10 Questions with ... Satellites & Sirens

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

LINE-UP:

• Geoff Hunker (vocals)
• Jonathan Dimmel (drums)
• David Troyer (guitar)
• Brandon Owens (bass/synth)

LABEL:

• Word Records

DISCOGRAPHY:

• Satellites & Sirens (2009)

1) Can you give us a brief recap of your musical journey to Word Records?

We landed at Word because of my relationship with producers Rusty Varenkamp and Jason Ingram. We started some work together ("Vaudevillian") when I first moved to Nashville. The music was pitched to someone at Word who decided to take a chance and the band. And here we are.

2) Other than a band, what else have you found on Craigslist?

First, we were able to find Riley, the young lady on the album artwork and in the "Take Me Back" music video. Second, CL provided an assorted plethora of keyboard tools that make Brandon's sound so unique. Jonathan (drums) found the very snare he uses on a daily basis, plus his favorite kick pedal. As a band, the favorite web purchase was the Kaoss pad (featured during our show) from eBay, unfortunately, not Craigslist, but it would've been CL if they had one for sale.

3) What is the message you hope is conveyed through the self-titled debut?

We want to convey hope: hope that covers a long journey of life that can be filled with many trials and ups and downs. Even while that stuff happens, hope offered from Christ overcomes any obstacle we may face. There is a God who cares about us more than anything, no matter what we've done, where we've been, or who we've been, and that Christ's love washes away our past, preparing us a solid future that can only lift him up!

4) What's the story behind the latest single "Anchor"?

"Anchor" is a song about life, but more again, about the hope that anchors us down in Christ. Whenever waves crash around us and we don't know what to do, we know a love that goes beyond our fear. There is no fear in love, in Christ's love.

5) Do you have favorite song on the album?

"Breaking the noise." Why? Because musically it's very chill and emotional, but the song's content speaks of a noisy life that sometimes overpowers hearing God's voice. This song calls out to God to break that noise and be louder in our lives to hear the amazing purpose and passion for our lives.

6) You guys are joining Disciple and Decyfer Down on tour this month. What are you guys thinking about that? Excited much?

We're extremely excited about the tour. We think it's going to be a great time to play a rock show in front of kids and ministering to kids while doing that. We're looking forward to meeting new fans and going to new places.

7) Any funny, inspiring or interesting stories to tell from your visits to radio stations thus far?

Well, from the occasional dodgeball tournament or nerf dart shootout, our station visits have been quite interesting. We love getting to play our "acoustic" set which actually entails drum machines, keyboards, the Kaoss pad and a good time.

8) Which do you enjoy the more: the process or the performance? The studio or the stage?

That is a hard question. There are parts of both that we love. The studio provides the creative process that we greatly enjoy. The show allows a great avenue to get up and share with kids what we do best. One over the other, we'd have to take both.

9) If you could have any job outside music, what would it be and why?

Geoff: Professional soccer player because he loves soccer

David: English teacher or talk radio host: You need to hear his radio voice. It's amazing!

Jonathan: NFL TV announcer or talk radio host, because his youthful excitement would make football an experience to watch

Brandon: Graphic designer, because he loves graphically expressing great content

10) Do you have much time to listen to other artists' music? What are you listening to these days?

Absolutely, all the time. Currently, we are enjoying Switchfoot's "Hello Hurricane" as well as Passion Pit, Jon Foreman, Phoenix and Coldplay.

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

Jimmy Eat World: They are a huge influence for the band, and in fact, that is also our dream tour.

2) Favorite city to visit?

Chicago has long been one of our favorites because we have enormously awesome fans there. Orlando is quickly becoming our second favorite. Kansas City is also up there. The three previous cities have great food, which puts them very high on the list.

3) Favorite or best meal while on the road?

Any meal prepared by the all-volunteer family at Cup O Joy in Green Bay! They make a mean Chicken cordan bleu and the best baked pasta marinara. And dessert is a mixture of pies and cakes. Crazy good!

4) Any guilty musical pleasures?

Kelly Clarkson is a favorite artist, while "The Climb" is a guilty pleasure song by Miley Cyrus.

5) If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you want with you and why?

A Taco Bell store because the food is fantastic and having the store allows us to make other food, a guitar so that songs can be written, and the time can go by quicker, and a Mac because there are television shows on it to kill time, but then we can record the songs with the guitar, and then if the world gets free wi-fi, then the island can communicate with the world.