Downhere (stylized as downhere) is a

Christian rock Christian rock is a form of rock music that features lyrics focusing on matters of Christian faith, often with an emphasis on Jesus, typically performed by self-proclaimed Christian individuals. The extent to which their lyrics are explicitly Ch ...

band from Canada. They have released six studio albums to date: ''

downhere Downhere (stylized as downhere) is a Christian rock band from Canada. They have released six studio albums to date: ''downhere'' (2001), ''So Much for Substitutes'' (2003), ''Wide-Eyed and Mystified'' (2006), ''Ending Is Beginning'' (2008), ...

'' (2001), ''

So Much for Substitutes ''So Much for Substitutes'' is the second official album release by Christian rock band Downhere, 1st album to include current bassist Glenn Lavender, and last album released under Word Records. The label dropped the band from their roster in 20 ...

'' (2003), ''

Wide-Eyed and Mystified ''Wide-Eyed and Mystified'' is the third official album release by Christian rock band Downhere. It is the 1st official album release through Centricity Music, to which the band was signed in 2005. Critical reception Allmusic's Jared Johnson sa ...

'' (2006), ''

Ending Is Beginning ''Ending Is Beginning'' is the fifth official album release from Christian rock band Downhere. It was released on September 23, 2008. In May 2008, fans played a part in selecting the songs chosen for this album by rating and scoring 17 potential so ...

'' (2008), '' How Many Kings: Songs for Christmas'' (2009), and ''

On the Altar of Love ''On the Altar of Love'' is the sixth official album release from contemporary Christian music band downhere. The album won the 2012 Juno Award for Best Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year. Critical reception Christian Broadcastin ...

'' (2011) and have won several

Juno Juno commonly refers to: *Juno (mythology), the Roman goddess of marriage and queen of the gods *Juno (film), ''Juno'' (film), 2007 Juno may also refer to: Arts, entertainment and media Fictional characters *Juno, in the film ''Jenny, Juno'' *Ju ...

and

Covenant Awards The Covenant Awards are awarded to the Canadian gospel music industry by GMA Canada, the Gospel Music Association of Canada. The association is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote the growth and ministry of Christian music in Ca ...

History

The Early Years 1999–2001

The band was formed by

Marc Martel Marc Martel is a Canadian Christian rock musician born in Montreal, Canada. In 1999, he formed the band Downhere before going solo in 2013. Aside from his own work, Martel is known for his Queen covers and his vocal likeness to frontman Freddie ...

and Jason Germain who were roommates at

Briercrest Bible College Briercrest College and Seminary is a private evangelical post-secondary educational institution located in Caronport, Saskatchewan, Canada. It comprises a college and a seminary, and operates the Briercrest Christian Academy. History Its prec ...

Caronport, Saskatchewan Caronport (Canada 2016 Census, 2016 population: ) is a village in the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Saskatchewan within the Rural Municipality of Caron No. 162 and Division No. 7, Saskatchewan, Census Division No. 7. ...

. In 1999 Martel and Germain added fellow Canadians Jeremy Thiessen and Tyson Manning, along with American Corey Doak, and released an eponymous debut album

independent Independent or Independents may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Artist groups * Independents (artist group), a group of modernist painters based in the New Hope, Pennsylvania, area of the United States during the early 1930s * Independ ...

ly on Slyngshot Records. Tyson and Doak left the band, and later on Downhere signed with

Word Records Word Records is a Christian faith-based entertainment company based in Nashville, Tennessee. It is owned by Curb Records, and is a part of Word Entertainment. It is distributed by Warner Records (the former Warner Bros. Records). History In 1 ...

. In February 2001, they moved to Nashville, Tennessee. The band soon added bassist Glenn Lavender, whom they had met two years earlier, after his band broke up. Downhere's independent album was reissued with the inclusion of bassist Lavender, and released in 2001 as their international debut, ''

''.

