In follow-up to their critically acclaimed March 2011 release Ad Astra Per Aspera (latin for "to the stars through difficulties"), which debuted at #15 on Billboard's Heatseeker's Chart and a free 3-song remix EP, Gotee Records’ Abandon Kansas (AK) debuts a brand new single today, “Chariot.”
Produced by David Garcia (tobyMac, Jamie Grace) “Chariot” is impacting Christian CHR stations now and features the signature sound and deep lyrics that Abandon Kansas has become known for, and whom Relevant magazine praised for their "catchy melodies and energetic vocal delivery." The song is also available on iTunes and Amazon, and Gotee has produced a lyric video for the song that can be viewed here. The band also took some time to tell radio PDs about the meaning behind the song, by recording this YouTube video.
"Life is heavy and with so much on our plate it can be hard to carry everything at once,” says AK’s Jeremy Spring about the song. “ ’Chariot’ is all about God's desire to carry us through life's storms, not just meet us on the other side. The image of a chariot is biblical and it's a beautiful picture of how God wants to serve us as we are trying to serve Him. He's not just the destination we are headed towards, but the vehicle we need to get there. "
After a year of extensive touring in 2011,Abandon Kansas will tour throughout 2012 as well, including appearances at spring/summer festivals like Purple Door, Icthus, Alive and Lifelight. Click here to check out their tour schedule.
About the band, multi-platinum selling-artist and Gotee co-owner tobyMac remarks, "Abandon Kansas is a band that inspires me to write deeper lyrics and pursue my art more passionately. They are the guts of why music can reach beyond notes and melodies and pass through the walls around our hearts."
Coming off an amazing fall tour with House of Heroes and The Wedding, Abandon Kansas has just recorded their own version of the Christmas classic, O Come All Ye Faithful, available exclusively as a digital download on November 17.
The band has also released a video of the recording session for the song, which can be found on the Abandon Kansas YouTube channel at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBprVNp6XWU
True to their road warrior reputation, Abandon Kansas has opted to immediately head back on the road in support of their EP We’re All Going Somewhere in November with Owl City side-project Swimming with Dolphins.
We’re All Going Somewhere continues to receive rave reviews, such as:
The Album Project – “melodic rock songs which are so pure and inviting”
The Lexington Music Press - Abandon Kansas have released an addictive, sweet, and melodic EP with We’re All Going Somewhere. 4 ½ stars.
Indie Vision Music - Their debut EP, We’re All Going Somewhere, is six songs of modern pop/indie rock that doesn't forsake the much-needed intelligent and insightful lyrics.
CCM - this six-song offering leaves listeners wanting much more, building anticipation for a full-length offering that will hopefully follow in rapid order.
Stereotruth - a great mix of instruments, melodies and emotion filled vocals. If you are looking for something new to listen to then I recommend picking up their EP.
Oh Come All Ye Faithful will be available digitally on November 17.
Upcoming tour dates:
Nov 4 – Overland Park, KS
Nov 5 – Ames, IA
Nov 6 – Wausau, WI
Nov 7 – Burnsville, MN
Nov 8 – Cedar Falls, IA
Nov 9 – Chicago, IL
Nov 10 – St Louis, MO
Nov 11 – Rolla, MO
Nov 12 – Springfield, MO
Nov 13 – Carthage, MO
Nov 15 – Ft Smith, AR
Nov 16 – Texarkana, AR
Nov 17 – Pensacola, FL
Nov 18 – Hattiesburg, MS
Nov 19 – Houma, LA
Nov 20 – Irving, TX
Nov 21 – Wichita Falls, TX
Nov 22 – Muskogee, OK
WE’RE ALL GOING SOMEWHERE, Abandon Kansas’s debut EP on Gotee Records, just released as an iTunes exclusive. The Wichita-based band created this project with producer Mark Townsend (Relient K, House of Heroes), and it’s receiving rave reviews for its singalong hooks while never losing it’s indie rock edge.
The Lexington Music Press calls We’re All Going Somewhere “an addictive, sweet and melodic EP. 4 ½ stars”, while The Album Project responds with “melodic rock songs which are so pure and inviting.”
