About a Mile, recently signed to Word Records, release their debut self-titled album on July 15th. I recently had the privilege in undertaking an email interview with the band (our first interview for 365 Days of Inspiring Media), as we discussed the album, their thoughts of being brothers in a band, as well as their hopes of what they want for their album as people listen to it. Check out the interview below.
1. Your first label self-titled album releases on July 15th on Word Records. How has it been with the recording process that has led up to your release date, and what can you hope for listeners to hear when they hear it?
(ADAM) The recording process that has led up to our release date has been a dream come true for us. It means the world to have support from the label and an overall shared vision behind our project. God opening the doors for us to work with Ian Eskelin has been awesome. He’s very talented and it was amazing to watch him steer the ship while we were all throwing out ideas in the studio. The best feeling for us is to finally put those countless hours of practice to good use in the studio. It’s amazing to have a producer like Ian who can pull out the best in you and find that potential inside of you to implement on the record.
I hope that when people take a listen to our record, right away they are taken to a place of enjoyment and they can feel refreshed from the spirit lifting songs that we have. There’s a lot of emotion on this record. A lot of passion and feeling. It feels amazing to know that each beat that was played and every string that was plucked, came authentically from our hearts. I also really hope people grow closer to their walk with God through these songs!!
2. You are brothers in a band. How is that for you? Do you think the process of your album has been smoother or rougher because of the familial connection?
(ADAM) Being brothers in a band is amazing because we are still brothers at the end of the day and it’s like a family vacation all the time. Like anything else, it has its ups and downs, but the process of our album has been smoother because we are brothers. When something needs to be said and an opinion needs to be expressed, there’s no real barrier because we know each other so well. It’s like it has already been said mentally since we can read each other so well. That’s a huge perk that is extremely special and can only be found in a bond of brothers in this way.
3. Because you guys are a new band in the industry, it is almost natural to compare you guys to other established artists with a similar sound. From just hearing the album, I’d say you are similar to artists like Abandon, Lifehouse and Everfound. How would you describe your sound (both in a general sense and how the debut album sounds like)?
(ADAM) I would say the sound of our album could be compared to Lifehouse vibe/ an organic rock style. We made it a priority to make all the core instruments really organic and natural sounding. We recorded the drums on tape so they would sound huge and really get that fat sound out of them. Overall, sonically it’s a Christian rock record that is unique enough to catch anyone’s attention.
4. From both a musical and lyrical sense, how does About A Mile capture the experience of you guys throughout the last few years of your musical journey? What has God shown you, as a band and individually, as you step into the career path of Christian rock music?
(LEVI) The journey of being in this band for the past couple years and the overall experience has been a great test of perseverance and constant reliance on God. Our band name, About A Mile, means so much to us because we are boldly referencing the suffering, then triumph of a crucified and risen Christ! When we’re working hard at a specific goal in this industry, it’s easy to get caught up in the motions of all that needs done. Our lyrics and music is the best reminder and the best refresher for us when we are going through trials and discouraged about anything. We put lyrics that were inspired through the Holy Spirit in our songs. At the end of the day, it’s the most fulfilling thing to know that all this hard labor and us striving to do good is not in vain. We want to view our band like Jesus viewed himself while carrying the cross for us. Jesus was completely perfect, and, in Hebrews, it says that it was for the joy set before Him that He endured the cross! We want it to be the Joy set before us to endure any hardship that comes our way when we endeavor to fulfill our ministry. Because we know that at the revelation of Jesus Christ, these things will be found to result in praise, honor and glory!
5. The first single on the album is “Satisfied,” the first song. From my interpretation, the song gives us a sense of us longing for more of Christ, and that if we are without Him, we cannot be as satisfied as we want to be in the life we lead. What does the song mean to you personally, and what was the process of picking “Satisfied” as the lead single?
