Parachute Christian music festival is one of the biggest of its kind in the southern hemisphere, and early next year, thousands of punters will converge on Hamilton for another helping. Jehan
Casinader talks to one of the headliners, Florida-produced Anberlin, about the band’s distinctive combination of religion, road trips and rock‘n’roll.
The revival of the international Christian music scene has seen a growing number of religious outfits slipping effortlessly into the mainstream music market; bands that have previously been commercially ostracised because of their religious roots.
According to Anberlin frontman Stephen Christian, a catalyst for the shift has been collective weariness about the growing superficiality of the industry.
“With the rise of independent music and labels, everything is altering. People are tired of the major label cut-out copies who don’t write their own music. Music now seems to be driving back to becoming somewhat intellectual; I love the direction the music business is going in, not so
much where it has been.”
Music Comes First
For Anberlin, religion is not a market selling point. The band is adamant that their spirituality is not
used as a platform for their commercial success; rather, it is simply and naturally reflected in their tracks.
The fine line between faith and music is one that all openly religious musicians must tread, but Anberlin’s sentiment is one that is echoed across the modern-day Christian music spectrum.
“We are Christians, but our music is not ‘Christian music’,” says the band’s aptly-named frontman Stephen Christian.
“I write music from experiences and truths that I have learned, thus my faith is seen at various times on our albums. If someone is touched or changed by something on our record, then that is amazing, but ‘spiritual’ music isn’t limited to those who claim themselves to a religion.
“I am not ashamed of my belief in Jesus Christ, but music is my profession. I am not on that stage to preach; I am there to entertain and ensure every person has the night of their lives.”
Spontaneous and Driven
Endless touring has been fundamental to Anberlin’s success, having played hundreds of tour dates within three years, supporting acts including My Chemical Romance and Fall Out Boy. Christian’s take on life is a rather ethereal one; he mentions the crusades, terrorism in the name of religion, drug abuse, the workaholic’s child and alcoholism. He truly appreciates everything he’s got.
“I am lucky to have a profession that is much like my personality; spontaneous and driven.”
This is the essence of an emerging band that established itself on identity, prides itself on discarding convention, and invests itself in its own cause; a cause that is not tied down to anything, least religion.
www.anberlin.com
Parachute Is Back: January 2006
• January 27 – 30, Mystery Creek, Hamilton
• Local and international acts including Delirious, Day of Fire, Planetshakers, Reuben Morgan, Magnify, Mum’s Dollar, My Life Story
• Compete to win the chance to record a song with Parachute
• Subject yourself to four days of exhilarating music
• Tickets on sale from October 3 from parachutemusic.com
Casinader talks to one of the headliners, Florida-produced Anberlin, about the band’s distinctive combination of religion, road trips and rock‘n’roll.
The revival of the international Christian music scene has seen a growing number of religious outfits slipping effortlessly into the mainstream music market; bands that have previously been commercially ostracised because of their religious roots.
According to Anberlin frontman Stephen Christian, a catalyst for the shift has been collective weariness about the growing superficiality of the industry.
“With the rise of independent music and labels, everything is altering. People are tired of the major label cut-out copies who don’t write their own music. Music now seems to be driving back to becoming somewhat intellectual; I love the direction the music business is going in, not so
much where it has been.”
Music Comes First
For Anberlin, religion is not a market selling point. The band is adamant that their spirituality is not
used as a platform for their commercial success; rather, it is simply and naturally reflected in their tracks.
The fine line between faith and music is one that all openly religious musicians must tread, but Anberlin’s sentiment is one that is echoed across the modern-day Christian music spectrum.
“We are Christians, but our music is not ‘Christian music’,” says the band’s aptly-named frontman Stephen Christian.
“I write music from experiences and truths that I have learned, thus my faith is seen at various times on our albums. If someone is touched or changed by something on our record, then that is amazing, but ‘spiritual’ music isn’t limited to those who claim themselves to a religion.
“I am not ashamed of my belief in Jesus Christ, but music is my profession. I am not on that stage to preach; I am there to entertain and ensure every person has the night of their lives.”
Spontaneous and Driven
Endless touring has been fundamental to Anberlin’s success, having played hundreds of tour dates within three years, supporting acts including My Chemical Romance and Fall Out Boy. Christian’s take on life is a rather ethereal one; he mentions the crusades, terrorism in the name of religion, drug abuse, the workaholic’s child and alcoholism. He truly appreciates everything he’s got.
“I am lucky to have a profession that is much like my personality; spontaneous and driven.”
This is the essence of an emerging band that established itself on identity, prides itself on discarding convention, and invests itself in its own cause; a cause that is not tied down to anything, least religion.
www.anberlin.com
Parachute Is Back: January 2006
• January 27 – 30, Mystery Creek, Hamilton
• Local and international acts including Delirious, Day of Fire, Planetshakers, Reuben Morgan, Magnify, Mum’s Dollar, My Life Story
• Compete to win the chance to record a song with Parachute
• Subject yourself to four days of exhilarating music
• Tickets on sale from October 3 from parachutemusic.com
posted by Sven at 6:30 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home