The City Harmonic

Last updated

The City Harmonic
The City Harmonic One.jpg
The City Harmonic in 2015
Background information
Origin Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Genres
Years active2009–2017
Labels Kingsway, Integrity
Past members
  • Elias Dummer
  • Eric Fusilier
  • Aaron Powell
  • Josh Vanderlaan
Website thecityharmonic.com

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.

Contents

History

The 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

Members

Touring musicians

Discography

Albums

Singles

YearSinglePeak chart positionsAlbumSales
US
Christ
2010"Manifesto"19Introducing 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

YearAwardResult
2011 [21] New Artist of the YearWon
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 YearWon
Artist of the YearNominated
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 YearNominated
Album of the Year (HEART)Nominated
Artist of the YearNominated
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 YearWon
Collaboration of the YearWon
Rap Song of the Year (Collaboration)Won
2016 [26] Group of the YearNominated
Praise & Worship Album Of The Year ("WE ARE")Nominated
2018Group of the YearNominated
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

YearAwardResult
2013Contemporary Christian and Gospel Album of the Year (I Have A Dream (It Feels Like Home))Won
2014Contemporary Christian and Gospel Album of the Year (HEART)Nominated
2015Contemporary Christian and Gospel Album of the Year (We Are)Nominated

Dove Awards

YearAwardResult
2012New Artist of the YearNominated

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References

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  3. The City Harmonic, "Introducing The City Harmonic" Review Jesus Freak Hideout. 11/21/10, by Ryan Barbee
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  5. Introducing The City Harmonic Kingsway UK.
  6. "I Have a Dream (It Feels Like Home) - The City Harmonic". Billboard. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  7. ""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.
  8. "Holy (Wedding Day) - The City Harmonic". Billboard. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  9. "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
  10. "Hamilton scores Juno hat-trick". The Hamilton Spectator. April 20, 2013. Retrieved April 21, 2013.
  11. ""HEART" Now Available Everywhere " The City Harmonic". Thecityharmonic.com. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
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  14. "The City Harmonic - Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
  15. "100 Huntley Street: October 14 Evening, 2015". 100huntley.com. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
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