Sparrow records will be releasing the debut project from the band poised to be the next big thing out of South Carolina, needtobreathe. Daylight, recorded in the UK and produced by Andy Green, (Keane’s multi-platinum Hopes and Fears) will hit the streets nationwide on April 4th, 2006.

“I was drawn to needtobreathe and their music the first time I saw a video clip of the band on the internet,” recalls Brad O’Donnell, Vice President, A&R, EMI CMG Label Group. “They write songs with big hooks, they have a compelling, hi-energy live show and they are committed to making great records. They have the talent and ambition to have an incredible career.”

Bridging the gap between college and mainstream rock, Daylight is loaded with hook-filled songs reminiscent of 2005 sensations The Killers and Maroon5. You Are Here was the first single released to radio.

Lead by Bear Rinehart (lead vocal, guitar), a former Furman University football standout at wide receiver, who holds several “all-time” school records including career catches, season catches, and career punt return average, he was also given the Banks McFadden trophy in 2002, which is awarded to South Carolina’s best collegiate football player by the Greenville Touchdown Club. Bear’s brother Bryant “Bo” Rinehart (backing vocals, guitar) co-writes with his brother and was featured in the hit movie “Radio” with Cuba Gooding Jr. and Ed Harris. Bear and Bryant Rinehart are named after the legendary football coach at the University of Alabama, Paul “Bear” Bryant. Both Rinehart’s gave up potential careers in football and acting respectively, to pursue their dream of and passion for music.

The line-up also includes hard-hitting Joe Stillwell (drums/percussion, backing vocals) who is, along with Bear, one of the founding members of needtobreathe; and Seth Bolt (bass, backing vocals) who recently earned his degree in recording engineering and founded Plantation Studios, where the band produced and recorded all of their independent releases.

needtobreathe has spent the last 2 years playing over 200 shows and has shared the stage with the likes of Switchfoot, Everclear, Collective Soul, Jason Mraz, Institute, Edwin McCain, and many others.

You can hear a few audio samples from Daylight on needtobreathe’s artist page. The band will be featured on HearItFirst.ca on April 7th.

Be Sure to pick up your copy of needtobreathe’s Daylight at a Canadian Christian retailer next Tuesday. Click here to find a store near you.