Anberlin

We were recently given the opportunity to pick the brain of Anberlin front-man Stephen Christian in preparation of the band's upcoming full-length release, Dark Is The Way, Light Is A Place. Stephen guides us through the inner-workings and of the band's fifth studio album, and hints about the eventual release of acoustic/stripped down versions of songs from the new record. Avid fans of Stephen's side-project Anchor And Braille will also find a nice surprise towards the end of the interview. Enjoy!



Shawn@RRR:  We'll start by getting the formalities out of the way. Could you please give your name and role in Anberlin.

Stephen Christian: Stephen Christian, friend, team captain, vocalist.

Shawn@RRR: Your new album, Dark Is The Way, Light Is A Place (out September 7th courtesy of Universal Republic), marks the band's fifth full-length studio release. Guide us through the writing and recording process for the album.

Stephen Christian: For us we start with music. Christian and Joey usually put ideas down in Garage Band or Pro Tools and pass it along to me. From there I put melody lines and lyrics down and send it back to them so that they can adjust the song around the vocals. From there we pick a producer, find a studio, and begin pre-pro. Tracking is basically just a performance at that point because the songs are arranged and completed.

Shawn@RRR: Seeing as how the band has been around for quite some time, would you say the way in which the band completes an album has become more natural process?

Stephen Christian: No, each record has presented its own challenges and dilemmas. This last one was the smoothest of all the records because I feel we were all very much in our element during the majority of this writing process. Much like anything you practice at, you get better at it.

Shawn@RRR: As previously mentioned, Anberlin has been around the block a few times so to speak. To date, the band has sold over 700,000 albums. With that number in mind, how much pressure is associated with ensuring the band's continued success album after album?

Stephen Christian: I never thought we would sell 70,000 in our bands lifetime, so honestly we have already far surpassed my goal in life so there is no pressure. Honestly, if the band broke up today I would be more than content at where things left off. We have had a wonderful time touring the world, meeting exciting people, learning about new cultures, and playing the art form we feel we were created to perform.

Shawn@RRR: How would you describe the band’s growth since its inception to its current incarnation? Has the band's original soul and purpose shifted at all over time?

Stephen Christian: Everything changes, the world has never remained consistent for anyone! For me though, I see all the positives and negatives throughout the last 7 years as opportunity to grow. Members have come and go from every reason from drug abuse to spirituality differences, so we understand and embrace the spectrum of life in 'band world'. The soul has changed but the purpose of creating music, the best music we personally can create, has not.

Shawn@RRR: Your previous album, New Surrender, was met with mixed reactions from long-time fans and critics alike. Some may accredit it to your jump to a major label. Do you believe that Dark Is The Way will put these naysayers to rest?

Stephen Christian: It will drive the nail into their coffins.

Shawn@RRR: What is the concept behind the album artwork for Dark Is The Way, Light Is A Place? On the surface, many would  see nothing more than a sideways horse, though I'm sure it's a little deeper than that...

Stephen Christian: Art is in the eye of the beholder. Some may see a sideways horse, where others might see a horse falling to its death. M. Zavros has a way of making you feel something when you look at his paintings. For me 'August Falling' (the drawing) makes me hold my breath in anticipation and expectation wondering what will happen in the seconds to follow. In the same manor we wanted this record to mirror our reaction to the painting. We wanted each person to interpret the lyrics, mood, and songs in their own light. For some it will only be as simple as a sideways horse, for other it will be filled with breathtaking anticipation and expectation.

Shawn@RRR: You were recently quoted with saying that Dark Is The Way is "the best record that we as a band could ever accomplish" and that "[the band] was absolutely in their element" during the completion process. What was so special this time around?

Stephen Christian: Everything. From the producer, to nashville, the studio, the instruments, the people involved, everything. Everything was out of the ordinarily 'special'. It felt effortless, the entire procedure of recording just felt effortless, and for me that is a glorious sign.

Shawn@RRR: Throughout the band's career, one of the most standout aspects of your music has been the lyrics. Having listened to the new album, it's clear that constant isn't soon to change. What fueled the lyrical content of Dark Is The Way? Are their any songs on the new album that you're especially proud of in regards to the lyrics?

Stephen Christian: I wanted to write my first 'coming of age' novel set to music. Each song is about the growth of us as humans and the peering into the lives of others to grasp our own. "We Owe This To Ourselves" is about the later years of Martin Luther King Jr., a HUGE influence on my life. Another one that I really take a liking to lyrically is "Down." It has been years since i have been that vulnerable in a song.

