Sometimes cynical, sometimes angry, always poignant, the songs on John’s debut album, Come Out Fighting, represent John’s current state of mind. After being based in the USA for many years of his career and having learned many lessons along the way, John is back and is more passionate than ever about his homeland and the issues its citizens are currently facing.
As the man responsible for Tree 63 hits such as Treasure, Stumbling Stone and the anthemic A Million Lights, John is no stranger to the spotlight – both in SA and abroad. With a slew of radio hits under its belt, the band secured headline slots on top festivals, achieved excellent domestic sales and huge sponsorship deals eventually leading to an international record deal with the US based label InPop Records.
Background on Tree 63
The band released its self-titled US debut into the Christian market and while doing well within this market, felt somewhat constrained by the limitations imposed on their creativity from the record label. They had great success with two #1 radio hits and even walked away with a Dove Award (the equivalent of a Grammy in the Contemporary Christian market (CCM)).
Still committed to making their name in the US, the band then released The Life And Times Of Absolute Truth, which yielded a string of radio hits in South Africa and Australia. InPop Records then suggested the band release the cover version Blessed Be Your Name, which became a massive smash hit across the USA in the Christian market. The song was Billboards #1 Most Played CCM Track for two years and the accompanying album The Answer To The Question became Tree 63’s biggest seller in the US.
However the band was determined to spread its reach beyond the confines of the Christian market, and after two more albums and relentless international touring, the exhausted band decided to come back home and call it a day. John relocated from Nashville back to Durban and the songs that became the backbone for Come Out Fighting started to take shape. Freed from any genres or constraints, John started writing songs and exploring his artistic freedom for the first time in many years.
South Africa is one of John’s fiercest passions and like many South Africans, John is both frustrated and simultaneously proud of his country, feelings that are beautifully expressed through his music and lyrics. The album tracks are topical and thought-provoking, whilst still maintaining the excellent standards of the solid rock sound that he is so widely known and loved for.
Never abandoning his faith or beliefs, John is still active in the Christian market but has finally found the way to express himself without being pigeonholed or confined to one market – something he had been yearning to do for much of his career.
Come Out Fighting is the exciting start of a new chapter for a seasoned and experienced artist that will thrill Tree 63 fans while resonating with an entire new audience.
www.johnellis.co.za
