10 Questions with ... The Letter Black

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

LINE-UP:

• Sarah Anthony (vocals)
• Mark Anthony (vocals, guitar)
• Matt Beal (bass)
• Mat Slagle (drums)

LABEL:

• Tooth & Nail Records

DISCOGRAPHY:

• Breaking the Silence (2009)

1. Introduce the members of the band using personality traits.

• Mark Anthony: the businessman of the band
• Sarah Anthony: the "mom", takes care of the crazy guys
• Mat Slagle: the comic relief of the band
• Matt Beal: teams up with Slagle to double the fun
• (We all have O.C.D. except Matt Beal)

2. Can you offer a brief look at how the band started and eventually signed with Tooth & Nail?

We started out as friends who were all on the same worship team. We began writing our own worship songs, which somehow evolved into the heavier stuff that you hear today. We did shows out all the time and got offered the "5 for 5" tour, which Tooth & Nail was involved in and that eventually lead to us signing with them.

3. What's the message you hope to convey through the new album "Breaking the Silence"?

Don't lose hope. We've been there and it's easy to get down and shut your heart down, but don't. There is a better way to live.

4. What is your favorite city/venue to play?

We love L.A. and enjoy playing anywhere in the city.

5. Is there any special story behind the radio single "Hanging on by a Thread"?

We wrote it because we have all felt that desperate at some point in our lives. Being on the road, you meet people from all over the country and it's amazing to see how other people are feeling the exact same way. So we wrote it for anyone out there who is just barely hangin' in there.

6. What's your favorite song to play live?

Well, right now "All I Want" is super fun, but there are a few songs on the new record (out in March) that I think will be my new favorites live. I'm thinking "Fire with Fire" is going to come across very well.

7. Was there a moment in the studio, working on the new record, that you thought, "Ah-ha! Wow. Now we have a record!"?

Not exactly. There wasn't any specific, defining moment like that in the studio. But I will say that when we were done with the studio, we were waiting to get the mixes on the songs and that's when it began to feel complete. When everything was mixed and put together like it should be, that's a good feeling.

8. If you weren't doing music, what would you be doing?

• Sarah: Interior Designer
• Mark: Producer (music)
• Mat: Chef
• Matt: No music?!? [smile]

9. Do you have much time to listen to other artists' new music? Who are you listening to?

We listen to a ton of bands! My (Sarah's) favorite is 3 Days Grace.

10. Do you have any interesting or funny stories from visits with radio stations/folks?

I am happy to say no. All of my interviews have been relatively normal, which to me is nice because the rest of my life is so crazy!