I first met Stephen back in 2001 when his old band played a Church I was
going to at the time. We hit it off and I was impressed with his humble
demeanor. He is a passionate guy with a lot to say. It’s that same passion
that leads him to front one of the most amazing rock bands of today,
Anberlin. With that said, I’ll be conducting a little interview here with
the man behind the mic.

Brandon/IVM: So first off, tell me a little bit about yourself. Where you
grew up what your hometown is like. Just the simple essentials.

Stephen Christian/Anberlin: I consider my hometown st joeseph, michigan. even though i have spent the majority of my years in winter haven, florida my heart is elsewhere. st joe has such an innocence about it. childhood memories attached. the pier, the beach, the sand dunes, peerless canvas, my grandparents, etc. the fall, leaves burning, a slight chill in the air, that is where the heart is.

Brandon/IVM: You’re going to hate me for asking these questions but I’m
going to do it anyway. What recollections do you have of your time with
you old band. Any good or bad things to spill? What have you learned since those
days?

Stephen Christian/Anberlin: I loved those days. Naive, hopeful, everything was exhilarating. the
music was a cross between hot water music and stevie vai. it was
God-awful music. rather embarrassing if you ask me, but we all have to
come from somewhere. Those were crimeless moments. It taught me about finding a firm
foundation and humility… though that was easy when your as horrid as
we were.

Brandon/IVM: Anberlin signed to T&N in 2002 and you released one of the most
incredible debut records I’d heard in a long time. What was that debut like
for you to accomplish? Any comments?

Stephen Christian/Anberlin: Truly an accomplishment. We had no idea what we were getting into. We had walked into the studio with only 10 songs. We had no more no less.
and even one of those was not ours. Aaron taught us a lot (the
producer) about the industry ins and outs. which ended up to be more of an impact than his production.

Brandon/IVM: How has your relationship with T&N been? Have they treated you
well? Are you pleased with your current position?

Stephen Christian/Anberlin: I am sure that there are good and bad things about every record
label. Working with Tooth and Nail has been brilliant. I have made
some invaluable friendships* that will far outlast this band.
The disadvantage of any indie is that they do not have the money to
throw at clear channel or mtv to make the band happen (whether the
band has talent or not.) the positive to indie labels is that they
have the heart and soul. If you eat, they eat. they are along side you
through the good or bad. Major labels have the money, but if your not putting up the numbers they want they have no passion or vision for your band. So which is more important… money or passion; and that’s how we made our decision. There is a light that never goes out.
*one side note: another negative attribute to an indie label is that
there is a lot of idle chatter, rumors, and talking behind peoples
back that happens @ smaller labels. ours is no exception. sometimes it
feels more like a high school than a label.

Brandon/IVM: Never Take Friendship Personal was a natural progression from Blueprints for the Blackmarket, what is your take on the subtle differences between records? How have you guys improved?

Stephen Christian/Anberlin: I think when you tour 10.5 months a year it is inevitable that you
are going to put on a better and better show. With that much touring
you also learn your instrument exceedingly so. I think walking into
the studio the second time we had obtained one major thing that is
clearly lacking on our first record: confidence.
We knew who we were and what we were setting out to achieve. Aaron
manipulated our sound on the first record and on the second record he
was much more hands off. We grew as people, had seen more places, experienced more failures and more success’s. Life had been good to us, i had a lot to draw
from. i think this third album may be our pinnacle record,. it’s who we
always knew we had inside us, it just took us 2 records of
experimentation to finally get it down on paper and eventually record.

Brandon/IVM: What was the recording process like the second time around?

Stephen Christian/Anberlin: For drums nate was comfortable. He had turned from a prodigy to a
professional in the matter of one album. Deon experimented more with
playing on his own then following the lowest note of the guitar. Joey and I pretty much did our own production. Aaron was absent for a
good majority of my vocals, but it turned out great. It pushed me to
do it on my own, get better at my weakness’s instead of relying on
Aaron to come up with something. I want to continue that on this next
record and do the vocal production completely by myself… since
‘friendship’ was pretty much just that.

Brandon/IVM: You’ve dropped small hints of a future writing session for the
new record. When shall we expect to see Anberlin in the studio again? Will
an album drop this year?

Stephen Christian/Anberlin: We are going to end our Canadian run in Seattle @ the end of July and
that is where we will begin this next project. We will be in the
studio for about 6 weeks which will take us well into august.
we are not sure when the album will drop but it will probably fall
somewhere between dec.-feb.

Brandon/IVM: How do you feel about a major label? Do you seen Anberlin
moving in that direction any time soon? Any comments on the matter?

Stephen Christian/Anberlin: I want to go where my heart leads. Tooth and Nail is bending backwards for us right now. if this continues and they and us feel that working
together would be in both our best interest, then we would love to
stick around. Underoath just resigned to Tooth. It was incredibly
smart. They knew that Tooth could push them to the level exactly where
they needed to be. if we feel the same, we will stay as well.
Honestly as of late i have been reclusing from the idea of
business and fame so i let our management handle all that stuff. I just
want to write music.

Brandon/IVM: Switching gears here for a second….

You’re a Christian playing in a rock band. How do you feel your role (and
purpose) as a Christian is affected by rock n’ roll. What place does
Christianity play in the making of music?

Stephen Christian/Anberlin: My purpose as a human is to love the Lord my God with all my heart,
soul, and mind. my purpose as a musician it is to make the best
possible music and entertainment for the listener. The amalgamation of
the two is the controversy. We seem to be too Christian for the
general market and not Christian enough for the Christians. Conundrum.
The other day a youth pastor wrote me how he felt we “wasted an
opportunity to preach @ our sold out house of blues show, though (he)
can see Christ in our actions, lyrics, and lifestyle.” I asked him “if you saw Christ in our actions, lyrics, and lifestyle ,did we not preach?” The thing is people bring into the music an expectation, if we do not fill that than we are not following Christ as they see fit.

The summation of my argument is thus…I have an audience of One.
one day i will have to stand in front of that audience of One and
keep an account of every action, word, (or lack of actions or words)
when i die.

I am not called to be an evangelist, pastor, or teacher @ this stage
in my life. Right now i am called to a band called Anberlin. If God
does call me to that in the future i am sure he will let me know
through other ways than a youth pastor writing me on Myspace.

I hope this does not come off as bitter, I am not bitter at all, just
stating an ongoing explanation of particular actions.

I write my songs based on personal experience, the overflow of the
heart so the mouth speaks. God is intertwined with my life in every
facet, and those facets of my life he is not intertwined with, I wish he
would rid me of. So it is natural for God to appear in so many of my
songs, whether ambiguous, in spirit, or by name.

