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Detour from EXCEL to Parachute

Detour made their Mainstage debut at Parachute 03, unleashing a solid fusion of power and raw emotion. Signed last August as one of only two bands currently on the Parachute Records label, they're set to release in the States July this year.

Lead vocalist Adrian Robertson - "We don't do music for music's sake, it's got purpose and we want to use it that way. Who we are and what we play is all about music moving people. If we do that, we're achieving what we set out to do."

Detour also features Jono Scarlet - bass, Cain Coulton - guitars, and songwriters Evan Cooper - drums and Matt Chapman - guitars.

So where did Detour come from? Formed in January 2002, they'd each been involved with various other bands but met while training and touring the country together in 1999 with EXCEL School of Performing Arts.

EXCEL is a Christian-based performing arts school that offers NZQA accredited courses majoring in vocals, guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, dance, drama and sound. Each year a team of first year graduates are selected to tour New Zealand with programmes for theatres, churches and high schools.

Parachute 03 featured numerous past EXCELers, including not only Detour, but also in Wash, Soda, Sarah McBride, Mozelee and Jireh amongst others. EXCEL is pleased to have been part of the technical, spiritual and potential development of so many individuals and looks forward to continuing this way.

For further enquiries regarding EXCEL or final auditions, contact the office, on 09 827 7327, www.excel.ac.nz.