The City Harmonic was a Canadian Christian rock band based in Hamilton, Ontario. Elias Dummer (vocals, keyboards, guitar), Eric Fusilier (bass), Aaron Powell (guitar), and Josh Vanderlaan (drums) collectively made up The City Harmonic.[1] Their music has been described as "nostalgic Brit-pop meets campfire sing-along mix that features raucous gang vocals along with agile, soaring anthems crafted to include the listener".[1] Musically, their sound is often compared to artists like Coldplay, Keane, Aqualung, the Fray, or Arcade Fire. In 2011 they won three Covenant Awards from GMA Canada for New Artist of the Year, Recorded Song of the Year and Modern Worship Song of the Year. In 2013 they won Covenant Awards for Group of the Year and Praise and Worship Song of the Year. They also won a Juno Award for the 2013 Christian/Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year. After announcing that they would retire, the band recorded their final show, which was released as a live album, Benediction (Live), on June 23, 2017.
The City Harmonic | |
|---|---|
 The City Harmonic in 2015 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Hamilton, Ontario, Canada |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2009–2017 |
| Labels | Kingsway, Integrity |
| Past members |
|
| Website | thecityharmonic |
History
editThe City Harmonic formed in 2009 after its members served together as the house worship band for an inter-denominational "worship and mission" event for students in Hamilton.[2] The band released their debut EP, Introducing the City Harmonic, in November 2010 in Canada and the United States.[3] Their début single, "Manifesto" appeared in the charts in several categories. "Manifesto" remained on Billboard's Christian charts for 15 weeks[4] and was featured as the walk-up song for then-Oakland Athletics outfielder Seth Smith. The EP was also released in January 2011 in Britain.[5]
The band released their first full-length album titled I Have a Dream (It Feels Like Home) on October 18, 2011. On November 5, 2011 it peaked at No. 34 on Billboard's Christian Albums chart, and at No. 6 on the Heatseekers Albums chart.[6] A song from this album, "Holy (Wedding Day)", was released on September 21, 2012.[7] As of January 22, 2012 it had reached No. 39 on the Billboard Christian Songs chart and had the fifth biggest jump.[8]
The group was nominated for a 2012 GMA Dove Award for "New Artist of the Year".[9]
On April 20, 2013, the band won a Juno award for Christian/Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year.[10]
The band released their second full-length album titled Heart on September 3, 2013. In the week of release in Canada it reached No. 1 on the Inspirational Albums Charts.[11] For the Billboard charting week of September 21, 2013, Heart No. 20 on the Top Heatseekers chart and No. 24 Top Christian Albums chart. Critically speaking, Heart had been the most critically well-received of the band's releases to date. The album artwork features an adaptation of Leonardo da Vinci's Vitruvian Man, with Jesus on the cross in the center.
After announcing its release during an appearance and performance on NBC's Beyond A.D.,[12] the band released their third full-length album titled We Are on September 4, 2015. Well received by critics.[citation needed] The album reached No. 1 on the Inspirational Albums Charts in Canada, and appeared on Billboard on both the Heatseekers and Christian and Gospel Albums charts.[13][14] The album is focused on the band's origins and addresses the themes of unity in the Church and the movement of churches that brought them together. In addition to their appearance on NBC, the band have performed songs from this album on the Relevant Podcast as well as on the 10,000th episode of 100 Huntley Street on YES TV.[15]
Released concurrently with the album of the same name, the documentary, We Are the City Harmonic: The Movie, was filmed and directed by Jesse Hunt of Cycle films, and tells the story of the movement of Christian unity in Hamilton, Ontario that brought the band together. It was released free to YouTube as well as the band's own domains.[16][better source needed]
The City Harmonic disbanded in 2017. They recorded their final show in their hometown of Hamilton, Ontario, and released the recording as an album, Benediction (Live).[17] The album was released to critical acclaim, with Jesus Freak Hideout describing it as "quite possibly the best worship release this year."[18]
Lineup
editMembers
- Elias Elton Dummer – vocals, keyboards, guitar (2009–2017)
- Eric Morgan Fusilier – bass, vocals (2009–2016)
- Aaron Christian Powell – guitar, vocals (2009–2017)
- Josh Alexander Vanderlaan – drums (2009–2017)
Touring musicians
- Steve Lensink – bass, guitar, vocals (2012–2014, 2016–2017)
- Jason Lackey – bass (2016)
- Justin Brix – guitar, keys, vocals (2017)
- Brooke Nicholls – vocals (2017)
Discography
editAlbums
edit- Introducing the City Harmonic EP (2010)
- I Have a Dream (It Feels Like Home) (2011) Released on October 18, 2011
- Heart (2013) September 3, 2013
- We Are (2015) September 4, 2015
- Benediction (Live) (2017) June 23, 2017
Singles
edit| Year | Single | Peak chart positions | Album | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Christ | ||||
| 2010 | "Manifesto" | 19 | Introducing the City Harmonic | |
| 2011 | "I Have a Dream" | 15 | I Have a Dream (It Feels Like Home) | |
| 2012 | "Mountaintop" | 27 | ||
| 2012 | "Holy (Wedding Day)" | 36 | ||
| 2013 | "A City on a Hill" | — | Heart | |
| 2014 | "Praise the Lord" | 46 | ||
| 2015 | "We Are One" | — | We Are | |