I have NEVER sat down and said,”how can i make my religion a part of
this song… how can i market my faith so i can break in the christian
charts. ”

For those who market Christ as a product, there is a special place in
hell for them. Christ can not be bought and sold. People taint
something so sacred and beautiful and holy with a price tag.
i am sure that there are a lot of good souls (as starsailor would
say) in the Christian music business (jeremy camp being one) but as a
whole, my God in heaven, i believe that if Christ were to walk through
their temple (GMA) that there would be whips and tables flying in
every direction.

Conundrum. me. the first part of this question i was asking people
not to judge my actions, and here i am judging others. oh well.
there is my humanity coming out.

Brandon/IVM: Your band is openly embraced by Christians worldwide. How do you feel about this acceptance and what would you say to your Christian
fans?

Stephen Christian/Anberlin: I do not distinguish between listeners really. i would hope that the entire world, no matter what race, creed, religion, or sexual orientation,
could listen and appreciate anberlin.
but i do understand that many of you reading this are Christians so
let me direct my attention briefly on those with similar faith. do not forget that you are a wretch. let me explain. in the hymn, amazing grace, we sing ‘amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.’ what (christians) forget is that
we are still the wretch and the only thing that separates us from
others that pass in and out of our lives each day is grace.
somewhere along the line we thought this priceless grace was owed to
us. we feel in some way that this grace puts us above others. we are
better than the homosexual or the prostitute. you are not. our
righteousness is as filthy rags. our good deeds or paying tithe don’t
mean poop. as soon as you believe that you some how have earned this,
or worked hard enough for this grace, you have lost the point
entirely. it is not by works that you are saved…lest any man should boast.
realize that we are still that wretch, and you should treat those
around you as above you.the more i sin, the more i fail, the deeper within my selfish nature i give into, the more i empathize with the prostitute who washed Christ’s feet with the expensive perfume. i have that whore. i am that homosexual. i am that beggar. i am the widow and orphan.
you are that whore. homosexual. begger. widow and orphan.
when you forget that, you are no better than the Pharisees and
saducees that Christ himself rebuked repeatedly.
grace. it is for everyone. act like it.

Brandon/IVM: What purpose do you feel we as Christians should fill for those of us working in the music market?

Stephen Christian/Anberlin: I believe that a great example of this is my dear friend Chad Johnson
that works with tooth and nail records. he has one hand in the
workplace and one hand working for furtherance of his faith. yet his
hands are connected onto the same body, and that’s how we should be. Just because we are followers of The Way does not mean that we can not be connected to the world and its happenings. We can not be naive to what is happening around us. (james
1:27 says ‘unspotted’ but there is a difference between connected and
unspotted)to a jew we become a jew, to the greek a greek, i become all things
to all people that i may help others find what i have found
(paraphrase to keep the christian -ese to a minimal).
we need to set the example and the bar. we need to be the hardest
working and complain the least. we need to bring hope in a very dark
industry. we need to show the love and grace that was extended to us
to those who view ’sex, drugs, and rock and roll’ as a requirement on
the job application. we need to set our self’s apart and not above. im
going to write that again. we need to set our self’s apart and not
above.*thanks chad for being a wonderful example

Brandon/IVM: How has your faith affected your presence on tour and on stage as a performer. What is like going out on tour with big time rock bands and still holding on to your faith, sharing with others around you?

Stephen Christian/Anberlin: This a tricky question because i am not here to pat myself on the back by running down the list of who’s, and where’s, and how’s . so i will say this; i try my best to preach the gospel at all times and when necessary using words. as far as those of you who are pursuing music as a career and will one day go out with general market bands: know what you believe, know why you believe. concentrate on a strong foundation between you and God. that is what is going to keep the momentum of faith pushing you through the hardest and most temptation filled moments of this
business.

Brandon/IVM: How do you feel about Christian individuals who choose to share their Faith through the music they compose. If we are to encourage freedom of expression and thought, should Christian artistry be accepted? Do you feel there is a certain level of intolerance in the music scene at large for Christian Artists?

Stephen Christian/Anberlin: Honestly christian music as a whole isn’t that good. its not that the
‘outside’ world is intolerant its that christian music is not talented
in the least. we follow whatever the rest of the world is doing, but
about five years to late. if they have a boy band… we will start a
boy band a couple years later. ‘they’ have a creed band, well we will
start one. for God being the creative force perpetuating this universe
we sure are unoriginal!

Christians who do come up with something new and are TALENTED still
shine in the general market regardless of belief system. look at
underoath, zao, mae, further seems forever, juliana theory, etc.

i think the christian church stifles creativity. we have labeled art
and the arts and psuedo-homosexual so pastors/priests shy away. which
is ridiculous. david danced naked before the alter, but if someone
wanted to simply show God how in love with him they were by dancing
(fully clothed) they would be excommunicated. paul shaved his head as
a vow to God, but if we have a tattoo with the same meaning we are
ostracized. in other words there needs to be a revolution of creativity in the church and maybe in a couple of generations we wont be copies* of
everything we see in the music industry, but leaders paving the way in
experimentation. *side note. this is complete proof of our ‘copy’ mentality. if you go to a “christian bookstore” they have lists of which christian bands sound like what “secular” bands. sad. but true.

Brandon/IVM: What are your thoughts on young bands of Christians wanting to
play both markets just out of their love for their Faith? I know we can get
a bit jaded with age but some of the young at heart are really passionate
about their newfound faith. What is your opinion on the matter?

Stephen Christian/Anberlin: Purity of heart. if you really want to play both markets for love of
their faith than pursue it. but maintain the purity of heart not just
today, but in five years from now. there is a lot of money in the
Christian music business right now (it is the fastest growing segment
of the music industry currently) but don’t sell out.
but here is my enigma… if you are sold out to your faith why are
you playing the Christian market at all? does that make you a better
Christian by playing Jam for the Lamb fest ‘07?
actually i think if you want to be truly sold out for Christ than be
the doctor to those who are not well. did not Christ say “go into all
the world and preach the gospel”? then why are you playing first
assembly of Christ in God’s youth group? you should be playing the bar
down the street. sure i there is need of edification of the Church,
but edify it then get out! for some reason we feel if one is sold out to Christ then they are a christian band and travel with only other christian bands and sign on
to victory in Jesus record label. how horribly warped.
but this is what it breaks down to… go where the peace is. trust in
the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding.
in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.

Brandon/IVM: I’m not big on the Nashville Christian Music meat Market but how do you feel about the independent Christian scene or artists who are Christians making music directed at the entire world rather than a sub genre culture?

Stephen Christian/Anberlin: Good for them!

Brandon/IVM: What are your thoughts on social and world issues? Any certainissue that touches your heart and tugs on your soul that you’d like to touch on? What are you most passionate about?

