Building 429 inspires hope in hard times

Listen To The Sound is set to release on May 10 on Essential Records. The songs deal with life's struggles and the hope, grace and love we receive from God even in these times.

Lead singer Jason Roy wrote or co-wrote nine of tracks on the 10-song project, which was produced by Jason Ingram and Rusty Varenkamp (Tenth Avenue North, Sanctus Real) and Rob Hawkins (Fireflight).

Says Roy, "I'm a worship pastor now and that has been a huge part of the lyrical content of this record because many of the songs are about the lives that I've been involved with through working at my local church.

"The writing really does come from a much more honest place, as an overflow of the life that we've lived over the last two or three years, especially this past year."

Drummer Michael Anderson agrees.

"Individually we're all on a different spiritual level than we've ever been," he says. "We have great home churches now that we're happily involved in. Our family lives at home are better than they've ever been and our relationship as a band is light years above what it's ever been. I think that really shows through with this new music."

Roy adds, "All four of the guys in the band have come to the conclusion that we have finally made 'the' record of our dreams in Listen To The Sound. People have come to expect something of Building 429. This record is going to break that expectation in the best possible way!"

He hopes the uplifting messages in Listen To The Sound will encourage families struggling in the tough economic climate and people dealing with depression or other challenges.

"This record keeps coming back to the point that this is not what we were made for, that this is not our home.

"It is hitting people in the midst of a struggle and reminding listeners they are not alone and hope is rising, but it's doing it in this pop kind of thing that makes you smile while you listen to it."

Listen To The Sound's hope-filled songs are already resonating within the band's own family.

Roy shares, "I finished the record and I sent the songs to my dad and he literally asked me, 'did you write these songs about me?' The answer to that question was 'no, not intentionally.' But it also proves to me that all of us struggle in a lot of ways with the same stuff. It's how you choose to handle the situation that you are in that defines who you are."

Building 429 has built a dedicated fan base since their 2004 breakout hit "Glory Defined", which was named BMI's Christian Song of the Year in 2005. That same year Building 429 was named New Artist of the Year at the Gospel Music Association's Dove Awards.

The lead single from Listen To The Sound shares the same title and is already out on iTunes. We've had a listen and it's fab.

The single is available for streaming on Building 429's website here: www.Building429.com