Today marks the day Luminate releases their anticipated sophomore album, Welcome to Daylight, with Sparrow Records. Produced by Chris Stevens (TobyMac, Britt Nicole) and Pete Kipley (MercyMe, Phil Wickham), Welcome To Daylight, which has been touted as one of the best albums of the year, is the follow-up to Luminate’s 2011 Dove Award-nominated debut, Come Home.
The project's first single, “Banner of Love,” is already the fastest rising song of their career. Currently on rotation at 57 AC stations and 12 CHR stations , the song is climbing up the charts and is currently #19 at AC Monitored, #10 AC, #14 CHR and #16 at National Audience. With a listening audience of more than 3.5 million, the hit single can be heard on KLOVE as well as in major markets such as Houston, Minneapolis, Kansas City, Grand Rapids and Tampa.
So what are the media folks saying about Welcome To Daylight? With coverage from Focus On The Family's Plugged In to New Release Tuesday to CBA Retailers + Resources, check below for some of the current media buzz!
It's tough to listen to Luminate and not get it stuck in your head for quite a while afterwards. That's a good thing when you're shining the light of truth in your heart and ears like youare when listening to Welcome to Daylight. This will easily be one of the albums to tuneinto for fall 2012!- Youthwalk Magazine
Luminate continues to produce songs infused with a message of hope and love, encouraging their fans to live life with a purpose and share the love of Christ in practical ways every day.- CBA Retailers + Resources
Almost certain to receive a Dove Award nomination for Best Pop Contemporary Albumof the Year; Luminate’s sophomore record is one to write in the record books as one to catapult these four men into becoming one of Christian music’s most lyrically relevantartists towards young people.- Indie Vision Music
They have upped their game and written an album that is one of my favorites this year. Luminate is one band worth checking out sooner rather than later.- Louder Than The Music
I was absolutely captivated by this album from the first note of the opening song. Fromthe bright synthetic elements to the heart-on-your-sleeve songwriting, I can listen to thewhole thing without skipping a single song. Distinct, delightful, and rather unexpected, thisis one of my favorite albums of the year.- New Release Tuesday
Luminate is comprised of Sam Hancock (vocals), Cody Clark (guitar), Dusty Jakubik (bass), and Aaron Mathew (drums). After upcoming fall nuptials for Hancock who will marry Emily Smith, the daughter of Michael W. Smith, Luminate will share their music across the U.S. when they join Newsboys’ God’s Not Dead Tour in September and running through November.
Sparrow Records announces the anticipated release from pop/rock band Luminate, titled Welcome To Daylight. Releasing August 28th, the project was produced by Chris Stevens (TobyMac, Britt Nicole) and Pete Kipley (MercyMe, Phil Wickham). Welcome To Daylight is the follow-up to Luminate's 2011 Dove Award-nominated debut, Come Home.
“Welcome to Daylight is about opening your eyes for the first time and seeing this world through God’s eyes,” shares Luminate front man Sam Hancock. “We strive to love as Christ did, realizing that God moves in and through everything, and knowing it’s all a part of a master plan designed by the Creator of the universe. It’s realizing that not only is God stronger than our weakness, but He is a loving Father who delights in His children spending time pursuing Him and fulfilling His plan for our lives.”
This is a lesson that the members of Luminate - Hancock/vocals, Cody Clark/guitar, Dusty Jakubik/bass, and Aaron Mathew/drums - can relate to firsthand. Since 2005, they have tirelessly been following their God-centered musical path with endurance and perseverance, and now their sophomore effort, the band decided to simply center themselves on making an authentic album of its generation.
“Every record we have strived to consistently evolve lyrically, spiritually, and musically, but for Welcome To Daylight, we went all out,” assures Hancock. “It’s a record full of hope and joy, leaving our past regrets behind, allowing the Holy Spirit to overcome our fears, and embracing the life of hope and purpose that God has for all of us. You might even find yourself wanting to dance to a song or two.” This is likely with the high energy - and first radio single - “Banner Of Love," which is currently on rotation at 43 AC stations and 12 CHR stations with eight new adds this week. "Banner Of Love" is being heard on KLOVE as well as in large markets such as Houston, Minneapolis, Kansas City, Grand Rapids and Tampa.
“'Banner Of Love' is a huge jump for us musically,” states Hancock. “We are always wanting to find the next step without losing the core of who Luminate is. We wanted this song to be high energy because it’s a song of motivation about being the hands and feet of Jesus in our everyday life.” To hear the single "Banner Of Love," please click here.
After upcoming fall nuptials for Hancock, who will marry the daughter of Michael W. Smith, Luminate will take to the road in September supporting the Newsboys' God's Not Dead Tour, hitting 35 dates across the nation.
On the verge of releasing Welcome To Daylight, Luminate has never been clearer when it comes to the vision they have for their ministry. “We can’t wait for the world to hear it. It’s kind of like you have planned a huge surprise party for someone and it takes all of your energy to not just blurt it out before the day of the party,” concludes Hancock. “We will take the message of purpose and true fulfillment in a life pursuing Christ as far as God allows. The tool that we use to do that is music and ministry on the road.”
Tyler, Texas-based pop/rock band Luminate unveils its first full-length national debut, Come Home, Jan. 25, 2011 from Sparrow Records. Best described as passionate, stirring and worshipful, Luminate’s songs express hope and encourage listeners to seek the redemptive purpose of God in their lives.
As Come Home launches next month, Luminate has been bolstered by acclaim for its successful, self-titled EP that has built anticipation for the full-length album. iTunes championed the EP, saying, “Luminate pack an authentic punch and show the potential to become an influential player on subsequent releases.” HearItFirst.com agreed that “Luminate will be a band to keep an eye on in the future…” as JesusFreakHideout.com declared the EP a “solid debut” and CrossRhythms gave the EP 9 out of 10 bars, saying, “There is not really a weak song here and you quickly get the impression that the band are stretching their wings, and are about to fly.”