Stephen Christian/Anberlin: Right now i am really reverting back to james 1:27. pure religion. i
leave in one week to haiti for two weeks where i will help build an
orphanage in a remote part of the country. i want to begin to get out
of this country at least twice a year from here out to help those in
need. but as far as causes i am impassioned about, World Vision is an
amazing organization that anberlin has been working with for some time.
invisible children has really touched me, if i could help them more i
would. mercy ships is phenomenal. but the most moving thing as of late
has been the killing and genocide that is happening right now in
Defar. it hurts. i feel so powerless in the situation. i never wanted
Rwanda (hutu and tutsi) to happen again and it is happening and i
can’t do anything about it. my hopes would be that everyone helps in whatever capacity to makethis world a better place.
“become the change you wish to see in the world”
-ghandi

Brandon/IVM: Okay enough of these questions, on to the fun stuff (and sorry for twisting your mind for a moment

Brandon/IVM: We now know that the great and wonderful Stephen Christian has a side project called the Stephen Christian Side Show Circus. Want to
elaborate (kidding)?

Stephen Christian/Anberlin: wow is that the name of it? hahaha great. well there it is ladies and gentlemen.no i am not sure the name of it just yet. but there is one song that aaron marsh (copeland) and myself have worked on up on
stephenchristian.us . *it is not mixed or mastered, but you get the
direction. i am really really excited. it is just another outlet. it
doesn’t have the energy that anberlin has but i believe its more
ardent and apparent.

Brandon/IVM: You’re recording your solo (or have recorded) stuff soon, how has that process evolved? What’s it been like going out on your own?

Stephen Christian/Anberlin: I love being on my own in the writing process. it has expanded my
horizons and taught me how to be a better song writer, i also play a
lot of piano and guitar on this project, something i have played
around with but not had much chance until now to do.
i have no idea what its going to do, or even where its going to come
out. but i don’t care. its one of those things in life i just wanted
to accomplish. so even if no one else hears it or likes it, i will
have the sense of accomplishment.

Brandon/IVM: About how many songs do you have prepared for the record (Solo record)? Who is recording with you (on instruments)? Will you tour solo?

Stephen Christian/Anberlin:

piano/guitars/vocals- myself
piano/guitars/production- aaron marsh (copeland)
drums-john bucklew (copeland)
bass- louis d. (gasoline heart/the kick)
vocals- ana becker
violins- racheal p.
etc.

We have about 4 songs done. 3 unfinished and 4 that still need to be recorded.
i would love to tour on it but right now anberlin is on tour about ten
months a year. which leaves little time to expand my side project.

Brandon/IVM: Please don’t tell me that Anberlin will break up anytime soon?

Stephen Christian/Anberlin: No way. that won’t happen. anberlin is my priority.

Brandon/IVM: What label is planning on releasing your solo record and when
can we expect it to street?

Stephen Christian/Anberlin: I have no idea. i would love something like burnt toast or secretly
canadian, because i want this record to be more like art than a
capitalistic venture.

Brandon/IVM: What is rockin’ your stereo lately? Any new bands that you’re
into?

Stephen Christian/Anberlin: Wow. this could be a long one.
just went to an OURS show last night. it was a spiritual experience. i
felt closer to God than any church service i had been to in some time.
im really in to blues lately. buddy guy, muddy waters, johnson, etc.
im in a state of musical reclusion. we are about to record so i try to
steer away from anything that might influence a melody/vocal/lyric
line. so jazz/classical/ or blues are apart of the purification process.

Brandon/IVM: What bands have been most enjoyable to tour with?

Stephen Christian/Anberlin: All.
I cant think of one tour i regret. well one. but still.
everything is a learning process. we are about to go out with
jonzetta again. they are a new band on tooth and nail and are a lot of
fun to hang out with.after that we are out with the most relaxed guys in the business,hawthorne heights. then out in canada with the most adhd people in the business, story of the year. so its going to be an interesting couple
of months.

Brandon/IVM: Have you ever considered guest spotting on one of your favorite band’s records? Has anyone asked you to lend your vocals to a track or two?

Brandon/IVM: Who do you think will produce the next Anberlin record? Any dream production jobs you’d most desire?

Stephen Christian/Anberlin: Aaron sprinkle will be recording the next record.
i am not big into producers, so as long as it sounds good i don’t
care. the rest of the guys are all into that stuff. they have the
stronger opinions when it comes to recording.

Brandon/IVM: What can we expect out of Anberlin in the next two years? Any big changes? Any chance for a cover article in a major music mag?

Stephen Christian/Anberlin:
Next two years.
haiti in may.
headlining 2 weeks june.
hawthorne 2 weeks june/july
story of the year 2 weeks in july
recording august/sept
japan oct.
and that’s as far as i know.

as far as me personally i would really like to get my solo record out
and my book published.

Brandon/IVM: Congrats on the recent radio play your single has been
garnering. That’s a huge feat in today’s clouded music climate. Is the
single on the rise, are more stations playing it? Any chance for KROQ here
in Los Angeles to play the tune? I haven’t heard it yet but I’ve sure
requested it.

Stephen Christian/Anberlin: I am not sure about kroq. they are the top of the top. they can pick
and choose anyone they want. they have been out to a couple shows, but
still no word on them. i hope one day.
Yeah the radio has been quite a success for us. it is cool to see
people in the crowd that look like they should be at a tool or marliyn
manson show singing along.

Brandon/IVM: What has your hometown reception been like to your music? What
is the crowd situation like? Are a lot of people showing up?

Stephen Christian/Anberlin: It has been great. this was our first time playing house of blues
orlando (about a week ago) and it was sold out! it was amazing. the
best part of the entire night was just the smile on my families face.
everything else was extra curricular.

Brandon/IVM: Favorite food?

Stephen Christian/Anberlin: Mexican and Italian

Brandon/IVM: What was the last great film you viewed?

Stephen Christian/Anberlin: Eternal sunshine for the spotless mind.
i know its older but i just watched it again the other night.

Brandon/IVM: How do you feel about Disneyland in your backyard? Ha.

Stephen Christian/Anberlin: Overrated.

Brandon/IVM: Is it true they almost own an entire city in Orlando?

Stephen Christian/Anberlin: Yep. and then some!

Brandon/IVM: Do you guys have side jobs when you’re not on tour? If so,
where do you work and how is it?

Stephen Christian/Anberlin: I used to, but we tour way to much for any employer to give us a job.
but the last job i held was substitute teacher for the polk county
school system. my favorite was teaching 4th grade. old enough to spell
their name, young enough where they haven’t hit puberty.

Brandon/IVM: Last great book you read? What are your favorite mags to read?

Stephen Christian/Anberlin: I read like i am about to go blind.
i am currently reading ‘knowledge of the holy’ by a.w. tozer. it is
mind altering. he is my new blaise pascal.
11 minutes by Paulo Coelho (not for the faint hearted)
freakenomics- a economists perspective on sociology
and tipping point- marketing book
lovely bones* don’t read it. its really boring. drags on forever.
that has all been on this past tour.
but it is either read or play video games. so obviously i am no good at halo.

Brandon/IVM: Do you read Relevant, what do you think of it? I love the mag,

Stephen Christian/Anberlin: They have some great articles and I am a proud subscriber. I think its great. i called them when they came out with their first issue and said “its about time!”

