Stephen Christian - Anberlin (30/08/2013)
Taking some downtime in the US during our call, within the first minute it's clear that Anberlin’s Stephen Christian is one of the most humble people any music journalist could have the chance to speak with. His passion for his music is both inspiring and fascinating, and in our allocated time frame, his enthusiasm to speak with myself and share his experiences with the band is truly genuine.
Though with so much ground to cover, we begin our chat at with the release of their sixth album Vital, in which they invited Aaron Sprinkle to once again be involved with the recording process.
Sprinkle's credits include producing Anberlin's first three albums; Blueprints for the Black Market, Never Take Friendship Personal and Cities, and his work during Vital, was a welcome one, both as a producer and a friend to the band. “At first we didn’t know who we were going to have produce our record. I think it was more along the lines of ‘We need to write the best album we can, and find the best producer,’” Christian explains.
“We had a few options really, but we just felt like it was time to back home. He’s one of the most incredible producers, and we were able to go back work with somebody who knew who we were as a band. It was really cool to just go back and work with our dear friend. I love being in the studio, seeing the song you came up with in your head transpire onto a disc, it’s just incredible and I love the whole process”.
With critics and fans alike giving acclaim to Vital, the decision to work with Sprinkle and revisit the youthful energy of their early day has been a positive step for the band. While Blueprints for the Black Market celebrated it's 10th anniversary in May, its in no way lost any of its appeal among fans. Vital (which was released in 2012) echoes of the bands debut, and reminds us as to why Anberlin is still going strong after eleven years as a band.
When they were previously in Australia in 2012, Anberlin road tested a new format of performance, which they had yet to attempt before in their career. Amongst the usual concert fans had come to know and love were acoustic sets, covers, fan requests and an on-stage Q+A.
The plans were initially for the production of a live DVD, but humbly, Christian explains that the band has decided to instead give the performance back to the fans through free formats online. “We’re not going to make a live DVD, we’d hoped too, but we want to give it back to the fans as tour videos over things like Vimeo and Youtube. That’s probably going to come out over time online.”
In the mean time, fans can get a bit closer and personal when Anberlin return to Australia, beginning this coming Wednesday in Brisbane. Christian explains that although the last tour was a success, the band will be returning to the classic set-up so that they can give their fans live performances of Vital material, the way it was intended to be performed. “We’re going to change it up in a few ways. We’ll probably play a few acoustic songs, but I think the biggest changes are that we’ll be coming out with the new record Vital, which we haven’t toured yet in Australia,” Christian says. "We’re also bringing The Maine with us, and they’re just huge here in the United States. It’s just about time that they catch on in Australia!”
Anberlin are worthy of being called honourary Aussies; their love for our country is evident from their tour plans which will often include visits to Australian shores. Shores which coincidentally, Christian hopes to surf along. “I grew up surfing, so I like to hit Bondi Beach or Surfers Paradise, but we don’t have many off days. Usually in Australia it’s just “go, go go!” But (when performing) the crowds just go wild, and we feel so enamored to be here”, Christian says. “I love the fact that I’m creating art, and people are singing along. I love touring. Having the crowd singing back, that’s so incredible and so invigorating!"
And while Christian is predominately known for his work with Anberlin, he also has a second act entitled Anchor & Braille. A performance pseudonym of Christian and Micah Tawlks, Anchore & Braille is duo acoustic project created from songs which Christian realised didn’t suit Anberlin. “With Anchor & Braille we just released our second album called The Quiet Life (through Tooth and Nail Records), and I love that project. The problem is that it’s very hard to tour. It’s something I love, but I can’t tour it because I’m touring with Anberlin all the time”.
When I tell Stephen it’s a shame Anchore & Braille aren't touring because I’d love to hear some of those songs live, he can’t help but agree; “Me too!” he says with a laugh.
As our time begins to run out, I ask Christian what his message and advice for young bands looking to find their feet would be, and just as expected, his answer is an honest and passionate one. “Listen to every kind of genre. Don’t just listen to what’s cool right now, or music that is the genre of your band. Go explore jazz, or blues, or traditional culture music. Expand your horizons, don’t limit yourself, because it’s a dead end street down a dead end road. Just enjoy the experience, and if it happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, you have experience and will know how to write and record better. It’s all about pushing yourself to get bigger and better”.
Luke Sutton
@lukesutton
Anberlin w/ The Maine, William Beckett (The Academy Is…), Masketta Fall.
