Thought-provoking songstress launches “Girl In The World” video series

Nashville, Tenn. (November 11, 2015) - Floodplain, the newest album from Sara Groves is debuting to critical celebration with reviews even noting it as “one of the top albums of the year.” The November 6 release on FairTrade Services marks Groves honestly contemplating want and provision, personal struggles and empathy. Here is a sample of what critics are saying…

"Singer/songwriter Sara Groves is the embodiment of 'still water runs deep,’ so it’s not surprising her new album is titled Floodplain. Through a dark season of depression, anxiety and writer’s block, this Minnesota mom learned that living on the precipice can make life richer, but that unique view comes with risks. Her tender heart may be waterlogged, but those difficult years have given Groves’ piano-driven pop more substance. Two years in the making, this hauntingly beautiful release can be boiled down to trusting God and living life fully aware.” - Rhapsody

"… Floodplain is a profound listening experience… one of the top albums of the year.” - New Release Today

"Floodplain is deeply personal, emotionally deep, and spiritually penetrating.” - Hallels

“…those who do give it its deserved patience will at worst appreciate the simplicity of the music and the sincerity of the lyrics, and at best will wholeheartedly fall in love with Sara's warmth and profundity.” – Jesus Freak Hideout

"This is art at its best and it’s an album you’ll want to listen to a few times through to really appreciate.” - The Front Row Report

"Floodplain is another brilliant album by Sara Groves. An accessible work of wisdom and beauty: lyrically poetic and musically smart.” - Tollbooth

“Girl In The World” is a newly-launched, Groves generated mini series focused on meaningful topics like pragmatism, utility, beauty and the metaphorical Mississippi River. “Historically, when Troy has tried to get me to make videos, I have been resistant. I guess I always think I have more urgent things to do,” shares Groves. “So instead of waiting for me to sit down with a camera crew, hair and make-up, the camera crew is just coming along with me in my regular life, running errands, talking in the car, having conversations with a 'Girl in the World.' You have heard of comedians in cars getting coffee, this is going to be more like songwriters in station wagons running errands around town.” Groves even delves into the meaning of Floodplain in the following episode, click here.

About Sara Groves:
Sara Groves is a mom, wife, singer/songwriter and recording artist with a passion for justice and a heart of mercy. She has joined forces with International Justice Mission to advocate for victims of human trafficking for the past 10 years. Groves, her husband Troy, and their three children (Kirby, Toby & Ruby) reside in St. Paul, Minn. where they cultivate an artist support community out of a 100 year-old church called Art House North. Floodplain marks her ninth anticipated release with FairTrade Services.

Get Connected with Sara Groves:
Website // www.saragroves.com

# # #

Media Contact:
Velvet Kelm & Courtney Hyder
the media collective
velvet@themcollective.com
courtney@themcollective.com
(615) 591-7989
www.themcollective.com

Anticipated recording finds Groves leaning in as a songwriter in midst of self-discovery

Nashville, Tenn. (October 20, 2015) - Floodplain, the newest album from thought-provoking singer/songwriter Sara Groves, will release on November 6 with FairTrade Services. Groves produced the anticipated new effort in collaboration with Steve Brewster, Matt Pierson, Scott Dente, Daniel Phelps and Brown Bannister. This new album finds Groves leaning in as a songwriter, contemplating want and provision, personal struggles and empathy.

For Groves, this is a different chapter, a seasoned songwriter finding herself at a new place in her 18 year career – with a growing family, an ever growing role with International Justice Mission, a cause closest to her heart, and the community life of Art House North, a 100 year old church owned by the Groves in their neighborhood, life is full.

“One main idea that appears a few times on the record is reality and escape. Joy and sorrow, are both mixed in our cup, " shares Groves. “We can see our reality as a burden and try to escape it, or we can drink our cup. Whether it is depression or poverty or caring for an aging parent, these challenges are realities of life. If I avoid the cup, I also miss joy and provision. If I drink it down, I will 'taste and see that the Lord is good.'"

The title track “Floodplain” points to Groves’ self-discovery that her heart was built upon a floodplain. " The floodplain is a gift of an image," explains Groves. "I was running down along the Mississippi and I saw this homeless man camped on the shore of the river, and then I looked up at the top of the bluff and there was the James J. Hill House, a historic mansion, and a symbol of security. I had been struggling with depression, and was wondering about bootstraps theology, and how much I was the cause of my own troubles. This simple idea came to me, some hearts are built on a floodplain… I knew from a history tour I had taken of St Paul, that the immigrant communities have built their homes on the floodplain, and would lose everything they had to yearly floods. But the floodplain is also beautiful! It is my favorite place to go in the city. So this image, it has helped me name something about empathy and judgment for myself, and for others.

The creation of Floodplain was born out of the generosity of friends – “It is impossible to describe the number of boats in the form of friends that have come to get me during this season on the floodplain.” Floodplain was largely made possible by a gift of studio time in the surroundings of the Redwood Forest at Sonic Temple Studios in Ferndale, California. “I think you hear the generosity and friendship in the music."

Incredibly rich commentary and shared laughter from Groves and her husband Troy discussing each song is now available with a pre-order of the album.

About Sara Groves:
Sara Groves is a mom, wife, singer/songwriter and recording artist with a passion for justice and a heart of mercy. She has joined forces with International Justice Mission to advocate for victims of human trafficking for the past 10 years. Groves, her husband Troy, and their three children (Kirby, Toby & Ruby) reside in St. Paul, Minn. where they cultivate an artist support community out of a 100 year-old church called Art House North. Floodplain marks her ninth anticipated release with FairTrade Services.

Get Connected with Sara Groves:
Website // www.saragroves.com
Facebook // www.facebook.com/saragroves
Twitter // www.twitter.com/grovesroad
Instagram // www.instagram.com/grovesroad

# # #

Media Contact:
Velvet Kelm & Courtney Hyder
the media collective
velvet@themcollective.com
courtney@themcollective.com
(615) 591-7989
www.themcollective.com
@themcollective