Brandon/IVM: Do you ever read HM?

Stephen Christian/Anberlin: No.

Brandon/IVM: Dude, I am out of questions. Seriously, I have nothing left to say and I’m staring at my ceiling right now drooling for some odd reason.
Uh. Yeah.

Stephen Christian/Anberlin: Good because my fingers are plotting a mutiny that was so many questions. but its you brandon. so i’d do it again.

Brandon/IVM: Any parting words? Any prayer requests for us readers and fans of your band. How can we best support you guys when you’re out there working hard? I’ll be praying for you guys for sure. Anyway, take care and best of luck to your future and all that God has in store for you guys. Peace.

Stephen Christian/Anberlin: I think i have said quite enough. maybe too much.

Prayer requests:
direction. focus. that we may become men of integrity.
safety in our travels.

until we meet again,
stephen christian

Aimee Romero’s been busy the last few years integrating herself into all areas of music, whether it be writing for Zambooie, designing for her clothing line or singing in Marrow. She took some time out her busy schedule to take a few questions about her faith and music.

Joel/IVM: So start by introducing yourself, who are you and what do you do?

Aimee/Marrow: my name is aimee. i do a number of things. could you be more specific?

Joel/IVM: Give me a rundown of the various projects you are currently involved with right now.

Joel/IVM: How did you first get involved in music?

Aimee/Marrow: i used to carry around a red tape recorder when i was two. i sang little songs and would play stuff for my parents. i started playing shows in highschool, mostly covering songs. i didn’t really get into writing until the end of highschool and beginning of college. i just like music so i keep learning how to play things. i don’t actually know chords or anything. i just make it up. it’s really hard for me to do things the right way.

Joel/IVM: What inspired your latest creation of music? What’s the story behind the name?

Aimee/Marrow: there’s only one thing i really care about and that’s connectivity. if you think about it, everything important is about connection. our relationship with Jesus, our relationship with others, those are the most important connections in our lives. i love connectivity in math, science, art, music, you know. so i love music and literature. i haven’t been inspired by anything lately other than science. i have this one song that’s based on the scientific method. it’s got all seven steps involved. i know that’s pretty major lamesville, but i guess i can’t really help it. i like science because it’s such a testament to the complexity of creation. the heavens and the earth declare the glory of God. i want to write more about sinusoids. i feel like they’re a common thread to living. kind of like plotinus’ theory on lovers, or those “stung more sharply” by beauty. our amplitudes vary and i think it’s interesting to note.

Joel/IVM: You recently added a few members to your ranks? How has this changed your performance? Is anyone else contributing to the writing?

Aimee/Marrow: i haven’t been able to play as many writer’s nights. i like it anyway. i kind of feel like it changed the sound a lot. i do all the writing, we haven’t had a lot of time for collaboration as of yet. johnathan the mandolin player and i have been writing stuff for a seperate project that is yet devoid of a name.

Joel/IVM: What do you think is the role of a christian in the arts industry? And how do you personally live that out?

Aimee/Marrow: it’s hard for me to really imagine myself as a part of the arts industry. i play music because i can’t help it. i don’t know much about music at all. with that said, i think that a christian’s job is to do everything heartily and unto the lord. i think it’s your job to do things to the best of your ability. as christians, we need to recognize the gifts God’s given us and provide the world with quality. i feel like it’s dangerous to slip into making “christian music” for christian people. ya, we should provide an alternative to all the negative stuff out there for christians AND non christians alike. we need to provide the whole world with something real and good, something created heartily and unto the lord. christians are salt and light, it’s important that we strive to be effective in those roles. it’s hard to be effective with a sub par product. my music isn’t overtly christian all the time, but the meaning behind everything i write comes from my thoughts and my thoughts are shaped by a relationship with Jesus. i guess it all comes back to the wonders of connectivity. if something i write strikes a chord with someone, a seed is being sewn. i think it’s completely amazing that god might use our music to reach into someone’s heart.

Joel/IVM: You also run a small record label..? How did that get started?

Aimee/Marrow: it’s not much of a label, really. it started out that way, but really it just turned into a little network of bands and people i want to give a little push to. basically i just try to raise interest in a few artists. my brother monstro the whale (www.myspace.com/monstrothewhale) and i started it up in NY a few years back. it’s actually helped me understand the music industry and connected me to a lot of really interesting, talented people. it’s also associated with my design stuff, but i’m changing all the design to “artkill.” it’s all going to be available at zambooie.com soon. i write a blog for them right now under “the artkill” too.

Joel/IVM: What are your plans for the future? Any touring with the band?

Aimee/Marrow: right now we’re trying to get our first EP as a band together. hopefully we’ll be touring before too long. zambooie.com will be filming us soon and putting the video on their site. that’ll be pretty rad. i hope to get all my writing, art, and design stuff compiled with our music. i always have this vision of some huge exciting collaborative force of art and science and math and everything i like. i guess i’m a little self centered.

Joel/IVM: Do you have any formal training in music? Do you plan to make a career of it?

Aimee/Marrow: everything i do is made up. i don’t know anything about music at all. i just like playing it. i can’t really envision a time that i won’t be writing songs and playing. i guess it all depends on what blessings God wants to give me.

Neutral Agreement is a band thats been impressing crowds all over the place. Their new split ep titled MATH hits the streets soon. I recently sent Matt Jenkins, bass player of NA a few questions and this is how it all played out:

Billy IVM:Hows everything on the netural agreement front?

Matt: Things are good. We just got done recording some tunes for an a split E.P. that will be with a soon to be announced band. We are also writing for a full length that will be out the end of next summer.

Billy IVM: How’d the recording for the new ep go?

Matt: The E.P. recording went well. It took a little bit longer than expected, but it still didn’t take that long. We had a lot of fun doing it, and are excited to get some new material out.

Billy IVM:Could you give me some history of Neutral Agreement?

Matt: Neutral Agreement started in 2000. It was originally Me (Matthew Jenkins), Mike Billups, and Matt McDowell. We basically bought our instruments and learned how to play. After 3 practices, Mike said we had a show booked. We wrote 4 songs and learned a lot of really bad covers in 2 weeks to get ready for the show. Some line up changes later, we are still a band. I am the only original member of the band.

Billy IVM: How’d the name Neutral Agreement come about?

Matt: I hate this question. We were deliberating on a name for couple of hours. Everyone said that they didn’t care, but we also couldn’t agree on a name. I said, “Well we are all Neutral, so lets come to a Neutral Agreement.”

Billy IVM: You are also in The Apprentice, and you run Future Destination Records, how do you not lose your mind?

Matt: I do sometimes loose my mind, but lucikly have people who I can delegate things to and people pull their weight for the most part in the bands. I also run a button company called Think Twice Buttons. My parents help me out a lot making buttons and mailing stuff out for me.