Mainstream and international success (2001–2012)

Their second album, also released through Word Records was entitled ''

So Much For Substitutes ''So Much for Substitutes'' is the second official album release by Christian rock band Downhere, 1st album to include current bassist Glenn Lavender, and last album released under Word Records. The label dropped the band from their roster in 20 ...

''. In 2006 they were signed to Centricity Records and released ''

'' which led to the 2007

Juno Award for Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year The Juno Award for "Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year" has been awarded since 1998, as recognition each year for the best Christian/ Gospel music album in Canada. A separate organization, the Gospel Music Association of Canada (GMA C ...

, and

Covenant Award The Covenant Awards are awarded to the Canadian gospel music industry by GMA Canada, the Gospel Music Association of Canada. The association is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote the growth and ministry of Christian music in Ca ...

s for Rock Album of the Year and Recorded Song of the Year ("A Better Way"). In 2007, the band released two additional CDs that were unique. In early 2007, they released '' Wide-Eyed and Simplified'', which contained new versions of 8 songs from ''Wide-Eyed and Mystified'', in addition to three popular songs from earlier releases. Later in 2007, the band released '' Thunder After Lightning (The Uncut Demos)''. This album contained 15 previously unreleased demos which were considered for use on ''Wide-Eyed and Mystified'' but were not used. The CD also contained demo versions of two songs which were used on ''Wide-Eyed and Mystified''. In April 2007, Downhere released

Thank You for Coming (The Live Bootlegs) Downhere (stylized as downhere) is a Christian rock band from Canada. They have released six studio albums to date: ''downhere'' (2001), ''So Much for Substitutes'' (2003), '' Wide-Eyed and Mystified'' (2006), '' Ending Is Beginning'' (2008) ...

, a six-song collection of live songs recorded in 2007 while on tour with Jason Gray and Lanae Hale. Their next album, ''

'', was released on September 23, 2008. The band released the songs for a few days and gave fans the chance to give input on which songs they should put on the album, and as a pre-release to ''Ending Is Beginning'' in June 2008 they gave away the whole album ''Wide-Eyed and Mystified'' as a free download. In October 2009, they released '' How Many Kings: Songs for Christmas'', a collection of Christmas songs. This included "How Many Kings", which was a bonus track on ''Ending Is Beginning''. Between the release of ''Ending Is Beginning'' and their new album Downhere released '' Two at a Time: Sneak Peeks & B-Sides'', a collection of older songs compiled over their career, as well as two new songs: "You're Not Alone" and "The Song You Sing". "You're Not Alone" was released as a single in May 2010. In May 2011, the first single,"Let Me Rediscover You", from their upcoming album ''On the Altar of Love'' was released. The album itself was released August 23, 2011. In September 2011, lead singer Marc Martel also gained attention on YouTube for his cover of " Somebody to Love" by

Queen Queen or QUEEN may refer to: Monarchy * Queen regnant, a female monarch of a Kingdom ** List of queens regnant * Queen consort, the wife of a reigning king * Queen dowager, the widow of a king * Queen mother, a queen dowager who is the mother ...

, auditioning to be part of the Queen tribute band. Martel was noted for his vocal and visual resemblance to

Freddie Mercury Freddie Mercury (born Farrokh Bulsara; 5 September 1946 – 24 November 1991) was a British singer and songwriter, who achieved worldwide fame as the lead vocalist of the rock band Queen. Regarded as one of the greatest singers in the ...

. On December 8, 2011, Martel was announced to have been voted as one of six winners (and one of three Canadians) of the contest. In July 2012 the members of the band announced that as of January 1, 2013 they would no longer be touring together, although the band would not be broken up.

Hiatus (2013–present)

Vocalist Marc Martel released an EP, ''Prelude'', on February 1, 2013.^{/sup> The EP was recorded in Nashville and Los Angeles with producer John Fields. His full-length debut, ''Impersonator'', released on September 30, 2014.^{0/sup>

In October 2016, the band got together for one more night to celebrate Centricity Music's 10th anniversary. The band shared live footage of the rehearsal on their Facebook page. They performed their hit song, "A Better Way" at the event.

