Recently we dropped our collective lines into the mainstream and took a look at a bevy of artists of faith thriving outside the confines of the Christian market subculture. We return to the stream once more for this second installment. Just as the independent music scene has taught us that not all great records come from big record companies, this growing list (definitely not exhaustive) reminds us that not all artists who are believers are working in the Christian music industry.

ASTRONAUT PUSHERS - MYSPACE.COM/ASTRONAUTPUSHERS
The Astronaut Pushers is actually a collective of several accomplished musicians. Matt Slocum (Sixpence None the Richer) plays guitar along with indie darling Sam Ashworth who also adds his breathy vocal style to the mix. Lindsay Jamieson (Ben Folds) plays drums, and acclaimed former Superdrag front-man John Davis holds down the bass. Though all members continue their “day jobs,” the band did recently perform another highly touted show in Nashville.

MARY J. BLIGE - MJBLIGE.COM
Soul diva Mary J. Blige wears her faith, and her testimony, on her custom tailored couture. Her prodigal story is as powerful as her voice, and she never shies away from sharing her faith in the midst of the tawdry modern R&B scene that reveres her so deeply. Recounting her conversion for Oprah Winfrey, Blige said, “I invited Christ into one of my pity parties. . . . My life was spinning out of control, and I really needed God’s love. And He gave me strength to start again and take control of my life.”

DANIELSON - DANIELSON.INFO
There is nothing typical about Danielson or the band’s prolific and enigmatic front-man Daniel Smith. More folk art practitioner than professional musician, Smith is bold about his faith and often abrasive in his elements, and, yet, mainstream audiences flock to see him in any of several configurations he puts together. A film on Smith and his “Famile,” titled Danielson: A Family Movie, recently released on DVD and is a must-see for anyone interested in the intersection of faith and art.

JEREMY ENIGK - LEWISHOLLOW.COM
Jeremy Enigk’s first band, Sunny Day Real Estate, practically invented emo music in the early ’90s before his renewed faith led him to leave the band. Enigk continued to impact the alternative scene as a solo artist and as a member of The Fire Theft. Eventually, Sunny Day Real Estate reunited and Enigk maintains a solo career as well.  

LIFEHOUSE - LIFEHOUSEMUSIC.COM
After meeting, and forming, as a youth worship band at their church (the Malibu Vineyard), the members of Lifehouse went on to score a massive mainstream pop hit, “Hanging by a Moment”—2001’s most played song at radio. The band has continued to tour, record and release hit singles, never playing coy about its faith, while sidestepping the Christian market (though Lifehouse’s records have managed to find their way to Christian bookstores through distribution deals). The band’s fourth album, Who We Are (Geffen), dropped earlier this summer.