Billy IVM: So who is in Neutral Agreement?

Matt: Neutral Agreement is: Bryan Patterson (vocals/guitar), Greg BeeBe (guitar/vocals), Jon Jefferson (drums/keys/bgv), and Matthew Jenkins (bass/bgv)

Billy IVM: What’s NA’s favorite band to play with?

Matt: We love playing with The Apprentice, The Redemption Song, Fairweather Fan, The Story Changes, and Joe Christmas.

Billy IVM: Any funny tour stories?

Matt: Hmm..we have a lot. One time we did 3 shows in 24 hours in 3 different states. Our old singer Matt got really sick from staying awake for over 24 hours and he had a really bad fever. So, we took off all his clothes and was asleep in the back of the van. All of a sudden he yells for us to pull over. He thought he was going to throw up so he hopped out of the van at 2 p.m. on a Sunday afternoon and was naked on the side of a busy interstate. Lots of people were honking and stuff so we pulled him back in the van.

Billy IVM: Some would be intrested to know about the pizza tattoo you have, Do you have any plans of a new tattoo, if so what are you thinking about getting?

Matt: Well, in a financial situation where I can afford it, I am going to get the guy on the back of The Redemption Song-Victims tattooed on me with some lyrics from the song These days they hardly know me as a tribute to Nathan overcoming his battle with leukemia. I also may get the new FDR logo on me because one of the guys in The Story Changes is getting it and he may be able to get me a good deal if we get them at the same time.

Billy IVM: Taking a serious note, this isnt my favorite question but for the sake of the zine, is NA a “christian” band?

Matt: I dont even know what it means these days when someone says they are a Christian band. Too many times bands actions are far from reflecting that of Christ. Neutral Agreements members are all Christians and we hope that our actions and words reflect that of Christ. A line from one of our songs on our new cd is may our ways please you and we all sang that together on the record. I think that sums up what our band is about.

Billy IVM: What are the future plans for NA?

Matt: Like I said earlier, we plan to write a new full length. Please as many shows as we can in between Apprentice tours, and just keep plugging along and doing shows. We just want to continue to write music that we are passionate about and record it and play shows.

Billy IVM: What do you think of Indie Vision Music, any thing that needs to change?

Matt: I think you guys are doing awesome. I have been friends with Brandon since the band almost first started and he has been an amazing support of my projects and label. I think Indie Vision needs to scout some bands for me to sign.

Billy IVM: Any closing remarks for our readers?

Joel IVM: State who you are and what you do.

Matt: Hey, I’m Matt, and we’re Lincoln’s Revenge.

Chad: And I’m Chad.. and we’re still Lincoln’s Revenge.

Seth: I’m Seth, and I’m in Lincoln’s Revenge.

Nathan: And I’m Nathan.

Seth(laughing): He’s in Lincoln’s Revenge.

Joel IVM: Sweet. Give me the history, how did you guys first form?

Matt: Lincoln’s Revenge is basically made out of the charred remains of a band called Pretty Big Plunger which was like a fun pop/rock/ska band from back in 2003. Chad and I were kinda unsatisfied with the way the band was running and the lack of motivation on parts of other members, dedication and such. So instead of trying to make a band work while the other [members] go to school or play volleyball professionally, we decided to start over. We started looking for members for Lincoln’s Revenge and it formed up over the next year.

Chad: We’re actually still [without] a solid line-up.

Joel IVM: How many original members did you have carrying over from Pretty Big Plunger?

Chad: It was just Matt and I, just the two of us. The three guys in Pretty Big Plunger are doing their own stuff, which is really cool. Bean still comes by to visit a lot. Which I like.

Matt: He’s sweet.

Chad: So we did that and we’ve been through two guitarists and a front man so far. We still don’t have everyone we need. But that’s basically how it started.

Seth: We’re having a good time doing it.

Joel IVM: Lincoln’s Revenge is an odd title for a band, can you give me a bit of the idea behind the name?

Matt: Initially it was just kinda…

Chad: I just said it.

Matt: It’s pretty much just a random thing that Chad said when we were trying to think of band names… So Chad said Lincoln’s Revenge…

Chad: Lincoln’s Revenge!

Matt: …we voted on it.

Joel IVM: It just happened! Let’s start a band!

Matt: …and it became the band name that we chose. Overtime since then we’ve kinda taken that and put it into conceptual work. We’re kinda using it for an album theme possibly in the future and playing off of it with a little bit of art, so it has good merit.

Chad: So we probably shouldn’t give away the entire concept, but..

Joel IVM: … let’s just say it’s steeped in history.

[a couple of epic 'ooohhs' and approving nods]

Joel IVM: So what are the new sounds you’re trying out with the new band as to before you said it was more of a straight pop/ska sound…?

Matt: At least one of the other members of the old band just wasn’t really into trying anything new, he was just like “let’s just do the same thing all the time.” Maybe not directly, but it just seemed that way. So with the new band we’re trying to be more progressive, try new things, maybe mess around with some different instruments. [Such as] we use synth and we have more instruments. We all come from different musical backgrounds so everyone bringing their own element.

Chad: So we’re kinda putting more of a hard rock, melodic, progressive rock edge on things. We’re also keeping here and there some fun frivolity. Definitely lots of epicness…

Seth(laughing): Frivolity AND Epicness.

Chad: Yeah, make sure you get “Epicness” in there.

[much cheering from band mates]

Joel IVM: Where do you see the band going in the next while. What are some things you want to try out, you know, The Future.

Matt(showing his Canadian colours): The future, eh?

Chad: .. or future B

Seth: .. flying cars?

[much general giggling]

Matt: Anyways… the future. Well we just want to take this band as far as we can. So basically to get better personally is our main goal. Becoming a better band and better musicians individually. We want to do what God wants us to do. We want to try to listen to Him and take it where He wants it to go, through song themes or concept themes, to show spiritual truths like that. We want to get to know people and show people love because that’s what life is all about.

Joel IVM: What do you guys think about right now, there’s a whole lot of bands being all “well we’re not a Christian band, we’re Christians in a band.” And generally trying to dodge that whole concept. As far as where the industry is going, Where do you guys see yourselves, do you agree with that movement?

Matt: It’s really hard to appeal to a secular crowd when you’re saying stuff like: “Yeah! We love Jesus!” Because we’re not about just being “We’re Christians, and Christians are cool, you guys are cool to because you’re Christians.” We’re more about just reaching out and getting in with the secular people and showing them that Christians aren’t all bigots and goof-jerks. But it is really hard if you want to appeal to them you can’t exactly just go up to them and say, “Yeah Jesus! We love Jesus! If you don’t love Jesus… you suck.” We tried that with the other band and I remember a particular time I was talking to a 15-year-old guy, who was into the kind of music we were making but just refused to listen to us because, basically because we said ‘Jesus’. If we’re not going to be appealing to the people we’re trying to appeal to specifically because we’re saying things like “We love Jesus” or “Jesus saved me”. Then we probably won’t be doing what we set out to do. We’re not hiding the fact that we’re Christians but we’re not right out saying “Hey, you should love Jesus” because we don’t want to be shut down right away. …And usually when I rant I lose track.. so does anyone want to finish that off?

