Out of the whirlwind
Out of the Whirlwind is a GRAMMY® considered nouveau gospel Christian band based out of the gospel stronghold south side of Chicago. Made up of veteran songwriters and musicians who came together to put out a style they refer to as nouveau gospel. Genre-busting – always interesting.
68ᵗʰ GRAMMY® For Your Consideration
Best ROOTS Gospel Album
Out of the Whirlwind
ABOUT MORE WHIRL
The musical diversity on Out of the Whirlwind’s second album More Whirl might have you questioning their genre at times but make no mistake – this is a gospel band. The word ‘gospel’ means good news and that’s what they deliver, with the realization that we don’t always find ourselves in a place of goodness.
The 14 songs on this album are designed to take the listener on a spiritual journey, all the while keeping them wondering what’s coming next. An eclectic diversity of styles and instrumentation was the hallmark of their debut disc Gospel Gumbo and More Whirl goes further yet. Sha la la good times featuring a 2-time Grammy winner, a uniquely written love song to God, a classic updated pipe organ church tune, three riveting spoken word pieces, call and response with a children’s choir, a harp (harmonica) solo on Amazing Grace!, acapella 3-part harmony, jazzy Jesus Loves Me and more – the creativity coefficient for this crew is off the charts.
The Feature artists on the album bring specific talents to the album. Let’s start with the triumphant trumpet of multiple Grammy winner David Longoria on Sing Praise. The world needs more sha la la singalong praise tunes for Sunday morning.
Pipe organist Jason Michalec brings the power of a 55 rank Allen Renaissance to a song whose melody is traced back to the 500s but has been updated with a bridge to make the request a communal one – Be Thou Our Vision.
Longtime collabs The Workstudy Performing Arts Choir, directed by Whirlwind founding member Shawn Mitchell, enthusiastically put the ’response’ in call and response on smile inducing Mustard Seed. Based in Matteson IL the choir is part of the Workstudy Enterprises academically-based after school/summer programs that have served over 3600 children in 30 years of operation. Shawn and fellow Whirlwind founding member John Ludwig first met in 2017 when John’s nonprofit These Streets Are Holy was looking for a children’s choir to work with to record the song of that title. That song became the beginning of an organization which has come to focus on music, mentoring and urban gardening with at-risk kids in Chicago.
Fellow FYC GRAMMY ® entrants – we too are listening. If you have anything being considered, please let us know. Click here or email john@songsbyjohn.com.
About Out of the Whirlwind
ABOUT OUT OF THE WHIRLWIND
Out of the Whirlwind hails from the musically rich south side of Chicago, the birthplace of gospel music almost a century ago, They respect those traditions but also spin them in some new directions. They like to refer to their music as a nouveau gospel – a melting pot that emanates from the member’s diverse backgrounds. The seasonings range from traditional gospel, jazz, blues, contemporary Christian, funk, R ‘n B, rock, folk, zydeco and even a touch of country. Formed in 2022, the six members have decades of musical experience among them. That knowledge shows in the carefully crafted melodies and vocal harmonies, all the while never forgetting the passion that defines the core of the gospel experience.
Band naming back story: The name comes from the Old Testament book of Job. For 37 chapters Job and his friends attempt to explain the views on what one might call God, life, the universe and everything. Then in Chapter 38 we read, “Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said: “Who is this that darkens counsel without knowledge? Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you and you shall answer Me”” Over the next few chapters, the Lord quizzes Job with a series of questions that only the Creator could answer. Job then humbly declares he will speak no more and repents from his perspective- less attempts at wisdom. The band seeks to represent the voice out of the whirlwind in all they do and say, as opposed to human voices that are full of their own understanding. To God be the glory!
Band nights for Out of the Whirlwind start with a prayer, and their prayer in your direction is that the salvational story they proclaim will also strengthen your walk.
To the Father, Son and Holy Spirit be the glory!