Receive a 42% discount when you order Chair & Microphone, Vol. 2 in a 30 pack!
PRESS RELEASE AUGUST 2006
The Artist:
Aaron Strumpel is an artist based out of Louisville, Colorado. Since graduating from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, he has spent five years touring 40 different states, playing over 400 shows on college campuses and in communities across the United States with a group called The Restoration Project. His heart for helping people has led him into community with the Enter the Worship Circle family. These Worship Circle albums have sold well over 100,000 copies worldwide. Aaron Strumpel is the featured artist for Chair and Microphone, Vol. 2 and it is his unique songwriting and performance that make this album a must-listen for singer-songwriter fans.
The Album:
This is the second album in a unique volume within the greater Worship Circle series. It is a raw recording of one artist and one instrument with no overdubs and no polished studio production. The goal is to let the artist be both accessible and vulnerable. This recording is an unapologetic conversation with God, and it has the power to lead the listener on a journey to protest, adore, discover, and relocate inside of that conversation. Musically, it might be compared to artists like Damien Rice or Ryan Adams, but it would be wise to listen to Aaron with new ears--there is no one quite like him.
The Pressure:
The protest in this album is on behalf of the hurting in the world. Aaron’s international ministry experience has broken his heart for the poor and oppressed. Aaron rides a tidal wave of personal energy as a follower of Jesus in the arena of justice and action on behalf of the undefended. His album, his concerts, and his lifestyle promote help for others. Aaron has a genuine compassion for the hurting, not just an affiliation with a cause. Notable tour highlights and relationships that indicate Aaron’s work in justice and compassion work:
Generous Orthodoxy Conference with Brian McLaren, 2005
Mustard Seed Conference with Tom Sine, 2006
Source in Minneapolis, Urban ministry for addicts and homeless
Compassion International partnership
Five months of Ministry Tours in Bolivia and Peru
Presently working with the One Campaign and similar works
The Future:
Aaron seeks to engage young adults in advocacy through transformational worship. Practically this means...
Presenting worship concert events
Drawing hearts closer to a compassionate God
Building a vision for the Family of God without borders
Expressing faith through tangible action for the poor
Aaron is presently booking concerts nationally/internationally featuring Chair and Microphone, Vol. 2. Many events are expected on university campuses. His concerts will include educational media for AIDS, hunger, and other needs where fans can get involved personally. Booking information, promotional packages, merchandise, and internet resources are being made available at www.entertheworshipcircle.com/http://www.entertheworshipcircle.com/chairandmicrophone.php
Worship Circle Records
This creative community was established in 1993 by Ben and Robin Pasley, the creators and producers of the best selling Enter The Worship Circle family of recordings including the tribal First Circle, Second Circle, Third Circle; the electronic series Village Thrift; and the acoustic Chair and Microphone. Their studios are in Woodland Park, CO.
From Phantom Tollbooth:
"This collection of sixteen intense, arresting songs continues the unwavering tradition of superb songwriting, authentic worship, and quality recordings produced by Ben Pasley’s Worship Circle series. Unlike the initial three “unplugged” Worship Circle albums, which swell with sweet harmonies, smooth guitars and exotic percussion, the Chair and Microphone discs (Pasley himself recorded vol. 1 in 2004) are minimalistic in scope: one voice, one guitar. These brave, bare efforts could easily fail due to all that’s missing; however, Strumpel follows Pasley’s outstanding lead and delivers in the most magnificent way." Read More?
From Suite 101:
"As stated, there is much to lead the heart to adoration as well, most notably the soaring praises of "Twenty-three," the affirmations of "Centuries," and the nimble and melodic closer, "For Joy." Strumpel gets a very full sound from this simple chair and mic, as well as the opportunity to reference an old jazz hero on the muscular pleaser "Coltrane." Another favorite for me was "Hosanna," intimate and honest. If your soul has the slightest crack of access, Strumpel will find it and haunt you with his daring and challenging truths. Hopefully, his music will also relocate you to a place of willing service as well." Read more?
The song on track 5 was cooked up at the close of the recording session, and the passion of the moment is so clear even the microphone seems to stress with the emotion.
The whole album was tracked at the Bear Trap Ranch high in the mountains near Colorado Springs. It's amazing that at 8,000 feet above sea level Aaron could get enough air to do this amazing work...
Thanks, Keith, and the Bear Trap staff for making the experience so perfect for us...as always!
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