Seth: Yeah so if someone comes and asks us if we’re Christians, we’re going to be like “Yeah, of course” but we’re hoping that through our lyrics and through our stage performance they’re going to be able to see that we’re a Christian band, without us saying it really. We don’t want to be up there like some bands [who just] drop the f-bomb and act like [idiots]. We want to have a good time and show Jesus’ love through how we act and what we say without almost directly saying it.

Nathan: Also that’s not just on stage, that’s everywhere we go.

Matt: One more thing, we do write lyrics…

Chad: … that have something to say.

Matt: We don’t just write dumb songs that have no meaning we try to portray truth.

Chad: It’s not about convincing someone that you’re right, it’s about reaching people and just hanging out.

Matt: And making people think.

Nathan: There’s lots of ways that you can connect with non-Christian people by taking something that’s similar in what we believe as Christians and what they believe also, but from a different stand-point.

Joel IVM: You guys have been playing in a lot of clubs and bars, not necessarily the ‘Christian scene’, how has the reaction been from a secular culture and also how have you guys matured through reaching that audience? I’m sure you guys have grown to see things a bit differently.

Seth: Actually we played at The Wax, which is a venue in Waterloo, there was a guy there that basically, he wasn’t a Christian but he was just like “I don’t know what it is about your lyrics and your music but you just give me this happy feeling, this warm feeling.” stuff like that, I thought, was really cool because that’s pretty much what we’re really intending. It was really awesome.

Chad: In comparison, we played at Pitch & Praise(festival) in the battle of the bands, and we played a couple of churches as well. It was a lot of fun and you get a lot of support, everyone seems to be into your band no matter what you’re playing. But at the same time, I don’t want this to be taken the wrong way but I’m kinda getting tired of the ‘Christian bubble’ kind of thing. There’s such a blatant difference between playing a show for church kids and playing a show for non-church kids. I’ve been feeling more recently it seems that a lot of Christians and youth in the church especially, seem kind of naive and ignorant about life. I mean if you’re doing what’s right and you’re doing what God wants you to do, having a good time with it then there’s nothing to argue about, but I just personally want to get out and see the world, talk to the world and see what the world is about.

Nathan: It also means a lot more when someone compliments you and they’re not a Christian, they’re not just trying to be friendly. At non-Christian venues you can’t really expect huge support or anything like that.

Joel IVM: Alright, let’s hop over to a lighter note, who does the majority of the song writing? Is it something that you guys share, sort of the ‘hands on’ approach or is it a couple of you, or what?

Chad: So far we’re not really sure exactly… what we’re doing.

[group laughter]

Matt: Until now it’s been mostly one of us, usually it ends up being me, writes the majority of the music. Then we all fine tune it and change stuff up but we’re re-evaluating our songwriting process a bit these days. we’re kinda trying to come up with a process that works. You can expect that the music will progress a lot more over the next while.

Chad: We’ll probably share a lot of writing but look at it in more of a building sense. Take a song and write something and then work on it and build it into something good.

Seth: Keep re-evaluating the song as it progresses.

Nathan: Take people’s advice too, because I know when you play it sounds completely different then if you hear it either live or on a CD.

Joel: How does the process work right now, does someone present an idea and everyone builds off of that? Or did you come with a simple finished song and then you fill it out with the rest of the musicians?

Matt: It’s usually either I write an entire song, like everything.

Chad: Orchestrated.

Matt: Like pretty much compose a song, with horn lines and everything.

Seth: Guitar and drums and everything.

Matt: Then we play it and tweak it, or someone else presents a song that’s one instrument and a couple ideas and I’ll write horn lines on top of it, polish things off a bit. I write a lot using midi. (laughing) Most of our songs are written in computer format as well.

Joel IVM: How do you mix your faith and your music? As far as creating art, how does that connect to your relationship with Christ? Is that something that is one in the same? A lot of bands will say, ‘my music is a result of a relationship with Christ’ or ‘I write songs to save people’. Where do you guys see yourselves as individuals?

Seth: I think what’s inside of your heart and what’s really close to you, what you really truly believe and dwell on, it’s going to come out in everything you do, or should at least. So if you’re a musician, or a baseball player, or whatever and you just really love Jesus, your actions are going to show that. For a song writer your lyrics are probably going to show that. So, I do think that it’s one and the same.

Matt: Faith, like Seth was saying, isn’t what you say you believe, faith is what you do. …that’s from Blue Like Jazz I think…

[laughing]

Matt: We pretty much just try to live as righteously as we can.

Chad: Be an example…

Matt: …and then what we believe naturally comes out through what we do, through the songs we write.

Chad: So far we’re not really taking a preaching focus per se, or shouting it from the rooftops, or stage tops, but the lyrics that we write generally try to write stuff that is relevant and has a point to prove. Maybe we’ll do something good in someone’s life or mind…

Matt: Inspire someone.

Chad: … at the same time we just want to play really good music and meet people and talk, making friendships, relationships. For me, also sometimes it’ll actually be a direct form of worship, sometime’s it’s not, it depends.

Nathan: With the music, and especially the lyrics, I personally really have faith that God will work through the people that listen to our music because I know that our lyrics can really have the potential to speak to people but it’s all up to the people that are listening to the music. There’s really so much stuff, just reading over some of [the songs], that people can take out of it. I think that our music helps people.

Joel IVM: Great, let’s wrap this up, any closing comments, shout-outs, dope rhymes you guys wanna drop, any prayer requests anything like that?

Chad: Shout-out to Kevin at the Flying J, in Gary, IN.

Seth(laughing): He was pretty awesome, definitely an awesome guy.

Matt: He got us here.

Seth: Shout-out to Jason Gormley who’s been playing with us for this past week, who’s actually in a much better band; Lifestory:Monologue.

Matt: Lifestory:Monologue is sweet.

Seth: MySpace.com/lifestorymonologue!

Joel IVM: Is that all?

Matt: Well you said we could get prayer requests, so we might as well.

Seth: Yeah! It’s like free money!

[Laughing]

Chad: Yes. Pray for us to have free money.

Matt: No, just pray that we all keep God in the right place with this thing. …and that we get signed to the militia group.

Joel IVM: State your name and what you do in the band.

Edwards: Andrew Edwards, I’m the drummer.

Barnett: Andrew Barnett, I play guitar and sing.

Joel IVM: Are you brothers, you both have the same first name?

Edwards (laughing): Yeah, we’re from some weird part of Kentucky where it’s the first name that makes you related.

Joel IVM: Rebels. Can you tell me a bit about the band, the history of you guys.