Band members

* Jason Germain – lead vocals

The lead vocalist in popular music is typically the member of a group or band whose voice is the most prominent melody in a performance where multiple voices may be heard. The lead singer sets their voice against the accompaniment parts of t ...
, rhythm guitar

In music performances, rhythm guitar is a technique and role that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with other instruments from the rhythm section (e.g., drum kit, bass guitar ...
, keyboards
Keyboard may refer to:
Text input
* Keyboard, part of a typewriter
* Computer keyboard
** Keyboard layout, the software control of computer keyboards and their mapping
** Keyboard technology, computer keyboard hardware and firmware
Music
* Musi ...
, piano

The piano is a stringed keyboard instrument in which the strings are struck by wooden hammers that are coated with a softer material (modern hammers are covered with dense wool felt; some early pianos used leather). It is played using a keyboa ...
, organ

Organ may refer to:

Biology
* Organ (biology), a part of an organism
Musical instruments
* Organ (music), a family of keyboard musical instruments characterized by sustained tone
** Electronic organ, an electronic keyboard instrument
** Hammond ...
(1999-2012)
* Marc Martel

Marc Martel is a Canadian Christian rock musician born in Montreal, Canada. In 1999, he formed the band Downhere before going solo in 2013. Aside from his own work, Martel is known for his Queen covers and his vocal likeness to frontman Freddie ...
– lead vocals

The lead vocalist in popular music is typically the member of a group or band whose voice is the most prominent melody in a performance where multiple voices may be heard. The lead singer sets their voice against the accompaniment parts of t ...
, lead guitar

Lead guitar (also known as solo guitar) is a musical part for a guitar in which the guitarist plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs and chords within a song structure. The lead is the featur ...
, harmonica

The harmonica, also known as a French harp or mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used worldwide in many musical genres, notably in blues, American folk music, classical music, jazz, country, and rock. The many types of harmonica inclu ...
, sitar

The sitar ( or ; ) is a plucked stringed instrument, originating from the Indian subcontinent, used in Hindustani classical music. The instrument was invented in medieval India, flourished in the 18th century, and arrived at its present form in ...
, keyboards
Keyboard may refer to:
Text input
* Keyboard, part of a typewriter
* Computer keyboard
** Keyboard layout, the software control of computer keyboards and their mapping
** Keyboard technology, computer keyboard hardware and firmware
Music
* Musi ...
, piano

The piano is a stringed keyboard instrument in which the strings are struck by wooden hammers that are coated with a softer material (modern hammers are covered with dense wool felt; some early pianos used leather). It is played using a keyboa ...
(1999-2012)
* Jeremy Thiessen – backing vocals

A backing vocalist is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists. A backing vocalist may also sing alone as a lead-in to the main vocalist's entry or to sing a counter-melody. Backing vocalists are use ...
, drums

A drum kit (also called a drum set, trap set, or simply drums) is a collection of drums, cymbals, and other Percussion instrument, auxiliary percussion instruments set up to be played by one person. The player (drummer) typically holds a pair o ...
, percussion

A percussion instrument is a musical instrument that is sounded by being struck or scraped by a beater including attached or enclosed beaters or rattles struck, scraped or rubbed by hand or struck against another similar instrument. Exc ...
(1999-2012)
* Glenn Lavender – backing vocals

A backing vocalist is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists. A backing vocalist may also sing alone as a lead-in to the main vocalist's entry or to sing a counter-melody. Backing vocalists are use ...
, bass guitar

The bass guitar, electric bass or simply bass (), is the lowest-pitched member of the string family. It is a plucked string instrument similar in appearance and construction to an electric or an acoustic guitar, but with a longer neck and ...
, cornet

The cornet (, ) is a brass instrument similar to the trumpet but distinguished from it by its conical bore, more compact shape, and mellower tone quality. The most common cornet is a transposing instrument in B, though there is also a sopr ...
(2001-2012)

