10 Questions with ... Sevenglory

NAME:Sevenglory TITLE:Musicians LABEL:7Spin Music WEB:www.sevenglory.com

Line-up:
Fred Butson (lead vocal, guitar)
Gabe Johannes (percussion, background vocals)
Caleb Johannes (bass, background vocals)
Josh Parsons (lead guitar)

Label:
7Spin Music

Discography:
Atmosphere (2007)

1) Briefly introduce the band members using some musical history and personality characteristics:

Fred is one of the founding members of the band and he used to be in a Southern Gospel quartet. Musically he's influenced by bands like Switchfoot and matchbox 20.

Josh is the newest member of the band. He loves classic rock. He's a triplet and the joke teller of the band.

Gabe is also a founding member. He was very athletic growing up and drummed in secret. Musical influences would be Led Zeppelin and Rush. He's the most likely to be working on a crossword puzzle.

Caleb is a floating butterfly with a nasty sting. He cut his teeth on music and got his start playing with Everlife. He has eclectic listening habits, anyone from Sigur Ros to Britney Spears.

2) Can you offer a brief history of the band? How did the band get started and find 7Spin Music?

We only played a couple of shows and were looking for a manager. Peter Koshla approached us and started a label. That was six years ago.

3) You're sitting in the studio, working on tracks for Atmosphere. Describe a moment when you heard something that made your heart stop in a good, excited way.

Probably after we heard the first round of mixes. This is our first record with the current members. As we finally listened to the songs together as a whole, we just thought, "This is starting to sound like a record!"

4) What's the story behind the first single "Just Me"?

As Christians we know we're called to respond to problems in the world. This song is us verbalizing our need to get out in the world. We ask where is God when this happens and the answer is that he is right there, waiting for us to be a part of the solution.

5) Not every day is a cake walk for people who travel and work together. How do you guys stay friends as well as co-workers? What piece of advice would you give newer bands?

Get a big van with lots of seats. Keep it light and take everything with a grain of salt. You have to realize that everyone can get moody riding in a van for too long, but that there is a bigger reason for doing this. And really our relationship with God will be reflected in our relationship with each other, so how's that going?

6) Tell us your funniest radio station experience so far.

In Knoxville they have this recorder sitting there by the mics and Fred picks it up to play it. We're like, "Man, you have no idea who has played that." To which our host said something like, "Every artist says that. Michael W. Smith has played it, I think." At which point, we all thought about playing it.

7) If there's "nothing new under the sun," how do you keep making music that sounds new and says something important?

If you go into songwriting trying to write something specific, it usually doesn't work. But if you write what's inside you based on what the mood is or the thoughts you have, those are the most honest songs that just come out.

8) Which do you enjoy more the process or the performance?

Gabe: Performance. When it's good, it's really good.

9) What's life like off the road? What do you all enjoy doing when at home?

What's home? We enjoy time off with family and wives. Gabe loves to build stuff with power tools.

10) Who is the fastest jump-roper in the band?

Gabe vs. Caleb. Gabe could do it for the long haul while Caleb has potential. (See YouTube video blogs.)

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

Josh: U2
Fred: Jon Foreman of Switchfoot (write songs with)

2) What is your favorite city to visit?

Gabe: San Diego
Caleb: L.A.
Fred: Chicago

3) What is your favorite road meal?

Caleb: lobster
Josh: steak
Gabe: steak
Fred: double cheeseburger minus pickle

4) Any musical guilty pleasures?

Gabe: Carrie Underwood
Caleb: Britney
Fred: Gaither Vocal Band
Josh: The Darkness