Two new live videos

The band has added two new live rehearsal videos to their YouTube site for "Gentle the Rain at Home" and "Happy Birthday. You can view both below.

New release from Don Peris and David Schelzel

David Schelzel (The Ocean Blue) and Don Peris have recorded a new Christmas demo, "The Angel Gabriel From Heaven Came" for free download at theoceanblue.com. In 2005, the duo recorded "O Holy Night".

Source: Heather

New venue is another world for Rich Ruoff

Steve Brown's Ephrata Main still in the news...

Ephrata Main Theater: New venue is another world for Rich Ruoff - LancasterOnline

Source: Mike Bitts on Facebook

New Christmas recordings

The Innocence Mission have released two new Christmas recordings for download on their site. The first track is "Joy To The World" and the second "In The Bleak Midwinter". They are also including a free download of "O Lord Of Light" which also appeared on their independent album, Christ Is My Hope released in 2000.

Be sure to download these before the conclusion of the holidays, as the band typically removes them.

Upcoming Don Peris live performance

Don Peris will be performing solo at the Ephrata Main Theatre in Ephrata, PA on December 3rd at 8pm. For tickets and more information visit the Ephrata Main Theatre.

Catching Up With... The Innocence Mission

Paste Magazine has printed a new interview with the Karen and Don Peris. Be sure to check it out via this link: Catching Up With... The Innocence Mission

Two new compilations have been added to the site both released in 2008. The first is From Melancholy Garden released in Japan and contains the track "Over the Moon". The second compilation is Les Inrockuptibles Trésors cachés volume 2 which translates to "Hidden Treasures". This was released in France and contains the track "The Lakes of Canada". This particular compilation is a 6-CD box set.

"My Room In The Trees" vinyl pre-order

You can now pre-order a copy of the My Room In The Trees album on 12" vinyl at the band's official site.

PopMatters vs Cincinnati CityBeat reviews

Every once and awhile you'll run across a negative review of an Innocence Mission album. Although not exactly scorching, Ryan Reed chooses to note the obvious to longtime fans (that the sparse arrangements tend to be quiet and alike), albeit negatively, in his PopMatters review.

The most common feedback I receive from fans who've been following the band since the first two albums is that they miss Steve Brown. His drumming arrangements do tend to add more punch and depth to the band's music. For those who miss the band's early days, Steve performs on "Rain" (the first track on the album).

Speaking of Steve Brown, here is a more positive spin of the album from Cincinnati CityBeat's Brian Baker that more eloquently summarizes my statement above.

"Les Filles Sont Folk"

Newly added to the compilations section is the 2007 EMI French release Les Filles Sont Folk with The Innocence Mission track "Happy Birthday".

Rich Ruoff to bring live music to Ephrata Main Theatre

Looks like Steve Brown has hired a booking agent for his new theater business. Check out the news item at Lancaster Online. There also a mention of the Innocence Mission's new album.

"My Room In The Trees" free listening party

If you haven't already purchased My Room In The Trees, be sure to visit Spinner.com to listen to the entire album for free.

And while you're there, be sure to listen to the new Crowded House CD Intriguer.

Release day reviews

Josh Hurst has written a short thumbs-up review of My Room In The Trees for ChristianityToday.com.

Also, you can visit AVClub.com to read Noel Murray's review and AOL.com Shopping to read Jamey Schrick's review.

What Album Are You Most Looking Forward To Next Week?

If the answer is My Room In The Trees, you should be voting on Magnet Magazine's new poll. Click the link below to vote for The Innocence Mission.

What Album Are You Most Looking Forward To Next Week?

"In The Bathtub Of The World" video now online

Back in 2006, we reported on the video release for In The Bathtub Of The World (original story here), now the video is available for viewing on YouTube.

Subsequently, there is also a brief snippet of The Innocence Mission's "Follow Me" that was used in the movie.

Here's a link to Part 1 of 9.

French release of "My Room In The Trees"

My Room In The Trees is now available for purchase in France through the Fargo Store.

"Now In This Hush" (cover) - Michael Aaron

Michael Aaron is back with a new Innocence Mission cover. "Now In This Hush" from the Innocence Mission's album Umbrella is available on YouTube. Enjoy.

edit: video has been removed

P-Vine June releases

Update: The new release date in Japan is June 30th.

Original post: 4/28/10 12:33 PM
Japan's P-Vine Records is set to release three Innocence Mission titles on Thursday, June 17th...
PCD-93334 My Room In The Trees
PCD-4526 Street Map

...and finally a P-Vine re-release
PCD-93339 Befriended

Track listings for the new album are not yet available. There will be no bonus or hidden tracks on the two new releases.

iTunes pre-order for "My Room In The Trees"

The iTunes pre-order for My Room In The Trees will contain an exclusive iTunes bonus-track titled, "Greys and Blues" along with a digi-book.

Free MP3: "Happy Mondays" & "God Is Love"

Updated: 6/15/2010
You can also download "Happy Mondays" and "God Is Love" free at Murich.com as well as read their review of My Room In The Trees.

Original post: 6/11/2010 7:42 PM
Paste Magazine is offering a free download of "Happy Mondays". Get it while you can.

Imdiscog.com server migration

Imdiscog.com will be migrating in the next several days to a new server "where the environment is generally more suited towards our needs". With the growth of the site and bandwith usage, I'm sure you all will be seeing faster load times. At least that's my hope. The process should be seamless and you should not notice any downtime. However, should you have any problems accessing content please let me know by using the contact link on the top menu bar, or contact me at keithabbott@hotmail.com. Should there be an outage, you should still be able to view the news page here: http://imdiscog.blogspot.com.