Produced by Paul Moak, Ed Cash and Ben Glover, the band’s Come Home opens with the compelling lead radio single and title track that has received significant national and regional aiplay on K-LOVE, The Joy FM Radio Network, KCMS (Seattle), KSBJ (Houston), WPOZ (Orlando) and many more.
“We were writing the song ‘Come Home’ about a relationship I was in,” says Luminate frontman Sam Hancock, “but the further we went with the song, the more I realized the song was not about her, but about me! I was the one that needed to ‘come home.’ I realized I was avoiding my destiny and the call on my life. I lost the original vision and was pursuing fame. A little bit of recognition and I started building my own empire under the guise that God was using me, when in actuality my light was growing dim. It was then I realized that I had to exchange my broken empire for my part in the Kingdom of God, the kingdom that will never fail.”
The album continues with a set of worshipful, emotion-filled songs that draw from personal journeys of overcoming fear (“Hope Is Rising”), fighting apathy (“Innocent”) and finding hope, peace and purpose in Christ (“New Beginnings”).
“All my insecurities are on this record and they are not hidden in any artistic, poetic way,” says Hancock, “Our hope is that we’re not the only ones that deal with this stuff over and over, so we’ll share our stories to spark something in others.
“We all have a purpose and destiny in the kingdom of God,” continues Hancock. “We have to choose to be a part of it. And we want everyone to be a part of it.”
Luminate formed organically in 2005 as Hancock met Dusty Jakubik (bass) at the Visible School of Music in Memphis. Jakubik, who was looking for a fresh start after the group he was in fell apart after signing a major label deal, liked the music Hancock was writing, and while he wanted to start a band, he was wary of working with someone who still had some growing up to do.
“Sam was coming out of a period of rebellion in high school,” recalls Jakubik, who decided to consult with his friend Cody Clark (Luminate guitarist) in their mutual hometown of Tyler, TX. “I already knew I wanted to work with Cody. We both shared the idea that we wanted a band that was a brotherhood. We wanted to be close and for the Lord’s hand to be in everything we did. I told Cody, ‘I don’t know about this kid, Sam, but he’s incredibly talented.’”
As the band members began writing and playing music together, there was a sense that God was unifying the band and leaving no doubt that they should work collectively. With the addition of then 17-yearold Dustin DeLong (keyboards) and Aaron Matthew (drums), who had performed with By The Tree and Kari Jobe, the pop/rock band was completed in Fall 2005. Luminate (meaning, to shine light into darkness) began non-stop touring with its first appearance at Cornerstone Festival in 2006. In 2007, the band met an A&R representative from Sparrow Records at the festival. This relationship eventually led to Luminate signing with the label in March 2009.
Having toured the country with well-established acts like Superchick and Sanctus Real, Luminate is gearing up now for Come Home ‘street week’ release events, as well as a tour with Big Daddy Weave and Chris Sligh in Spring 2011.
Artist: Luminate
Album: Luminate
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Reviewer: Alex Judge
The newest addition to the Sparrow Records line-up, Luminate, has been excited about releasing their first major label, self titled album. This Texas based quintet has launched what they purpose to be a ministry of reminding the church of what love really is and to encourage them to break out of lives of mediocrity and pursue living the radical Christian lives that we are called to live.
With their first single, “Shine (Love is an Action),” Luminate reminds us that love is not just a word, but it is a way of life. “Though it starts with one, there will be a million candles.” Luminate aims to encourage individuals to stand and be the start of a new revolution where Christians rise up to represent Christ in the manner that Jesus called us to.
With the mixture of pop/rock intertwined with modern worship, Luminate creates a sound that will appeal to a wide Christian audience, though their style is somewhat typical of Christian bands today. In my opinion, their purpose and ministry is indeed praiseworthy and worthwhile, but the music to me is not quite individual enough to earn the description “unique.” That being said, the song structure, lyrics, and music is well crafted and I enjoyed listening to it. This is a rather typical album, a good debut with good music. Luminate will be a band to keep an eye on in the future for sure. I, for one, am excited to see what God has in store for these five and their ministry.
Tyler, Texas-based band Luminate releases its self-titled debut nationwide today. Luminate’s lead single, “Shine (Love Is An Action),” is currently New and Active at CHR, while the band has been confirmed to appear on GRAMMY Award nominated Superchick’s “Alive Tour” this spring.
Formed in 2005, Luminate comprises Sam Hancock (lead vocals/rhythm guitar), Cody Clark (lead guitar), Dustin DeLong (vocals/keys), Dusty Jakubik (bass), and Aaron Matthew (drums). Each of the band’s members are accomplished musicians in their own right, having backed such well-known artists as Billy Ray Cyrus, Building 429, By the Tree and Kari Jobe. As Luminate, the group has released three well-received independent projects, prompting extensive touring nationwide.
Luminate’s first national release, produced by multi-Dove Award-winning producer Ed Cash (Chris Tomlin, Vince Gill, Steven Curtis Chapman), combines poignant lyrics and anthemic choruses that speak to the essence of God’ love. Luminate frontman Hancock comments, “Our common goal is to reach anyone and everyone with the love of Christ. We want to encourage everyone to actively pursue their God-given life calling.”
In addition to its debut single, “Shine (Love Is An Action),” Luminate will support the new project on tour with Inpop Records pop-rock act Superchick this spring. The “Alive Tour” will visit 20 cities beginning early April.
For more information on Luminate’s upcoming tour dates, and to hear audio clips from its debut release, visit www.myspace.com/luminate.
