Details
- UPC:080688614843
- Publisher:Word Records
- Date Published:Oct 2001
- Song Count:11
- Format:Album
- Media:Audio Cassette Tape
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Biography
Downhere: Biography
“Walk this life beneath the stars/Contemplate just who we are/Against the backdrop of knowing God”—from “Larger Than Life”
Young, full of wonder and idealism, but tempered with a mature faith—these are some of the qualities that distinguish the members of downhere. With music that stirs the emotions and calms the soul, this pop/rock band is driven to speak to its culture with lyrics that read like contemporary psalms—both deftly poetic and unmistakably clear.
Produced by Nathan Nockels (Passion: One Day, Watermark, Point of Grace) and the band itself, downhere’s first nationally released album features a modern rock approach that nods to the musical influences of bands as diverse as Sugar Ray, Queen, Barenaked Ladies and dc Talk. Its combination of energetic pop songs and acoustic-based ballads is rife with possibilities for hit singles on Christian radio and more importantly, the ability to impact the lives of its listeners.
Comprised of co-founders (and pastor’s kids) Jason Germain (vocals, keyboards, guitars) and Marc Martel (vocals, lead guitar), the band formed while the two were rooming together as students at Briercrest Bible College in Caronport, Saskatchewan, Canada. While there, Jason and Marc took a recording arts class together, where they learned the craft of engineering and production, and recorded a demo of their first songs while continuing in their other studies and ministry involvement. Jeremy Thiessen, an athlete and drummer also studying at Briercrest, joined them soon after, as did bassist Glenn Lavender, whom they later met in Florida at a World Vision Artist Retreat.
One of the things that makes the band ready for prime time is its experience as a live act. Last summer’s touring took them through 17 (American) states, 6 (Canadian) provinces and even into Mexico—all without a record deal. In 2000, the Prairie Music Awards (honoring bands of all genres from the central provinces of Canada) awarded the band Festival Act of the Year (over 60 bands were in the competition, only a handful of which were Christian), and Outstanding Contemporary Christian Album of the Year for their indie project released on Slyngshot Records in 1999.
Even with the band’s relentless touring, the members of downhere insist it was never their dream to sign with a major label and move to the States…let alone Nashville. Nevertheless, in the spring of 2001, they made the move to Franklin, TN to start the next phase of a work that seems to bear the fingerprints of God on it.
“We didn’t intend to pursue this as a career in the beginning. We were just writing songs and leading worship or performing wherever we could,” says Marc. Adds Jason, “We still want to be idealistic, but not naďve; willing to get hurt and take the hit for what God has called us to do.”
In an age of increasing cynicism, statements like the one above are refreshing—and are typical of their view of ministry. Despite their notable talents and many successes, the guys maintain their down-to-earth attitudes and desire to connect with people on a personal level.
“Our name downhere implies that we’re going to be real people on and off the stage—not hiding in the pastor’s study before and after the concert,” explains Glenn. “We want to hang out with people, shoot hoops with people, pray with people… and we consider all of that an act of worship.”
One of the most remarkable things about downhere is the band’s willingness to serve the local church, participating in and ministering through the already-existing ministries. Explains Jeremy, “We’re pretty flexible on the road, making a concerted effort to find out beforehand the needs of the church we’re going to be playing at in order to facilitate what’s already going on there. We’re very intentional about meeting people and praying with people before and after…”
“To the point of being uncomfortable for me,” interrupts Glenn, (with a smile). “It’s not always an easy thing to go up to a stranger and say, ‘Hi, I’m Glenn. Wanna talk?’”
“And that brings us back to the songs,” says Jason. “We want to write songs that actually inspire us and stir up our deepest convictions about who God is and how we’re going to apply that to our lives. That’s where it starts… and then as we sing these songs, we’re challenged—by the songs and even by our name itself—to do that which we’re writing about: reconciling ourselves to God first and then reconciling ourselves to one another.”