;Past members
* Corey Doak - rhythm guitar

In music performances, rhythm guitar is a technique and role that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with other instruments from the rhythm section (e.g., drum kit, bass guitar ...
, backing vocals

A backing vocalist is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists. A backing vocalist may also sing alone as a lead-in to the main vocalist's entry or to sing a counter-melody. Backing vocalists are use ...
(1999-2001)
* Tyson Manning - bass guitar

The bass guitar, electric bass or simply bass (), is the lowest-pitched member of the string family. It is a plucked string instrument similar in appearance and construction to an electric or an acoustic guitar, but with a longer neck and ...
(1999-2001)

Awards and nominations

;GMA Canada

The Gospel Music Association of Canada or GMA Canada (formerly known as the CGMA) is a not for profit association, founded in 1974, whose purpose is to promote Christian music in Canada.
History
GMA Canada is created in 1974 in Ontario with ...
Covenant Awards

The Covenant Awards are awarded to the Canadian gospel music industry by GMA Canada, the Gospel Music Association of Canada. The association is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote the growth and ministry of Christian music in Ca ...

* 2002 Rock Album of the Year: ''downhere''
* 2002 Rock Song of the Year: "Larger Than Life"
* 2003 Modern Rock/Alternative Album of the Year: ''So Much For Substitutes''
* 2003 Modern Rock/Alternative Song of the Year: "What It's Like"
* 2006 Rock Album of the Year: ''Wide-Eyed and Mystified''
* 2006 Recorded Song of the Year: "A Better Way"
* 2006 Rock Song of the Year: "The More"
* 2007 nominee, Group of the Year
* 2007 nominee, Rock Song of the Year: "Surrender"
* 2009 Artist of the Year
* 2009 Album of the Year: ''Ending Is Beginning''
* 2009 Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year: ''Ending Is Beginning''
* 2009 Song of the Year: "Here I Am"
* 2009 Recorded Song of the Year: "Here I Am"
* 2009 Inspirational Song of the Year: "Beggar Who Gives Alms"
* 2009 Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year: "Here I Am"
* 2009 Rock Song of the Year: "My Last Amen"
* 2009 Seasonal Song of the Year: "How Many Kings"
* 2010 Group of the Year
* 2010 Seasonal Song of the Year: "Christmas In Our Hearts"
* 2010 Seasonal Album of the Year: "How Many Kings: Songs for Christmas"
* 2011 nominee, Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year: "Let Me Rediscover You"
* 2011 Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year: ''Two At A Time''
* 2011 nominee, Artist of the Year
* 2011 nominee, Group of the Year
* 2011 nominee, Male Vocalist of the Year (Marc Martel)
* 2011 nominee, Recorded Song of the Year: "Let Me Rediscover You"
* 2011 Song of the Year: "Let Me Rediscover You"
* 2012 Group of the Year
* 2012 Album of the Year: "On the Altar of Love"
* 2012 Male Vocalist of the Year (Marc Martel)

;GMA Dove Awards

A Dove Award is an accolade by the Gospel Music Association (GMA) of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the Christian music industry. The awards are presented annually. Formerly held in Nashville, Tennessee, the Dove Awards ...

* 2002 nominee, New Artist of the Year
* 2004 Modern Rock Recorded Song of the Year: "Breaking Me Down"
* 2004 nominee, Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year: ''So Much For Substitutes''

;Juno Awards

The Juno Awards, more popularly known as the JUNOS, are awards presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music. New members of the Canadian Music Hall of ...

* 2002 Juno Award, winner Best Gospel Album: ''downhere''
* 2004 Juno Award nominee, Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year: ''So Much For Substitutes''
* 2007 Juno Award, winner Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year: ''Wide-Eyed and Mystified''
* 2009 Juno Award, winner Best Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year: ''Ending Is Beginning''
* 2012 Juno Award winner Best Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year: ''On the Altar of Love''

;Shai Awards (formerly The Vibe Awards)
* 2002 Rock/Alternative Album of the Year: ''downhere''
* 2003 nominee, Group of the Year

;Western Canadian Music Awards

The ''Western Canadian Music Awards'' (WCMAs) are an annual awards event for music in the western portion of Canada. The awards are provided by the Western Canada Music Alliance, which consists of six member music industry organizations from Br ...

