Are You ListeningG? The Rock 'N' Roll Worship Circus Becomes The Listening
New CD Releases February 14th
Already Touring Heavily Worldwide Promoting New Music, New Band
Nashville, TN (December 19, 2005) Well-known as one of the most passionate, worshipful and eclectic bands of our time, the four-piece rockers, formerly known as Rock 'n' Roll Worship Circus, have become The Listening. Their independent project, Rock 'N' Roll Worship Circus Becomes The Listening (LP) is set to release February 14th, 2006. The anticipated CD is follow-up to their critically acclaimed 2002 debut Welcome To The Rock 'Nı Roll Worship Circus, 2003's A Beautiful Glow and last year's The Listening EP. The band made their mark with their three independent releases: Big Star Logistics (2001), Little Star Logistics (2000) and Live At TOMfest (1999).
Renowned for their unique sound, stage presence, strong work ethic and deep spirituality, the members of The Listening are also notorious for their relentless touring. Having been around for more than seven years, theyıve performed nearly 1,000 times since 1999, playing to more than 600,000 people in more than 14 countries in North America, Europe, and Africa. The Listening are more than excited to offer new music, a new name, their continued message of worship infused with rock.
Even with Dove Award nominations and big tours throughout the U.S. and Europe with bands like Delirious, The Listeningıs music is based on a specific vision and calling; one the band has not abandoned but has simply taken to another level. The listener is sure to still hear influences of Pink Floyd, Love and Rockets, U2, and The Beatles wafting through the songs.
To record the project, the band set up in a well-worn studio with their vintage tube and analog gear. "We're purists in that respect," Wilson admits. "The drums are all old 1960ıs Ludwigs and even our cymbals are old. The hi-hats are from the 1940's!" A unique aspect to their sound is the lack of bass guitar and focusing on the low end, while capturing it all on analog two-inch tape instead of digital. "Tape is becoming a forgotten format with the advent of digital technology," Wilson explains. "But weıre purists. Analog always wins."
After recording and mixing was completed, the band went to the famous Abbey Road Studios in London for mastering with legendary Chris Blair at the helm. Blair has worked with The Beatles as well as other influences of The Listening, including Radiohead (Ok Computer, Hail to the Thief) and British band Travis.
The band has been performing a few new songs at their concerts to the excitement of their fans. In fact, to them, just performing for their fans is what itıs all about. Wilson describes, "We believe that people come to experience something outside of them when they come see The Listening. They're brought to a place of introspection, getting in touch with their souls and the struggle within. Something from outside moves all of us the band and the audience inward. We are attracting people that want to be a part of something bigger than themselves, whether they know it or not. Itıs enveloping, tragic, ambiguous, and healing."
Josiah Sherman, the band's keyboardist, revels in the flow of The Listening concert. "Itıs an experience from beginning to end," he says. "One song flows into another and hopefully the listener feels something bigger than himself. Itıs not just a musical experience but rather a spiritual one."
In 2005 alone, The Listening headlined Franceıs Radical Festival, Hollandıs Flevo Festival, co-headlined Germanyıs OwenTech Rock Night Festival, performed this spring at Moroccoıs Friendship Festival to over 85,000 people, headlined their own nationwide U.S. tours in the spring and this past fall. They are back on the road for 2006 with plans to headline a spring tour, appear at GMA, hit all major summer festivals then head back to Europe in the fall. Rock 'N' Roll Worship Circus Becomes The Listening (LP) will be distributed in the United States with Infinity Distribution, and in Europe with ASAPH.
With The Listening LP, the listener is sure to be in familiar territory, yet experience something very new, something deep and something worshipful. Most of all, the listener will be sure to hear the voice behind the silence. Are you listening?