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10 Questions with ... Building 429
October 27, 2008
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NAME:Building 429TITLE:Band
Line-up:
Jason Roy (lead vocals)
Jesse Garcia (keys, lead guitars)
Michael Anderson (drums)Label:
INO RecordsDiscography:
Building 429 (2008)
Iris to Iris (Word Records, 2007)
Rise (Word Records, 2006)
Space in Between Us (Word Records, 2004)1) Can you offer a brief journey of your musical career thus far from your perspective?
Jason Roy: I was about 12 when my father, the heathen family member, introduced me to this band called Aerosmith that turned my world upside down. It blew my mind and suddenly all I wanted to do was play guitar and sing rock 'n' roll. I started by writing all my thoughts into songs. When I was about 16 or 17, I started to realize that God was the central theme. After several bands and records, I wrote a song called "Glory Defined" and Building 429 was off to the races. We try not to look back; we always try to forge ahead, which is a hard thing to do sometimes. We love to learning and finding new ways to write songs and music that will captivate an audience and give us the ability to speak authoritatively into their lives with the Truth.
2) What is the main message that you hope to share with audiences through the new album?
The main focus of the record is that all that we've searched for and all that we desire can only be found in the abundance of Christ. Songs like "Overcome," "End of Me" and "Oxygen" touch on this subject. "Always" is about the reality of a love that is certain in uncertain times. Those are the things that we tried to shine a light on in this record.
3) What is the story behind the single "End of Me"?
Every one of us thinks we have our lives under control. Every one of us desires the life of peace, joy and happiness. It's funny though that with every step we take toward this goal we always seem to find ourselves further away. "End of Me" is a song that attempts to bring some perspective to that quest. "All I've longed for I found finally at the end of me" is my constant reminder these days to live my life by God's design. To leave the burdens and the comforts of believing I'm in control, to find true life. When I admit I have no control and that God himself gets that responsibility, everything seems to make a little more sense.
4) Why is this lifestyle (recording, singing, traveling) one that you're willing to follow?
I believe in this generation and I want them to see what I see when I look at them. This is a generation of kids that are constantly bruised and battered by all the misgivings of the world and I want to be a voice of encouragement to all who would hear us speak/play. This lifestyle isn't the easiest to live but as long as I feel that we are still having an impact on the world through the music, I will still be doing it.
5) Tell us your funniest radio experience thus far.
Wally on Way-FM's Total Axxess. One time I was on a road trip trying to escape a tropical storm down in Jacksonville. I was supposed to be on Total Axxess with Wally that night but all the flights were cancelled and we had to drive home through the storm. I called to do a "phoner" and after we were on the air for five or 10 minutes, the car I was in stopped for gas and a restroom break. I thought we were off the air when I walked into the bathroom for my only break of the trip. But we weren't. Wally somehow heard the ambience in the room and asked me, "Dude, are you in a bathroom!?!?" I was like, "Yeah, I was just gonna finish the interview in here so when we get done I can go and get back in the car." But you know Wally. He made a huge deal out of it. I would've been embarrassed but I've been doing this long enough that I thought, "I'll just file this away for the most funniest moment question." And here it is.
6) Was there a moment in the studio while you were working on the new album that you stopped and said, "Ah-ha! Now we have a record!"?
Honestly, I always thought this one was pretty good but I think the song that brought it all together was "Not Gonna Let You Down." When that one got close, we knew we had a really special song that we were extremely proud of. And it seemed to be the upbeat song the record was missing.
7) Can you pick a favorite song from the new album?
I love all of them but I'd have to say that right now "Always" is my favorite. The response to the song has been amazing and there is just a lot of depth to it that makes me smile. It's even an encouragement to me sometimes because the second verse is about me and how far I've come and how faithful God has been to me.
8) Imagine life without music: what might you try your hand at?
If music were completely out of the question, I think I'd probably want to be a basketball coach. I live for the game and it's the only thing that I've ever been as passionate about as my music.
9) What is your favorite song to perform live?
"Always", mostly because it's the first song I've ever sat down and played on the keyboard, which is just a cool thing to get to do. Also, the way people react to that song is powerful and I love that feeling of something bigger than yourself taking over the show. That's what it feels like when we play it live.
10) What song, any song, do you wish you had written?
I think it's called "The Broken Road." It's the story of my life: "God bless the broken road that led me straight to you." And Geoff Moore did that song before Rascal Flatts.
Bonus Questions
1) Do you have a dream artist to record with (any genre)?
Just to meet this guy would be enough, Bono.
2) Favorite city to visit:
Heidelberg, Germany
3) Favorite road meal:
Sushi
4) If you could join any band, past or present, which one would you choose?
Play guitar/BGVs for Shawn Mullins
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