Wednesday 4 September - The HiFi, Brisbane – 18+
Thursday 5 September – The Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast - 18
Friday 6 September – Panthers, Newcastle - Lic AA
Saturday 7 September – The Hifi, Sydney - Lic AA
Sunday 8 September – The Palace, Melbourne - 18+
Tuesday 10 September June – The Gov, Adelaide - Lic AA
Wednesday 11 September – Metropolis, Fremantle - 18+
Though with so much ground to cover, we begin our chat at with the release of their sixth album Vital, in which they invited Aaron Sprinkle to once again be involved with the recording process.
Sprinkle's credits include producing Anberlin's first three albums; Blueprints for the Black Market, Never Take Friendship Personal and Cities, and his work during Vital, was a welcome one, both as a producer and a friend to the band. “At first we didn’t know who we were going to have produce our record. I think it was more along the lines of ‘We need to write the best album we can, and find the best producer,’” Christian explains.
“We had a few options really, but we just felt like it was time to back home. He’s one of the most incredible producers, and we were able to go back work with somebody who knew who we were as a band. It was really cool to just go back and work with our dear friend. I love being in the studio, seeing the song you came up with in your head transpire onto a disc, it’s just incredible and I love the whole process”.
With critics and fans alike giving acclaim to Vital, the decision to work with Sprinkle and revisit the youthful energy of their early day has been a positive step for the band. While Blueprints for the Black Market celebrated it's 10th anniversary in May, its in no way lost any of its appeal among fans. Vital (which was released in 2012) echoes of the bands debut, and reminds us as to why Anberlin is still going strong after eleven years as a band.
When they were previously in Australia in 2012, Anberlin road tested a new format of performance, which they had yet to attempt before in their career. Amongst the usual concert fans had come to know and love were acoustic sets, covers, fan requests and an on-stage Q+A.
The plans were initially for the production of a live DVD, but humbly, Christian explains that the band has decided to instead give the performance back to the fans through free formats online. “We’re not going to make a live DVD, we’d hoped too, but we want to give it back to the fans as tour videos over things like Vimeo and Youtube. That’s probably going to come out over time online.”
In the mean time, fans can get a bit closer and personal when Anberlin return to Australia, beginning this coming Wednesday in Brisbane. Christian explains that although the last tour was a success, the band will be returning to the classic set-up so that they can give their fans live performances of Vital material, the way it was intended to be performed. “We’re going to change it up in a few ways. We’ll probably play a few acoustic songs, but I think the biggest changes are that we’ll be coming out with the new record Vital, which we haven’t toured yet in Australia,” Christian says. "We’re also bringing The Maine with us, and they’re just huge here in the United States. It’s just about time that they catch on in Australia!”
Anberlin are worthy of being called honourary Aussies; their love for our country is evident from their tour plans which will often include visits to Australian shores. Shores which coincidentally, Christian hopes to surf along. “I grew up surfing, so I like to hit Bondi Beach or Surfers Paradise, but we don’t have many off days. Usually in Australia it’s just “go, go go!” But (when performing) the crowds just go wild, and we feel so enamored to be here”, Christian says. “I love the fact that I’m creating art, and people are singing along. I love touring. Having the crowd singing back, that’s so incredible and so invigorating!"
And while Christian is predominately known for his work with Anberlin, he also has a second act entitled Anchor & Braille. A performance pseudonym of Christian and Micah Tawlks, Anchore & Braille is duo acoustic project created from songs which Christian realised didn’t suit Anberlin. “With Anchor & Braille we just released our second album called The Quiet Life (through Tooth and Nail Records), and I love that project. The problem is that it’s very hard to tour. It’s something I love, but I can’t tour it because I’m touring with Anberlin all the time”.
When I tell Stephen it’s a shame Anchore & Braille aren't touring because I’d love to hear some of those songs live, he can’t help but agree; “Me too!” he says with a laugh.
As our time begins to run out, I ask Christian what his message and advice for young bands looking to find their feet would be, and just as expected, his answer is an honest and passionate one. “Listen to every kind of genre. Don’t just listen to what’s cool right now, or music that is the genre of your band. Go explore jazz, or blues, or traditional culture music. Expand your horizons, don’t limit yourself, because it’s a dead end street down a dead end road. Just enjoy the experience, and if it happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, you have experience and will know how to write and record better. It’s all about pushing yourself to get bigger and better”.
Luke Sutton
@lukesutton
Anberlin w/ The Maine, William Beckett (The Academy Is…), Masketta Fall.
Wednesday 4 September - The HiFi, Brisbane – 18+
Thursday 5 September – The Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast - 18
Friday 6 September – Panthers, Newcastle - Lic AA
Saturday 7 September – The Hifi, Sydney - Lic AA
Sunday 8 September – The Palace, Melbourne - 18+
Tuesday 10 September June – The Gov, Adelaide - Lic AA
Wednesday 11 September – Metropolis, Fremantle - 18+