Author: Jeanette Nguyen
Date: 2008-06-27


Interview:
Since Anberlin's inception in 2002, the alternative rock quintet, consisting of frontman Stephen Christian, bassist Deon Rexroat, drummer Nathan Young, guitarists Christian McAlhaney and Joseph Milligan, have released four albums , selling over 400,00 copies to date. "Yeah, that's insane," says Stephan Christians about the band's success. "You just don't sit back and pat yourself on the back. You sit down and go, 'How can I write a better song? How can I put on a better show? How can I sing better?' We still want to improve. We don't want to sit back and be rock stars and take life for granted. We want to go out there with all our hearts and put on the best show we possibly can." Now with the follow-up to 2007's Billboard topping hit Cities, Anberlin is currently in anticipation of their major-label debut New Surrender out this fall. "I'm really excited about it. It looks like this will be the best Anberlin album to date," says Christian. FanBolt recently caught up with the dynamic singer and discovered why Anberlin are one of the few bands truly in it for the right reason.

You've often been praised by fans for your distinct vocals. Who do you admire, singer-wise?

Anthony Green [of Circa Survive] because I think he's a very inspiring and refreshing singer. Most singers start to sound the same after a while, but his voice just really stands out, like Morrissey or Jeff Buckley. [He sounds] a little more unique. I think that's why I appreciate him.

Since the band has recently signed a deal with Universal Republic, what is your response to backlash from listeners who claim you've "sold-out?"

I think people would be surprised to know how many bands are on a major label. You have everything from Fall Out Boy to My Chemical Romance to Muse to New Found Glory to Jimmy Eat World. The list goes on and on and on...

There's this really great interview with Dave Eggers. You should Google "Dave Eggers" and "sell-out." He's an amazing author and wrote this awesome topic about "What is really selling-out?" I think it will change a lot of people's minds about selling-out. It's such a great, great resource. It really tackles the issue well.

Anberlin is openly Christian, so it's interesting to hear about Christian groups out there who verbally attack the band. What is your opinion on that?

I just don't think they understand us. They don't understand that Christians are even in the music business. This is our profession, so we get a lot of flak for touring with bands like My Chemical Romance and Yellowcard. They just don't understand, and I don't care. I feel at peace with what I'm doing. I guess you just have to feel that peacefulness in your heart from what you're doing. I think at the end of the day, that's what matters.

What do you like and dislike most about the music industry nowadays?

I dislike the fact that image has taken the place of so many great bands. There's a lot of great bands, but because they don't have a certain stylist or their hair is not a certain color [people don't care.] That being the negative. People are more selling the people than selling the music. The positive is there's been a rejuvenation of artists writing their own music, and that has been very encouraging.

It's been so exciting to watch the scene grow from a whole bunch of little local underground bands to now - all of our friends' bands showing up on The Billboard Top 40. That's such a great feeling. I mean, we started several years ago. Boy bands and Creed were like the biggest thing.