RTCNW 2018 | Artist Roster
WE'RE PROUD TO WELCOME THE FOLLOWING ACTS TO
THE ROCK THE CHURCH NORTHWEST STAGE:
(Artists listed alphabetically by first name or stage name.)
BEN COURSON // jULY 27 @ 8:45 P.M.
Ben Courson is the founder of Hope Generation, has a global TV and radio program, is the author of three books, and is a gifted and nationally renowned speaker based out of Applegate Christian Fellowship. Ben's humorous, uplifting, and high-energy style coupled with a gift to communicate God's heart is done in a hugely impacting way. He travels around the world from Oregon to Africa, reaching tens of thousands of people from every walk of life, always encouraging and inspiring them to never give up because he believes that if you've got a pulse... You've got a purpose.
DJ Em-D // July 27 & 28, all day
DJ Em-D's first big exposure came through the annual 4th of July "Freedom Fair" located in Tacoma, WA. He was also part of an opening performance for the "Together We Worship" with Tye Tribett along with Eva Sabiniano. DJ em-D has helped put together a concert for DESNA Cup Soccer Tournament in Federal Way. In 2015, he had a great opportunity to DJ at the nation's largest annual Christian music festival in the United States, Creation Festival Northwest. He was the DJ for artists NF, Propaganda, nobigdyl, Bizzle, Ruslan, S.O., Spencer Kane, Abigail Duhon and many more. DJ em-D still believes that words are powerful, and music is critical. He has a love and passion to show people that there is an alternative to secular music, and it can be used to create amazing atmospheres for parties and events.
Dustin Rose // July 28 @ 1:30 p.m.
Dustin Rose brings together a rich understanding of music’s past with an edge of contemporary trends. Raised on the legacy of Keith Green, Larry Norman, and Amy Grant has given him an example of stellar songwriting. His most recent Christian album, Catch the Wind, was released in December 2017 and hit #2 on Billboard's Heat Seekers Pacific chart. As he weaves his story through his music, you are transported to a place where things seem more simple and clear. At the same time, you are able to relax and really enjoy what you are hearing as well as engage in the truth behind the song, which is God.
HE AND I // JULY 28 @ 12 P.M.
“We are an eclectic mix of original blues/folk/rock/classical music based on our personal experiences with life and Jesus. We are a recovery music ministry. We have a lot of fun and just want to shine light and hope into the darkest of places!”
Julia Olsen // July 27 @ 8 p.m.
Julia Olsen loves sharing about life, personal experiences and joy through music. She loves connecting with people through her lyrics and music. “ There’s something so special about playing a song for an audience and knowing everyone is connecting with it in their own way, from their own life, but we all connect to the same lyrics”. She has a passion for people, and sharing hope and courage through her lyrics. “ I know life can be unfair, and sometimes we never get the “why” answered, but I also know there is hope, and that’s why I make music - to share that hope for the times where we hurt, laugh, cry, or dance.” Julia hopes that the music that you hear inspires you, and challenges you to see life differently, through the eyes of hope.
Mike Brandow // July 28 @ 12:45 p.m.
Mike Brandow is a worship leader at his very core. He has very little doubt that leading others in worship is his calling in life. You can expect him to lead music in a way that attempts to get people involved and singing and praising. His style is good music of varying styles from All Sons and Daughters to Hillsong United. Mike is just starting out as a recording artist with BentBeat Productions and is about to wrap up his first CD project.
Nathaniel Chapman // July 28 @ 11 A.M.
Nathaniel Chapman began his musical journey at the tender age of 14 when his mother signed him up for piano lessons. His dream had always been to carry out a ministry like that of Keith Green. His desire had always been to write songs that would reveal the beauty of life in Christ, but also the struggles that can be found in this world from time to time. He has never simply written songs of praise, but those containing prayers, pleas and cries. His desire is for his music is to cry out to his God, encourage and admonish the saints and reveal the beauty of being born again to those who have yet to experience that. In 2015 he released his first album, From Higher Ground to the Other Side. He is currently working on his second album, To The Churches and a single titled, Within The Waves.
NU HOP // July 27 @ 5 p.m.
FEATURING:
APEX
JAKO & ZAY
SCACE
PL4NiTT NAMiK
“We are a Hip Hop group / collective from Northwest University. We’re Christians focusing on making positive Rap music for the world. The Hip-Hop genre is filled with a lot of negativity and profanity, so our mission is to bring it back to the good heart-felt stuff, and ultimately back to the truth, Jesus Christ.”
OverKast // July 28 @ 7:30 p.m.
OverKast has shared the stage with many as well as fitting in radio spots, playing TV shows, and headlining festivals. After much performing and great memories, the band parted ways in early 2011 while recording their next album (Through All This). Rob revived the band with new members and new focus. In 2017 the band achieved that long hoped for dream and signed to Boat Rocker and Right Cut Records! The 2009 debut album Rize has been re-issued with an unreleased song, and the 2010 unfinished album Through All This is now available online at many retailers.
