Hyland

Formed back in 2002, this Minneapolis Minnesota band originally went by the name "Tomrrow's 39." While under this name, the band released a few demo tracks, but never had an official CD release. Four years later, in 2006, Tomorrow's 39 changed their name to "Hyland," the name they are recognized by today. Hyland's first release was an independent EP aptly titled "EP." It featured a couple remade Tormorrow's 39 songs, as well as some new tunes. In 2008 they released their second independent EP entitled "Polyphonic Telegraph No. 1." In 2009, they released they most successful EP to date, "Quotients," produced by Ben Kasica (formerly of the band Skillet), at Skies Fall Studios in Kenosha, Wisconsin, which he co-owns. The track "Til Death" was independently released as a single to Christian rock radio, seeing very marginal success. In 2010, Hyland won the prestigious Music Tournament at Club 3 Degrees (now 3 Degrees Ministries), located in Minneapolis. The band also released an acoustic EP entitled "Odds and Ends," notably featuring the song "Never," adapted into their live performances. Later that year, during a performance at Sonshine Festival, in Wilmar, Minnesota, the band announced that they reached an agreement and signed Tooth and Nail Records. As the band explains, Josh Riggs, a friend of Hyland, was interning at T&N. Hyland sent them an updated demo of "Taking The Scenic Route," originally recorded on "Polyphonic Telegraph No. 1." Josh had accidentally left the window with the song open on a T&N computer, only for Aaron Sprinkle to hear it the next day. Singer Jon Lewis further explains, "Here we were, in the process of getting songs ready for our next independent recording... Aaron Sprinkle called, asking if he could personally pitch us to Tooth&Nail. We've always been huge supporters of T&N and their artists, it's an honor to now be one of them. The opportunity, the songs, the vision... it's all coming together." Tooth and Nail publicly announced the signing in October of 2010. Hyland follows suit of Children 18:3, Swimming With Dolphins, and Write This Down as current Tooth and Nail artists from Minnesota. On May 3rd, 2011, Hyland released their Tooth and Nail debut "Weights and Measures." The release features reworked versions of all four of the "Quotients EP" songs, and "Taking The Scenic Route." Though played acousticly live, the album also features a non-acoustic version of "Never." Some other highlights on the release include "The One That Got Away," which features background vocals from Anberlin singer Stephen Christian. If you read into the album liner notes, you'll come to know that Ben Kasica plays lead guitar on an updated version of "Til Death." "This Love Is Free," was the first single released, sent to Christian AC and Christian CHR stations. Not long after "Jumping The Gun" was released as a single to Christian Rock radio. Both are updated version of "Quotients EP" songs. In a review on Jesusfreakhideout.com, "Weights and Measures" is said to have a sound similar to that of Anberlin and Ivoryline. Currently Hyland lineup: -Jon Lewis (lead vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar) -Ben Early (keys, electric guitar, background vocals) -Mitch Hansen (lead guitar) -Jaran Sorenson (bass guitar) -Steve Weigel (drums) *All except Jaren are publicized as band members for "Weights and Measures." Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.