Sons of Korah (band)

Sons of Korah is a Christian band founded in 1994 in Geelong, Victoria, Australia. It takes its name from the biblical family of the same name. The band is known for putting Psalms to music.[1] The lyrics for their songs are taken almost verbatim from the book of Psalms.[2] As of 2014, the band has interpreted over 50 of the 150 Psalms into songs. Speaking of the band's focus on the Psalms, founder Matthew Jacoby said "...the psalms are important today because we tend to romanticise spirituality a lot and these songs present biblical spirituality in its original form, very real and yet present in such stunning poetic form. It is a perfect blend of spiritual realism with aesthetic and artistic integrity."[3]

Sons of Korah
Performing in Dapto in November 2017
Background information
OriginGeelong, Victoria, Australia
GenresAcoustic, Folk, CCM, Christian rock, Latin
Years active1994–present
Labels5ive
Websitewww.sonsofkorah.com
Members
  • Matthew Jacoby
  • Mike Avery
  • Bruce Walker
  • Rod Wilson
  • Anna Waters
Past members
  • Richard Beechey
  • Jason Coghill
  • Marcus Hayden
  • Jayden Lee
  • Mike McCarthy
  • Ann-Maree Keefe
  • Rod Gear

History

Sons of Korah formed in 1994 while founding members Matthew Jacoby, Jason Coghill and Rod Gear attended the Reformed Theological College in Geelong. In 1996 the band recorded their first album Hand to the Plough. After this release, Coghill officially left the band, however he returned briefly to help record their first widely distributed album Light of Life in 1998. Light of Life was recorded live in the studio on analogue reel-to-reel.[4][5] As a solo artist, Coghill has continued to record music based on the Psalms.[6] Redemption Songs was released in November 2000. It is often cited as the band's most popular album.[7] 2001 saw the release of a box set of their recorded albums. The box set included a re-recorded EP version of their first album Hand to the Plough.[8] In 2002 Marcus Hayden left the band to pursue a solo career.[9] Jayden Lee joined in 2004 and helped write many of the songs for their next album Resurrection. Gear did not participate in the recording of this album or its subsequent tour while he worked on a solo album.[10] Lee left the band in 2008 and moved to the United States. Mike McCarthy then joined as the group's lead guitarist. Gear also returned to the band after recording a solo album Barak. After appearing on a number of albums as a backing vocalist, Ann-Maree Keefe joined Sons of Korah on tour and often opens their concerts as a solo artist. Rain was released in 2008. A reviewer commented on the "amount of light and shade"[11] in the album, with another calling it "An enthralling musical journey through some of the Bible’s most enduring psalms".[12] Bruce Walker joined the band after the release of Rain, replacing McCarthy as the group's lead guitarist. The band's next album Wait was released in 2011 while Refuge was released in 2014. In 2016, Keefe left the band to pursue a solo career. Anna Waters replaced her as backing vocalist. Fractures is their newest album released in February 2017.

On a few occasions past members of the band have had a chance to join again on stage. In 2012, Hayden played a few songs at a concert in Melbourne.[13] Lee also played with the band again while they toured the United States in 2013.[14] Sons of Korah tour regularly in their home country Australia often appearing at Christian festivals such as Easterfest[15] and Black Stump.[16] They have also toured the United Kingdom,[17] The Netherlands[18] and the United States. They have appeared on ABC Radio National's The Rhythm Divine[19] and BBC Radio York radio shows to support their tours.

Discography

Studio albums

Live albums
  • Live Recordings Vol.1 (Wordsong Artists, 2010)
  • Live Recordings Vol.2 (Wordsong Artists, 2013)

EPs
  • Hand to the Plough (Wordsong Artists, 2001)

Videography
  • Sons of Korah: Live (Wordsong Artists, 2010)
  • Sons of Korah: Live in the Netherlands (Wordsong Artists, 2013)

References
  1. "Australian Acoustic Group "Sons of Korah" Are Sold Out To The Psalms". Retrieved 19 January 2014.
  2. "Singing psalms". Retrieved 15 April 2014.
  3. "Matt Jacoby Reveals All – An Interview with the Sons of Korah". 3 June 2008. Retrieved 19 January 2014.
  4. "Sons of Korah Blog, Light of Life was our first full studio album".
  5. "Sons of Korah Blog, Sons of Korah Alumni Report: Jason Coghill: Jason..."
  6. "Ministry of Psalms - Jason Coghill".
  7. "Sons of Korah Blog, Behind the scenes: Psalm 24. Redemption Songs has..."
  8. "Sons Of Korah: Acoustic musicianaries bringing a fresh interpretation of the Psalms". 22 September 2010. Retrieved 19 January 2014.
  9. "SoundClick: Sons of Korah".
  10. "sons of korah".
  11. "Sight Magazine Story".
  12. "Review: Sons of Korah, "RAIN" ← William Chong".
  13. "Sons of Korah Blog, Pictures of our concert in Melbourne at St. Judes..."
  14. "Facebook Update".
  15. "international | The Australian Gospel Music Festival". Christian Activities. 27 February 2005.
  16. "Aussie Christian Gigs – Black Stump artists announced + tickets on sale NOW!". Aussiechristiangigs.com.au. 22 February 1999.
  17. "Aussie band Sons of Korah in town". Boston Standard. 27 April 2011.
  18. "Sons of Korah terug naar Nederland | Sons of Korah". Sonsofkorah.nl.
  19. "The Psalms Project - The Rhythm Divine - ABC Radio National (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)". Abc.net.au. 25 August 2013.
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