* 2000 Outstanding Festival Act of the Year

Discography

Albums

* ''downhere

Downhere (stylized as downhere) is a Christian rock band from Canada. They have released six studio albums to date: ''downhere'' (2001), ''So Much for Substitutes'' (2003), ''Wide-Eyed and Mystified'' (2006), ''Ending Is Beginning'' (2008), ...
'' (independent
Independent or Independents may refer to:

Arts, entertainment, and media Artist groups
* Independents (artist group), a group of modernist painters based in the New Hope, Pennsylvania, area of the United States during the early 1930s
* Independ ...
, 1999)
* ''downhere

Downhere (stylized as downhere) is a Christian rock band from Canada. They have released six studio albums to date: ''downhere'' (2001), ''So Much for Substitutes'' (2003), ''Wide-Eyed and Mystified'' (2006), ''Ending Is Beginning'' (2008), ...
'' (2001)
* ''So Much for Substitutes

''So Much for Substitutes'' is the second official album release by Christian rock band Downhere, 1st album to include current bassist Glenn Lavender, and last album released under Word Records. The label dropped the band from their roster in 20 ...
'' (2003)
* ''Wide-Eyed and Mystified

''Wide-Eyed and Mystified'' is the third official album release by Christian rock band Downhere. It is the 1st official album release through Centricity Music, to which the band was signed in 2005.
Critical reception

Allmusic's Jared Johnson sa ...
'' (2006)
* '' Wide-Eyed and Simplified'' (2007)
* '' Thunder After Lightning (The Uncut Demos)'' (2007)
* ''Thank You for Coming (The Live Bootlegs)

Downhere (stylized as downhere) is a Christian rock band from Canada. They have released six studio albums to date: ''downhere'' (2001), ''So Much for Substitutes'' (2003), '' Wide-Eyed and Mystified'' (2006), '' Ending Is Beginning'' (2008) ...
'' (2008)
* ''Ending Is Beginning
''Ending Is Beginning'' is the fifth official album release from Christian rock band Downhere. It was released on September 23, 2008. In May 2008, fans played a part in selecting the songs chosen for this album by rating and scoring 17 potential so ...
'' (2008, review)
* '' How Many Kings: Songs for Christmas'' (2009)
* '' Two at a Time: Sneak Peeks & B-Sides'' (2010)
* ''On the Altar of Love

''On the Altar of Love'' is the sixth official album release from contemporary Christian music band downhere. The album won the 2012 Juno Award for Best Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year.
Critical reception

Christian Broadcastin ...
'' (2011)
* ''Love and History: The Best of Downhere'' (compilation, 2013)

Singles

Songs on compilations

DVDs

* ''While the Word Is Asleep'' (2004)

DVD soundtracks

* ''Party of Five

''Party of Five'' is an American television teen and family drama created by Christopher Keyser and Amy Lippman that originally aired on Fox for six seasons from September 12, 1994, to May 3, 2000. The series featured an ensemble cast led by Sc ...
'' The Complete Third Season (2008)

Movie soundtracks

* ''Joshua

Joshua () or Yehoshua ( ''Yəhōšuaʿ'', Tiberian: ''Yŏhōšuaʿ,'' lit. 'Yahweh is salvation') ''Yēšūaʿ''; syr, ܝܫܘܥ ܒܪ ܢܘܢ ''Yəšūʿ bar Nōn''; el, Ἰησοῦς, ar , يُوشَعُ ٱبْنُ نُونٍ '' Yūšaʿ ...
'' - "Larger Than Life"
* '' The Imposter'' - "The More"
* '' No Greater Love'' - "A Better Way"

References

External links

*

{{Authority control

Canadian Christian rock groups
Centricity Music artists
Musical groups established in 1999
Canadian alternative rock groups
Juno Award for Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year winners
1999 establishments in Canada}}