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10 Questions with ... I AM THEY
July 29, 2019
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. It's really all about relationships and so just like any relationship it takes humility, servitude, sacrifice, love and forgiveness. In a musical context-just like in a symphony or orchestra-you've got to hear each other and make room for each other. It's a team effort. God has called and placed each person here and so it up to each of us to recognize and honor that and figure out how we can serve the whole
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1. It's been quite a road for I Am They since your start. Could you provide a brief history of the band from the beginning up to the present?
Gosh, I'll try! Haha! About 10 years ago, we put together one worship team from a handful of churches in our area to host a single night of worship for our community in Carson City, Nevada. We saw that community in our area unite in worship and it inspired us to continue forward, hosting worship nights in our community every few weeks, and ultimately bringing us all the way to Nashville where we were offered a record deal with Sony/Provident records.
Since then, we've had the opportunity to travel the world carrying a message of unity and identity (expressed in our namesake) through worship. The ministry of I AM THEY has always gone beyond its members, as the greater "THEY" has always included the church at large as it was expressed by Christ in John chapter 17. Through the years, we've experienced some of the greatest joys and blessings but also some of the most difficult challenges of our lives. Harkening back to a song called "Amen" off our first record, "...and through the rise and fall, You're God above it all." We have seen and witnessed God's faithfulness and nearness right there in the midst of it all.
Our second record Trial & Triumph speaks honestly about our journey as a band and how God can take our brokenness and turn it to beauty. He can take our pain and turn it to praise. He can use the trials and turn them into triumphs.
2. Can you recall the moment or season when it was clear to the band that IAT would become a full-time gig?
Well, I guess it ain't full-time until it's full time! I think it was about 2015 when we were offered a record deal. But at the time, we all were still living in Nevada and working day jobs. We did that for as long as we could, until our touring schedule took over. We really weren't making any money, but we all felt like God was still calling us to let go and follow Him in faith. It may have been different for everyone in the band, but I think for me - once we were offered a record deal (out in our small town of Carson City, mind you!), that really seemed like a confirmation that God was up to something greater than we had ever anticipated.
3. Have there been moments when it seemed like the band wasn't going to make it? How do you recall those?
From what I can tell, that is a regular state of consciousness for just about every band out there! There are a lot of challenges to being in a band and a ton of moments for me where I had to really anchor down on God's calling to continue. I think for me, the point where I thought for sure we were likely 'done' was probably when our second vocalist left the band. I know that shook us all pretty hard. There again, though, God proved faithful and went before us to prepare a way.
4. What initially influenced the band both artistically and in its mission? Has that influence changed over the years?
We are worshippers at heart. All of us got our start in the church. We were inspired to serve locally and in our home churches. We just wanted to try and be faithful with whatever God put in front of us. Artistically we all have so many different influences, but we all place a premium on lyric and melody and somehow that all comes together to make the music of I AM THEY. Ultimately, I think that speaks to the greater missional purpose behind the band as well which I think can most simply be stated as "unity in diversity."
5. The band has experienced several lineup changes since its inception. What is the process like to get to the place where everyone gels amidst a band transformation?
It's really all about relationships and so just like any relationship it takes humility, servitude, sacrifice, love and forgiveness. In a musical context-just like in a symphony or orchestra-you've got to hear each other and make room for each other. It's a team effort. God has called and placed each person here and so it up to each of us to recognize and honor that and figure out how we can serve the whole.
6. Does everyone in IAT have a unique role within the band's business/ministry outside of the music performance element?
Yep! It takes a village! Justin (keys) is our merch manager and also helps on the production side of things. Abbie (vocals) also heads up our social media platforms. Jon (vocals/guitars) also helps as a creative director. Nicole (drums) is also our road manager/tour manager. I (Matt - vocals/guitars) supervise - ie: "servant of all." Ha! I'm extremely proud of how far we've come as a team, both inside and outside of the band.
7. You all have been road-dogging for much of the past years. Is there anything unique the band members do when traveling to make the most of all the city visits and opportunities?
As much as we can, given we are still driving ourselves to and from our gigs. Most of our 'extra' time is on the road and it's usually spent sleeping, reading, or catching up on technological to-do lists. In fact, I'm answering these questions right now from an airplane, somewhere between South Dakota and home in Nashville.
8. Your latest single "Scars" has become a massive radio hit. Congrats on that! Why do you think it's resonated with people to the level that it has?
Well, thank you. This song has definitely connected in a way that no other IAT song has in the past, and-at least from my own perspective-I just see God's handiwork in it. For one, the song really sums up our entire journey as a band. Talking about that journey, both individually and collectively, we chose to be deeply honest and vulnerable in ways that we hadn't before.
Also, frankly, we all have scars - whether those are emotional, physical, or even spiritual. In sharing about our scars, it seemed to give others a kind of permission to open up about the things they have gone through in their lives. We all have scars - but the greater truth is that we all in Christ have a testimony - a redemption story for our scars. This is just a gospel song to remind us that Christ also had scars and it is because of His scars that we don't have to hide ours.
9. Have you discovered that the band's recent radio success has brought about new responsibilities, opportunities or even challenges?
For sure! All of those things. It's honestly the kindness of Jesus, though, that it would come at this point in our story. We are healthier than we have ever been as a band. We've spent the last decade learning a lot, setting proper boundaries, and building a strong foundation. I think because of that, we're able to take on these new things with a deeper sense of joy, gratitude, and camaraderie.
10. What does the rest of 2019 look like for you guys?
Full and awesome! We actually are heading out towards the West Coast in August. It'll be fun to see some friends and family out that way. We also will be on all kinds of tours through the end of the year, including our first-ever headliner tour. It's called the Trial & Triumph Tour with our friends Dan Bremnes and Elle Limebear, and we couldn't be more excited about it!
Dates are all on our website at iamthey.com
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