Check out a video update from the guys (from their youth leader talk-back at Spirit West Coast Del Mar, May 2010)
interlinc: Everything Is Different Now is such a departure from your past albums. Why did you choose to do worship music this time around?
This band got its start by leading worship music in our youth group. This album shows another side of us. We wanted to talk about how people have to deal with change—mainly with the economy—which has forced many to reevaluate what is impor- tant. The theme also applies to this band. We have a new guitar player and record label; we have to handle many things that have changed.
We played the “Everything Is Different Now” song last summer at a camp for the first time—on a night when the speaker was talking about father issues and addressing how many kids did not have a father as they were growing up or they didn’t have a good relationship with their dad. The song took on a whole new meaning from the standpoint of God as our Heavenly Father— when we give our life to Him, everything truly is different.
How did you decide to include the classic “Spirit In The Sky” on your album?
We hope to encourage people to think outside the “worship music” box.” When our label asked us what we thought about adding “Spirit In The Sky”—just to be way out there and crazy—we said, “Why not?” A lot of people have questions about it, so it has become a great talking point.
Since you grew up in church, was there a youth pastor that had a significant impact on you?
Adam: My dad influenced me with his leadership style by the way he met people from different walks of life right where they were. When I started getting into music, Trei Watters (my youth pastor) taught me how to sing and helped out with the musical aspects. He showed how much he believed in us by giving us the keys to the church and letting us practice whenever we wanted to. He took us to different worship conferences and mentored us musically and spiritually.
Do you ever talk to some of the people who come to your concerts—to hang with them in a more personal setting?
We’ve had some fans come to a bunch of our concerts—by spending time with them we have really become friends. We stay connected, ask them how they’re doing, and check up on them whenever we go through their cities. We like to build rela- tionships that we might not have had if we weren’t touring. We stay in touch on MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter. Social net- working has been awesome for us as far as staying in touch with not only friends and family, but with fans as well.
What do you hope young people walk away with from your concert?
I hope they walk away knowing that they can live a wholesome Christian life and still have a great time. I hope that they can really enjoy life to the fullest. I hope that they are encouraged to be unashamed and unafraid of what they believe in.
