Since first breaking onto the alt-pop scene in 2007, Owl City has built a global following on the strength of his heart-on-sleeve songwriting and endlessly inventive sound. Along with earning a monumental hit with the diamond-certified “Fireflies”—a 2009 release that reached No. 1 in 26 countries—the Minnesota-bred artist otherwise known as Adam Young has made waves with smash singles like the double-platinum “Good Time” feat. Carly Rae Jepsen and brought his exuberant live set to sold-out shows around the world. With total album sales of over three million and single sales surpassing 20 million globally, Owl City has now delivered the highly anticipated new album Coco Moon: a wildly imaginative body of work revealing his deepened devotion to the strange magic of creativity.

For over four decades, The Choir, originally from Los Angeles and now based in Nashville, has been a cornerstone of the indie rock and alternative music scenes, crafting songs that blend atmospheric soundscapes with poetic lyrics and heartfelt spirituality. With a distinctive style marked by Derri Daugherty’s ethereal guitar work and hauntingly emotive voice, Steve Hindalong’s reflective and poignant lyrics, and Dan Michaels’ evocative saxophone, lyricon, and wind synthesizer playing, The Choir has cultivated a sound that is as innovative as it is timeless. Their music transcends genres, resonating deeply with fans who have remained fiercely loyal through the years.

Emerging in the early 1980s, The Choir quickly gained a reputation for their lush, ambient sound and contemplative songwriting. Albums like Chase the Kangaroo (1988) and Circle Slide (1990) established the band as pioneers in the alternative Christian music landscape. These records, now considered classics, showcase the band’s ability to balance raw emotion with intricate, atmospheric instrumentation. Songs such as "About Love" and "Consider" captured the hearts of listeners with their honest explorations of love, doubt, and faith.

Throughout the 1990s, The Choir continued to evolve, releasing critically acclaimed albums like Free Flying Soul (1996), which featured a more upbeat and textured sound, and Flap Your Wings (2000), a Grammy-nominated album celebrated for its soulful beauty and melodic richness. Each project demonstrated the band’s commitment to pushing creative boundaries while staying true to their core themes of vulnerability and spiritual exploration.

In recent years, The Choir has embraced a do-it-yourself ethos, connecting directly with their audience through platforms like Patreon. This intimate approach has allowed the band to release new music consistently, including standout albums like Bloodshot (2018) and Deep Cuts (2021), which continue to resonate with their ever-loyal fanbase. In 2024, The Choir unveiled Translucent, an instrumental ambient album blending Daugherty’s shimmering guitars, Hindalong’s electronic percussion, and Michaels’ atmospheric wind instrumentation. This late-career triumph was hailed as a moody and serene masterpiece, reflecting the band’s ability to innovate while staying grounded in their signature sound.

The Choir’s lyrical depth has always been a defining feature. Steve Hindalong’s words delve into themes of faith, doubt, relationships, and redemption, offering a raw and relatable perspective that has struck a chord with listeners for decades. Paired with Daugherty’s soaring, emotional vocals, the lyrics create moments of profound connection. Michaels’ contributions on saxophone and lyricon add a layer of sophistication and texture, setting The Choir apart from other bands in the genre.

Beyond their music, The Choir’s enduring friendship and brotherhood are central to their identity. Despite personal struggles and professional challenges, the band has remained a cohesive unit, drawing strength from their shared history and their close relationship with fans, affectionately referred to as their "tribe." This bond has been a source of inspiration for both the band and their audience, a testament to the healing power of music and community.

The Choir’s influence extends beyond their own catalog. Steve Hindalong’s production work, including the new Sixpence None The Richer EP released in 2024, and Dan Michaels’ efforts in helping other artists during his tenure as a marketing executive at Fair Trade Services, working with acclaimed acts such as MercyMe, Sara Groves, The Afters, and CeCe Winans, demonstrate the band’s broader impact on the music world. Their collaborative spirit and dedication to excellence continue to inspire both peers and fans alike.

As The Choir continues to write and record, their legacy remains one of artistic courage, spiritual depth, and unwavering connection with their listeners. With a catalog that includes iconic songs like “Beautiful Scandalous Night” and recent highlights like Translucent, The Choir proves that their creative journey is far from over. Whether through their groundbreaking albums, heartfelt performances, or the intimate connection they share with their fans, The Choir remains a beacon of authenticity and artistry in a changing musical landscape.

