Combine two sisters, their love for Christ, their passion for music, their zeal to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ and what do you get? The Sonflowerz
Born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, sisters Elissa and Becca Leander have been ministering in song since 1999. They have ministered all over the US and the UK. They have shared the stage with many notable talents. With their latest release “All over the World”. Their mission is to bind the bruise, to mend the broken and to set the captives free. The message is simple “Jesus Saves” and he is available to all who will receive Him.
Through their music they sing about their love affair with Christ. In songs like “Adoration”. It takes so you into the inner courts of worship. And it’s time to go beyond the veil.
Since touring full-time with the release of their sophomore album, The Sonflowerz have shared the stage with artists and ministry leaders such as Nigel James (Third Day’s on-road Pastor), author and speaker Lisa Bevere, Jeremy Camp, Kutless, Phil Wickham and BarlowGirl. “These girls are the real deal. They are talented musicians and true artists, but what really sets them apart is their passion for God. We are excited to watch them make an impact on the world,” says Alyssa Barlow of BarlowGirl.
With a vision to reach the U.S. and beyond, The Sonflowerz have traveled to the United Kingdom multiple times. Their single Move Me climbed to number four on the European Christian Music Charts in the summer of 2007, above songs by major label acts such as Stephen Curtis Chapman, Kutless, and Audio Adrenaline. In 2008, the group’s European singles, “Edge Of My Seat”, “All Over The World”, and “My Adoration”, from their most recent album, have all hit #1 on the NCM European Christian music chart.
6-time Dove Award-winner Don Koch produced their new record, “All Over The World”. “When I first met The Sonflowerz, I was taken back by how transparent their hearts are,” Koch said. “I could easily see Christ in them. Their passion for family, for ministry, and their love for singing came shining through.” The album was picked up by Avista Records in July 2008 and released through Provident Distribution in the U.S. December 2008. Internationally, The Sonflowerz music has been distributed through Integrity Europe Distribution. Their first singles “My Adoration” and “Edge of My Seat” climbed to the top of Inspirational and Independent radio charts in the U.S. In November 2008, “Edge Of My Seat” won the $5,000 grand prize award from OurStage.com by receiving the highest number of votes for any song in all 56 genres, including the Christian genre
We caught up with these awesome women of God has they share with you the Glow reader
GM: For those who don’t know, tell us who are the Sonflowerz?
Elissa: My sister and I are the Sonflowerz. We have been doing music together for about nine years now. When I was about 15 years old, Becca and I picked up the guitar about the same time. It really was my passion to worship God that helped me learn an instrument. When I am playing my guitar it's really my time of worshiping the Lord. And I was writing songs to worship him. I remember one day my Dad would knock on my door and said “What are you doing in there”. He is actually the guitar player in our family and I picked up one of his guitars, and he was looking for his guitar (laughing) and that is how everything started. My youth pastor at my home church said he had heard that I could write songs and so he wanted to know about a song I was writing and he took a lot guts for me to get up there and share a song my youth pastor ask me to do but that’s pretty much how things got started.
GM: How would you describe your genre of music?
Elissa: I would describe it as acoustic rock. Our latest album is called “All over the World”. We got a couple of songs that are for young women one is called “More than I think I am”. It talks about our value in Christ.
GM: How to you think your music will cross denominational barriers?
Elissa: You know, Becca and I have been traveling full-time for about five years now. We have traveled to the UK and all over and you know we serve the same Lord, the same God and it so amazing to see people that are so passionate about Jesus in every denomination. And, we’re all worship the same God as I said before and that’s something we all have in common. A common place that we are all joined together.
GM: What is your favorite song on the album?
Elissa: I did this song called “More than I think I am” and that’s one of my favorites. It talks about our values and our worth in Christ and how God sees us.
For additional information on the Sonflowerz visit www.sonflowerz.com
Glow Magazine features The Sonflowerz
