“What can we do to live life the way it was meant to be? Jesus claimed that if we love God with all our heart, soul, strength and mind and our neighbor like our self, well, then we will live.” –Above the Golden State frontman Michael Watson

In the cool, culturally minded streets of Portland, Oregon, Christianity, like much of the city’s music scene, is basically underground.

But for the Portland trio know as pop/rock act Above the Golden State, the sheer lack of Christian culture hasn’t been a problem. If anything it’s caused the guys to get serious about their faith in the trenches –and what it really means to be a follower of Christ.

“I feel like we got a fresh, clean, unbiased start to following Christ and understanding God through His Word,” Michael shares. “And that’s why we draw from who we are and share that message musically.”

Now on the heels of its critically acclaimed, self-titled debut in 2008 that yielded hit singles “Sound of Your Name” and “I’ll Love You So,” the band is serving up a new collection of catchy anthems with a decidedly West coast vibe on The Golden Rule.

With a back-to-basics approach, Watson says the album’s lyrics underscore the core elements of faith.

“The Golden Rule, to love God and your neighbor as yourself, is a commandment we’ve all been given,” says Michael. “Through our songs, we want to encourage the Church to return to that fundamental truth. We aren’t interested in competing with other bands for chart success or simply following the path that the music industry has set out for artists. Instead, we are constantly pursuing God upward, serving God within our community and going into the world to share His message.”

Not afraid to shy away from the complexities of faith, even in a three-and-a-half minute song format, Above the Golden State’s sophomore album isn’t fueled by pat answers and platitudes. Rather, it’s driven by an authentic desire to love the world as Jesus did.

One of the project’s standout tracks “I Am Loved” is a reminder of God’s continual presence, even when He feels far away.

“Where is God? Why don’t I feel His presence? These are questions that many of us ask. Even great men of the Bible like David asked these questions,” Michael shares. “But this song is ultimately a reminder that He hasn’t left us. He hasn’t stopped loving us. Naturally, life will have its highs and lows, there’s no escaping that. But thankfully this life is really just the beginning. He is shaping our souls for the day we’ll see Him face to face and know Him fully.”

With “The Real You,” the band addresses authentic Christianity, not the “feel-good, quick fix” that’s often peddled in the Christian subculture. Later on, with “Tragedy,” the message of “The Real You” gets a practical application when the guys investigate life’s darker realities, most notably what you say to someone who’s lost it all through divorce, cancer, lost jobs or even a loss of faith.

Anchored by the prayerful and practical support of their local church, Solid Rock in Portland, the band is “humbled” and “honored” to share its Gospel-driven message with the masses.

“How Jesus is moving in our church locally is the lifeblood of our ministry,” Michael says. “Now I would like our next big push outwardly to have a clear message of the Golden Rule, which is already in our music.”