Jars of Clay Interview

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Interview with Charlie Lowell of Jars of Clay.



February 11, 2004



OFG: You have a new record out 'Who We Are Instead' Why did the band decide to to make this album have a more acoustic soulful sound?

Charlie: We did a project about a year ago called "Furthermore" that started out as a live record, but we felt like there was another side to the band that wasn't as well-known, so we did the "acoustic sessions" disc for that. We had a blast making it, and it was received very well by our fans, so it felt very natural to shift back into a more acoustic/organic focus on the music. It has been an extremely rewarding season so far, especially in the songwriting.

OFG: How long did it take to produce the album?

Charlie: It took about 4 months, which is half the time "the eleventh hour" took! We had most of it done, and spent another month on 4 songs with a producer named Ron Aniello. The songs came quicker this time around- partly because the lyrics and acoustic arrangements seemed very natural and seamless.

OFG: Do you have a favorite song off the album?

Charlie: I would say "Sing" right now. I really like the energy and passion that song delivers. Simple lyrics, big heart. It was a song we wrestled with a bit in the studio, and once we simplified it, it came a long way!

OFG: What are some of your favorite songs to play live?

Charlie: "Worlds Apart" has always been a runaway favorite, both for the band and for the audience. A few of the new songs have been really enjoyable lately- "Sunny Days", "Trouble Is", and "Show You Love".

OFG: What artists or bands do you admire?

Charlie: Daniel Lanois, Solomon Burke, Johnny Cash, Switchfoot, Sarah McLachlan, Coldplay, to name a few.

OFG: How difficult was it for Jars of Clay to get signed to a record deal?

Charlie: It was actually quite a "Cinderall Story"! We met in college, and just 3 songs and 4 months later, we entered and won a competition in Nashville which resulted in Christian record label interest. From there, it was a courting process about 5 months long until we decided on Essential records, which we are still on today. It was an unusually quick process- we had played under a dozen concerts before we recorded our first album, mostly in coffee houses!

OFG: Many bands go their entire careers without a single grammy nomination. Jars Of Clay has won Multiple Grammys. What's the band's secret for being so successful?

Charlie: Hmmm. I think our influences are pretty dynamic and different. We started out in college listening to techno/rave and folk singer-songwriters, and that's how we initially came up with our sound. Songwriting is very important to us- having something to say, and an interesting way to say it that separates you from other bands. I think that Dan, our singer, is a great lyricist/singer/frontman, which is fairly rare these days, especially all packed into one man. Other than that, we consider ourselves blessed to be recognized in this industry, and to have very loyal fans that have stuck with us through our different seasons.

OFG: The band wrote a letter for the World Aids Day. What are your thoughts about this subject?

Charlie: We are very passionate about educating the church and college students about the AIDS emergency, particularly in Africa. It's an issue that is easy to forget about, and hard to get connected to. So we've tried to come up with some interesting ways to keep our audience informed and educated, like the Blood:Water Symposiums that we do on college campuses. We feel that being involved with Africa is something that will define our generation and give us purpose and passion. It's been great to use our opportunities and platform for something bigger than just building our career.

OFG: What made the band start Blood Water Mission?

Charlie: Dan traveled to Africa just over a year ago, and came back very hopeful- there are many things that we as Americans can do to help Africa, politically, financially, education-oriented. So we started BWM mainly to help channel money to grass-roots medical missions in Africa, but also to raise awareness here in our homeland, and to give people different ways to plug into these issues. There are many websites that are helpful: worldvision.org, datadata.org and stopglobalaids.org.

OFG: If you were given the power to change the world for the better what one thing would you do to make the world a better place?

Charlie: I think I would educate- we are seeing just how powerful education really is, and we take it for granted here in the US. People are able to make wise decisions, but you have to dispel the myths and lies that they have been told about AIDS and abstinence.

OFG: Where do you see Jars of Clay five years from now?

Charlie: We would love to still be making records and playing concerts. We do travel a lot, and would love to be home a little more, but we are enjoying our "job" more now that ever. It's been 10 years since we met, and would count it a gift to do this for 10 more years.

OFG: Is there anything you would like to say to the fans of Jars of Clay and the readers of Orlando Florida Guide?

Charlie: We are SO sorry that our concert was cancelled!! We were in LA for the Grammys and tried 3 different flights to FL and couldn't make it. We will be back soon, and always enjoy playing concerts for our friends in Florida! (Editor's note: Jars of Clay will be back in Florida on March 5, 2004 playing a show at The TD Waterhouse Centre in Orlando.)

OFG: Thank you for your time. I wish you much success.

Charlie: Thanks for your time and interest!



By Michael Montes - Orlando Florida Guide - All Rights Reserved.

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