of Time"Daugherty, Hindalong, Chandler4:45
7."Clouds"Daugherty, Steve Griffith4:33
8."Mercy Will Prevail"Daugherty3:43
9."We All Know"Byrd, Hindalong4:48
10."The Forest"Daugherty, Hindalong4:27
11."Cross That River"Daugherty, Hindalong6:04
12."Yellow Skies"Daugherty3:37
13."A Sentimental Song"Daugherty, Hindalong4:35
14."Circle Slide"Daugherty, Hindalong8:19
15."Tear For Tear"Daugherty, Hindalong1:28
16."About Love"Daugherty, Hindalong4:01
17."Beautiful Scandalous Night"Daugherty4:08
Total length:75:25
The Livestream Bootleg (Digital download)
No.TitleMusicLength
1."Intro" 0:39
2."To Cover You"Daugherty, Hindalong2:33
3."A Sentimental Song"Daugherty, Hindalong4:09
4."Choir Conversation #1" 0:25
5."The Forest"Daugherty, Hindalong4:35
6."Choir Conversation #2" 3:58
7."Beautiful Girl"Daugherty4:54
8."Choir Conversation #3" 1:18
9."All Night Long"Daugherty, Hindalong2:57
10."Choir Conversation #4" 3:36
11."Yellow Haired Monkeys"Daugherty, Hindalong1:19
12."Choir Conversation #5" 1:56
13."Enough to Love"Daugherty3:28
14."Choir Conversation #6" 4:15
15."Between Bare Trees"Daugherty, Hindalong3:56
16."Choir Conversation #7" 3:05
17."Midnight Sun"Daugherty, Hindalong3:58
18."Choir Conversation #8" 5:12
19."To Bid Farewell"Daugherty, Hindalong2:55
20."Shooting Star" Paul Rodgers 4:01
21."Outro" 0:21
Total length:63:31
Mix stems (Digital download)
No.TitleLength
1."Antithesis of Blue [Stems]" 
2."Everybody's Got a Guru [Stems]" 
3."Frequency of Light [Stems]" 
4."Gonna Get Gone [Stems]" 
5."It Hurts to Say Goodbye [Stems]" 
6."Rhythm of the Road [Stems]" 
7."Shadow Weaver Reprise [Stems]" 
8."The Soul of Every Creature [Stems]" 
9."Two Clouds Are One [Stems]" 
10."We All Know [Stems]" 
11."What You Think I Am [Stems]" 
12."White Knuckles [Stems]" 

Personnel

Shadow Weaver

The Choir

Guest performers

Production

Live and on the Wing in Music City

The Choir

Guest performer

Production

The Livestream Bootleg

The Choir

Production

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Choir (alternative rock band)</span> American Christian alternative rock band

The Choir is an atmospheric Christian alternative rock band currently comprising Derri Daugherty on guitar and vocals, Steve Hindalong on drums, and Dan Michaels on saxophone and lyricon. Long-time bassist Tim Chandler died in 2018, and guitarist Marc Byrd was the fifth member of the band between 2005–2014. As of 2023, the band has released 18 full-length studio albums, three EPs, five live albums, one single-disc compilation, one retrospective box set, and is still actively recording new material.

<i>In the Company of Angels</i> 2001 studio album by Caedmons Call

In the Company of Angels is a studio album from Caedmon's Call released in the United States on September 25, 2001 through Essential Records. This more than any other previous album by this band features songs of worship.

<i>Voices in Shadows</i> 1985 studio album by the Choir

Voices in Shadows is the first studio album by Christian alternative rock band the Choir, released in 1985.

<i>Shades of Gray</i> (The Choir album) 1986 EP by Youth Choir

Shades of Gray is the second studio release, and first EP, by Christian alternative rock band the Choir, released in 1986. All five songs were later included as bonus tracks on the CD release for Chase the Kangaroo.

<i>Diamonds and Rain</i> 1986 studio album by The Choir

Diamonds and Rain is the third studio release, and second full-length studio album, from Christian alternative rock band the Choir, released in 1986. It is the first release under the band's new moniker after dropping "Youth" from their name.

<i>Chase the Kangaroo</i> 1988 studio album by The Choir

Chase the Kangaroo is the fourth studio release, and third full-length studio album, from Christian alternative rock band the Choir, released in 1988. Considered by critics to be one of their finest albums, Chase the Kangaroo is listed at No. 50 in the book CCM Presents: The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music, published in 2002, and No. 4 on the list of the "Top 100 Christian Rock Albums of All Time" by HM Magazine in 2010.

<i>Circle Slide</i> 1990 studio album by The Choir

Circle Slide is the sixth studio release, and fifth full-length studio album, from Christian alternative rock band the Choir, released in 1990. Considered by some critics to be the band's best album, and even called "one of the best Christian albums ever made," Circle Slide was listed at No. 53 in the book CCM Presents: The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music. This would be the final album the Choir would record for Myrrh Records.