About the Album
Larger Than Life
“It’s a recognition of the relationship that we have with each other as Christians within the Body through our relationship with God. Because we know God, this relationship is deeper and a little bit more crazy than what the rest of the world can offer.” —Jason
Free Me Up
“This was actually inspired by a missions trip to Mexico we had the privilege of being a part of, partnering with a youth group building houses for very poor families in the slums of Tijuana. The group leader challenged us to not be bound by the things we’ve accumulated in our lives – thus the first line of the song which says, ‘I’m giving up my electro TV things.’ If we are allowing things – possessions, relationships, etc. - to tie us down to the extent that we can’t go where we’re called, we have a problem.” —Marc
Reconcile
“This is becoming a big ministry song for us, as we are starting to focus our ministry more on the process of reconciliation. An experience with a friend of mine really helped me to understand how important this is, not only in my life, but throughout the Body of Christ.” —Marc
Raincoat
“It’s a simple picture of God as our protector and provider.” —Marc
Great Are You
“God has revealed himself in two ways to humankind: through His Word (which includes Jesus’ time on Earth) and through creation. We need to have more of a holy fear about coming before God, and this song is an attempt to say, ‘Who am I to talk to You?’ We want this song to cause people to meditate on the plan of God on our behalf, and entice a life of reverence.” —Jason
Calmer of the Storm
“It’s a song that encourages us to turn things over to God when storms come along and rock our boat. When this happens -and it will happen- we ask, ‘where’s my trust? What do I lean on?’” —Jason
Making Me
“There are all these things that I am and could be as an artist, but there is this other Artist working on me. This is a prayer to God recognizing that although I don’t know what He’s doing in my life, I desire to have a glimpse of it. There’s a recognition of the wrestling going on between God and I as I try to understand who I’m supposed to be as an artist and what I’m supposed to say to His people.” —Jason
From Protest to Praise
“I was working at a Bible conference at a Christian family resort as the worship leader, and a guest speaker gave a sermon on Psalm 52 which is a pretty dark, depressing psalm. He pointed out how so many Christians skip over psalms like this because of the tone of it. But at the end of this particular psalm, David praises God because of his faithfulness as he sees how God brought him through these trials for a specific reason. It’s about a journey from one side of a situation to the other.” —Marc
Breathing In
“This song speaks to the hope of eternity. With my writing, I’ve always wanted to capture the idea of music in heaven and have wondered what that will look and sound like. It’s a song of anticipation.” –Jason
So Blue
“ ‘So Blue’ is a song of mourning for the sin in the world. It asks a lot of questions about this fallen place we live in. Sin is at the root of this, of course, and the song just attempts to say, ‘This is a rough place. We come from broken places. God heals.’ When we bring it back to the cross, we find Jesus there bearing these feelings. He was ‘so blue’ for us all.” —Jason
All the Reasons Why
“This was written as we anticipated our feelings surrounding the move from Canada to Nashville. The last thing the world needs is another rock band coming to Nashville and making a hit record, but we believe God has called us to do this thing and we are trying to be faithful. As artists, the most natural way to explore and express who God is, and who we are, is through music. This song is a testimony of why as a band we are ‘down here.’” —Jason
Lyrics
Downhere: Lyrics
Larger than Life
Walk this life beneath the stars
Contemplate just who we are
Against the backdrop of knowing God
Seasons pass, they come and go
But one thing keeps its worth in gold
A timeless bond, sharing dreams we hold
Chorus
It’s larger than life, it’s larger than we
It’s bigger than you, it’s bigger than me
It’s larger than life
There’s something here that tells me so
I was not made to walk alone
It sharpens me to know we stand as one
Will our lives reflect the Maker
Of the sky we’re living under
It changes all to know You’re really there
When the space between us falls apart
You’re the bridge that spans our hearts
You’re larger than life, You’re larger than we
Who’s bigger than You? You’re bigger than me
You’re larger than life
Raincoat
I’m looking for a friend to hold the door
It’s cold outside when I don’t know where to find
A sheltered place secluded from the race
Of this old life
And as I walked out in the down poor with no raincoat
I was soaked down to the bone from head to toe
Without my raincoat, anywhere I may go
I still get wet somehow
I found that friend, He’s with me till the end
He’s promised me that he won’t forsake His own
And when a promise never ends
It can only mean one thing… it’s from above
Now I walk out in the down poor with my raincoat
And after all is said and done, He’s still the One
With my raincoat, anywhere I may go I know I’m all right
Breathing In
Death is no conflict, for those who do belong,
The very last life breath, starts a brand new song
Promised to find, what I’ve been looking for,
I guess then we will meet right at Heaven’s door…
Chorus
As I wander the streets of gold
Talk to all the friends I’ve known
We’ll go adore the Master King,
Then only then I’ll be breathing in.
