Thanks for taking the time out to have a chat with me, guys. I really appreciate it and I’m sure our website viewers will as well.
1. The new album, Pieces of a Real Heart, has been released. We’ve already had the new single Forgiven being released on radio, but overall, how does this album compare to your previous releases musically and lyrically?
Musically it’s a fairly even mix of our last 4 albums. The upbeat songs are more youthful like earlier records. The ballads are more direct and personal. Rather than stacking layers of guitars and delays, we tried to be very deliberate with parts this time.
Lyrically, we’ve tried to be more specific and open about the subjects in our songs.
2. The title of the album is heartfelt and emotive; what sort of emotional and spiritual journeys have influenced the themes and lyrics in this album?
As we grow older, we’ve faced new events like marriage and parenthood. The lyrics tend to reflect this evolution of aging. Family is a huge priority, and songs like “Lead Me” and “Show You How To Live” came from this. We’ve also faced new trials and songs like “Forgiven,” “The Redeemer,” and “Keep My Heart Alive” came from these times.
3. You were in Australia recently. What sort of funny or exciting things have happened on tour so far in Australia that you can tell us about?
We’re on tour right now in the states, so unfortunately we didn’t get to spend much time exploring in Australia. We really wanted to see a kangaroo or a koala though, so one morning we hitched a ride from Toowoomba to Cooby Creek Reservoir hoping to see some wildlife. Except for seeing some authentic Australian bush, and some Magpies, it was a bust. The closest we got to anything was a kangaroo crossing sign. Hopefully next time…
4. Easterfest is the biggest Christian music festival in Australia, how does it compare to some of the festivals you’ve played in America and around the world(not necessarily gospel festivals)?
I’m not just saying this because I’m speaking to an Australian audience…Easterfest is one of the best we’ve played at. It’s organized, clean, the staff was amazingly kind, and the food was awesome. Festivals are an amazing amount of work to put together and Easterfest is on top of it. It’s a well-oiled machine. There were even plastic sidewalks laid out for walking. I’ve never seen that in the states.
Size wise, Easterfest is right in the middle. There are some great festivals with 10,000 attendees and some with 100,000+ attendees. Another cool thing is that it’s held within the city. American festivals are always out in the country where the noise won’t disrupt anyone.
5. You guys have toured with bands like Third Day, Jars of Clay and Needtobreathe; in your opinion, which band/artist has been the most fun and/or cool to play with? If you could choose, which band (CCM or otherwise) or artist would you play with?
We’ve toured with many great bands. I’d say one of the most fun bands to tour with was Audio Adrenaline. The drummer always had games out for people to play and by the end of the tour, everyone owned Airsoft pellet guns that shot little yellow beebees. Every day was a war. Tenth Avenue North was another great band. We went camping together a couple times while on the road. I’d tour with them any day.
6. Obviously your faith heavily influences your music; in a broader sense, do you sometimes think such lyrical openness (in Christian music generally) is conducive to evangelism, given that many young people nowadays are immediately turned off by the prospect of someone preaching to them?
Wow, that’s a big question ;)
The last thing Jesus gave us before he departed was the Great Commission; to make disciples of all the nations and to teach and obey his commands (Matthew 28:19-20). He’s also shared parables about not hiding our light under a bowl. Sharing the Gospel is incredibly important part of Christianity (Matthew 5:14).
I do, however, think preaching sometimes takes a very different route than openness. And “preaching” happens in all kinds of outlets that aren’t the church and for all kinds of platforms that aren’t Christ; movies, commercials, newspapers, classrooms, the Internet, etc. Today’s young generation is bombarded with all kinds of messages from every direction. Unless there is heart in the message, it’s just white noise. This is the case inside or outside the church, and so it’s easy to see why Evangelism without heart would go unheard.
We believe being open and honest is crucial for sharing the Gospel, and we find that people of all ages are much more receptive to what is said when we’re willing to admit our own weaknesses, our humanity, and that we don’t have all the answers. We believe being open is the best way to share the message of Jesus Christ and find that it doesn’t turn people off, but truly connects better than anything else.
7. Can you guys give us an example of when God has spoken to you in a trying situation (collectively or in your personal lives)?
This is Dan, the bass player, writing. I shared in an interview at Easterfest how I am divorced and how that was an incredibly trying experience. I’ve written a little bit about that on my blog, www.justthebassplayer.wordpress.com. To save space here, you can read the very first post for better context.
It’s difficult to see God’s hand when you’re being faithful in a situation and someone else isn’t. But that doesn’t mean God isn’t there. I believe the Holy Scripture is truth and that the promises contained within it are as solid as fact. He certainly never promises there won’t be trials in life, but he does promise we’ll never have to go through them alone. Without God guiding me through every single day in that season, I don’t know how I would’ve made it out.
Perhaps the most amazing thing that happens after relying on God through a trying situation is that He becomes the Redeemer. All of a sudden, somehow, out of the worst season of your life comes the most beautiful understanding of God’s love for us. I never would have learned it any other way.
8. Can we get a Bible verse that has really inspired you or characterized your life? Briefly explain what the verse is about.
Psalm 139:15-16 “My frame was not hidden from you, when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
2nd Corinthians 8:12 “For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.”
We all have a calling in life, and you don’t have to be the absolute best at something to be used by God. In fact, 2nd Corinthians says that as long as you’re willing, your gift is acceptable according to what you can do, not what you can’t.
That’s a big relief to me because I’m clumsy at about everything I do ;)
FAVOURITES
Movies?
Nacho Libre, The Castle, That Thing You Do, The Killers - Live From The Royal Albert Hall, Tom Petty – Runnin Down A Dream documentary
Song?
Tom Petty – “Won’t Back Down,” The Killers – “Human”, Keith Green – “Asleep in the Light”
Restaurant?
Any place with Good Indian Cuisine (Pete and Dan), In n’ Out Burger
Pirates or Ninjas?
Nintendo. We grew up playing with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Ninja video games on Nintendo.
Well thanks for your time guys. Love what your doing and cool video. We look forward to hearing more from you soon!
This has been an interview from thirdmile.com, Australia’s #1 Christian music website.
Interview by Josh Y