To celebrate, the band will be performing a hometown release show on Sept. 11 in Wichita, KS followed by an event in Lake of the Ozarks, MO to support the Jefferson County Suicide Prevention Coalition. Then, Sept 13, the "Super Big Time American Traveling Concert" tour kicks off with House of Heroes and The Wedding.
“I can’t think of a better band to tour with, to kick of our new Gotee release than House of Heroes,” explains Jeremy Spring, vocalist for Abandon Kansas. “These guys are vocal gods, not to mention label mates, and we’re looking forward to watching them play every night.”
Abandon Kansas We’re All Going Somewhere is exclusively available as a download through iTunes today, or on CD at any of the Abandon Kansas live shows.
Sept 11 – Wichita, KS – CD Release Party!
Sept 12 – Lake of the Ozarks MO
Tour with House of Heroes and The Wedding (more dates TBA)
Sept 13 – Claremore, OK
Sept 14 - Kansas City, MO
Sept 15 – University City, MO
Sept 17 – Ames, IA
Sept 18 – Bismark, ND
Sept 19 – Minneapolis, MN
Sept 20 – Wausau, WI
Sept 22 – Mt Vernon, IL
Sept 23 – Franklin IN
Sept 25 – Orion, MI
Sept 26 – Cincinnati, OH
Sept 28 – East Ridge, TN
Sept 29 – Greenville, SC
Sept 30 – Orlando, FL
Oct 1 – Jacksonville, FL
Oct 3 – McCalla AL
Oct 6 – Lafayette, LA
Oct 9 – Houston, TX
Oct 10 – Plano, TX
Oct 11 – Texarkana, TX
Solo shows
Oct 17 – Centennial, CO
Oct 23 – Manhattan, KS
Oct 31 – Bolivar, MO
Nov 14 – Newton, KS – w/ the Afters and Stars Go Dim
Gotee Records is proud to announce the signing of indie pop/rock band Abandon Kansas to the label’s roster.
On September 8, the label will release their debut We’re All Going Somewhere EP, available exclusively at iTunes and live events. Produced by Mark Townsend (Relient K, House of Heroes), Abandon Kansas created a project that will surprise you with its honesty and soul-searching drive.
“We finally found a label that fits who we are as musicians and who we are as dudes,” states Jeremy Spring, frontman of Abandon Kansas. “We couldn’t be happier with the way this record turned out, and the opportunities Gotee has already given us. We want to make more music and we want to be able to release that is bigger and better ways. Gotee is going to help us do exactly that.
“Mark also was a huge influence in helping us figure out exactly what kind of band we are. He really set us free from our whole pop past and helped us find our voice as in an indie band with melodic, pop elements.”
Known for their incessant touring schedule, Abandon Kansas plans to be on the road full time the remainder of the year. Currently on the Secret Service tour with Sleep for Sleepers and Hazel and Vine, the band continues their touring tradition with a hometown album release show and then starting immediately on the Super Big Time American Traveling Concert Tour with the House of Heroes and The Wedding.
The Secret Service Tour with Sleep for Sleepers and Hazel and Vine.
Aug 29 – Glendale, AZ
Aug 30 – Palm Springs, CA
Sept 1 – San Luis Obispo, CA
Sept 2 – Santa Rosa, CA
Sept 3 – Sacramento, CA
Sept 4 – Fresno, CA
Sept 5 – Los Gatos, CA
Sept 6 - Quincy, CA
Sept 11 – Wichita, KS – CD Release Party!
Sept 12 – Lake Ozark MO
Tour with House of Heroes and The Wedding (more dates TBA)
Sept 13 – Claremore, OK
Sept 14 - Kansas City, MO
Sept 17 – University City, MO
Sept 18 – Bismark, ND
Sept 19 – Minneapolis, MN
Sept 23 – Franklin IN
Sept 25 – Orion, MI
Sept 28 – East Ridge, TN
Sept 29 – Greenville, SC
Oct 1 – Jacksonville, FL
Oct 10 – Plano, TX