Soulful Electronic Gospel music. A different sounding way to experience Christian Worship music.

Eikon is the London based electro-gospel music duo of Dave Hendra and Dave Pilcher. The Daves Met at St Mary’s Bryanston Sqaure, and joined musical forces during their time studying theology together in 2012, fusing their passion for electronic music and worshipping God. St Mary’s has been giving them space to explore, which has now led to several alternative worship nights trialling out Eikon’s different sounds.

Pilcher, previously a music graduate, and Hendra an arts graduate, began the project with the aim of creating music to enable other electro-enthusiasts to worship and engage with God. Furthermore, the focus was also to create music that would not only appeal to other Christians, but also a secular audience. Eikon’s sound is a mash-up of modern electronica, house music and chilled-out ambient. The result is passionate and melancholic worship, blended with some dance-floor-filler moments.

Pilcher, has had many electronic releases as ‘the Naïve Machine’, and brings his wealth of production experience to Eikon as he composes, produces and arranges the material. Hendra also composes for Eikon, writes the lyrics and sings all the vocals. His interest in lyrical composition stems from his love of poetry, which he started writing on the London underground to act as a distraction from London’s rat-race living. However, Hendra also takes inspiration from the Psalms and writings of historic theologians, identifying with their attempts to engage with God through the ages. Hendra further utilises his Nord Lead and sparse Telecaster harmonies to compliment Pilcher’s warm analogue synths. In combination, all of this creates the unique Eikon soundscape.

Eikon debuted on Christmas 2013 by giving away the Free EP ‘The Only Thing that Matters,’ available on Calibresound.bandcamp.com. The ‘My Fortress’ EP was their first commercially available release, with the new Human EP to be released on the 27th April 2015.

Eikon have had several features on TV. ‘I Will Follow’ from My Fortress EP was used for Showtime’s TV advert for their new show, ‘The Affair’. ‘Self Giver’ from the Human EP has also been used on a Boeing advert and on the TV show Super Nurses.

Throughout her decade+ career as both a songwriter and recording artist, Tiffany Arbuckle Lee (a.k.a. PLUMB) has established a highly respected voice in both Christian and mainstream circles.  Beginning with her own chart-topping singles (Stranded, Boys Don’t Cry, God-Shaped Hole), Lee developed into a successful writer for others as well (such as Mandy Moore and Michelle Branch).  The breadth of her creative relevance is driven by Lee’s otherworldly voice, making Plumb a perfect fit in numerous film & TV soundtracks (including Bruce Almighty, Vampire Diaries, and One Tree Hill), and widely embraced in the dance/remix community (#1 Billboard Hot Dance smash Hang On, others).  With her biggest breakout single in years, the #1 infectious rock/worship/inspiration anthem Need You Now (How Many Times), title track from a brand full-length album out February, PLUMB is sure to continue turning ears and hearts in 2013.

Listen to Matthew Parker on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/0QT3cPPXMGYtTG3kN8Ez54?si=iAaz2IFnScKJzAg5mHiExA
__________________________

Music artist and producer
of EDM, Pop, and WhateveriFeelLikeMaking.

BIO:
You wouldn’t expect the sound you hear from Matthew Parker, a singer & producer who grew up in rural Michigan, USA. His unique blend of Urban, EDM, and Pop vibes is modern and refreshing, though still sentimental and nostalgic. Taking piano lessons as a kid, Matthew wasn’t really interested in music and hated to practice, but when he found he could create his own melodies and songs, he began to discover his passion for music. It started with jam sessions in the attic with his brothers, which turned into Matthew making songs by himself on the family computer at age 12. It was then that he discovered the magic of music production and was irreversibly hooked. Since then, with over 50 million streams across all platforms and no sign of stopping, Matthew Parker has clearly created a sound and sentiment that resonates with many people. Known for his knack for infusing bucketloads of emotion into his meticulously detailed productions, Matthew has not slowed down in his quest to dream up new aural masterpieces, releasing over 10 singles & remixes in 2020, all of which were very well received. Life is an adventure, and music should be too. Listen to Matthew Parker’s music to see life through the eyes of an adventurer.

CONTACT:

--For any serious request, or to say "what's up", EMAIL me at matthewparkertunes@gmail.com.


Some other Soundclouders I recommend:

http://soundcloud.com/twilightmeadow
http://soundcloud.com/jacobstanifer
http://soundcloud.com/neonfeather

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