Sidewalk Prophets Interview

Hello Sidewalk Prophets. How are you doing? Where are you currently?

We're doing great thanks!  Currently we're in the middle of the Winter Jam Tour.  This weekend we're heading out to Mississippi, Kentucky, and North Carolina.

How’s 2011 going thus far?

2011 has been pretty stellar.  So far, we have been on tour all year :)

If people don’t know Sidewalk Prophets, how would you describe yourself?

We're a bunch of fun loving people who have a desire to use the gifts God has given us to bring glory to his name!

How did the band first come together?

Dave and Ben actually started the band almost 10 years ago now when they met in College.  Ben wanted to be in a band and let everyone he met in college know that he wanted to be in a band.  Dave's roommate at the time was Ben's resident assistant in the dorm and he told Ben that he needed to meet his roommate Dave because he could really sing.  The rest is history.

Where did the name of the band come from?

Dave came up with the "Sidewalk" which stems from a lyric in the Jars of Clay song "Art In Me".  The line reads something like this "Images on the sidewalk speak of dreams descent".  Essentially, the way we understand this line of poetry is that God can be speaking through anything whether it's writing on the street or starts in the sky.

"Prophet" came from Ben's word of the day dictionary.  The definition of a prophet according to the dictionary is someone who speaks the truth about life.  

When we combined the two our name means - we're people who search for God in everything and seek to tell the truth about life from our perspective which is as followers of Christ.

You've been around for a good few years now and have released three albums. Which would you say was the most successful album? And how would you define success?

Our most recent album "These Simple Truths" has been the most successful album.  Our other albums were just steps in our journey.  Success is really defined by following God and being as transparent as possible.  When he is working in and through us and guiding our every move-  that is success.

What’s your favourite track over the numerous albums? Which do you most enjoy playing live? 

Our favourite song from any of our albums is the song "You Love Me Anyway".  We wrote it during a thunderstorm in a basement in the middle of Indiana.  When we finished the song we looked at each other and said "WOW" this song was definitely divinely inspired.  It's been near to our hearts ever since.

What made you decide on 'The Words I Would Say' to be taken as a single? Did you think it would become the track you are perhaps most well known for?

Interesting story…we didn't think at first that "The Words I Would Say" should be our first single.  Of course looking back we're glad that it was the first single.  In regards to the song becoming well known - we hoped for but did not expect that it would be used by God to speak to so many people's hearts.  We get stories almost every day and are literally blown away by how this song has blessed people.  It's humbling for sure!

What message do you want to give through your music?

The message we hope to give through our music is that life without God is empty and void.  Our desire is to show that life has so much more to offer when you are introduced to the savior of your heart Jesus Christ.  Hopefully, our music paints a picture that is a reflection of the faith hope and love that we've experienced through the grace of God.  We want to be real, we want to be candid, and we want God to move through us.

Back to your roots, how did you first come to music?

Dave- grew up singing along to his fisher price record player and singing to his Mario Bros. poster on the wall in his bedroom.  He honestly didn't know that he could sing until he was a sophomore in college.  He thought that everyone could sing and that you were born with that gift automatically.  

Ben- grew up in a musical family.  His father played guitar and his grandfather played the fiddle and family gatherings usually culminated in a jam session.  

Where do you find influences?

Our influences come from all over the place.  Dave has the 3 m's - Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, and Mickey Mouse - we all are fans of bands like Jars of Clay, DC Talk, Counting Crows, and Ben Folds.

How does the band write music, who does what, how does the process work?

Dave and Ben write all the songs.  Ben is the "idea" guy and comes up with the bulk of the concepts behind the songs.  Dave is the literature poet and when the two come together that is where are songs are born out of. 

Who would you love to perform with, past or present?

We've been so blessed to perform with every artist we've ever dreamed of performing with accept for Switchfoot, and Jars of Clay-  if someone wants to make that happen - please do :)

What artists have you most loved sharing a stage with?

