Picture eight musicians whose musical influences are as varied as could be imagined, whose diverse life experiences would never find a place in the same biography, and whose highly-individual coffee preferences send waiters into a spin. These musicians find unity and purpose in something external to themselves: a love of Jesus Christ and a desire to proclaim his name through song. Collectively, these musicians are Garage Hymnal.
2009 was an amazing year for Garage Hymnal. The band recorded and released its third studio album, produced by multi-ARIA award winning producer David Nicholas (Sting, Elton John, Delta Goodrem, The Whitlams, George) and gained regular rotation on Sydney's premier Christian radio station, Hope FM, as well as national airplay on ABC's Radio National. In addition to playing a truly memorable sold out album launch, the band toured extensively throughout New South Wales, traversing the Blue Mountains, North Coast, New England, and wider Sydney regions. Garage Hymnal was also privileged to visit numerous churches to assist musicians in their approach to congregational music - a feature of the band's schedule that sets it apart from many others.
Also setting the band apart since its formation in 2004 is its focus on writing congregational worship music - music we can all sing. 'Take My Life', Garage Hymnal's debut album, hit the shelves in 2006. Soon after its release it took out a finalist position in the MusicOz awards, and live footage was syndicated on Christian TV channels across the word from Romania to the USA. The sophomore album 'Bring on the Day' followed soon after in 2007. Churches across the world are now singing songs from all three albums.
Still, 2010 is shaping up to be the band's most exciting year yet. Honoured to once again be the worship band at Sydney's highly-popular KYCK weekends in April, the band also made its Queensland debut that month at Australia's largest gospel music festival, Easterfest (alongside artists such as Newsboys, Superchick and Stan Walker). Having recently enjoyed a weekend of gigs in Canberra, the band looks forward to continuing its interstate travels with its first visit to Melbourne in September.
Garage Hymnal is Steph Vanden Hengel (vocals), Alanna Rodgers (vocals), Richard Fenton (guitar), Greg Cooper (guitar), Cedric Tang (guitar), Andy Judd (keys), Trent Prees (bass) and Andrew Massey (drums). They can't wait to see you at a show!