Edwards: The history of us in 2003 I just got back from touring with drum core actually. And he[Barnett] came with a bunch of dudes to pick me up in Florida. And we hung out there for a week and we decided to start a band. So the rest is kinda history from there. Then we started to getting serious decided to make a record. Not super serious or anything, kinda like a hobby I guess.

Joel IVM: So you guys signed to a record label or just doing it indie?

Edwards: Well we are putting our album out..

Barnett: Working with an indie record label.

Joel IVM: What label is that?

Edwards: Bad Apple Records, out of Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Joel IVM: So is this your first time at Cornerstone Festival, as far as playing?

Barnett: This is my first time being here at all.

Edwards: I went one year previously, in 2001, just checking out bands. So this is my second year back.

Joel IVM: Who does the songwriting, is it sort of split between the whole band or is it one person comes in with a concept and you work off of that? How does that work for you guys?

Barnett: Andy really does a lot of the writing of the material and all that, and the concepts are both between us.

Edwards: I’ll bring an idea in and then we’ll both make it happen.

Joel IVM: So you guys are here at a Christian music festival so I’m assuming you are of some faith/belief system.

Barnett: We’re definitely Christian guys.

Joel IVM: So how do you integrate that? Are you a ministry or are you art guys? How do you express that [in your music]?

Edwards: Really through our lives I would say.

Barnett: It has a whole lot more to do for us with just how we conduct ourselves wherever we go.

Joel IVM: Where do you see you guys going in the future? Or what would you like to see happen?

Edwards: You know, sell a few records and maybe do a small tour.

Barnett: Record some more records maybe.

Edwards: We Just to keep making music.

Barnett: Yeah for that to be possible, we don’t have stars in our eyes or anything. It’s just something we do, like a hobby.

Joel IVM: Would you like to see it turn into a career?

Edwards: Well yeah, that’d be awesome.

Barnett: I would love to be able to put a roof over my head and eat food with it.

Joel IVM: An edible roof, okay.

Barnett: I don’t want to put a million dollar roof over my head and eat caviar.

Joel IVM: Have you guys done any major touring? Or have you just played locally?

Barnett: We’re about to do a tour next month, for a week and a half or two. So we’re just testing the waters right now as far is it all goes. We’re still in a very, even though we’ve been doing it for a couple years, 3 years now or so, we’re still green to a lot of the stuff that bands do.

Joel IVM: How did you get this stage performance here at Cornerstone?

Barnett: The record label hooked it up, Bad Apple.

Edwards: There was a showcase thing.

Barnett: They applied us and they applied the other band that’s on the label.

Edwards: We got accepted and it went from there.

Joel IVM: What are your influences musically when it comes to writing?

[long pause while random hardcore band plays in the background]

Joel IVM: I hope it’s not the band that’s in the background, or maybe it is and you’ve gone a real long way with it.

Edwards: We really like those guys in the background, they rule our world.

Barnett: You know I don’t really know what their name is, but they’re probably the biggest musical influence of my whole life.

Joel IVM(laughing): Awesome. Any last things you want to say? As far as anything you want to plug, any shout outs, prayer requests, anything like that?

Edwards: Well our album is coming out next month it’s going to be called…uhh.. What is it called?

Barnett: Led by the Unqualified to do the Unnecessary.. It’s a long title but that’s it.

Edwards: So that’s the title. Thank you.

Check em out!

Bryce Avary is the man behind The Rocket Summer, a catchy piano driven rock outfit who has put out two albums so far on the Militia Group, known for releasing a number of christian and non-christian records. His live show is, as Bryce has put it, “A Celebration”. The crowd went crazy, singing along with every line and dancing the night away. You couldn’t help but smile as Bryce came running through the crowd to take a triumphant jump on stage to start the show. He even jumped into the crowd at one point and declared it a dance floor, proceeding to show off some of his moves for the wooing crowd. Highlight request of the night, accompanied by a full crowd screaming every line, was the song “TV Family”. With lyrics like:

“One day one day I know you’ll say
‘B im so glad you made it’
‘Oh well Jesus thank you so much for saying that’
Because the truth you know is that I
Have just been hating so many things I do
But now I realize forever that you’re my friend
No matter what you will never leave me to fend”

Joel IVM: Tell us your name, who you are, where you’re from and what you do.

Bryce: My name is Bryce Avary, I have a musical project called The Rocket Summer, I’m from Texas origionally, and I play music.

Joel IVM: Allright so you we’re raised in Texas then? All your life? Spent most of your time there?

Bryce: Yeah.

Joel IVM: Were you raised in a christian home?

Bryce: Kinda, yeah definately.

Joel IVM: So what brought you into music?

Bryce: I dont know, it’s just kinda been something that i’ve been obsessed with my whole life…

Joel IVM: Were you raised in a really musical family?

Bryce: No, really. Not at all. Nobody in my family is musical, except for my little sister, but as far as performing, nobody. So, it’s pretty random, meant to be I guess.

Joel IVM: So you’ve been playing all the instruments right? You’ve just picked up a band? Is this a touring band? How does that work?

Bryce: It’s kinda always been the same thing as far as a touring band.

Joel IVM: You’ve got the new album coming, you’re working on that, anything down yet?

Bryce: I don’t have anything recorded yet, but i’m going to be recording this year, so we shall see.

Joel IVM: Is anyone helping out on the writing? Or is it still just you?

Bryce: Still just me.

Joel IVM: You really have an amazing style, a passion with the group, and really seeing people come alive, really spreading the Joy. I was thinking, this is all little girls, and then I realized there was just this joy in the room, that you could feel, I thought that was great.

Bryce: Thanks man, that’s really cool.

Joel IVM: So what is the message you’d like to get across to people.

Bryce. … Hope.

Joel IVM: Somehow with watching you, just the contrast, here walking in downtown Montreal, with decrepit society and then seeing something like that, it’s just really a contrast. I really appreciate that.

Bryce: Wow, cool. Thanks, man. That means a lot.

Joel IVM: So what was it like working with Militia Group, and now you’ve ‘gone big’, any changes?

Bryce: Well Militia is cool, and been really fortunate to get to work with Island/Def Jam now on the new record, going to wait to see what happens. I’m really excited about it, they’re really awesome people, and we’ll just see what happens. It’s going to be nice to make a record and not be staring at the watch ’cause of studio time money, or borrowing money or sleeping on the floor somewhere. It’s just going to be really nice.

Joel IVM: So how was the Canadian tour?

Bryce: It was really awesome. Canada is beautiful, and the people are more beautiful.

Joel IVM: Any closing remarks anything you want to say to anybody?

Bryce: Well, just thanks so much, I appreciate it. Let’s be friends anyone who hears this.

The Rocket Summer is touring across the nation now and will be taking time off after that to complete thier third record on Island/Def Jam.

Check it out!

They recently were runners-up (2nd place) in the IndieVisionMusic Contest 06, where you, the fans and our readers, nominated a band or two and then this list was trimmed down… via means of voting.

