10 Questions with ... This Beautiful Republic

NAME:This Beautiful Republic TITLE:Band LABEL:Forefront Records

Line-up:
Ben Olin (vocals)
Adam Smith (guitar)
Andy Smith (drums)
Jeremy Kunkle (guitar)
Brandon Paxton (bass)

Discography:
Even Heroes Need a Parachute (2007)

1) Introduce the band members using personality traits and musical background.

Ben: Bold, driven and determined. No real musical background, until I was 18 and was forced into a band, then began the long learning process.

Adam: Responsible, business-minded. Started playing guitar at 15.

Andy: Laidback, easygoing. Started playing drums when he was 12.

Jeremy: Creative, loyal. Started playing guitars at 15.

Brandon: Comical, artistic. Played drums since he was 6, then started playing bass guitar four years ago with the band.

2) Give us a brief rundown of your journey as a band from start to Forefront.

Two separate, not similar bands broke up and God chose to merge them into This Beautiful Republic about a year and a half ago. From that point we practiced every day, worked really hard on writing, recording, promoting and playing. Now our album is out and we're set to tour and see what God has in store.

3) What's the story behind the single "Right Now"?

"Right Now" is a song we wrote with friends Joy Williams and Ben Glover. It's a song about how we all need a change and that God doesn't care how much you've screwed up, or how hard things get, he just wants us. That's all he's ever wanted, so it's just trying to remind us that God can rescue us from anything.

4) What's the underlying message to "Even Heroes Need a Parachute"?

Even the most heroic people need something outside of themselves to save them from death when jumping out of an airplane, so as humans we need something besides ourselves to save us from death and sin, and that's Jesus and relationship with him!

5) Which do you enjoy more: the process or the performance?

Both. They go hand-in-hand. The performance should compliment the process. They are both very enjoyable!

6) What urges you to make music? Is it only about the music or about what the listeners/fans get out of it?

The fans. Honestly, if they don't enjoy it, we aren't asked to make any more, so we really want it to connect and entertain people. We write with the live show in mind so that it's very crowd-oriented and can insist on interaction.

7) What's your favorite song to play live? Why?

"Going Under" is the most intense, energy-filled song. We get to command the crowd really well and get in their faces.

8) Any interesting or funny experiences/stories from radio stops yet?

We heard Nevertheless doing an interview on the air in our hometown, on YES FM. We decided to crash the interview. We got to the station and started making faces at them through the glass window of the studio. You could see them mouthing the words "this beautiful republic."

9) How come so many rock bands are coming from Ohio? What is it about that state?

Because there's nothing else to do in Ohio!

10) Is it true that all heroes need a parachute? Even super heroes?

Yeah! That's the whole idea behind the title actually. That no matter who you are, no matter how talented, super power or not, we all need to be saved from death. Thus, even heroes need a parachute.

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

David Bazan. I think he has incredible talent and a great outlook, on most things.

2) What is your favorite city to visit?

Ben says, Sandusky, OH, for Cedar Point

3) What is your favorite road meal?

One that's free!

4) Musical guilty pleasures

Kelly Clarkson, Michael Jackson