Covenant News
Covenanter's Band Hopes to Dig Beneath the Surface
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA (June 14, 2003) - Shannon Curtis of Sanctuary Covenant Church of Sacramento and her band Paradigm will perform Thursday (June 19) with million-selling singer-songwriter Jewel at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, as part of a contest sponsored by soulcitycafe.com, a noted music Internet website.Paradigm and four other groups are competing for an opportunity to open for Jewel during her Summer 2003 Tour. The winner of the contest would open for eight Jewel concerts.
Curtis, the lead vocalist of Paradigm, has used her musical gifts at Sanctuary Covenant, which started in January 2001, where her husband Sean, is the congregation's senior pastor. The church is among those being considered for membership at this month's Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Covenant Church in Rosemont, Illinois.
Shannon has helped lead worship for the new congregation, which is receiving assistance from Bayside Covenant Church in nearby Granite Bay. Sean previously served in youth ministry at Bayside Covenant. The new church averages about 150 in worship attendance.
In 1999, Shannon and guitarist Steve Stratton began writing songs for Paradigm. Drummer/vocalist Tony Edwards, guitarist Keith Ogden and bassist Kyle Knowlton joined the group later that year. Since then, the alternative rock band has gained a regional following, playing at Northern California venues in Sacramento, San Francisco, and Modesto, and also at clubs in Portland and Los Angeles. The group has also made appearances at over 25 colleges in the West and released their debut CD, "Standing in Line," in August 2002.
On Paradigm's website (www.paradigm-music.com), the band's biography states that Sarah McLachlan, Counting Crows, U2 and ColdPlay are its primary musical influences. While Paradigm is a secular band, it seems to have been able to walk the fine line between being "in the world and not of the world." West Coast Performer reviewed the band in February, stating, "Many of the songs have a Christian slant, and they are careful with their phrasing as so many contemporary Christian bands hoping for crossover are. The man above is referred to obliquely as "you" and "heaven" could mean a couple different things. But Paradigm is savvy, they don't proselytize and they are careful to end on a light note."
The band's bio also describes their lyrics as relating "thought-provoking stories that reflect hope amidst the melancholy and pain of real life" and says that the group's music provides "powerful sonic landscapes," "gripping vocals," and "lyrics that dig beneath the surface."
In addition to being featured on www.soulcitycafe.com, Paradigm's music can also be found on alternativeaddiction.com's "Unknown Top 10" list.
For more information about Sanctuary Covenant Church, log on to http://www.sanctuary-church.com/
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