The City Harmonic

The City Harmonic is a Canadian Christian rock band based in Hamilton, Ontario. Elias Dummer (vocals, keyboards, guitar), Eric Fusilier (bass), Aaron Powell (guitar), and Josh Vanderlaan (drums) collectively make up The City Harmonic.[1] Their music has been described as "nostalgic Brit-pop meets campfire sing-along mix that features raucous gang vocals along with agile, soaring anthems crafted to include the listener".[1] Musically, their sound is often compared to artists like Coldplay, Keane, Aqualung, the Fray, or Arcade Fire. In 2011 they won three Covenant Awards from GMA Canada for New Artist of the Year, Recorded Song of the Year and Modern Worship Song of the Year. In 2013 they won Covenant Awards for Group of the Year and Praise and Worship Song of the Year. They also won a Juno Award for the 2013 Christian/Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year. After announcing that they would retire, the band recorded their final show, which was released as a live album, Benediction (Live), on June 23, 2017.

The City Harmonic
The City Harmonic in 2015
Background information
OriginHamilton, Ontario, Canada
Genres
Years active2009–2017
LabelsKingsway, Integrity
Websitethecityharmonic.com
Past members
  • Elias Dummer
  • Eric Fusilier
  • Aaron Powell
  • Josh Vanderlaan

History

The City Confidential formed in 2009 after its members served together as the house worship band for an inter-denominational "worship and mission" event for students in Hamilton.[2] The band released their debut EP, Introducing the City Harmonic, in November 2010 in Canada and the United States.[3] Their début single, "Manifesto" appeared in the charts in several categories. "Manifesto" remained on Billboard's Christian charts for 15 weeks[4] and was featured as the walk-up song for Oakland Athletics outfielder Seth Smith. The EP was also released in January 2011 in Britain.[5]

The band released their first full-length album titled I Have a Dream (It Feels Like Home) on October 18, 2011. On November 5, 2011 it peaked at No. 34 on Billboard's Christian Albums chart, and at No. 6 on the Heatseekers Albums chart.[6] A song from this album, "Holy (Wedding Day)", was released on September 21, 2012.[7] As of January 22, 2012 it had reached No. 39 on the Billboard Christian Songs chart and had the fifth biggest jump.[8]

The group was nominated for a 2012 GMA Dove Award for "New Artist of the Year".[9]

On April 20, 2013, the band won a Juno award for Christian/Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year.[10]

The band released their second full-length album titled Heart on September 3, 2013. In the week of release in Canada it reached No. 1 on the Inspirational Albums Charts.[11] For the Billboard charting week of September 21, 2013, Heart No. 20 on the Top Heatseekers chart and No. 24 Top Christian Albums chart. Critically speaking, Heart had been the most critically well-received of the band's releases to date. The album artwork features an adaptation of Leonardo da Vinci's Vitruvian Man, with Jesus on the cross in the center.

After announcing its release during an appearance and performance on NBC's Beyond A.D.,[12] the band released their third full-length album titled We Are on September 4, 2015. Well received by critics. The album reached No. 1 on the Inspirational Albums Charts in Canada, and appeared on Billboard on both the Heatseekers and Christian and Gospel Albums charts.[13][14] The album is focused on the band's origins and addresses the themes of unity in the Church and the movement of churches that brought them together. In addition to their appearance on NBC, the band have performed songs from this album on the Relevant Podcast as well as on the 10,000th episode of 100 Huntley Street on YES TV.[15]

Released concurrently with the album of the same name, the documentary, We Are the City Harmonic: The Movie, was filmed and directed by Jesse Hunt of Cycle films, and tells the story of the movement of Christian unity in Hamilton, Ontario that brought the band together. It was released free to YouTube as well as the band's own domains.[16]

The City Harmonic disbanded in 2017. They recorded their final show in their hometown of Hamilton, Ontario, and released the recording as an album, Benediction (Live).[17] The album was released to critical acclaim, with Jesus Freak Hideout describing it as "quite possibly the best worship release this year."[18]

Lineup

Members

  • Elias Elton Dummer - vocals, keyboards, guitar (2009–2017)
  • Eric Morgan Fusilier - bass, vocals (2009–2016)
  • Aaron Christian Powell - guitar, vocals (2009–2017)
  • Josh Alexander Vanderlaan - drums (2009–2017)

Touring musicians

  • Steve Lensink - bass, guitar, vocals (2012–2014, 2016-2017)
  • Jason Lackey - bass (2016)
  • Justin Brix - guitar, keys, vocals (2017)
  • Brooke Nicholls - vocals (2017)

Discography

Albums

Singles
Year Single Peak chart positions Album Sales
US
Christ
2010 "Manifesto" 19 Introducing the City Harmonic
2011 "I Have a Dream" 15 I Have a Dream (It Feels Like Home)
2012 "Mountaintop" 27
2012 "Holy (Wedding Day)" 36
2013 "A City on a Hill" — Heart
2014 "Praise the Lord" 46
2015 "We Are One" — We Are
2016 "Let There Be Light" —