For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain,
When I leave this earth, I’m not coming back again
So I wear this life like a dirty coat,
Give up my tattered threads when I cross the moat.
Life has no conflict, for those who do belong,
This very moment can start whole new songs
When I pass through; die, as we all shall do,
I’m going to fall at the feet of the one who created me
and you
Only peace, no disease, no more rain, no more pain,
No more tears, no more fears…
Breathing in.
Reconcile
We’ve both been mistreated, no wish to repeat this
You’re sorry – you wonder
If ever I’ll show you grace again
My vision is tunneled, my motives, oh so rageful
But the mirror I’m reading
Says “forgive, and then forgive again”
Though there’s a wrong
A grudge will tear us down
We wait too long, the air turns stale
Will we reconcile?
It’s all we’re needing… reconcile
It’s all we’re needing to mend these broken smiles
Oh miserable me, miserable you
The walls erected between us
You keep your side, I’ll not intrude
And we’ll get used to this denial
Turn our heads and wait a while
Much too long, the air turns stale
Will we reconcile?
Calmer of the Storm
When everything is wrong
The day has passed and nothing's done
And the whole world seems against me
When I'm rolling in my bed, there's a storm in my head
I'm afraid of sinking in despair.
Chorus
Teach me, Lord to have faith
In what you're bringing me will
Change my life and bring you glory
There on the storm I am learning to let go
Of the will that I so long to control
There may I be in your arms eternally
I thank you, Lord, you are the calmer of the storm.
You rebuke the wind and the waves
Once again I find I'm amazed & the power of your will
Cuz I'm a child of little faith
I feel the wind and forget your grace
And you say, "Peace, be still."
There on the storm I am learning to let go
The white wave's high, it's crashing o'er the deck
And I don't know where I go
Where are you Lord, is my ship going down?
The mast is gone so throw the anchor
Should I jump and try to swim to land?
There on the storm, teach me God to understand
Of the Will that I just cannot control
There may I see all you love protecting me
I thank you Lord, you are the calmer of the storm.
So Blue
Shallow capacity is bearing all I see, and I know
It’s disease, it’s loss, it’s death knocking at my door
I click these thoughts to something else, something more.
I’m so blue, you’re so blue.
Detached harmonies, all the airways scream dissonance
And we know of broken life, broken homes,
Broken hearts and broken bones,
Recycling the paper of a crying world’s suicide note and
We’re so blue, so blue. See the world spinning round
A sucking hole that souls go down
Embrace the sorrow of today because repentance finds a way
Only His blood can heal our wounds
Only His blood can heal our wounds
And if repentance finds a way, what’s left today to be… blue?
A final symphony,
The precipice too close, you’re scaring me - back away
Sin is real, it doesn’t feel, It always, only always, steals.
Run to the cross the only joy that’s real.