<i>Kissers and Killers</i> 1993 studio album by The Choir

Kissers and Killers is the seventh studio release, and the sixth full-length studio album, from Christian alternative rock band the Choir, released in 1993. It was their first release after leaving Myrrh Records, and according to drummer and lyricist Steve Hindalong, represented a major turning point for the band: "We went independent after this, and never were on a label where there were expectations of any kind of a 'ministry' or anything like that."

<i>Speckled Bird</i> (The Choir album) 1994 studio album by The Choir

Speckled Bird is the eighth studio release, and seventh full-length studio album, from Christian alternative rock band the Choir, released in 1994. The album is largely a remixed and reworked version of the independent Kissers and Killers project with an additional five tracks.

<i>Free Flying Soul</i> 1996 studio album by The Choir

Free Flying Soul is the ninth studio release, and eighth full-length album, from Christian alternative rock band the Choir, released in 1996. It earned the band its first industry recognition with a Dove Award win.

<i>O How the Mighty Have Fallen</i> 2005 studio album by The Choir

O How The Mighty Have Fallen is the 11th studio release, and tenth full-length studio album, by Christian alternative rock band the Choir, released in 2005. Guitarist Marc Byrd officially became the fifth member of the band with this album.

<i>Wide-Eyed Wonder</i> 1989 studio album by The Choir

Wide-Eyed Wonder is the fifth studio release, and fourth full-length studio album, from Christian alternative rock band the Choir, released in 1989. This would be the first studio album with new bass guitarist Robin Spurs, and would mark the band's first attempt to cross over to the mainstream market.

<i>Flap Your Wings</i> (album) 2000 studio album by The Choir

Flap Your Wings is the tenth studio release, and ninth full-length studio album, by Christian alternative rock band the Choir, released in 2000. It earned the band its first Grammy Award nomination.

<i>Love Songs and Prayers: A Retrospective</i> 1995 compilation album by The Choir

Love Songs and Prayers: A Retrospective is the first compilation album from Christian alternative rock band the Choir, released in 1995.

<i>Burning Like the Midnight Sun</i> 2010 studio album by The Choir

Burning Like the Midnight Sun is the 12th studio release, and 11th full-length studio album, by Christian alternative rock band the Choir, released in 2010.

<i>de-plumed</i> 2010 studio album by The Choir

de-plumed is the 13th studio release, and 12th full-length studio album, by Christian alternative rock band the Choir, released in 2010. It was the band's first "unplugged" recording, featuring reinterpretations of songs from prior albums.

<i>The Loudest Sound Ever Heard</i> 2012 studio album by The Choir

The Loudest Sound Ever Heard is the 14th studio release, and 13th full-length studio album, by Christian alternative rock band the Choir, released in 2012.

<i>Peace, Love & Light</i> 2013 EP by The Choir

Peace, Love & Light is the 15th studio release, second EP, and first digital-only album by Christian alternative rock band the Choir, released on November 27, 2013. This is also the band's first Christmas-themed release. As a "stretch goal" in the Choir's Kickstarter campaign for their 2014 album Shadow Weaver, this EP was provided exclusively to funders who pledged $60 or more.

<i>Bloodshot</i> (The Choir album) 2018 studio album by The Choir

Bloodshot is the 17th studio release, and 15th full-length studio album, by Christian alternative rock band the Choir, released on June 1, 2018. This album was funded by the band's PledgeMusic campaign launched in January 2017, which also generated a remastered and reissued release of Wide-Eyed Wonder.

<i>Deep Cuts</i> (The Choir album) 2021 studio album by The Choir

Deep Cuts is the 18th studio release, and 16th full-length studio album, by Christian alternative rock band the Choir, released on April 23, 2021. This album was funded by the band's Kickstarter campaign launched in February 2020, and was their first album of new material without contributions from long-time bassist Tim Chandler, who died in 2018; bass duties were split between session player Chris Donohue and bassist Steven Mason from Jars of Clay. The double-disc vinyl version includes five additional tracks that were previously released as digital singles in 2019 and 2020.

