The band Relevant Worship is a mainstay at Kingdom Bound each summer. Along with the CD release for Stephen Kulu's holy hip hop outfit, known as Christ Records, Relevant recorded their first ever live DVD on Sept. 25, 2009 in downtown Buffalo at the Town Ballroom. Here's BuffaloChristian.com's interview with Matt Poulsen, one of Relevant's guitar players:
Q) Why did you choose the name Relevant Worship?
A) Relevant was the name of the college ministry group where all the guys in the band used to hang out and also lead worship. We also felt that it fit with the idea of our worship also being art of our life style hence the name “Relevant Worship” as in worship that also is active and Relevant in our everyday lives.
Q) Describe your music in two sentences.
A) I would describe our music as a big indie rock sound with folk and alt country flavor; we are influenced by bands such as Pedro the Lion, Leeland, U2, Ryan Adams, Peter Gabriel, Sunny Day Realestate and Counting Crows.
Q) Why did you choose the name Relevant Worship?
A) Relevant was the name of the college ministry group where all the guys in the band used to hang out and also lead worship. We also felt that it fit with the idea of our worship also being art of our life style hence the name “Relevant Worship” as in worship that also is active and Relevant in our everyday lives.
Q) Describe your music in two sentences.
A) I would describe our music as a big indie rock sound with folk and alt country flavor; we are influenced by bands such as Pedro the Lion, Leeland, U2, Ryan Adams, Peter Gabriel, Sunny Day Realestate and Counting Crows.
Q) What was the purpose of the DVD recording event and what does the event mean to you?
A) The purpose of the event was to celebrate all the great things we were able to see God do in our lives and the lives of the people we met and still meet through the Thursday at the Square outreach we do and also to celebrate how great God is.
Q) Who are you trying to reach with your music and what are you trying to tell them?
A) We pray that our music would reach who ever hears it, and inspire them to look towards Christ.
Q) What's Relevant's deal with downtown Buffalo?
A) Well we love all of Western NY and when we say Buffalo what we really mean is all of our local community; we believe that Buffalo was a great city and God can still use this city to confound the wise. I think downtown is more of a central point of “attack” when ministering to our communities, since almost all the suburbs and surrounding communities associate with Buffalo we thought it's a fitting place to minister. Downtown is also a very cool place with a lot of history and beautiful architecture and culture.
Q) Name all the band members and tell where each are from/live now.
A) Chris Hoisington – Williamsville NY; Anthony Hoisington – Batavia NY; Justin Michau – Batavia NY; Dan Swain – Tonawanda NY; Peter Bordin – Clarence NY; Matthew Poulsen – Amherst NY; Ed Chilungu – Kenmore NY; Suzanne Bonifacio – Williamsville, NY; Jeremy Thompson – West Seneca NY
Q) How did you connect with Christ Records?
A) We met the guys from Christ Records at a gig we did at the Buffalo City Mission and we had an awesome time ministering with them and had a great connection with them.
Q) Anything else you want to share with people?
A) Yes, the body of Christ in WNY is a beautiful thing and we really appreciate all the support and truly feel like we are part of a big family; please support this event and continue to support the ministry of Relevant Worship along with your local church.
Call 716-998-8617 to connect with Relevant Worship. Tell Matt you read about the band on Buffalo Christian.