10 Questions with ... Nevertheless

NAME:Nevertheless TITLE:Band WEB:www.neverthelessmusic.com

Line-up:
Joshua Pearson (lead vocals, acoustic guitar)
AJ Cheek (guitar, piano, vocals)
Brad Jones (guitar)
Adam Rowe (drums)
Adam Wann (bass)

Label:
Flicker Records

Discography:
In the Making... (September 16, 2008)
Live Like We're Alive (2006)

1) What were some of the band highlights from the past year or so?

Four out of the five of us have gotten married in the last year, so that makes for some interesting changes within the band. I think we could say that bringing those amazing women into the band is a highlight! Also, we have really been blessed to play some great shows with some really cool bands.

2) What's the story behind the first radio single "Sleeping In"?

"Sleeping In" was the first song that we wrote in a new more piano-based direction. Musically, it acts as a bridge between where we have been and where we are going. Lyrically speaking, it is a song about facing insecurity, which we all have in our lives on some level, so it means a lot to us. I remember only having the line, "I've been sleeping in for days," and it already made complete sense to me.

3) What message do you hope is conveyed on the new album In the Making...?

I hope that people listen to our record and think, "Wow, I'm not perfect, but it's OK because I'm an unfinished product." The message of the record is that we are all in the making of becoming the people that God wants us to be and that takes some time.

4) I hear that you guys have been camping out at radio stations recently. Whose idea was that? What does a typical camp-out/station breakfast schedule look like?

A friend from our label originally presented the idea to us and we loved it! It is standard to find us camping in a tent outside of some radio station, firing up a gas grill to cook some pancakes and sausage for the morning show.

5) As you were in the studio recording, did you have an "ah-ha" moment when you thought, "Now we have a record - and this is good!"?

I think that when we first heard "It's True" completely finished, with a sea of strings and guitars washing over us, we knew that something good was happening.

6) What's your favorite song to perform live?

Everyone is really enjoying "Long Shot" off of the new record. It is energetic and fun, and I get to play a tambourine.

7) As you leave the stage, what do you hope the audience takes home with them, other than a CD or t-shirt?

I hope that when someone leaves our show, they feel as if they have identified with someone else on a spiritual level. I want them to feel a connection with us, but more importantly I want to them to feel a connection with the God who made us all.

8) Do you have any humorous or interesting stories from radio visits in the past year?

We showed up at a station in Michigan with our tent and grill, ready to cook the staff breakfast, and no one ended up coming in that morning. The staff was off for an effort to kind of revamp the station and they were playing only Veggie Tales music at the time. We had all of this food and no one to give it to. Luckily, the station manager came on over and had breakfast with us.

9) Do you have much time to check out other artists' music? What are you listening to right now?

I am very impressed with the new Coldplay album, "Viva la Vida." The arrangements are genius and the songwriting is superb!

10) Upcoming tour plans? What's on the books?

This fall we have a tour with Fireflight and then a tour in the making with Between the Trees. Also, we are playing a lot of Acquire the Fire events, which are always a blast!

1) Who would be a dream artist to record with and why?

I am a huge fan of what Counting Crows does. I would love to collaborate with Adam Duritz.

2) Favorite city to visit:

My favorite city to visit is Chicago but I am biased because I lived there.

3) Do you have any musical guilty pleasures?

We all have a guilty pleasure for Keith Urban. That is about as Pop Country as you can get, but he is amazing

4) Favorite book that you've read recently:

I recently read "Out of Solitude" by Henri Nouwen and it is amazing!

5) If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you want with you and why?

1) I would bring my Bible because it is a source of hope and peace in the most devastating of times.
2) Although I wouldn't say "item," I would bring my wife, Amy. People need each other and she would be the best option to live with in a hut. We would float around in the ocean all day long.
3) I would also bring my acoustic guitar because I love writing songs! I could probably write a sick record being stranded on an island. As far as food goes, we would eat off of the land and kill wild beasts with our bare hands.