AUSTRALIAN TRIO VERSES ANNOUNCES SIGNING WITH FAIR TRADE SERVICES, DROPS NEW MUSIC VIDEO FOR DEBUT SINGLE "THANKFUL"
NEWS SOURCE: Merge PR May 21, 2021
21 May 2021 - Nashville, TN - Fair Trade Services announces the newest addition to their artist family - VERSES, an Australian-based pop trio comprised of brothers Joel and Luke O’Dea and Luke’s wife Jess. A group that began making music to reach kids in Joel's youth group quicklyturned into something much more than they'd ever expected. Being discovered through the songs they posted on YouTube lead them to sign with Fair Trade Services who were immediately drawn to their ministry.
"When I met Joel, Luke, and Jess, I was immediately drawn to their music and their heart for the Word of God," shares James Rueger, VP, A&R for Fair Trade Services. "They built their name around the deep-rooted belief that the Word spoken out would NOT return void. Their passion for their music and vision to send God’s word out to the world made it a very easy partnership. I am excited to see how God uses this music."
The trio couldn't agree more, sharing, "We are so excited to be partnering with Fair Trade! They’ve caught the vision of what we feel God has asked us to do with our music and have been amazing at helping us pursue that. To have a team with such great experience and success in the music industry, who are passionate believers and awesome people, working together to get our music into people's lives is a dream."
The band's debut single, "Thankful," just debuted last night on FreeCCM.com and is also available now on their Vevo channel. At first listen, “Thankful” is a joy-filled piano-driven pop anthem that plays like a montage of the band’s beginnings and everything that came after. Finding real joy in the goodness of God has given the trio a spirit of gratefulness that colors every decision they make, and the timing couldn't be better to release the song.
"Since the moment the melody for 'Thankful' came to life, we have believed that it would bring a divine sense of thankfulness and joy into people's lives like it did for us," they explain. "We wanted to capture that sense in the music video for thankful; that in everyday situations, good and bad, we have a reason to be thankful. Whether that be the beauty of creation, the community around us, or even just the knowledge of Jesus in our lives. We had so much fun making the video in our hometown of Newcastle, Australia - a place to be very thankful for!"
Still residing in Australia, VERSES remains thankful for everything that’s happened and hopeful for what’s to come. It’s less about what they get to do and more about where their songs are able to go. “That’s the mission of VERSES,” Luke says, “singing these Biblical truths into people’s hearts so it will become a part of their everyday life."
Jess adds, "We are fully convinced it doesn’t matter what medium God’s word goes out in. It will complete everything it was sent to do. That’s special to us, that we get to send out the word of God in places we’ll never go to. That’s our true north.”
This Tuesday, September 9, 2025 DC3 Bake Off - A COLORS SHOW - Single (independent) Former Ruins In Your Field - Single (independent) John Van Deusen Hallelujah Story - Single [Anotherland]
This Friday, September 12, 2025
ALBUMS Jervis Campbell Good Grief! (independent) Demon Hunter There Was A Light Here [Weapons MFG] Roxanne Grace Try Again [DREAM] Ellie Holcomb Far Country [Capitol CMG] Malcom Christopher II Purpose and Plan (independent) Q-Flo & IAMOPB The Flo Pack II [Syntax] Sower Contemporary Christian Machine - EP (independent) twenty one pilots Breach [Fueled By Ramen] tylerhateslife MENTAL HEALTH [Syntax] Phil Wickham Song of the Saints [Fair Trade] Matthew West Don't Stop Praying (Deluxe Edition) [Story House]
SINGLES Pat Barrett Hard Part Of A Dream - Single [Capitol CMG] BASECAMP Under the Blood (feat. Knaladeus) - Single [Polished Arrow Music] Bethel Music, Jenn Johnson & Christine D'Clario No One Like The Lord [Nadie Como El Seņor] (Live) - Single [Capitol CMG] Dan Bremnes Find Yourself - Single [Curb] Vince Gill Go Rest High On That Mountain (Extended Version) - Single [UMG] Matt Hammitt Days God Gave - Single (independent) I.A.N., Jordy Sam & OnBeatMusic GOD DID IT - Single [Syntax] Amy Jay Margins - Single (independent) Jeff Deyo & Lisa Nicole I Could Sing of Your Love Forever - Single [NWN] Perry LaHaie Thy Kingdom Come - Single [Frontiers] Myles Maestro Time Bomb (Until I'm Gone) - Single [Syntax] Matt Redman Praise To The Most High (feat. Joe L Barnes) - Single [Integrity] Lexly Nirvana Mood ft. Michael Luis - Single [Syntax] Solachi Voz Test of Time - Single [Syntax] The Undertaking! Forever Remember - Single (independent) VOTA Magical - Single (independent) Josh Wright Nobody Loves Like You - Single (independent)
Next Friday, September 19, 2025
ALBUMS Sho Baraka Midnight of a Good Culture (independent) Influence Music One True God (independent) LO Worship Songs For the Anxious Heart [Integrity] Mainstream Worship Dwelling Place [DREAM Worship] Lauren Mann Heaven - EP (independent) Mat & Savanna Just How Strong You Are (independent) Joel Vaughn TBA [DREAM] Zane Walls Dry Bones - EP [DREAM] Zach Williams Jesus Loves [Provident] Paul Wright GOD SONGS (independent)
SINGLES Frankie Orella Like This - Single (independent) John Waller & WallerCo & Eric Lee Brumley Surprise Me - Single [DREAM]
Pillar One Month Out from October 12th Premiere of New Documentary
DC3 Bake Off - A COLORS SHOW - Single (independent)
