Integrity Music announces the signing of Georgia-based worship artist/songwriter Daniel Bashta to an exclusive recording and publishing contract with Bashta’s debut album slated to release in early 2011.
Bashta has been making music for as long as he can remember, starting as a child in New Orleans playing violin and drums and then as a teenager adding guitar and piano to his repertoire. The son of missionaries, Bashta spent time in Mexico, Russia, China, The Netherlands, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Puerto Rico, and Jamaica all before his late teens. It was training that prepared him well for his position as Worship Pastor at RiverStone Church in Kennesaw, Georgia, and as an artist who unites worship, evangelism and social justice.
“Daniel is a unique and gifted worship leader with a heart for prophetic worship and a passion to use the arts to reach this generation,” says John Coleman, Senior Vice President/General Manager for Integrity Music. “Integrity shares his passion, and we are excited about partnering with him.”
"Integrity Music is full of radical dreamers... I am so humbled to be a part of such pioneers. Whatever your view point of them has been in the past, erase it. Get ready to encounter a new army. I can't wait to unleash these sounds to the world with my new family," Bashta said.
Though he had traveled the world on missions’ trips, it was a visit to Amsterdam in The Netherlands that profoundly changed his perspective on evangelism, forever affecting his work and music. At only 17, Bashta moved to Amsterdam to be part of a church plant just outside the infamous “Red Light District.” While there, he experienced first-hand the power of building relationships and trust as catalysts for change and repentance versus an impersonal, “in your face” outreach so often used in evangelism.
“This new breed of missions forever wrecked my life,” he explains. “I had finally found a call and a cause that I could recklessly run with. I truly found the merciful God of the universe, who bleeds with such love for the outcasts of this world, that He would give His life. Then my question to answer was, ‘Why should I not give my life in endless return?’”
That question completely altered Bashta’s spiritual and musical directions. With his family, he moved to Colorado Springs and became a worship leader for New Life Church’s youth ministry. A couple of years later, he returned to Europe to attend International Bible Institute of London. While there, he became involved with Soul Survivor, the church from which Tim Hughes and Matt Redman have birthed so many of today’s modern worship songs.
After finishing school, Bashta returned to the U.S. and joined the staff of Church of the Highlands, then a new church plant in Birmingham, Ala., which has become one of the fastest growing churches in America. It was at Highlands that Bashta met his wife Taylor and further developed the worship-evangelism vision as the couple led students on missions trips to Romania, Germany, Hong Kong and China.
Feeling that God was calling them in a new direction, Bashta resigned from Highlands in 2008 and formed the non-profit ministry GoMotion Worldwide. He also recorded an EP called My Worship in Motion. Since then, he has led worship in the U.S. and internationally in addition to his role at RiverStone.
"The Sounds of Daniel Bashta is truly that... prophetic sounds that capture a movement of this generation, music that provokes you to worship, music that speaks life into dark places. We are excited to be servicing alongside Daniel," said Jay King, VP of A&R/Artist Development.
Additional information on Daniel Bashta and GoMotion is available at http://danielbashta.com.
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Bashta's Sounds Lead a Generation to Worship| Posted August 29, 2011
Daniel Bashta has quite the personal story, a story moving enough to inspire the writing of amazing songs. Add to that Bashta's passion for the church and for the emerging generation, and you have fodder for a special album. Throughout all 14 tracks, The Sounds of Daniel Bashta doesn't just offer new worship songs, but the beatings of a heart desiring to see God’s people fully alive.
The first track, “Dreamers,” could easily serve as the theme song for the entire album. Before any instruments are even introduced, there are sounds of people chatting and milling about, like right before a show or concert begins. Then, slowly the music starts and Bashta sings, “Awake, awake all you dreamers, awake, awake and be free,” calling the Church to “come alive, out of the ruins we will rise.”
Throughout the song, you still can occasionally hear the murmuring of people’s voices in the background, creating the feeling that no one is listening to Bashta’s cry to “wake up all you dreamers, sing you sons of freedom.” Unfortunately this paints an accurate picture of the Church today, comfortable and safe, while God is calling us to wake up and live the lives He died for us to have. And Bashta intends on reminding us of this with every song, from here on out.
“The Sound,” like a lot of songs on this album, starts out with a lone instrument and progressively builds as it gains momentum and energy. Bashta’s single voice echoes in the dark, asking “Hell can you hear me, are you listenin’? Darkness do you fear me, are you tremblin’?” Then a chorus of voices join in, repeating the question and adding, “This is the sound of our generation rising up!” This song has anthemic power and I could see this being sung at conferences, youth events, etc. to unify and rally worshipers. Just listening to it is enough to make someone want to go out and take the world for Jesus.
This album is all about empowering the body of Christ to live in the truth that God has won the battle over sin and the enemy is defeated. “Unlock My Roar” and “Like A Lion” both represent the heart and passion Bashta has for seeing the Church grab hold of this truth. With lyrics like, “The gates of Hell will tremble when love becomes the anthem that we sing,” we are reminded of the power we have as followers of Christ. Singing with determination, “I am the sound, I have the voice, I am the movement, unlock my roar,” Bashta leads a chorus of voices in reminding us we are more capable than we realize. “My God’s not dead, he’s surely alive, he’s living on the inside, roaring like a lion,” shouts Bashta. “Let Heaven roar and fire fall, come shake the ground with the sounds of revival.” These are the words of a man fully on fire for God and His kingdom coming to earth.
Several tracks are more personal and purely worshipful, giving listeners a chance to reflect on their individual walks with God. “Potter’s Wheel”, “Pursuit” (featuring Bethel's Kim Walker), “Offering” and “With Everything,” are about making our lives reflect God and His will for us. After all, we can’t expect to reach others for Jesus if we ourselves aren’t seeking after Him and allowing Him to fill us.
With just the strumming of a guitar and strings in the background, “Heaven” is a beautiful song about asking God to make “heaven, come down.” Featuring Mac Powell of Third Day, this track is pure worship and contains a genuine desire for God to establish His kingdom here on Earth. Bashta sings, “I’m not looking for just another touch, I’m just looking for the real Jesus,” and as the chorus of voices join in, it’s obvious these lyrics come from a man seeking after God’s own heart.
Closing Thoughts:
With every song on this album, Daniel Bashta strives to break through the fog and haze that sometimes settles on the Church today. With each lyric, Bashta speaks truth to God and the enemy, calling the church to action. Believing that “worship with no action equals a dead God and dead faith,” Bashta desires to see this generation rise up and take back what we’ve allowed sin to destroy. This may not be your average worship album – full of praise and admiration – but what brings more praise to God than living a life fully alive for Him? My guess is Daniel Bashta would say nothing and after being infected with his contagious passion for living a missional life, I’d have to agree. A movement is brewing and Daniel Bashta is among those leading the charge. Let's join it!
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