Common Hymnal
A virtual hymnbook stocked with forward-facing content from the spiritual underground, channeling an eclectic art movement in which praise and protest live side by side.
On Tour
Because of our bent toward justice, we have built alliances with leaders and organizations that have a presence outside of evangelical subculture, that are tackling the justice-related issues that are a matter of survival to people on the fringe. One of these is Live Free USA, led by Pastor Mike McBride. We packaged the final dress rehearsal for a tour we did with Live Free USA as a BTS product.
If you would like us to put together a pop-up band for an event, please click here.
Big Picture
Institutionalized Christianity is going through a great shaking. None of us know exactly what tomorrow holds, but one thing is for sure - the Christian world is in a season of significant change. Escapism is being challenged by realism. ‘Sacred’ and ‘Secular’ dualism by a more integrated approach to life. Status quo by social activism. Judgmentalism by compassion. Exclusion by inclusion. Male dominance by gender equality. Hierarchy by democratization. Racism by the leverage of BIPOC leadership. Colonization by the rise of former colonies, geographic and spiritual. And the list goes on. In this process, an emerging generation of artists and thought leaders are experiencing increasing displacement from the religious industrial complex, and beginning to find shelter with other misfits in the spiritual underground. Notwithstanding, their work is exceedingly important, helping us grab a hold of the future and dragging it into the present.
With all of this in mind, Common Hymnal was created as a virtual library to help people of faith navigate these uncertain times and find safe passage into the future by loading them up with forward-facing content from the underground.
History teaches us that the future is innovated at the margins. Therefore, our efforts to treasure hunt the periphery of the faith to find some of these displanted voices, and to stock this repository with their songs, stories and ideas, exposing us to the important conversations and cultural shifts that are happening on the fringe. In providing an outlet for these brave souls, Common Hymnal has been able to curate an intriguing catalog of content that centers life, justice and underground spirituality, where praise and protest are inextricably intertwined.
As such, we are not pursuing a platform of influence in the Christian bubble, nor seeking to regurgitate well worn practices with new packaging. We are working, slowly and carefully, to coalesce and represent a growing group of people who are making a difference in our world from the outskirts of a system they once called home.
When it comes to music, these people are no longer comfortable with a diet of self-absorbed worship songs. Therefore, their building out of a more exploratory genre that engages their faith in all of the realities of life. They are not responsive to cliches, hype or spiritual fads but hungry for thoughtfulness and honesty. Hence, this hymnal’s showcasing of an eclectic and curious culture that is embodied in a broad spectrum of subject matters, styles and production sensibilities.
Want to join us in the work?
Most Recent Songs
Featured
Hip Hop
Our first Hip Hop release is a 7 track EP titled ‘We Outside.’
Most Recent Blog Posts
Featured
