Above the Golden State

Above the Golden State, also known as Nations, was an American Christian rock band from Portland, Oregon.^[1] Their self-titled debut album, Above the Golden State, was released on July 22, 2008^[2] through Sparrow Records. The band's first single from the album was "Sound of Your Name",^[1] which was included in WOW Hits 2009 as a bonus track. An extended play titled The Golden Rule was released on January 1, 2010, with lead single "I Am Loved". On April 3, 2012, the band released a new EP titled Word's Don't Act, reflecting the name of its first track.

Above the Golden State
Also known as	Nations
Origin	Portland, Oregon
Genres	CCM, Christian rock
Years active	2007–2014
Labels	Sparrow
Members	Michael Watson Tim Aylward Brook Mosser

The band changed their name to Nations. They began fundraising for a second album, titled Nations, which would be released on August 27, 2013.^[3]

In 2018, frontman Michael Hughes Watson began his solo music career.^[4]

Musical style

Above the Golden State has been described as being indie rock and Christian, but Above the Golden State self-describe their music as "west coast rock, pop." Lead singer Michael Watson said "we're doing our best not to call it surf rock—basically, it's that with a touch of the rainy northwest." The band has said that they are fans of all musical styles, and have been influenced by Weezer, Five Iron Frenzy and Delirious?, as well as the Beatles and Duke Ellington.^[5]

Members

• Michael Watson – lead vocals, guitar
• Tim Aylward
• Brook Mosser

Discography

Albums

Studio albums

List of studio albums with selected chart positions

Title	Details	Peak chart positions
		US Christ	US Heat
Above the Golden State	Released: July 22, 2008 Label: Sparrow Records Formats: Digital download, streaming, CD	28	40
Nations	Released: August 27, 2013 Label: Independent Formats: Digital download, streaming	—	—
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Extended plays

List of EPs with selected chart positions

Title	Details	Peak chart positions
		US Christ
The Golden Rule	Released: January 1, 2010 Label: Sparrow Records Formats: Digital download, streaming, CD	—
Words Don't Act	Released: April 3, 2012 Label: Independent Formats: Digital download, CD	—
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Singles

List of singles with selected chart positions

Title	Year	Peak chart positions	Album
		US Christ
"Sound of Your Name"	2008	11	Above the Golden State
"I'll Love You So"	2009	22
"Under the Mercy"		—	Non-album single
"I'll Love You So"	2010	29	The Golden Rule
"Love You More"	2013	—	Non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.