Awards

GMA Covenant Awards

Year Award Result
2011[21] New Artist of the Year Won
Modern Worship Song of the Year ("Manifesto") Won
Recorded Song of the Year ("Manifesto") Won
Praise and Worship Song of the Year ("My God") Nominated
Song of the Year ("Manifesto") Nominated
2012[22] Praise and Worship Song of the Year ("I Have a Dream (It Feels Like Home)") Won
CD Artwork Design of the Year ("I Have a Dream (It Feels Like Home)") Nominated
Modern Worship Song of the Year ("Mountaintop") Nominated
Recorded Song of the Year ("I Have a Dream (It Feels Like Home)") Nominated
Song of the Year ("I Have a Dream (It Feels Like Home)") Nominated
Video of the Year ("I Have a Dream (It Feels Like Home)") Nominated
2013[23] Group of the Year Won
Artist of the Year Nominated
Praise and Worship Song of the Year ("Holy (Wedding Day)") Won
Music Video of the Year ("Holy (Wedding Day)") Nominated
2014[24] Group of the Year Nominated
Album of the Year (HEART) Nominated
Artist of the Year Nominated
Song of the Year ("Praise The Lord") Nominated
Praise & Worship Song of the Year ("Praise The Lord") Nominated
Praise & Worship Album of the Year ("HEART") Nominated
2015[25] Group of the Year Won
Collaboration of the Year Won
Rap Song of the Year (Collaboration) Won
2016[26] Group of the Year Nominated
Praise & Worship Album Of The Year ("WE ARE") Nominated
2018 Group of the Year Nominated
Album of the Year "Benediction (Live)" Nominated
Praise & Worship Album of the Year "Benediction (Live)" Won
Praise & Worship Song of the Year "Honestly" Won

JUNO Awards

Year Award Result
2013 Contemporary Christian and Gospel Album of the Year (I Have A Dream (It Feels Like Home)) Won
2014 Contemporary Christian and Gospel Album of the Year (HEART) Nominated
2015 Contemporary Christian and Gospel Album of the Year (We Are) Nominated

Dove Awards

Year Award Result
2012 New Artist of the Year Nominated
gollark: Go for `std.heavlisp`.
gollark: Anyway, why limit yourself to 3 char extensions?
gollark: So heavlisp is a significantly lispier heavlang?
gollark: No.
gollark: Do you type ☭ often enough that this ☭ is ☭ a ☭ problem?

References
  1. The City Harmonic Christian Today, 17 Oct 2010.
  2. "The City Harmonic" AllMusic Biography by Mark Deming
  3. The City Harmonic, "Introducing The City Harmonic" Review Jesus Freak Hideout. 11/21/10, by Ryan Barbee
  4. "Christian charts' listing for "Manifesto"". Billboard. Retrieved July 2, 2012.
  5. Introducing The City Harmonic Kingsway UK.
  6. "I Have a Dream (It Feels Like Home) - The City Harmonic". Billboard. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  7. ""I Have A Dream Tour" Launches this weekend, "Holy (Wedding Day)" to be released to radio Sep 21st featuring JJ Heller". The City Harmonic. September 18, 2012. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  8. "Holy (Wedding Day) - The City Harmonic". Billboard. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  9. "INTERVIEW: The City Harmonic's Elias Dummer Discusses Their New Album 'Heart', Story of "City on a Hill" and Fall Tour". BreatheCast, Matt Lloyd, September 17, 2013
  10. "Hamilton scores Juno hat-trick". The Hamilton Spectator. April 20, 2013. Retrieved April 21, 2013.
  11. ""HEART" Now Available Everywhere " The City Harmonic". Thecityharmonic.com. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
  12. ""TCH To Announce New Album, Artwork, Single on NBC's Beyond A.D., May 3rd" The City Harmonic". Thecityharmonic.com. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
  13. "The City Harmonic - Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
  14. "The City Harmonic - Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
  15. "100 Huntley Street: October 14 Evening, 2015". 100huntley.com. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
  16. "TCH Release Documentary About Church Unity, Church Unity Website | Official Site". The City Harmonic. August 26, 2015. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
  17. 'ROCKINGHAM: The City Harmonic calls it quits with "Benediction Live"'. The Hamilton Spectator, Jun 21, 2017 by Graham Rockingham
  18. "Jesusfreakhideout.com: The City Harmonic, "Benediction (Live)" Review". www.jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  19. "News". Your Music Zone. June 24, 2011. Retrieved June 28, 2012.
  20. "2013 JUNO Award Winners | The JUNO Awards". Junoawards.ca. Archived from the original on April 22, 2013. Retrieved September 4, 2013.
  21. "The City Harmonic Garners Five GMA Canada Covenant Award Nominations " The City Harmonic". Thecityharmonic.com. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
  22. "Jon Bauer and Newworldson Lead 2012 Covenant Award Nominations | Gospel Music Association". Gospelmusic.org. September 28, 2012. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
  23. "The City Harmonic Receives First Artist & Group of the Year Gma Canada Covenant Awards Nominations " The City Harmonic". Thecityharmonic.com. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
  24. "TCH Nominated for 6 Covenant Awards | Official Site". The City Harmonic. November 1, 2014. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
  25. "2015 Winners – GMA Canada". Gmacanada.ca. November 5, 2015. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
  26. "38th Covenant Award Nominations – GMA Canada". Gmacanada.ca. November 5, 2016.
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