The Promise | First Album Release

INTRODUCTION: The Promise

The Promise is a Toronto-based band creating a powerful new genre dubbed ‘21st Century Social Classical’ music. This impeccable ensemble of virtuosic musicians masterfully blends Progressive and Art Rock with a fusion of styles, from classical to theatrical. Unlike many contemporary acts, The Promise specializes in creating profound Concept Albums, with lyrics drawn from real-life stories that spread a positive, impactful message the world needs to hear—this is the core of their “Social” identity.

Driven by a motive to change hearts and minds, The Promise aims to open new possibilities in popular music through innovation and a mission to spread hope.

NAME and ORIGIN

The Promise was originated by Timothy Bartsch (T), a soul-stirring singer and musician. His journey, shaped by classical training and a life-changing HIV-positive diagnosis in 1996, fuels the band’s creative fire. For years, T has shared his incredible story through music, drama, and spoken word.

The band’s history is deeply tied to its original name, Southern Time Band, which was inspired by T’s first song, “Southern Time.” The song reflected his profound connection and identification with the resilience of people in the Global South following his diagnosis. The name “Southern Time Band” honored that bond and the stories from that part of the world.

However, to better reflect the universal message of hope and commitment at the heart of their music—and to avoid any potential geographical misconceptions—the band evolved into The Promise. This new name signifies the pledge T and his band have made to the world: to use their music and affiliated organizations (Southern Time Productions and Southern Time Foundation) to prioritize making our world a better, more compassionate place for all. This transition, from the song that started it all to the band’s first stage performance in 2005, is how The Promise earned its name.

SPECIALITY

The Promise is pioneering a new art form. ‘21st Century Social Classical’ music seeks to revitalize classical’s grandeur for a modern audience. While 20th-century classical music often became obscure and lost its mass appeal, The Promise aims to reverse this trajectory. They combine the complexity and beauty of ‘high art’ with accessible lyrics, relatable melodies, and the driving force of rock, creating music that the global masses can appreciate.

The band’s journey began its ascent in 2005 when Timothy Bartsch first produced the multimedia stage production of Southern Time. Since then, they have honed a unique sound that can be described as a fantastic amalgamation of psychedelic, jazzy-classical, musical-theateresque art-rock.

Looking forward, The Promise is excited to share its story as the core “rock band” for the cinematic version of T’s streaming rock musical drama, The Dreamer series. Southern Time Productions will produce the five-season series over the next decade, with The Promise creating and performing most of the music.

In 2018, the core lineup of the band was solidified in Toronto. A significant milestone was reached in 2019 with the addition of the band’s first openly HIV-positive backup singer, Justin Anantawan, further cementing their commitment to advocacy and inclusion through music.

EXPERIENCE

The members of The Promise are highly accomplished musicians in their own right, bringing together a vast amount of individual experience from across the music industry. This collective expertise, drawn from years of performance and composition, has established them as a uniquely skilled ensemble. They are distinguished by their sophisticated and innovative approach to musical art, creating works that are both technically impressive and deeply emotive.

MUSIC & DISCOGRAPHY

As Leonard Bernstein rightly stated, “Music can name the unnameable and communicate the unknowable.” This philosophy is at the heart of The Promise’s creative mission.

The band, including its earlier iteration, has a rich history of production. Their catalog includes powerful singles such as ‘Poor Soul,’ ‘Imaginary,’ ‘Neville,’ ‘Desert Moon,’ and the seminal track ‘Southern Time.’

A major milestone was reached on July 6th, 2020, with the release of their first fully studio-recorded album, “Lost in Love No More.” This debut album showcases the band’s signature “21st Century Social Classical” style and features standout tracks like the compelling ‘Hey Charlie,’ the introspective ‘Lies,’ and the poignant title track, ‘Lost In Love.’

Explore the album and discover their sound. Listen and purchase your favorite tracks — Click Here
or Here

LIVE PERFORMANCES

The accomplished musicians of The Promise bring a wealth of experience from the world’s most renowned stages. The band powerfully leverages this expertise for advocacy, featuring at premier global events like the International AIDS Conference. Their impactful live presentation at AIDS 2022 in Montreal and their pioneering virtual performance at AIDS 2020 have established them as a unique musical voice within the global health community. These prestigious showcases featured performances of their latest hits, allowing them to share their message of hope and awareness with a dedicated international audience.

MISSION & MESSAGE

The driving force behind The Promise is an unwavering commitment to truth, honesty, love, and acceptance, operating on the core belief that “Music Can Change the World.”

This is the foundation of their advocacy. In every interaction—from fan conversations to media interviews—the band’s mission is to encourage HIV prevention, normalize testing, and dismantle the stigma surrounding HIV.

To directly transform this belief into tangible action, a portion of all proceeds from album sales, live performances, and merchandise is dedicated to the Southern Time Foundation, funding crucial HIV/AIDS initiatives and support programs around the globe.

THE BAND & MEMBERS

The Promise is a collective of both budding and well-established music professionals, uniquely diversified yet united by a shared love for music and a deep commitment to the well-being of people worldwide.

The band’s sound is shaped by a wealth of experience. This includes producer Bryant Didier and past collaborators like Rick Sacks and Donne Roberts—musical veterans who built their careers in the highly creative eras of the 1970s and 80s.

The current lineup features a powerful blend of advocacy and artistry:

Justin Anantawan, a vocalist who trained at the UofT Opera School, is an openly HIV-positive member in his early 30s who has been actively advocating for the rights of the less privileged for over a decade.

T (Timothy Bartsch), the band’s founder, main composer, singer, and multi-instrumentalist. Nearly dying from AIDS in 2009, T channels his lived experience as an HIV-positive individual into the band’s core mission and message. He is also the CEO of Southern Time Productions and the Southern Time Foundation, as well as the writer of the Dreamer series.

Looking ahead, The Promise will be holding auditions for aligned, young, and virtuosic guitarists and drummers to join their ranks.

CHALLENGES & RESILIENCE

The path to forming a standout band in Toronto was marked by significant challenges. A major hurdle was financing their debut album, Lost in Love No More. After initial recording was made possible by a $7,000 grant in 2018, the band was misled by a fraudulent investor in a deal that ultimately proved to be a scam.

Despite this setback, their resilience prevailed. The music they created shone through with bright and inspirational colors, a testament to their dedication. This experience only strengthened their conviction that their mission—to use music in the fight against HIV stigma—was not only necessary but achievable.

GROWTH & IMPACT

The Promise has steadily carved its own path to success, earning a growing global audience that understands and connects with their music. Fans are drawn to the unique appeal of ‘21st Century Social Classical’ sound, paired with the band’s compelling and authentic story.

This organic growth has amplified their advocacy. Their target of reaching the masses and drawing attention to HIV awareness through music has successfully opened new social pathways, expanding the reach of their crucial message.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, The Promise is dedicated to spreading love, truth, and kindness through its innovative music. Every performance is an opportunity to share a message of hope and the latest HIV scientific knowledge, contributing to their ultimate goal: to help end HIV stigma and, eventually, AIDS around the globe.

www.thepromiserocks.com

www.southerntime.ca