10 Questions with ... Luminate

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

LINE-UP:

• Sam Hancock (vocals/guitar)
• Cody Clark (guitar)
• Dusty Jakubik (bass)
• Dustin DeLong (keys/vocals)
• Aaron Mathew (drums)

LABEL:

• Sparrow Records

DISCOGRAPHY:

• Luminate (2010)

1) What's the story behind the new single "Come Home"?

"Come Home" is a personal story about the struggle between trying to build a life of success on my own or chasing my purpose and destiny by following Christ. In the past I made some life decisions based on personal gain and worldly success, and I started to wonder if that was really where God wanted me or was I out on my own claiming God's will for me. The overwhelming challenge I feel daily is asking myself: Are we willing to leave behind our broken empires even if they look and feel amazing, and let God rebuild and restore us into what he created us to be? I believe that to surrender to the voice and purpose of Christ is the only way to measure success in this life.

2) What kind of tour plans do you have for the fall?

We are EXTREMELY excited about our fall plans. We hit the studio for five weeks to record or first full-length record with Sparrow. We are also going out on the road with The Afters and Leeland in October.

3) Do you have any humorous or interesting or inspiring stories from recent radio visits?

Back in July, we played a week long camp in Michigan. We had to drive at 5:30 in the morning for an early radio interview and to make sure we could return back to the camp on time. As a vocalist I can say that voices are not meant to sing that early, but we took a stab at singing our last single "Shine (Love Is an Action)" anyway. It was all good till the chorus came; and then I hit a note I hadn't heard before, it slipped out. We all started laughing. The only way to salvage it was to start over. Good news was that the interview was pre-recorded.

4) Do you have a favorite song to perform live?

Right now would definitely be a close tie between our new single "Come Home" and "Fearlessly" from our self-titled EP.

5) Other than a t-shirt or CD, what do you hope people leave a Luminate show with?

We really want people to not only have an intimate experience with God but to leave knowing they were created for a purpose and a destiny in Christ. Even down to the simplicity of loving people on a daily basis.

6) Who inspires you personally and/or spiritually?

I would definitely say Switchfoot's Jon Foreman and U2's Bono. They both are amazing songwriters pushing the edges of honesty and soul searching. God's definitely used them to inspire me to always look for an alternate or more visual route when trying to get my heart across through song.

7) Where is your favorite place to play? Do you have a favorite city/venue?

Honestly this may sound canned but its true. We love any chance we get to play and share what God's doing in our hearts, no matter where it is.

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

Well, I (Sam) would be trying to get my dad to hire me, Cody would be a history teacher, Dusty would be truck driver, Aaron would be homeless, and Dustin would be homeless in Africa.

9) What song do you wish you had written?

"Where the Streets Have No Name" - U2

10) Do you have much time to check out other artists' music? What are you listening to right now?

Yes, we love checking out new music! There is an amazing band from Denmark called Carpark North, One Republic and Hillsong's new record. We are loving where music is headed and we hope to be apart of that move!