Five Minutes With The Afters

It all started in Mesquite, Texas at a Starbucks. The Afters lead vocalist Josh Havens and guitarist Matt Fuqua worked together there and it was at that coffee shop that they decided to officially step into the music scene. Brad Wigg and Marc Dodd were invited to be a part of their band and Blisse was born.

Fast forward a bit to 2005 and the band had a new name and a record deal with INO/Sony Music Label Group. Their debut album, I Wish We All Could Win, was well-received by critics and fans alike.

Step forward three more years and you have the band's sophomore release, Never Going Back To OK, once again wowing those who hear it.

Josh Havens and Brad Wigg recently talked about the new album, their lives and their music with Kim Jones.

Kim - Some people feel like every Christian song should be a mini sermon of sorts with the name of the Lord sprinkled liberally throughout. Your lyrics are pretty subtle and seem to be more about life from a Christian perspective. Do you ever hear criticism that you're not "Christian enough?"

Brad - I personally haven't received that kind of critique, except maybe from my mom once or twice and maybe one or two random people in an autograph line. My own stance is that when an artist feels that one 'must' include certain words or even certain subjects then the danger is raised of sacrificing the integrity of both the message and the art, reducing them to the status of propaganda. To a secular audience, it becomes easy to distinguish where art stops and agenda begins, and the whole thing begins to look like a big advertising agency for Christianity which saddens me.

Josh - We are artists/musicians who share a common faith and write about our own experiences within the sphere of that faith, which hopefully will inspire listeners in some way. But we don't restrict our writing to any particular theme or vocabulary. That would be like telling a painter he can only paint one picture over and over using one color. And imagine how boring it would be if an artists were told that they could only paint pictures of crosses... 

Kim - The popularity of "Beautiful Love" has really gotten you guys out there.  Do you ever worry about how your lives will change if you become one of the household names in music?

Brad - I really don't think about it that much. My life has changed so much in the past three years. I feel like I have enough to focus on right now without worrying about whether or not I'll be able to go jogging without being chased by paparazzi -- which seems extraordinarily unlikely.

Josh - Brad, you and your wife Jessica could be called "Bradica"!

Kim - If you could spend 10 days doing a mission tour in any country in the world, what country would it be and why?

Brad - My wife and I lived in Romania for a couple of years in the '90s. I think I would like to go back and see how things have changed.

Josh - I've always had a heart for India. My parents were on their way to India when they met in Europe and never quite made it there. I've always been intrigued by the people and culture there....and the amazingly delicious food!

I sponsor a child there with Compassion International and plan on visiting him for about 10 days within the next year. I have a sister who is an amazing photographer who shares my love of India. She has spent quite a bit of time there, working on a project to help children living in brothels. I hope that she'll be able to join me on my trip.

Kim - Speaking of touring, what is the best part of touring?  The worst?

Brad - The best thing about touring is getting to be around these guys that are my friends and getting to hang with other musicians and people of common interest. The worst thing is being away from my family.

Josh - I love traveling. My favorite part of touring is being able to see so many new places. We've played in every state but Alaska and Hawaii -- and I think it's time for that Hawaii show! (smiles) I agree that the worst part of touring is being away from family.

Kim - Never Going Back to OK just came out. Which song has the most meaning for you?

Brad - I think the title track is my favorite. I like the idea of moving forward. There's a feeling of courage and a sense of vision that's almost romantic. Like an unlikely hero standing up to take on a task of unimaginable risk.

Josh - "Ocean Wide" means a lot to me. It's a song about looking beyond the mistakes that we make, leaving behind our regrets and seeing each other though the eyes of forgiveness.

Kim - Final question ... My preacher recently talked about how when the Holy Spirit enters into you, it's like you're a glass of water and there just isn't room for some of the things you used to do. But the amazing thing is that you don't really miss the things and parts of yourself that you give up. Kind of like "Never Going Back to OK."  What have you found in your lives that you no longer have room for but don't miss a bit?

Brad - Beef!