Phresh Air // July 28 @ 6 p.m.
Inspirational Hip-Hop artist Michael D. Coleman Jr. (a.k.a., Phresh Air) found his niche as a preteen, rapping on corners, school hallways, and in the studio. He was accustomed to centering his rhymes around futile things like bragging about how dope he was and his ambition to make money. Things would soon change when at the age of 16 he made a commitment to follow Jesus. Over a decade later, Mike has released 2 mixtapes, 2 solo albums, 3 compilation albums and has performed on countless stages throughout the DC/Maryland/Virginia area, sharing stages with the likes of big names such as Da' T.R.U.T.H. and Trip Lee. He knows what it's like to be overlooked, rejected, and depressed. Hip-Hop is his outlet and the platform he uses to help people encounter the same freedom he's experienced through Christ.
Psalmist Ava // July 28 @ 3:45 p.m.
“I am a songstress, psalmist, and songwriter. I enjoy singing to God, for he is my biggest audience. Praise and worship is my blessing and how I give back to the gift giver. I’ve been singing since youth. Music is in my DNA, it’s in my veins, and embedded in my soul. My style is a mix of gospel, neo-soul, and jazz. I love the melodies from heaven and I’m glad he gave me my voice to sing, to reach out to mankind to share the love of music God has given to me.”
ri3 (Redeemed in 3) // July 27 @ 7 p.m.
Photo not provided by artist.
“We are three-piece all-original Christian band within the melodic rock genre. We focus mainly on mainstream pop songs but also write worship songs as well. We also all participate on the worship teams in our individual churches.”
Seth, The Producer // July 27 @ 6 p.m.
“I write/produce/record/mix/master all of my own music. I tell stories and share my emotions in a way that I believe God wants to use to reach people through relation to what I am go through and through inspiring people with my music.”
Shariffa Nyan // July 28 @ 3 p.m.
Inspired by the likes of artists that range from CeCe Winans to Bob Marley, Shariffa Nyan aims to create music that crosses not just cultural, but religious, socio-economic, and racial barriers. She stays busy performing, interviewing and actively working in her community through outreach and volunteer work. She has wowed crowds singing the National Anthem for the Seattle Mariners and performing at various community festivals as well as concerts and fundraisers. Shariffa Nyan can be found featured on songs by gospel hip-hop artists such as: Dice Gamble, Genuine Life, RTL, Vell Vett, Willie Will and rising star DJ Em-D, just to name a few. Keep an eye out for this break-out artist as she continues to make big waves in the music scene!
Shoecraft // July 27 @ 8:15 p.m.
“The expression of our faith is primarily through story telling. Our stories are mostly about people’s interactions with God or our own interactions. We envelop our stories in ambient folk/rock music in an attempt to invite people into those narratives.”
Stormwalker // July 28 @ 6:45 p.m.
Stormwalker is a Seattle-based Christian Rock band that offers a brand of music that is "Stylistically Classic Rock - Lyrically Classic Gospel." Music has the power to move us and speak to us in a way that words alone can't. Stormwalker loves to harness that power by bringing a hard driving Classic Rock style of music with a subtle blues edge, and lyrical content that lifts up Jesus Christ, the Ultimate Stormwalker.
Tray Michaels // July 28 @ 2:15 p.m.
Tray has shared the stage with national acts such as Rebecca St. James, Kutless, Jaci Valasquez, Salvador, Falling UP, Pivitplex, Circle Slide, and Sanctus Real. He’s played at major festivals and conferences as well as in countries worldwide. Tray has been involved in ministry and missions for 17 years. He currently serves on staff at Revolution Foursquare Church in Portland, Oregon as Associate and Worship pastor. He often leads worship with his wife, Ashlee, who is a gifted worshiper in her own right. Tray is also an evangelist for Luis Palau’s Next Generation Alliance, as well as founder of RAW ministries. Tray's motivation and goal is to reach the lost and encourage the saved through music and God’s Word. He has a heart to challenge believers to dream big and grasp that God has a calling and plan for everyone and to start walking in it now.
Turning Circles // July 28, all Day
Justin the Circler has dedicated his life to learning the ancient craft of pure or sacred geometry and its endless related topics. A naturalist, philosopher, mathematician, inventor, carpenter, and artist, he has emerged a messenger and teacher. Many sleepless nights spent contemplating, theorizing and notating original ideas to later find out his ideas are ages old but have been forgotten or even hidden. The Circler's goal is to bring these ancient ideas into the collective mind of modern society to bring forth a more holistic perspective regarding our future, past, and present.
Vette Louvre // MC for July 28
“I create through the Holy Spirit. The music I make is hip-hop. I rap about my life experiences, imagined fantasies, and stories I have heard and learned from. I rap about the streets as I know them and know of them. I rap about my life as a romance, and as a prophecy being written and lived. I rap about my family and about the Lord Jesus Christ and the work He put in and the ministry He served; about how He made me right with His, our Father.”