References

  1. ↑ Elbel, Jeff (April 7, 2014). "The Choir: Chicago Shows on Do312". do312.com. Chicago, Illinois, USA: Do312. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Best Gourmet Albums of the Decade". utrmedia.com. Murfreesboro, Tennessee, USA: UTR Media. November 8, 2019. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  3. ↑ Walker, Derek (September 21, 2013). "Daniel Amos – Dig Here, Said the Angel (Walker)". tollbooth.org. The Phantom Tollbooth. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  4. ↑ Thompson, John Joseph (2000). Raised by Wolves: The Story of Christian Rock & Roll. Toronto, Ontario, Canada: ECW Press. p. 122. ISBN   1-55022-421-2.
  5. ↑ "Timeline 1983: November 8, 1983". danielamos.com. Daniel Amos. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  6. ↑ Nicholson, Jessica (April 3, 2019). "CCM Artist And Ragamuffin Band Founding Member Rick Elias Dies". musicrow.com. Nashville, Tennessee: MusicRow. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  7. ↑ Huncherick, Sean (February 9, 2015). "Becoming Vekora". hmmagazine.com. Houston, Texas, USA: HM Magazine. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Hammock announces new album; will it be everything or nothing?". ibtimes.co. Bangalore, India: International Business Times. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  9. ↑ Thompson, John Joseph (2000). Raised by Wolves: The Story of Christian Rock & Roll. Toronto, Ontario, Canada: ECW Press. p. 123. ISBN   1-55022-421-2.
  10. ↑ "Industry News Bits 2-17-20". hisair.net. Prairieville, Louisiana, USA: His Air Media. February 17, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  11. ↑ Michaels, Dan (June 11, 2022). "S2. Ep. 15: The Choir Interview (Steve Hindalong, Derri Daugherty & Dan Michaels)!". AREA 312 Rock & Metal Vodcast (Interview). Interviewed by Rex Smetzer. Wooster, Ohio, USA: YouTube.
  12. ↑ "Daniel Amos Announce Kickstarter Campaign". popdose.com. Popdose. August 7, 2012. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  13. ↑ "Rick Elias Starts Kickin'". jesusfreakhideout.com. Jesus Freak Hideout. March 13, 2012. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  14. ↑ "Episode 067 * The Detroit Gospel Reissue Project, Slugs & Bugs, The Choir, Manafest, Mercy Me, Daniel Amos, and Harvest Parker" (Podcast). Crowdfunding Christian Music: The Podcast. March 22, 2017. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  15. ↑ "24: The Choir, Eric Peters, Natalie Schlabs" (Podcast). Good Patron – UTR Media. March 2, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  16. ↑ Byrd, Marc (2014). "Shadow Weaver Reprise". Shadow Weaver: Band Commentary (Audio commentary). Nashville, Tennessee, USA: Galaxy 21 Music.
  17. 1 2 3 Daugherty, Derri (2014). "White Knuckles". Shadow Weaver: Band Commentary (Audio commentary). Nashville, Tennessee, USA: Galaxy 21 Music.
  18. 1 2 3 Michaels, Dan (2014). "What You Think I Am". Shadow Weaver: Band Commentary (Audio commentary). Nashville, Tennessee, USA: Galaxy 21 Music.
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Daugherty, Derri (2014). "It Hurts to Say Goodbye". Shadow Weaver: Band Commentary (Audio commentary). Nashville, Tennessee, USA: Galaxy 21 Music.
  20. ↑ "44th Annual Grammy Awards (Nominees)". grammy.com. Grammy Awards. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  21. 1 2 3 4 Hindalong, Steve (2014). "Rhythm of the Road". Shadow Weaver: Band Commentary (Audio commentary). Nashville, Tennessee, USA: Galaxy 21 Music.
  22. ↑ Michaels, Dan (2014). "Shadow Weaver Reprise". Shadow Weaver: Band Commentary (Audio commentary). Nashville, Tennessee, USA: Galaxy 21 Music.
  23. ↑ John Fischer (February 25, 2015). "A Conversation with Steve Hindalong of the Choir" (Podcast). The Catch with John Fischer. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  24. 1 2 3 Daugherty, Derri (2014). "The Soul of Every Creature Cries Out". Shadow Weaver: Band Commentary (Audio commentary). Nashville, Tennessee, USA: Galaxy 21 Music.
  25. 1 2 3 4 Daugherty, Derri (2014). "Good Morning, Shadow Weaver". Shadow Weaver: Band Commentary (Audio commentary). Nashville, Tennessee, USA: Galaxy 21 Music.
  26. ↑ Daugherty, Derri (2014). "Frequency of Light". Shadow Weaver: Band Commentary (Audio commentary). Nashville, Tennessee, USA: Galaxy 21 Music.
  27. 1 2 Hindalong, Steve (2014). "Two Clouds Are One". Shadow Weaver: Band Commentary (Audio commentary). Nashville, Tennessee, USA: Galaxy 21 Music.
