Christian Music News

Following a seven-year hiatus, internationally-renowned South African rock band Tree63 launched a Kickstarter campaign for its fans to participate in the recording and promotion of its seventh full-length album slated for release Summer 2015. As the band nears its funding goal, they are offering to all who participate in the Kickstarter campaign the first new single from Tree63 in over seven years, "The Storm." Once the campaign is fully funded, participants will receive a download of the track.

"The Storm" features the lyrics that sparked the title of the new album, which Tree63 officially announces today: Land.

"Many of the new songs on Land are about being on a long and treacherous journey and finally seeing our rescue in the distance," says John Ellis, Tree63 lead vocalist/guitarist. "There is no more treacherous a journey than one at sea, and the ocean is often a really effective metaphor for our spiritual journeys. 'Land' is the single most hoped for event for a sailor on a stormy sea, and likewise on our journey with God we long for some sense of certainty that God is all we imagine and hope for. Of course, we never quite make it this side of eternity, but we can have courage in the fact that land is in sight!"

Inviting fans to participate in the process toward Land, Tree63's Kickstarter campaign has a myriad of support offers, which include not only exclusive access to updates and other content from the band, but autographed CDs, signed guitar picks and drumsticks, t-shirts, posters, and even exclusives like handwritten lyrics and a Skype call, phone call or Google+ Hangout with the band.

Momentum toward the new album began following the enthusiastic reception the band received at a series of reunion events last year in South Africa. Ellis, Darryl Swart (drums) and Daniel Ornellas (bass) subsequently reformed the trio and are finishing the new studio recording now.

First formed in 1996, Tree63 came to international attention with the release of their second album, 63 (Survivor Records) in 1999. The three-piece band followed 63 in 2001 with its self-titled release on US-based InPop Records, which sparked the radio hits "Treasure" and "Look What You've Done." Picking up a Dove Award that year for "Rock Album of the Year," the band went on to record four more critically acclaimed albums, release numerous radio singles, including the No. 1 hit and Billboard's most played Christian Song Of The Year in 2004, "Blessed Be Your Name," from 2004's The Answer To The Question.

With the success of the albums and singles, Tree63, known for their dynamic live performances, has toured with Jeremy Camp, Delirious?, Rebecca St. James, Festival Con Dios and others. They also made numerous appearances with the Billy Graham Evangelical Association, headlined Canada's multi-denominational Christian youth conference (YC) events and more.