(LEVI) The song satisfied is a daily reminder that only Christ can satisfy the desires of our hearts. I listen to the song every morning like a once a day vitamin just to get my mind in the right place. There never seems to be enough of one certain thing unless I take a deep breath and realize Jesus is all I need. As far as picking it as the first single, we weren’t sure which song to use; we like them all. We know we have the best radio team in the world at WORD so we were happy with and trusted their decision to release satisfied first.
6. What has been the overall highlight of the whole process in making About a Mile? Where there any difficult songs to write, perform, or even record? Has it been the easier songs to write or the harder songs that God has spoken to you the most lately?
(ADAM) Every second was a highlight for us – we love making records. There were a lot of songs written for this album, but the ones that actually made the cut were written pretty quickly. You hear stories often about songs that fall from the sky and most of the songs on About A Mile seemed to do just that. Maybe because we were constantly writing, but the ones that made the cut were written at a time when there was something really heavy on our hearts.
7. Is there any artist or band that you admire within the music industry currently? Who has influenced your music the most (either through songwriting, recording, singing)?
(ADAM) For King & Country and Sidewalk Prophets are two bands on our label that have really impressed us. We got to do a tour with Sidewalk Prophets and their love for God and people is undeniable. We don’t think about other bands when we are crafting our “sound,” we just play whatever feels right. Other peoples’ stories and testimonies influence our song writing a lot though.
8. Which artist on the current roster of Word Label Group artists do you admire and would love to tour with one day (or are you touring with any of your label mates in 2014 after the release of your album?)?
(LUKE) We have already been blessed to tour with Sidewalk Prophets earlier this year which was pretty awesome, but I think on the top of our list is Switchfoot or Skillet.
9. What has God showed in your personal life that has crept into your album somehow? Which song are you excited for when you perform live concerts and which song do you believe will impact listeners the most when they hear it?
(ADAM) We’re excited to perform all the songs, so I’ll just focus on our single, “Satisfied.” The response has already been incredible! The economy is garbage right now, so a lot of people share our story about their dad losing his job or themselves personally being out of work. Being able to offer hope to those who think all hope is gone is why we make music. More than having a great record or selling a lot of them, we want to offer people hope. Good bands will come and go, but the free gift of eternal life and the satisfaction of a relationship with Jesus Christ will never disappear.
10. You are just starting out in the music industry. What keeps you all grounded and places things in perspective as you travel and create music? Is there any song, or Bible verse, or even famous quote that reminds you about why you do what you do and the motivation behind it all?
(ADAM) The last passage I memorized is 1 Corinthians 9:24-27- Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
11. To young musical artists wanting to break into the music industry, is there any advice that you can give as to how to succeed in the industry yet also keep your beliefs, values and integrity intact?
(LEVI) Trust in God and keep him first. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes and ask for forgiveness. Surround yourself with a great team. If God opens doors don’t make him have to kick you through them be ready to go.
12. For anyone who is reading this interview and are feeling discouraged about a season in life they are in, what advice can you give them?
(LUKE) Count your blessings and look to God in everything. He is always there for you no matter what you’re going through and he paid the highest sacrifice so we may be free in Him.
Romans 8:28 – And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
13. What do you all do in your downtime when you’re not recording/touring? Any fun fact that no one knows about you that you would love to share with us?
(ADAM) We all like to be outdoors doing something active. A lot of times Luke is beating us in a game of basketball. If we’re not outside we’re usually practising or writing music.
14. Is there anything else that you would like to add that hasn’t been covered in this interview yet? Any parting words, encouragements or even confronting pearls of wisdom you are willing to part with and hopefully impact the readers of this interview with?
(ADAM, LUKE, LEVI) A big thanks to everyone reading and everyone that has checked out our music! We hope you find it enjoyable and encouraging, and most of all, we hope it points you to Christ, where we can only find true satisfaction. Thank you to 365 Days of Inspiring Media for interviewing us and the support.
Be sure to check out About a Mile’s new album releasing July 15th. You can also pre-order the album here. Check out their music video for ‘Satisfied’ below.