In the years since Circleslide released its critically lauded debut disc Uncommon Days, which landed on Christianity Today’s Year in Review “Best-of” round-up, the band has toured unceasingly, refining their modern rock ruminations, while keeping their ministry agenda firmly in focus.
In addition to shows with Newsboys, TobyMac, MercyMe, Casting Crowns, Salvador, Jaci Velasquez and Downhere, the Nashville-based band has headlined everything from clubs to churches and colleges, with plenty of youth camps and outreach events in between – all of which build off the group’s Youth With A Mission beginnings.
The rockers have done much serious soul searching this past year as they encountered a series of obstacles that would have caused many to doubt their convictions. In between Circleslide’s freshman and latest effort, its members have experienced the destruction of their home and almost all of their music equipment in the historic 2010 Nashville flood, emergency surgery for lead vocalist Gabe Martinez, frightening health reports from loved ones, the tragic death of a dear friend’s 10-year-old daughter, and more.
The flood, which occurred while Martinez and his wife were out of town, destroyed their house, as well as all of their instruments, gear, PA and trailer. “A good friend who was staying at our house waded through five feet of water to save some vintage guitars, but other than that, we had to completely rebuild from scratch,” says Martinez. “The Nashville community really came together, though. Thanks to amazing organizations like MusiCares and Porter’s Call in Nashville, we’ve been able to replace our music gear and we have a renewed realization that God has called us to this ministry. Nothing’s going to hold us back from spreading His word.”
In fact, Circleslide’s ordeals have been followed by a season of spiritual assurance, which directly inspired the band’s recent songwriting process and the new CD’s name, Echoes of the Light. “Many friends asked us if we ever thought we were supposed to quit and we just never saw it that way,” continues Martinez. “The album title was inspired by the act of God speaking and saying ‘Let there be light’ and the fact that we as believers are supposed to be reflections of that light. I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t always shine as brightly as I’m supposed to, especially in light of the sadness that we’ve experienced personally. Echoes of the Light is a comment on the human condition and draws from examples of people we know and people in the Bible who inspire us to keep going.”
