Alabaster Box: Coming Home
20th October 2009 by Julia Hosking
The Australian Tour
Starting in Sydney on 23 October, Alabaster Box will embark on a tour which visits more than 20 towns and cities. They will be performing in places such as Mackay, Melbourne, Bundaberg, Brisbane, Taree, Tamworth, Wagga Wagga, Albury, Albany and Alice Springs.
"We have a heart for places on the map that are off the ‘standard touring circuit', says keyboardist Josh Brown. "Years ago, that is where we cut our teeth ... We are passionate about the message we believe Christ has given us. We want to share the hope that can be found in Christ with everyone, not just those in the cities and big towns."
A growing ministry
Alabaster Box began 10 years ago as a youth group band on the Gold Coast. Their big break came when they won a song competition on Brisbane radio station 96five, the success delivering their transition into full-time ministry with their music.
"One of the finalists couldn't make it, so they called us to fill in and we ended up winning," explains Alabaster Box lead vocalist, Naarah Seagrott. Soon afterwards, the band members left their careers as lawyers, bank managers and teachers, and started full-time ministry with their music.
A heart for the voiceless
"We had some amazing opportunities to play in public schools, festivals and different churches. We played everywhere and as often as we could, including small and remote country towns," says Naarah.
The Salvation Army was often on Alabaster Box's schedule. "The Salvation Army has always stood for those people who have no voice; we are passionate about partnering with people who share this heart," explains Josh.
Wanting to grow
After six years of touring Australia, the band felt it was appropriate to relocate to the US. "We really wanted to grow as a band musically ... There is a larger Christian music industry in America and you're really surrounded by a lot of people who can help you grow," shares Naarah.
Amongst everything they do, the band knows they must stay focused on their ministry. "It's a balance to make sure that you don't get caught up in your big ‘ministry' but really make an effort for some of the smaller but most important things, like spending time with people and hanging out," Naarah says.
The benefit of flat tyres
Today, Alabaster Box are churning out hit songs alongside the likes of leading Christian artists Michael W Smith, Switchfoot and Casting Crowns, but it's been a long road and has taken a lot of hard work to get there.
Running out of petrol, getting flat tyres and hitchhiking for kilometres to the closest town was a common occurrence for Alabaster Box when they first started touring outback Australia. Nonetheless, Josh is positive when reflecting on those experiences.
"When I look back now I realise how those [early] days made us into who we are today," says Josh. "Now when we have ‘wins' we know the price we had to pay to get here, and we value it so much more."
The tour
- Oct 23 -- Chatswood, NSW
- Oct 24 -- Melbourne, VIC
- Oct 25 -- Atherton, Qld
- Oct 28 -- Townsville, Qld
- Oct 29 -- Bowen, Qld
- Oct 30 -- Rockhampton, Qld
- Oct 31 -- Bundaberg, Qld
- Nov 1 -- Harvey Bay, Qld
- Nov 6 -- Brisbane, Qld
- Nov 7 -- Burleigh Heads, Qld
- Nov 8 -- Taree, NSW
- Nov 10 -- Tamworth, NSW
- Nov 11 -- Newcastle, NSW
- Nov 12 -- Wagga Wagga, NSW
- Nov 13 -- Wodonga, VIC
- Nov 14 -- Adelaide, SA
- Nov 18 -- Geraldton, WA
- Nov 20 -- Perth, WA
- Nov 21 -- Albany, WA
- Nov 25 -- Alice Springs, NT
- Nov 28 -- Darwin, NT
*For more information on Alabaster Box including how to book tickets, visit alabasterbox.com or myspace.com/alabasterbox.
Julia Hosking is a journalist with The Salvation Army, writing for the MORE website and Pipeline Magazine. She is a perfectionist at heart and loves eating chocolate, drinking coffee and chilling out with her husband, Michael.
Julia and her husband worship at Menai Salvation Army, and during their honeymoon they discovered a passion for lying on Thailand beaches.
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Comments
Does any1 know what time the concert in brisbane starts? i saw them last 2 times they were in Aus cant wait to see them again
Hey Dazzle, it starts at 6:30pm in Brisbane. For concert times at the various locations and information about purchasing tickets visit their website (mentioned above) and head to the 'tour' page. It's all there. : )