  28. ↑ Byrd, Marc (2014). "What You Think I Am". Shadow Weaver: Band Commentary (Audio commentary). Nashville, Tennessee, USA: Galaxy 21 Music.
  29. 1 2 Hindalong, Steve (2014). "White Knuckles". Shadow Weaver: Band Commentary (Audio commentary). Nashville, Tennessee, USA: Galaxy 21 Music.
  30. 1 2 3 Hindalong, Steve (2014). "The Soul of Every Creature Cries Out". Shadow Weaver: Band Commentary (Audio commentary). Nashville, Tennessee, USA: Galaxy 21 Music.
  31. ↑ Byrd, Marc (2014). "It Hurts to Say Goodbye". Shadow Weaver: Band Commentary (Audio commentary). Nashville, Tennessee, USA: Galaxy 21 Music.
  32. ↑ Hindalong, Steve (2014). "It Hurts to Say Goodbye". Shadow Weaver: Band Commentary (Audio commentary). Nashville, Tennessee, USA: Galaxy 21 Music.
  33. ↑ Hindalong, Steve (2014). "The Antithesis of Blue". Shadow Weaver: Band Commentary (Audio commentary). Nashville, Tennessee, USA: Galaxy 21 Music.
  34. ↑ Hindalong, Steve (2014). "What You Think I Am". Shadow Weaver: Band Commentary (Audio commentary). Nashville, Tennessee, USA: Galaxy 21 Music.
  35. 1 2 Byrd, Marc (2014). "Everybody's Got a Guru". Shadow Weaver: Band Commentary (Audio commentary). Nashville, Tennessee, USA: Galaxy 21 Music.
  36. 1 2 3 4 5 Hindalong, Steve (2014). "We All Know". Shadow Weaver: Band Commentary (Audio commentary). Nashville, Tennessee, USA: Galaxy 21 Music.
  37. 1 2 Hindalong, Steve (2014). "Everybody's Got a Guru". Shadow Weaver: Band Commentary (Audio commentary). Nashville, Tennessee, USA: Galaxy 21 Music.
  38. ↑ Conant, Andy; Palmer, Dave (2001). The Choir: Never Say Never: The first 20 Years. Brentwood (Nashville, Tennessee, USA): Galaxy 21 Music. p. 33. ISBN   0-688-12672-3.
  39. ↑ Hindalong, Steve (2014). "Get Gone". Shadow Weaver: Band Commentary (Audio commentary). Nashville, Tennessee, USA: Galaxy 21 Music.
  40. ↑ Byrd, Marc (2014). "Good Morning, Shadow Weaver". Shadow Weaver: Band Commentary (Audio commentary). Nashville, Tennessee, USA: Galaxy 21 Music.
  41. ↑ Carpenter, Abby (February 24, 2017). "News: The Choir Offers Fans Entire Shadow Weaver Album at No Cost Ahead of WIDE EYED WONDER Tour". freeccm.com. Free CCM. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  42. ↑ "THE CHOIR to Stream Concert Live". liveproduction.tv. Live Production. July 24, 2014. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  43. ↑ Caldwell, Alex. "Highlighting First-Half 2014: The Choir - 'Shadow Weaver'". jesusfreakhideout.com. Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  44. ↑ "The Choir - Live and On The Wing in Music City (Full Live Concert Video)" (video). youtube.com. thechoirvideos. August 10, 2018.
  45. ↑ "Grammy-Nominated Band The Choir Launches Kickstarter Campaign With Free Online Concert This Tuesday". jesusfreakhideout.com. Jesus Freak Hideout. September 30, 2013. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  46. 1 2 Saraco, Bert (July 15, 2014). "The Choir: Shadow Weaver". ccmmagazine.com. CCM Magazine . Retrieved July 14, 2014.
  47. 1 2 McLaughlin, Shawn (July–August 2014). "Selective Hearing: Shadow Weaver – The Choir". Christian Musician. Puyallup, Washington, USA: Adolph Agency, Inc. p. 24.
  48. 1 2 Orteza, Arsenio (May 2, 2014). "Notable CDs: New or Recent pop-rock albums: The Choir - Shadow Weaver". wng.org. World. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  49. 1 2 Rice, Mark (May 5, 2014). "The Choir, "Shadow Weaver" Review". jesusfreakhideout.com. Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved July 3, 2014.
  50. 1 2 "The Choir, "Shadow Weaver"". music.apple.com. Apple Music. June 15, 2015. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  51. 1 2 Thompson, John (April 19, 2014). "Record Store Day Appetizers (The Choir, Secret Sisters, Apache Relay, etc)". truetunes.com. True Tunes. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
  52. 1 2 Walker, Derek (May 19, 2014). "The Choir - Shadow Weaver". tollbooth.org. The Phantom Tollbooth. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  53. 1 2 Dunphy, Dw. (April 24, 2014). "CD Review: The Choir, "Shadow Weaver"". popdose.com. PopDose. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  54. 1 2 Delger, Paul (September 19, 2014). "Shadow Weaver by The Choir". thebanner.org. The Banner. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  55. 1 2 Lory, Joshua (October 11, 2014). "The Choir - Shadow Weaver". downtheline.com. Down the Line. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.