10 Questions with ... Hawk Nelson

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

LINE-UP:

• Jason Dunn (vocals)
• Daniel Biro (bass)
• Jonathan Steingard (guitar)
• Justin Benner (drums)

LABEL:

• Tooth & Nail Records

DISCOGRAPHY:

• Live Life Loud
• Summer EP
• Hawk Nelson Is My Friend
• Smile, It's the End of the World
• Letters to the President

1) Tell us about the new AC single "Tis So Sweet." Why the remake of the hymn?

"Tis So Sweet" is one of those songs that really says it all. The opening line in the song was enough for me: "Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus." That was literally all it took for me to not necessarily want to record the song, but more of a need to record this song.

2) And what's the story behind the new CHR/Rock single "Live Life Loud"?

"Live Life Loud" is our way of encouraging our listeners to have a voice, to say what's on their minds! My idea of living life loud is by trying to raise awareness for Juvenile Diabetes. I was diagnosed with diabetes when I was 12-years-old and people all over the world have this disease. If there is a way to find a cure, than I want to be a part of it! That is living life loud!

3) What has the response been to the latest album "Live Life Loud"? What kind of stories have you guys been hearing?

What kind of stories have you guys been hearing? We always try to remain positive. We focus only on the positive stuff being said. In that case, so far so good. [smile]

4) Where are you guys touring this spring?

We're working out the routing for our spring tour right now. We're very excited to head out on the road again.

5) What is your favorite song (if you can just pick one) from "Live Life Loud"?

"Tis So Sweet." Hands down.

6) Do you have a favorite Hawk Nelson song?

My favorite song is a song called "Somebody Else," off of our record "Hawk Nelson is My Friend." I had the opportunity to write that with one of my favorite artists I listened to growing up as a kid. His name is Raine Maida and he sings in the band Our Lady Peace.

7) Who inspires you personally, musically and/or spiritually?

I'm inspired personally by my bandmates. They are my best friends. Musically Michael W. Smith and my favorite bands Goldfinger, Blink 182 and Flogging Molly inspire me. On a spiritual level, I feel very blessed to be a part of a Christian band submerged in a Christian community. All the bands we have the privilege of sharing the stage with are all a huge impact on my spiritual walk, and I am so thankful they are there as we encourage each other.

8) You guys have been doing this band thing for some time now. How do you keep a sense of urgency about your work?

You have to remain motivated. You need to do things in the band that aren't just always music related. Like I mentioned earlier, to be able to help people in need (juvenile diabetes, Haitian relief etc.), that's what it's all about to us. It makes the music we make secondary, which is quite all right in my opinion.

9) Do you have any humorous or interesting stories from radio visits in the past year?

None from this past year come to mind, but when we first started, our bass player Daniel phoned into Air1 in California. They punked him big time. He told them who he was and what band he was in. They acted like they had no idea who he was. Daniel was pretty embarrassed.

10) The Winter Olympics wrapped up last week in your home country of Canada. If you were a Winter Olympian, which sport would participate in?

Most definitely the Canadian hockey team [smile]