10 Questions with ... Hyland

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

LINE-UP:

• Jon Lewis
• Steve Weigel
• Mitchell Hansen
• Ben Early

LABEL:

• Tooth & Nail Records

DISCOGRAPHY:

• Weights & Measures (2011)

1) Introduce the members of the band, using musical influences and personality traits.

Jon: Lead singer, firstborn and acts like it, public-schooled. Into Jars of Clay, Audio Adrenaline, Acceptance

Steve: Drummer, pastor's kid, home-schooled. Into Switchfoot, Tenth Ave North and Sherwood

Mitch: Lead guitar, middle child, public-schooled. Into Underoath, Red, My American Heart

Ben: Keys and guitar, the big brother of the band, home-schooled. Into Tenth Avenue North, Switchfooot, Coldplay

2) How did you get connected with Tooth & Nail? What's your musical journey looked like?

We've been a band for over four years and have played in 38 states with over 100 shows a year. The fun part about being connected with T&N and being signed is that we are always introduced as 'The brand new band Hyland!' We enjoy that because its a reminder of that hard work paying off now at this new level.

Tooth and Nail heard about us through Aaron Sprinkle, the producer of acts like Jeremy Camp, Anberlin and Kutless. Our buddy was an intern mopping floors at the studio and left a demo of ours up on the computer by accident (so he says). The rest is a God thing.

3) What's the story behind the single "This Love Is Free"?

Written at a hard part in my life, I was really in a tough spot, worried about my future and letting my past get the best of me. I sat down to write a sad song and this much happier tune came out. I was reminded in 2 Corinthians 12 where God says his power is made perfect in weakness. That was three years ago.

4) Is there a specific message or theme to the new album "Weights & Measures"?

The Department of Weights & Measures is a government entity designed to establish a norm by which commerce can occur accurately. You'll see their stickers at every gas station. What is interesting is we as a society have never developed a similar system. Who and what do we measure ourselves to? In a world of overbearing pressure to succeed, be seen, and be unique, we had forgotten to find our place in our Father's eyes. What He thinks of us ultimately should be the measurement of our value.

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

"Coast to Coast." I wrote it about my fiancée and it's the last song I wrote for the album. It's about being on the road and feeling out of control at times, and that is exactly how this Spring has been. Talk about foreshadowing. Ha!

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

We were driving to The Fish/Portland and were going to be right on-time. We pulled in to a drive-thru and heard a loud noise and one of our tires started grinding. Within 20 minutes we figured out at a repair shop what was wrong, found a rental vehicle and where we would stay that night. We were cram-packed in a little car for a bit (there's a video on YouTube documenting it) and we still made the radio interview! Win.

7) Upcoming tour plans? Where can we see you guys playing?

In May we're on an East Coast/Midwest run with Abandon Kansas and Wavorly. Then this summer it's all festivals! Creation East and West, Alive, Sonshine, Lifest, Lifelight, AtlantaFest, Rock the Universe, to name a few. Then this Fall we'll be out on a tour with Superchick, Fireflight and Hawk Nelson. Very exciting!

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

"Desperate Man." No question. We had all of our gear stolen a month ago and this is our anthem song. "Take what you want I'm not giving up" sounds about right.

9) What song do you wish you had written?

Can I have two?? "Do You Love Me Enough to Let Me Go" by Switchfoot and "Untitled Hymn" by Chris Rice

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

Absolutely! We have stacks of CDs we rock in our van, which is where we are 80 percent of the time!

Jon: Tenth Avenue North, Disciple and The Fray

Steve: I Am Empire, Number One Gun and Cartel

Mitch: Red, Anberlin, Jimmy Eat World

Ben: A Current Affair, Ivoryline, Mumford & Sons