From Protest To Praise
I knew the times would come and now the times have landed
With stinging abrasion As ready as I seem to be
It’s never like I planned it, yeah
Pre-Chorus
I’m wrestling my thoughts I’m overcome
Would you give me up I’m asking Lord
There’s no where I sense Your presence here
So I will cry out, until I go
Chorus
From Protest to praise
You’re always amazing me
You’re changing me slow, but surely
And You’re gonna see me to the end
How long will I be forgotten by You forever
You’re not making sense here
Seems like eternity has made a home between us, yeah
Pre-Chorus/Chorus (2X)
You’re changing me slow
I just can’t help but see it that way
Cuz You’re gonna see me to the end
All The Reasons Why
Well we’re thrown out on a stage
To find our paths to yesterday
When the world was so much smaller
And we were free, free to be
Well we all moved to the big town
And we all put on the big sound
Truly what would we sing for
If it wasn’t for Your Grace
Chorus
And we sing ‘cause You are bigger
Than any reference we could make
And we dance until we’re tired
‘Cause we know Your name is great
On our journey give us Grace
As we follow lines Your hand will trace
You have called us to a crown
But for a time, to taste the ground
Give us edge by ones You love
Shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves
Songs will always find their endings
But Your story never dies, that’s why…
And we sing ‘cause you are bigger
Than any reference we should make
And we dance until we’re tired
‘Cause we know your name is great
And we sing ‘cause you are bigger
Than any reference we could make
And we dance until we’re tired
‘Cause we know your name is great
Great you Are
How I love You’re works
My God, My King
How I love You’re works
My God, My King
You’re Name rings on the plains
Like a not so distant train
And Love and history are near
In the flowers that you make
The flowers that you make
Chorus
Because I’ll never hold the picture
Of the whole horizon in my view
Because I’ll never rip the night in two
It makes me wonder
Who am I, Who am I, Who am I
And great are you
How I love You’re Word
My God, My King
How I love You’re Word
My God, My King
You’re love cuts through these pages to my heart
As you grieve our sins, right from the start
And sacrifice and paradise are in
The plans that you made, The plans that you made
Chorus (2x)
Free Me Up
I’m giving up my electro TV things
I don’t ever need, no… anything like that again
Cuz I wanna stay on the move and
I wanna drop these chains
Well you’d be surprised what you can leave behind
It keeps me looking upward
Chorus
You free me up to live this life far from any Earthly sense of home
There’s a place where I belong but there’s nothing here I really own
I really own
Do you deem this to be extreme behavior?
A little bit too ideal
You call it young man’s fever
But I’ve got my treasure stored beyond Heaven’s gates
And you’d be surprised what lies behind them
It keeps me looking upward
You free me up live this life far from any Earthly sense of home
There’s a place where I belong but there’s nothing here
But there’s nothing here, there’s nothing here
No there’s nothing here I really own
I really own
Bridge
All that you find here, you will lose it
All you find here, you will lose it
All you gain here on earth, you’ll lose in the end
All you gain here on earth, you will lose it... Lose it
Making Me
Well the poet is stuck in the mud
And the dreamer is finding his way home from the stars
And the visionary’s watching his feet
‘Cause the sentimental fool is numb again
Simple hand, simple eye, nothing to write home about
Yet the artist chisels at the stone
Curious, the child tugs the fingers of the bigger
He wants to see the face that is his own
He’s not alone
Lord Help me be the one You’re making me, yeah
Lord help me see the one You’re making me
The one You’re making me, the one You’re making me
Well we push it off and pull Him in
We fist His lips and we kick His shin
We post a sign, turn and throttle away
And barely listen to a single word He has to say.
By his eye a tendril fell
He cast a word, but not a spell
It’s all tied up… it’s all done
I was a cancer, but you have made me a son
Lord Help me be the one You’re making me, yeah
Lord help me see the one You’re making me
The one You’re making me, the one You’re making me
I feel the wild whims of the wicked as I wonder whether
Ashes burn twice or these thoughts be put under a fire
To be burned as I have tried to learn from the whisper of His will
While I am standing still
And the night fell fast, I crashed and blast my prayers like through a megaphone
Aimed all of my feelings at the ceiling
Cuz I want to know who I am
And if I really have a Home
Lord Help me be the one You’re making me, yeah
Lord help me see the one You’re making me
The one You’re making me, the one You’re making me
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