Sophia - Baby Names’ meaning… “Wisdom”.

I just wish I could have gone on talking with them forever… but then again, this interview would be way too lengthy.

Len IVM-
How did Sophia come about and how has the ride been so far?

Steven Sophia-
its sort of a confusing story that consists of myspace and
facebook, without either of those medias sophia would not exist… so
i have since stopped making fun of how dumb internet networking is…
thanks tom…
the ride so far has been better than anything we could have
expected…i never imagined actually touring and actually releasing a
record…on our last road trip we were all going through old
recordings from our high school bands and we found it fascinating how
far we have all come from our days of ripping off our favorite
emo/screamo/post hardcore bands…the best part is we all feel like
this is going to be a long ride with much to look forward to… so we
need to just be patient and hope that God’s plan and our plan are on
the same page.

Ryan Sophia-
It has been far more than I ever expected. I left south florida
worried about not having a band in nashville and not having a close
group of friends that would really lift me up in the Lord, but he
provided for me and he has provided for every step of this band. I
plan to be in this for the long run so we will see what he has in
store for us.

Keith Sophia-
I attended Belmont University starting in the fall of 2004. Spring 2005 Steve came to visit and long story short we decided if he came to Belmont we would have to start a metal band. So when Steve showed up Fall of 2005 it looked like it had to happen. I was in another band at the time but Steve was so persistant that I told him I could practice maybe once a week. So with a little bit more of a committment we needed to find musicians. I had met our keyboardist, Bennett, at a worship service during orientation. He noticed my Norma Jean hoody and we instantly connected. I don’t know what it was but God really put it on my heart that I was supposed to play music with Bennett. Steve had met a drummer on his floor, Ryan. So after conviencing everyone this was going to be a good idea and finding time and a place to practice Sophia got it’s start. Austin was found though facebook but was admitted to the hospital with a serious case of mono right after we had one practice with him. We had never heard Steve’s lyrics until our first recording because we didn’t have a PA. But it has all moved so fast. Where we are today is one of the most evident signs to me that God is working within this band and is up to big things. He has just given us everything, things have just seemed to work out that weren’t even supposed to work out. Praise be to the Father for everything that Sophia has become.

LenIVM-
Why the name Sophia? Is there any special meaning or story behind it?

Steven Sophia-
the name sophia is the greek name for wisdom… honestly we
found it doing a name search on babynames.com…haha… but it does
carry with it a lot of meaning. it is also what the feminists and other
christian denominations, which i can’t think of off the top of my head,
call God because of its genderless quality…
Keith Sophia- With the name, it means a lot to me because I think over the past 8 months we have really grown in Wisdom of who we are as indivisduals, learned a lot about each other, and learned a lot more about who God is through all of this.

Ryan Sophia-
haha. we went through so many names that night. I was pretty set
on (the band) being called “moses”. not the most poetic name in the world, but
definitely the toughest. needless to say nobody else agreed with me.
after like 3 hours of yelling and negotiating, we finally settled on
sophia. its short and easy to remember. and I think its a really solid
name.

Len IVM-
Internet Networking is pretty good. Without meeting the people face to face though you would have to agree that you didn’t really get to know them truly. Am I correct?

Steven Sophia-
i completely agree, just the fact that we are from different states (there are five states represented between the six of us), causes some drama and tension. but what i have found is that we preficed this band with a single ideal, and i feel that as long as the members of the band including myself are willing to never take their eye off of that ideal then everything else can be worked out and nobody is beyond forgiveness. my youth pastor growing up always taught me that relationships fail the minute you stop listening to one another. This band is simply another relationship. so i feel that the best part of this band is getting to know one another. we aren’t perfect people so there will be struggle no matter how well you know someone.

Len IVM-
Ah yes. High school musical dreams. What was the absolute worst experience you have ever had with music durign high school (do not name names)?

Ryan Sophia-
Well I was in an indy band in south florida called ’stolen bikes
ride faster’, and we had a ton of fun playing our music. but one night
we were playing this small surf bar in boca raton, fl and there was
this girl in the front row. this girl was pretty drunk and would not
stop yelling during our set. we played for about 35 minutes and she
seriously yelled the entire time. i guess that’s not that bad but i
will always remember trying to perform with an outrageously loud drunk
girl trying to “sing along” with a high school band that she had never
heard before.

Len IVM-
Who are all of the people in the band and what do they do?

Steven Sophia-
lets see there is keith richards, who’s real name is keith richards,
he told me his parents thought that the guy from the rolling stones’
career would be over and nobody would remember him by the time he
would be old enought to realize that he has the same name as a coaked
out rock star. probably the toughest looking kid i know… but he’s
really a sweetheart. he plays guitar and is from duluth, GA

there is ryan meyer our drummer. from coral springs, FL. he will own
you in Nintendo 64, but don’t tell him im better than him at blitz

bennett piispanen from cincinatti, OH. he’s the baby of the band and
probably addicted to every legal substance on the market, nicotine,
adoral, caffine, sugar, and he’s usually driving the van. haha

austin gros plays guitar and is from houston, TX. he was one of the
last to join the band, and it was funny because none of us new him
prior to his audition and we were in the studio a few days later and
we found he was in the hospital with mono. aparantly ryan stole all
his platelets. and his mom makes the best food in the world, and his
uncle tiger will make a man out of anyone.

dan was a late addition, he’s from dallas, TX. he pretty much keeps
all of us sane. probably the least quirky out of all of us, but every
now and then he’ll surprise you.

and i’m steven lefebvre from phoenix, AZ.

Len IVM-
How many member changes has there been, if any?

Steven Sophia-
we’ve sort of had one. when we first started we had a bass
player named noah porter but a few weeks before our first show he
informed us that he was moving back to minnesota. panicked, we
quickly grabbed dan to fill in short term because he recorded our
first demo for us, so we figured he knew most of the songs. Dan
played our first few shows as an interim, basically filling in till we
found someone else… but on the way back from our show in cincinatti
we asked dan to marry us… so we celebrated by taking pictures in
front of dinosaurs in kentucky.

Len IVM-
What influences you?

Ryan Sophia-
I am influenced by an extreme desire to daily put Christ before
myself. It is by no means easy and I am not good at it, but i’m
working on it.

Keith Sophia-
My Savior Jesus Christ. On the stage it’s all about doing everything I can to come to the absolute end of me, to stop thinking about me for at least 40 min. and focus on my Father and King. But it’s not just about the music, it’s about more than that. If we can just hang out with a handful of kids, stop being so selfish, and give them just a couple of min of our time to allow them to experience God’s love on a real level, that’s important. More than music, it’s a ministry.

Steven Sophia-
honestly, if i could have dinner with front men:josh scoggin, aaron weiss, and sam beam, writers- erwin mcmanus, george orwell, and saint augustine… i feel like it would explain alot of who i am as a thinker…but as a musician scoggi