The City Harmonic
| The City Harmonic | |
|---|---|
 The City Harmonic in 2015 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Hamilton, Ontario, Canada |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Labels | Kingsway, Integrity |
| Website |
thecityharmonic |
| Members |
|
The City Harmonic is a Juno Award winning Canadian Christian rock band formed in 2009 after having served together as the house worship band for an inter-denominational "worship and mission" event for students[1] in Hamilton, Ontario. Elias Dummer (vocals, keyboards, guitar), Eric Fusilier (bass), Aaron Powell (guitar), and Josh Vanderlaan (drums) collectively make up The City Harmonic.[2] 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".[2] 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.
Career
2010-2011: Introducing the City Harmonic
The band released their debut EP, Introducing the City Harmonic, on November 23, 2010 in Canada and the United States,[3] Their début single, "Manifesto" appeared in the charts in several categories.[4] "Manifesto" remained on Billboard's Christian charts for 15 weeks[5] and was featured as the walk-up song for Oakland Athletics outfielder Seth Smith.[6]
The EP was also released in January 2011 in Britain.[7]
2011-2013: I Have a Dream (It Feels Like Home)
The band released their first full-length album titled I Have a Dream (It Feels Like Home) on October 18, 2011.[8] On November 5, 2011 it peaked at No. 34 on Billboard's Christian Albums chart, and at No. 6 on the Heatseekers Albums chart.[9] A song from this album, "Holy (Wedding Day)", was released on September 21, 2012.[10] As of January 22, 2012 it had reached No. 39 on the Billboard Christian Songs chart and had the fifth biggest jump.[11]
The group was nominated for a 2012 GMA Dove Award for "New Artist of the Year".[12]
On April 20, 2013, the band won a Juno award for Christian/Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year.[13]
2013–present: Heart and We Are
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.[14] 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.,[15] the band released their third full-length album titled We Are on September 4, 2015. Well received by critics. 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.[16][17] 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 the historic 10,000th episode of 100 Huntley Street on YES TV.[18]
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.[19]
2016–2017: Benediction
On November 3, 2016, the band announced that they will be parting ways at mid way through 2017, and announced a final tour, that will include both new and old songs, and that will be compiled into a live worship album.[20][21] The band also announced via a Facebook live event that the final show of the Benediction tour would be where they started in Hamilton, Ontario. They also announced that the tour will not be there last show as they are open to playing at certain festivals and shows in the future.[22]
Lineup
Current members
- Elias Elton Dummer - vocals, keyboards, guitar (2009–present)
- Eric Morgan Fusilier - bass, vocals (2009–2016)
- Aaron Christian Powell - guitar, vocals (2009–present)
- Josh Alexander Vanderlaan - drums (2009–present)
Touring musicians
- Steve Lensink - bass, guitar, vocals (2012–2014, 2016)
Discography
Albums
- 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
Singles
| 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
GMA Covenant Awards
| Year | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2011[25] | 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[26] | 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[27] | 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[28] | 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[29] | Group of the Year | Won |
| Collaboration of the Year | Won | |
| Rap Song of the Year (Collaboration) | Won | |
| 2016[30] | Group of the Year | Nominated |
| Praise & Worship Album Of The Year ("WE ARE") | Nominated |
JUNO Awards[31]
| 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[32]
| Year | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | New Artist of the Year | Nominated |
References
- ↑ "Elias Dummer –". Orthodoxical. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
- 1 2 The City Harmonic Christian Today.
- ↑ The City Harmonic, "Introducing The City Harmonic" Review Jesus Freak Hideout.
- ↑ "News | What a week!". The City Harmonic. January 23, 2011. Retrieved July 2, 2012.
- ↑ "Christian charts' listing for "Manifesto"". Billboard. Retrieved July 2, 2012.
- ↑ "The City Harmonic's "Manifesto" Unifies Christians". Yourmusiczone.com. May 3, 2011. Retrieved June 28, 2012.
- ↑ Introducing The City Harmonic Kingsway UK.
- ↑ "The City Harmonic to release I Have A Dream (It Feels Like Home) 10.18". Thecityharmonic.com. August 31, 2011. Retrieved June 28, 2012.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ "The City Harmonic Announce Cities For Headline USA Tour". The City Harmonic. August 25, 2012. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
- ↑ "Hamilton scores Juno hat-trick". The Hamilton Spectator. April 20, 2013. Retrieved April 21, 2013.
- ↑ webmaster. ""HEART" Now Available Everywhere " The City Harmonic". Thecityharmonic.com. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
- ↑ webmaster. ""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.
- ↑ August 26, 2015 November 30, 2015. "TCH Release Documentary About Church Unity, Church Unity Website | Official Site". The City Harmonic. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
- ↑ "THE CITY HARMONIC TO PART WAYS SUMMER 2017 - The City Harmonic - Official Site". Retrieved November 8, 2016.
- ↑ "Security Check Required". Retrieved November 8, 2016.
- ↑ "The City Harmonic". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2016-11-14.
- ↑ "News". Your Music Zone. June 24, 2011. Retrieved June 28, 2012.
- ↑ "2013 JUNO Award Winners | The JUNO Awards". Junoawards.ca. Retrieved September 4, 2013.
- ↑ webmaster. "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.
- ↑ webmaster. "The City Harmonic Receives First Artist & Group of the Year Gma Canada Covenant Awards Nominations " The City Harmonic". Thecityharmonic.com. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
- ↑ November 1, 2014 May 1, 2015. "TCH Nominated for 6 Covenant Awards | Official Site". The City Harmonic. 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.
- ↑ webmaster. "The City Harmonic Gather Juno Award For I Have A Dream (It Feels Like Home) " The City Harmonic". Thecityharmonic.com. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
- ↑ webmaster. "TCH Receives 'New Artist of the Year' Dove Nomination " The City Harmonic". Thecityharmonic.com. Retrieved October 17, 2013.