10 Questions with ... Newworldson

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

LINE-UP:

• Joel Parisien (vocals)
• Josh Toal (guitar/vocals)
• Mark Rogers (drums)
• Rich Moore (bass/vocals)

LABEL:

• Inpop Records

DISCOGRAPHY:

• Newworldson (2010)
• Salvation Station (2008)

1) The debut single "There Is a Way" is nearing the top of the charts. What's the story behind that song?

With "There Is a Way," we wanted to speak Truth into the darkness and let the world know that God is real and he wants to meet us exactly where we are right now in our lives. He's not waiting until we've cleaned up our acts or achieved some measure of perfection. Even though we're broken, we don't have to shoulder our burdens alone. It was co-written by Tawgs Salter, a fellow Canadian, and this was the first time we ever brought in outside help; he also produced the track. Tawgs really helped distill our overall message of hope into a song that could reach millions of listeners around the world.

2) What is the message behind the new self-titled album? What was your inspiration?

Our ministry is about giving listeners a soundtrack to their praise and reaching out to people who will hopefully resonate with what we're saying spiritually. It's also an invitation to people to celebrate God's love with their whole bodies. We believe that dancing when directed vertically is one of the most sincere forms of worship.

3) What is your favorite song (if you can just pick one) from the new record?

Favorite songs change depending on the season. Right now it's "There Is a Way," for the impact it's having on people worldwide spiritually, emotionally and musically. We're very encouraged by the blessing God's placed on that recording.

4) What has been a highlight or two in the world of Newworldson since the debut record released in 2008?

The invitation to be a part of the newsboys' "GO Tour" was a definite career highlight, especially the friendships we made with all the guys in the bands and the crew. We learned so much about everything that goes along with performing on big stages. The experience of co-headlining Flevo festival in Holland (the largest Christian music festival in Europe) with the newsboys 18 months later in front of thousands of people was also a thrill.

5) Which do you enjoy more: the process or the performance, the studio or the stage?

It's important for the two to stay in balance for us. Too much time spent on the road makes it hard to stay grounded. And on the flipside, too much time in the lab turns us into obsessive music geeks. If one experience has the edge on the other, it would be the stage. Performing gives us the chance to build new relationships and hear people's testimonies.

6) What do you hope someone walks away with after a Newworldson performance?

We pray before every show that God uses our gifts and our songs in a fresh and powerful way. It's important to us that the audience has been more than simply entertained. We hope they walk away having experienced his presence, propelled into their daily lives with a renewed passion for God.

7) Who inspires you personally, musically and/or spiritually?

King David. He was the original bluesman. He danced before the Lord with abandon and dedicated his music to his Redeemer. And David certainly wasn't perfect. He's a reminder that God loves us unconditionally.

8) Where can people find the band in the coming months? Where will you be touring?

In June, it's back to Europe for us. And all throughout the summer we hope to make appearances at as many festivals that will have us. We do our best to keep our website up to date with all our confirmed shows.

9) Do you have much time to listen to other artists' music? Who are you listening to these days?

Right now, Mavis Staples is on heavy rotation in the van. She is a woman of God, the voice of the civil rights movement, part of Dr. Martin Luther King's worship team when he traveled and more relevant today than ever. Mavis is one of America's most under-recognized artists.

10) Did you watch the Canada vs. USA hockey game? Was there any cheering for your fellow Canadians?

We watched that game in church right before our CD release party. After the victory we teased the congregation and said, "Hope that's not the loudest ovation we're going to hear tonight. Otherwise we'll just go home!" We tried not to make too big a deal of it. After all, there were many Americans in the house that night and being typically polite Canadians, we didn't want to see anybody's noses rubbed in it.