Three years ago four talented professional musicians got together to play a gig. They had fun. They played some of their own songs and a few covers. The audience loved them. So began the life of the band NEWWORLDSON.

With the force of an orchestra, Josh (guitar, vocals), Rich (bass, vocals), Mark (drums) and Joel (vocals, keys), based in Niagara Falls, Canada, make music to lift your spirit – motion and devotion. Their album Salvation Station is a fine example of their trademark sound – a rootsy blend of funk, soul, jazz and old school gospel. I defy you to listen and not be moved; you’ll be tapping your foot or swaying to the beat. It’s infectious! Check out their Myspace entry to hear for yourself.

Individually, each member began his professional career entertaining mainstream music fans in clubs and concert halls around the world. In the UK to promote their album, Challenge asked the band about their music and the faith that is at its heart.

Singer Joel says ‘there’s a lack of community in people’s lives today. If you trace back the roots of ‘roots’ music, of ‘soul’ music, of ‘folk’ music, it’s about folks; it’s social music. We hope our fans become our friends. We hope they leave our shows feeling inspired. Our community is about uplifting people.

‘My lyrics have always had strong spiritual content,’ says Joel. ‘We weren’t going to shy away from the gospel aspect.’ Song writing starts with the lyrics and a melody then each member of the band contributes to the finished piece. ‘It started out as so much fun and it continues to be that,’ says Rich. ‘When it comes down to it, we love to play music together.

‘We are all very blessed to have very supportive wives (two band members have children). We try not to be away on tour for too long. When we get home we do our best to get our wives to love us again!’

The response to Salvation Station has been overwhelmingly positive. ‘It seems to be really accepted by people of all different ages even little kids respond to the songs. People are excited by the different sound,’ says Rich. ‘For people who don’t have faith we plant seeds. We’ll probably never know the results. But we’ve had messages from some radio stations saying that listeners have said their lives have been changed. This has blown our minds; God really can use music.’ Each band member has a different faith experience. Mark’s mum tried many different religions including TM before she arrived at Christianity.

‘Because of the transformation I could see in her I gave my life to Jesus when I was 14. I’ve never strayed and I’ve been in the music business all my life also,’ he says. Josh only came to faith within the last couple of years. ‘I never grew up going to church. My parents aren’t Christians. It’s really since joining the band that I started playing gospel/soul. It was a genre I was familiar with but I’d never thought about the truth of it.’ The music, the lyrics and the influence of Christians made the difference. ‘Then I met my now wife and her family were Christians.’ This was the final piece in the puzzle for Josh.

Rich’s story is different again. He was baptised into the Catholic Church, went to a Catholic school but never really had a strong connection and soon became disenchanted. In his twenties he began to search a little deeper but struggled and suffered from depression. A family tragedy unexpectedly led him to God. ‘My sister’s fiancé was killed in a car crash just before their wedding. Standing at his funeral, I felt God put his arm around me to comfort me. I haven’t looked back. Since I surrendered my life to God it’s been amazing - a deeper level of living.’

Meanwhile for singer/songwriter Joel: ‘God has used music in my life. I didn’t go to church as a child. My parents divorced and I bounced between my mum and dad. ‘Christianity for me has always been more than intellectual. I used to go to the Toronto Airport church where God really poured out his Spirit on people and me too. I was a naturally spiritual cynic but through music I was able to make relationships with some great Christians. I don’t know where I’d be without music.’

NEWWORLDSON rescues soul music from being a mere genre and returns the art form to its sacred roots. Listen and enjoy!