We're a big fan of all the artists we've gotten to share the stage with.  Probably the most memorable moment sharing the stage is during the Winter Jam tour last year - Michael Tait of the Newsboys was having some sickness which effected his singing.  At the last minute the Newsboys asked Dave to help them out and sing whenever Tait couldn't.  so Dave got to perform an entire set with the Newsboys in front of 15,000 people in Knoxville, TN.  The best part of the night was probably when he got to do the rap in the song Jesus Freak!

What are you currently listening to on your mp3 player?

Francesca Batistelli, The Civil Wars, Hanson, Mercy Me

Who do you think is going to sum up the sound of 2011?

We think music is going to start going back to the 90's which is awesome because we love 90's rock!

God's Earth is a huge place, where have you most enjoyed visiting, what cultures have you embraced?

We've gotten to travel all over the world.  We recently just took a trip to the Congo in Africa and God really opened our eyes to a lot of the beauty of that culture.  It's such a beautiful place but it's also such a broken place.  In the spring we're actually starting to become the voice for a campaign called "She's My Sister" which works specifically to raise awareness and support for women who have been the victim of rape and violence in the Congo.  This is a HUGE and overwhelming problem and we want to take a stand as Christian men and say to women all over the world that you are valued and loved!  It's a daunting task but with God opening the doors and leading the way - we are confident a great work will be done.

Best live performance you’ve played?

This past year we got a chance to travel to the Texas/Mexico border and do an event with Kutless.  The event was in Harlingen, TX and when we showed up there were miles and miles of traffic for people who wanted to come to the show.  There ended up being tens of thousands of people packed in this community soccer field.  It was really mind blowing - we got to play under the stars and worship with all of those beautiful people. There isn't a better feeling in the world!

What do you miss the most when you’re on the road touring?

This is easy.  We miss our families!  A few of us are married and a couple of us have children.  It's tough be gone so much and absence truly makes the heart grow fonder.  One of the things we miss the most is having a normal daily routine.  When you're on the road you just roll with the punches and it seems like things are GO GO GO.  We wouldn't trade doing what we're called to do for anything though.

How has the Christian music scene changed over the decade or so that you've been part of it?

The music scene in general is continually changing.  Digital media has opened the door for independent bands to make a living.   Sites like youtube, Facebook, myspace have been great tools to stay in touch with fans. The economy keeps changing but in the end people want music that speaks to their heart and their condition - So music sales or ticket sales may fluctuate because of the economy but in the end - people will always have a place in their heart for music.  

How does it feel to be in a position to inspire so many people, including young people to turn their lives to Christ?

It feels amazing to be in the position.  The most important thing is reminding yourself daily that you've been given this platform and it's not OUR job to speak or play a KILLER show - it's our job to let GOD speak through us and if we do that to the best of our ability then God will change lives in ways we could never imagine.  

If Sidewalk Prophets was a Jelly Bean, what colour and flavour would you be and why?

We would be a blue, cucumber because you would look at us and expect blue raspberry but then when you got to know us you would find out that we're a healthy alternative :)  Don't EVER judge a jelly bean by its colour.

Some quick fire questions:

Tea or coffee?

BOTH

Summer or winter?

SUMMER

Superman or Batman?

Superman powers in Batman's costume.

Mac or PC?

just recently became MAC

Bread or Wine?

BREAD (garlic please)

Favourite passage from the Bible?

James 1:2

How did it feel to win the 2010 Dove Award for New Artist of the Year?

It caught us off guard for sure!  We just take it as a giant encouragement and a way of God telling us to keep pressing on - that we're following him the in the right direction.

What’s coming up in 2011 and next on the agenda for Sidewalk Prophets?

We've been touring hard for the past 2 years- we're just now writing for our next album.  We're excited and can't wait to get in the studio.

And finally, how would you describe the love of God for all those people who are unsure of their direction and of course those already on their journey with Christ?

The love of God will blow your mind because it's greater than your biggest joy and far greater than your biggest doubt.  God undoubtedly speaks in to impossible, hopeless situations to show us that we're not in control and that we need HIM to guide us.  That's our hope is that God will shake our comfortable lives and teach us that walking on the edge / against the grain is what change us and bless others all the same.

Thanks guys, have a blessed day!