10 Questions with ... 33Miles

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

LINE-UP:

• Jason Barton
• Chris Lockwood

LABEL:

• INO Records

DISCOGRAPHY:

• Today
• One Life
• 33Miles

1) Catch us up on what's new in the life of 33Miles since the last record.

A few MAJOR things have changed. For one, we're a duo now. A church in north Indiana started pursuing Collin at the beginning of 2010 to be their worship pastor. After several months of seeking God's direction, he and his wife Jenna felt like they got their answer. He left 33Miles in May and we are thrilled for them. We jokingly say that the birth of his daughter was what brought him off of the road. If you could see how adorable she is, you'd see what we mean. As for other things, Jason and Jennifer had their third baby Jackson. The Barton house is a crazy place right now, to say the least. And most recently, we just released our 3rd studio album "Today."

2) What's the story behind the first single "Where I Wanna Go"?

"Where I Wanna Go" is a song that communicates a longing to be in heaven with Jesus one day. We love to use the song to encourage believers to be like the people of faith mentioned in Hebrews 11. Let us be so heaven-minded, so in love with our Jesus, that we fling ourselves on the mercies of God and live fully the faith he's given us. These people were persecuted, beaten, stoned, murdered and so on for their faith but they continued in their faith. The glory that awaits us is so much greater than any good or bad that we may experience here on earth.

3) What's the message or theme behind the new album "Today"?

The theme is more or less a continuation of the theme that we've had from the beginning of 33Miles. We have wanted to encourage the body of Christ to live their lives FULLY devoted to making the most of each moment that God gives us, in loving him and loving others. The problem is that we, the Church, are so weighed down with struggles we face each day that it's hard for us to really devote ourselves to those two things well. We want this album to take the mission of "One Life," making our lives count through love and focus more on the here and now. Having 'one life' to love we felt was too broad of a mission statement, almost overwhelming. However, if we break it down to 'today', to 'now', then it's a little more doable. Too often we look back and worry forward but rarely do we live the moment well.

4) Do you have a favorite song on the new album?

My favorite song is "No Greater Love." To really meditate on what the Bible as a whole is saying about the love of God is amazing. Humanity's relationship with God was perfect, then it was broken, then laws came to help us live in step with God, but the law only highlighted our inability to live and walk with God according to the law, so he took matters into his own hands. God sent his only begotten Son to live perfectly, which we couldn't do, bear the curse of sin and death, which awaited us due to our inability to walk perfectly with the holy God, and raise to life three days later, giving us the privilege of believing that he is the victor over sin and death. Christ is love. Knowing that his love separates us from death and gives us eternal life with him, there truly is NO GREATER LOVE.

5) Who or what inspires you guys to keep doing what you're doing, creating music and staying on the road as 33Miles?

Faith that the gospel is what saves lives. We don't always know what's going on in people's lives; they don't always share. But we cling to the promise that God's word will accomplish what it was purposed to do. People are saved through the hearing of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We have a platform to do that very thing. I know that God is jealous for his glory. Our singing songs that brag on him, that encourage people to trust in him, that offer opportunities for people to serve him (by sponsoring children through our partnered ministry Food for the Hungry). God will honor that because ultimately it honors him. This is an opportunity that we will never get again. Who knows what the future holds. This door that opened up for us to be 33Miles is an honor. We get the privilege of being a little piece of help in the lives of people. It's an honor to be 33Miles.

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

None really. Every radio visit is a blessing though. We are always honored to have an outlet, not just for music but for sharing Christ. Radio is amazing and Christian radio is all the more glorious. It's a gift from God to be able to proclaim and sing about Jesus Christ over the airwaves.

7) Tell us a little about your upcoming fall tour plans.

33Miles plan is to tour, tour, tour. We are presently out on the road with JJ Heller and Chris and Conrad. Amazing people. We love them and are honored that they would share their time and talents with us. Also, our Christmas album "Believe," that was released exclusively through Family Christian stores last year, will release nationally this year. So we will be touring in support of that album as well. Busy rest of the year but being busy is a blessing, especially these days.

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

Our favorite venues are always playing the old downtown theaters. There's something organic and classy about playing those venues.

9) What song do you wish you had written?

I wish I had written Sting's "Every Breath You Take." Sting is one of my favorite songwriters ever. This song is so personal, intimate and real. He has an amazing way with words that make you feel what he's saying. Being one of the most played songs in radio history, I'm sure that ASCAP check is pretty ridiculous!!!

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

Due to my songwriting, I try to stay relevant as to what's going on. So I check out the Top 20 on iTunes pretty often to see what's popular and download it, just so I can analyze. I try to stay a student of music so I'm listening to as much as I possibly can as often as I can. Some stay with me a little longer but there's not one in particular that I'm stuck on right now.