Two new guitar tabs

Two new guitar tabs have been added to the site. The first tab is "Since I Still Tell You My Every Day" and the other tab is "Oh Do Not Fly Away". Both are accessible on the lyrics/guitar tabs page.

New track "Rain" preview available

Be sure to visit the band's Myspace page to preview the new Innocence Mission track "Rain" (from the Innocence Mission's forthcoming album, My Room In The Trees). You'll find the track on the site's main page via the link above.

Special note: former Innocence Mission drummer Steve Brown returns to perform on the track.

Another new live video..."Song for Tom"

LAMP Records has uploaded yet another live video to YouTube this week. This time, all 3 band members perform "Song for Tom"

Instrumental cover of "Birdless" by Goldmund

Unseen-Music.com has made available a previously unreleased instrumental track from the artist Goldmund. The song is a cover of "Birdless" by The Innocence Mission. You can stream or download the track at Unseen-Music.com.

Karen Peris video snippet for "Brotherhood of Man"

LAMP Records has uploaded a new live video of Karen singing "Brotherhood of Man" which is now available for viewing on YouTube.

My Room In The Trees available for pre-order

Visit the Badmanrecording.com store to pre-order the new album from the Innocence Mission, My Room In The Trees.

"All The Weather" used in Japanese commercial

Since I don't speak or understand a word of Japanese, I can't really describe the commercial, but you'll get to hear a good snip of "All The Weather" from the forthcoming album, My Room In The Trees.

"My Room In The Trees" details

Amazon.com has posted the title tracks to the forthcoming Innocence Mission album, My Room In The Trees. To view the tracklist, play times and other details, click the album cover below.

Two notable bits of information...the demo track "Rhode Island" is finally being released as a re-recorded track for this album. Also, the We Walked In Song bonus track "Shooting Star (sketch)" found on select imports will finally be released as a featured track on My Room In The Trees, however with the name change of "I'd Follow If I Could."



Thanks go to Gary for the email.

"Wonder of Birds" video available through iTunes

The "Wonder of Birds" music video has finally been released commercially (via iTunes in the United States). Considering "Bright As Yellow" was a limited release, you may not want to wait too long to make your purchase.

New track "The Happy Monday's" preview available

Be sure to visit Badman Recording Co to preview the new Innocence Mission track "The Happy Monday's" (from the Innocence Mission's forthcoming album, My Room In The Trees). You'll find the track on the site's main page via the link above.

Steve Brown's Ephrata Main Theatre update

The Ephrata Main Theatre will be selling beer and wine at select showings. Live music will be debuting in the fall. Click the below link for more.

LancasterOnline.com:News:Movie theater will serve beer, wine

Source: LancasterOnline.com

Super Genius back in action

Lifelong friends, Tim Kwiat (vocals, guitar) and Innocence Mission members Mike Bitts (bass) and Steve Brown (drums) are looking to get back into the studio after roughly a 15 year hiatus. Tim posted on Facebook to let us know that he's recorded some rough demos and hopes they'll do some live shows down the road.

More on Super Genius and their lone recording from 1995, Painting In The Rain, can be found here.



Source: Tim Kwiat, Facebook

"My Room In The Trees" release date

My Room In The Trees, will be available in stores and online on June 28th, 2010. Badman Recording Co. will be taking pre-orders for the CD around May 1st and shipping in mid-May.

Thanks to Gary for sending the link.

Source: Badman Recording Co.,

Mike Bitts and Steve Brown to perform live

Steve Brown and Mike Bitts will be playing with Cliff Hillis at the Lancaster LAUNCH Music Conference Fri. April 16 at Gusto's.

Source: Mike Bitts (Facebook)

New album to be released in June!

Updated: The Innocence Mission have updated their web page to reflect a June release for their forthcoming album titled My Room in the Trees.

Additionally, they've announced that Steve Brown has returned to play drums on one of the tracks.

Original article:
From Mike Bitts,

"New Innocence Mission CD is DONE...It will be released in a few weeks; Amazon, CD Baby, etc. will carry it."

Source: Facebook, theinnocencemission.com

Tribute album update

Previously, we announced The Innocence Mission tribute album benefiting the Polaris Project would be released in the spring of 2009. This news was provided by one of the contributing bands, the Winterpills. They were to provide their version of "Keeping Awake", however the album was never released and it's appearing as though it may never be.

Despite the lack of news regarding the as-of-yet released album, Trespassers William has graciously posted a streaming version of their cover, "Tomorrow On The Runway". You can hear the track at their myspace page.

Steve Brown buys Ephrata Main Theatre

The former drummer of the Innocence Mission & Super Genius, Steve Brown, has busy since leaving the band...not just raising children, but with the ownership of Lily's on Main restaurant. And now he and his family have expanded with a new entertainment venture: music, theatre and live music at the recently purchased Ephrata Main Theatre.

For all the details, visit Lancaster Online.



Source: Lancaster Online

"Shadows" and royalties?

Back in 1986, The Innocence Mission released their debut EP Tending the Rose Garden. The track "Shadows" found its way to Amy Grant and was subsequently recorded on her highly successful album Lead Me On.

After all these years, I'm sure many of us had forgotten all about this song, but in 2008 Amy Grant toured and once again performed the song. So do you think Karen and Don are still getting their performance royalties? One can only hope.

See the YouTube video below.