Leeland declare 'Love is on the Move'

|PIC1|Grammy and Dove-nominated progressive rock act, Leeland will release their third studio album, Love Is On The Move on August 25.

For the first time, Leeland teams up with award-winning veteran producer Ed Cash (Chris Tomlin, David Crowder Band) and reunites with co-producer Steve Wilson (Fish, Hawk Nelson) who co-wrote three songs on Leeland's debut, including the title cut "Sound of Melodies".

As Leeland continues to influence a generation of new worshippers, the album's title track marks a clear mission statement for Leeland, which poetically unfolded during the writing process. A response to both physical and spiritual poverty, the lyrics of "Love Is On The Move" poignantly discuss a service-filled transformation.

"Worship, justice and action are not separate," explains lead singer and guitarist Leeland Mooring. "They are united. They work together. When you have an amazing encounter with God and you experience His love during worship, the fruit of that should be your life overflowing with action and love - justice - to the world around you."

Leeland adds, "God's really been opening our vision to hurting people, especially the poor, around the world and making it clear we should help by being a part of spreading His kingdom."

He references 1 John 3:18 as a source of inspiration for the thoughts and ideas represented on the new album, connecting them back to the purpose for their music.

"If we're not loving people, then we're just making a bunch of noise," Leeland notes.

Keyboardist Jack Mooring is quick to agree. "We don't want to sing another song if we're not taking care of the poor. If we're not being the hands and feet of Jesus, we might as well just stop making records and go home."

Jack states, "We see our calling as a band as two-fold: reaching out to the poor and reaching the 'up-and-outers'. America's a rich nation, but we're spiritually poor. We want to see God bring a personal revival in the hearts of Americans and transform our nation."

Cash sensed the remarkable vision behind the band's recent project from the start. "It was so apparent from day one that God was the star and the focus," he says. "Unlike any record I've ever made, we started most every day with about an hour of unplanned prayer and worship, just getting caught up into the presence of God. And I'm certain that is reflected in the music."

The album's first single "Follow You" features Leeland with friend and GMA's Male Vocalist of the Year Brandon Heath. It reinforces the same action-centric message of meeting the needs of the poor and broken, as Heath sings, "When I was dead You gave me life / How could I not give it away so freely," and Leeland responds, "I'll Follow You into the homes of the broken."

The collaboration continues this fall as Leeland reunites with Heath to co-headline the "Follow You Tour", welcoming special guest Francesca Battistelli. The artists will give audiences the chance to respond to each night's worship with immediate action as they recommend child sponsorships through Food for the Hungry.