| 2016 | "Let There Be Light" | — |
Awards
editGMA Covenant Awards
| Year | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2011[21] | New Artist of the Year | Won |
| Modern Worship Song of the Year ("Manifesto") | Won | |
| Recorded Song of the Year ("Manifesto") | Won | |
| Praise and Worship Song of the Year ("My God") | Nominated | |
| Song of the Year ("Manifesto") | Nominated | |
| 2012[22] | Praise and Worship Song of the Year ("I Have a Dream (It Feels Like Home)") | Won |
| CD Artwork Design of the Year ("I Have a Dream (It Feels Like Home)") | Nominated | |
| Modern Worship Song of the Year ("Mountaintop") | Nominated | |
| Recorded Song of the Year ("I Have a Dream (It Feels Like Home)") | Nominated | |
| Song of the Year ("I Have a Dream (It Feels Like Home)") | Nominated | |
| Video of the Year ("I Have a Dream (It Feels Like Home)") | Nominated | |
| 2013[23] | Group of the Year | Won |
| Artist of the Year | Nominated | |
| Praise and Worship Song of the Year ("Holy (Wedding Day)") | Won | |
| Music Video of the Year ("Holy (Wedding Day)") | Nominated | |
| 2014[24] | Group of the Year | Nominated |
| Album of the Year (HEART) | Nominated | |
| Artist of the Year | Nominated | |
| Song of the Year ("Praise The Lord") | Nominated | |
| Praise & Worship Song of the Year ("Praise The Lord") | Nominated | |
| Praise & Worship Album of the Year ("HEART") | Nominated | |
| 2015[25] | Group of the Year | Won |
| Collaboration of the Year | Won | |
| Rap Song of the Year (Collaboration) | Won | |
| 2016[26] | Group of the Year | Nominated |
| Praise & Worship Album Of The Year ("WE ARE") | Nominated | |
| 2018 | Group of the Year | Nominated |
| Album of the Year "Benediction (Live)" | Nominated | |
| Praise & Worship Album of the Year "Benediction (Live)" | Won | |
| Praise & Worship Song of the Year "Honestly" | Won |
JUNO Awards
| Year | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Contemporary Christian and Gospel Album of the Year (I Have A Dream (It Feels Like Home)) | Won |
| 2014 | Contemporary Christian and Gospel Album of the Year (HEART) | Nominated |
| 2015 | Contemporary Christian and Gospel Album of the Year (We Are) | Nominated |
Dove Awards
| Year | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | New Artist of the Year | Nominated |
References
edit- ^ a b The City Harmonic Christian Today, 17 Oct 2010.
- ^ "The City Harmonic" AllMusic Biography by Mark Deming
- ^ The City Harmonic, "Introducing The City Harmonic" Review Jesus Freak Hideout. 11/21/10, by Ryan Barbee
- ^ "Christian charts' listing for "Manifesto"". Billboard. Retrieved July 2, 2012.
- ^ Introducing The City Harmonic Kingsway UK.
- ^ "I Have a Dream (It Feels Like Home) - The City Harmonic". Billboard. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
- ^ ""I Have A Dream Tour" Launches this weekend, "Holy (Wedding Day)" to be released to radio Sep 21st featuring JJ Heller". The City Harmonic. September 18, 2012. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
- ^ "Holy (Wedding Day) - The City Harmonic". Billboard. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
- ^ "INTERVIEW: The City Harmonic's Elias Dummer Discusses Their New Album 'Heart', Story of "City on a Hill" and Fall Tour". BreatheCast, Matt Lloyd, September 17, 2013
- ^ "Hamilton scores Juno hat-trick". The Hamilton Spectator. April 20, 2013. Retrieved April 21, 2013.
- ^ ""HEART" Now Available Everywhere " The City Harmonic". Thecityharmonic.com. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
- ^ ""TCH To Announce New Album, Artwork, Single on NBC's Beyond A.D., May 3rd" The City Harmonic". Thecityharmonic.com. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
- ^ "The City Harmonic - Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
- ^ "The City Harmonic - Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
- ^ "100 Huntley Street: October 14 Evening, 2015". 100huntley.com. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
- ^ "TCH Release Documentary About Church Unity, Church Unity Website | Official Site". The City Harmonic. August 26, 2015. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
- ^ 'ROCKINGHAM: The City Harmonic calls it quits with "Benediction Live"'. The Hamilton Spectator, Jun 21, 2017 by Graham Rockingham
- ^ "Jesusfreakhideout.com: The City Harmonic, "Benediction (Live)" Review". www.jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
- ^ "News". Your Music Zone. June 24, 2011. Retrieved June 28, 2012.
- ^ "2013 JUNO Award Winners | The JUNO Awards". Junoawards.ca. Archived from the original on April 22, 2013. Retrieved September 4, 2013.
- ^ "The City Harmonic Garners Five GMA Canada Covenant Award Nominations " The City Harmonic". Thecityharmonic.com. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
- ^ "Jon Bauer and Newworldson Lead 2012 Covenant Award Nominations | Gospel Music Association". Gospelmusic.org. September 28, 2012. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
- ^ "The City Harmonic Receives First Artist & Group of the Year Gma Canada Covenant Awards Nominations " The City Harmonic". Thecityharmonic.com. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
- ^ "TCH Nominated for 6 Covenant Awards | Official Site". The City Harmonic. November 1, 2014. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
- ^ "2015 Winners – GMA Canada". Gmacanada.ca. November 5, 2015. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
- ^ "38th Covenant Award Nominations – GMA Canada". Gmacanada.ca. November 5, 2016. Archived from the original on November 8, 2016. Retrieved November 7, 2016.