Rend Collective Experiment a smashing success on tour

* Rend Collective Members are pictured on tour at Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, IN March 9.  Photos credit:  Nicole Murphy

Hailing from Bangor, Northern Ireland, Rend Collective Experiment released its international debut Organic Family Hymnal to widespread critical acclaim.  A movement of 20-somethings that began in Ireland and spread across Europe before hitting the Americas has now officially added the U.S. to its groundswell as tens of thousands of worship music fans experience the infectious Rend Collective Experiment on its first U.S. national tour with Chris Tomlin that began Feb. 15 and has already logged 23 sold out events.  Wrapping up April 16 in Seattle, WA, the 30-city major market “And If Our God Is For Us…” tour also features Louie Giglio with special guest Christy Nockels (see remaining tour dates below).

Charting a unique course, Rend Collective Experiment is a group of friends collectively wondering how to make sense of the conundrum of life, God and community.  What Rend Collective Experiment’s members add to the conversation are melodies, harmonic progression and lyrics that are scriptural and contemporary, fresh and ancient. The resulting mix has sparked Rhapsody to name the band among the Top 5 Christian/Gospel artists to watch in 2011 as Gospel Music Channel named Organic Family Hymnal among the “Best Albums of 2010.”  Here is what some of those attending the tour have said about the band on its Facebook page (www.facebook.com/rendcollectiveexperiment):

“I totally just saw you guys here in wichita falls, and let me tell you, you guys are one of the greatest christian bands I have ever heard, thanks so much for such an amazing night, you guys are awesome…” – Tyler

“Just saw you guys in Hershey, PA. Thank You so much for blessing us in Worship! Please let me know were I can get a recording of your rendition of ‘Be Thou My Vision.’ Words can not express how my heart was moved that night.” – Randy

“Saw you all for the very first time in Baltimore (3/17) and I must say you all rocked! I cannot wait to get my hands on your cd. Thank you all for a great night of worship!” – Ashley

“I saw you in Cincinnati. You are my new favorite band. Your CD is awesome.” – John

“Awesome job in West Palm Beach last night! That was first time I have ever heard you guys, and I was greatly impressed! I hope that rendition of ‘Be Thou My Vision’ releases soon because I want it!” – Adam

“Went to your concert in Lakeland this past Saturday night with my son and daughter. They really, really enjoyed you. We have been listening to your CD all weekend. God is using you in a mighty way.” – Sandra

“Saw you guys with Chris Tomlin last night in Sarasota/Bradenton. Wow! You guys are awesome. Keep up the great work. We bought your CD on itunes today :)” – Dan

“I heard you guys play for the first time yesterday in Jacksonville, FL and you guys blew me away! It was wonderful! You guys are one of my favorite bands now!” – Nathalie

“Burlington, NC witnessed some authentic, heartfelt 2011-style worship. Our kids are getting it. I just want to encourage you to keep on doing what you’re doing – with creativity, power, and passion.” – Ed

“Loved the music tonight at HBC. Your messages about God through your music was incredible. Never heard of you guys till last week. Your one of my favorite bands now. God will use you and your music to touch so many lives.” – Joey

“Saw you at Willow Creek and all our son wanted from our weekend in Schaumburg was a Rend Collective CD. Thanks for making music a teen likes that his parents can like too.” – Steven

“I was blown away from the second you started playing! I was at the concert in Chicago with my family, and we bought your album. We haven’t stopped playing it yet…” – Sarah

“TOTALLY telling ALL my friends about you guys….I want them all to hear your music and support your ministry… well, God’s ministry 🙂 I was SO blessed by you all, March 5th in Chattanooga.” – Melanie

“Thank you so much for coming to Jonesboro, AR yesterday. Loved the creative worship. It was so impactful.” – Ricki

“I saw you in Madison, WI last night…Such a worshipful experience! I brought several teens that I work with to the concert and some of them were (are) really struggling with personal and family issues. You were a blessing to them.” – Katie

“Your concert was awesome last night in Fort Wayne. Thank you for all do to worship God, and I love your CD, got it last night.” – Drake

“Worshiped with you in Springfield Illinois tonight!! Thanks so much, it was outstanding!!!” – Merriane

Amidst all of the Facebook acclaim, Rend Collective members also took note of the multiple requests for a recording of the song they played live on the tour, “You Are My Vision.”  As a result, the band has announced its plans to record and release the song in September.  NewReleaseTuesday.com called Rend Collective’s version of the hymn “an amazing performance” as a Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster Sunday News writer said the “group’s altered, powerfully-done version” of the song was one of many highlights during the band’s set.  “I am so glad…I was hoping to get a hold of it after hearing you all do it last night in KC!” said Erica, as numerous other Facebook fans responded to the news of the forthcoming single.

Endorsed by Dr. Tony Campolo, Francis Chan and David Crowder, and acclaimed by Worship Leader, CCM, Worship Musician, Indie Vision Music, CBA Retailers + Resources, Crosswalk.com, JesusFreakHideout.com, HollywoodJesus and many more, Rend Collective Experiment is a nod to the places in Scripture where it says to “rend your hearts” and not your garments, a bold call to be genuine. “We’re a ‘collective’ that is not into the celebrity aspect of the worship scene – a bunch of guys and ladies, a body, an experiment in progress,” explains Rend Collective Experiment member Gareth Gilkeson, helping to underscore why the band’s press images do not feature individual faces.

In that ‘collective’ spirit, Rend Collective Experiment recently invited the first 50 people to respond to its newsletter/online invitation to join them for its next video shoot for the song “Come On,” which opens Organic Family Hymnal.  Already known for its creative videos, the new addition has been released internationally and can be viewed on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SswMKsFaHWE.

For more information on Rend Collective Experiment and Organic Family Hymnal, go to www.rendcollectiveexperiment.com.

The remaining “And If Our God Is For Us…” tour dates follow:

* Tour dates subject to change.

About Kingsway:

Tracing its music heritage to 1969, Kingsway today is known as a leader in Worship Music. As the creator of Thank You Music, and later in partnership with EMI, its catalogue includes songs such as “Here I Am to Worship,” “In Christ Alone,” “Everlasting God” and “Blessed Be Your Name” to name a few.

Kingsway’s songs are sung in more than 300,000 churches worldwide accounting for over 30% of CCLI’s (Church Copyright Licensing International) bestseller list. With writers and artists like Tim Hughes, Matt Redman, Delirious?, Graham Kendrick and Stuart Townend, Kingsway is dedicated to feeding the Church with songs that will change the world. As the music arm of David C Cook, a non-profit organization located in Colorado Springs, CO, a significant portion of the profits that Kingsway and David C Cook generate are used to provide discipleship and music materials free of charge to church leaders in developing parts of the world who wouldn’t be able to get them any other way.

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Doug Van Pelt

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