Shawn@RRR: Earlier this year the band released a video for "We Owe This To Ourselves," which served as a first taste for what's to come. What were some of the initial reactions from fans once the song/video made it's way around the internet?

Stephen Christian: So far it has been very positive. I really like the riff in that song... Christian outdid himself. The video was all shot and done in one day and I think the fans really liked the fact that they got to see a 'behind the scenes' look at one of our shows.

Shawn@RRR: The first true "single" from the album ("Impossible") has already made it's mark on Billboard's Alternative Songs chart, hitting the #15 spot in it's debut week. As well, the band recently released a video for the song. What is the overall concept for the music video?

Stephen Christian: Art. We feel that everything has been done in music videos. That and the fact that music video channels don't play music videos anymore, we felt that we would rather focus on art then concept. The cinematography in that video is unreal, and it was fun to put together as a band.

Shawn@RRR: Earlier this month you posted on Twitter about having booked some studio time while overseas in Sweden. Would you care to shed some light on the tweet?

Stephen Christian: Yes. We recorded a few songs off the new record acoustically. It was a really good time because we had the opportunity to record in Sweden where Peter, Bjorn, and John recorded (thank you Universal!). A few friends of ours in the Swedish band Blindside stopped by and we got to hang out. Overall I think people are going to really dig a new outlook/ rendition of songs from the record.

Shawn@RRR: It's been said that there are a number of b-sides that have come about during the completion the Dark Is The Way. Is it safe to say that the tracks will inevitably see the light of day? Would you be opposed to releasing another album in the same vain as Lost Songs?

Stephen Christian: I doubt we will ever put out another Lost Songs, that was sadly a contractual obligation and miscommunication between us and our previous label. Yes, all of the b-sides are going to see the light of day through various outlets such as Newberry comics 7" vinyl! Perhaps if we come out with a few more records then we will have enough material to compile for a b-sides album, but were not thinking about that just yet.

Shawn@RRR: Which songs stick out the most on Dark Is The Way, or rather, what are your personal favorite tracks from the album?

Stephen Christian: My personal favorites are "Art Of War," "Take Me," & "Down."

Shawn@RRR: Has there ever been a moment in your career as a musician where you've had to take a step back and take everything in? What has been your proudest moment as a part of Anberlin?

Stephen Christian: I have not taken a step back yet. I feel that is going to be many many years from now. Hopefully it just 'hits me', because i do understand how fortunate i am to be in this situation. I am absolutely grateful! My proudest moment (recently) just happened last night when, for the first time, we met one of my all time goals in Anberlin; which was to play a show in Berlin, Germany; an unreal feeling.

Shawn@RRR: Though Anberlin will be your main focus for the remainder of 2010 and well into the beginning of 2011, many are wondering about the future of Anchor and Braille. When should fans expect new music from the project, if at all? Would a follow-up to Felt in 2011 be out of the question?

Stephen Christian: No, that would not be out of the question. I was just talking to my best friend about starting to write songs as soon as I returned home. I have a few ideas, and a really great producer team in mind. Felt is coming out on vinyl this Fall… hopefully.

Shawn@RRR: Moving back onto the topic of Anberlin. You will be hitting the road in late September with Crash Kings and Civil Twilight into early November. Then in late February, the band will head to Australia as a part of the Soundwave Festival. With roughly a two month span between the headlining tour and Soundwave, will the band opt to hit the road during those months or take some much needed time off?

Stephen Christian: No time off! During that time we plan on doing radio shows in the US and a much needed UK/Eastern Europe run. I wouldn't have life any other way though.

Shawn@RRR: In regards to touring, what are some of your favorite aspects about being on the road?

Stephen Christian: The new people and cultures I get to experience, the places I have the opportunity to see, and the friends along side me the entire time.

Shawn@RRR:  If you could have people take away one thing from listening to the new album, or anything from Anberlin for that matter, what would it be?

Stephen Christian: That even in the darkest of moment, in your worst of fears, in the most sobering tragedies in this life... there will be hope.

Shawn@RRR: Aside from the initial release of the album and the touring that comes alongside it, what should fans expect from the band in these last few months of 2010?

Stephen Christian: A lot of acoustic in-stores (i.e. Florida, Tennessee, South East US) and a lot of radio acoustic live sessions.

Shawn@RRR: Thank you for taking the time to do this interview. Do you have any parting words?

Stephen Christian: I appreciate these in depth questions. Thank you very much.

Dark Is The Way, Light Is A Place hits stores on September 7th courtesy of Universal Republic. Pre-order for the album can be found here.