Jars of Clay is leaving Essential Records after 12 years to launch a new imprint called Gray Matters, which will be under the Nettwerk Music Group.

Billboard reported that Jars of Clay's Stephen Mason said, "Having our own imprint will give us the opportunity to be more spontaneous and more prolific in how much music we kick out."

On October 17, 2007, a Christmas collection will hit the shelves as the first Gray Matters release.

Jars of Clay will support the release with a Christmas tour with Third Day. The band also has plans to record a soundtrack for a documentary being filmed by a friend about the African village of Lwala.