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interview Steve Mason, guitarist for Jars of Clay
February 21, 2005
Jars of Clay has been one of the most influential Christian bands of our generation. They went mainstream and never lost focus of their Christian backing. They have a unique style that matures with every recording and when you hear them on the radio, you know you are listening to Jars of Clay. This past November we were scheduled to have them live at our booth in Atlanta at the National Youth Workers Convention but a band emergency came up so they did not make the event. We still pressed on and were able to get their label to push through an email interview with Steve Mason, lead guitarist.
Dennis: More than 10 years together, 6 albums (1
double platinum, 1 platinum and 1 gold) and more than 5 million albums
sold in your career, 16 #1 hits. You have been nominated and won
Grammies, Dove Awards, American Music Awards, Billboard Awards and more.
And you or your music has been featured in more than 30 TV shows and
movies. With that kind of success often steers many artists in wrong
directions. What has kept Jars of Clay so focused over the past decade?
Steve: I think the reason the band has endured is
due to some guidance from some trusted friends in our own community and
courage to see key opportunities to come alongside each other in
different seasons, and commit to putting our relationships first, before
the music. Constantly, we have seen songs come from this process, as we
go deeper in pursuit of friendship, versus running from it when times
are confusing or hard.
Dennis: Over the years your lyrics have helped inspire millions of
people, both Christian and non. Your album, “Who We are Instead”, is
stripped down to the basics and core of spirituality. When listening to
the words you hear messages putting the truth out there and waiting for
a response to those loosing hope or maybe those questioning the truth.
What has been some of the most meaningful songs to guys with this album
and what influenced the focus?
Steve: I think we all resonate with “Faith
Enough” on some serious levels. More and more we’re coming alive to
the idea that our redemption is being worked out through grace, every
day. We are given fantastic opportunities to respond to God’s love and
to further deepen our reliance on Him for all that will sustain us
through life. This allows for us to appreciate the broken places. We
also really love the foundational sound and lyric of “Amazing
Grace.” It’s freeing to acknowledge how prone to wander and give our
hearts to lesser things, and to see faith come alive in those seasons of
doubt. "Show You Love” has been a motivator in the process
of starting the Blood: Water Mission, our non-profit organization that
works with HIV/AIDS and Water Issues in Africa. Worship is service –
and that song is what it might look like to be provoked to such a place.
Dennis: I am a die-hard fan of hard-core music but there is something
that has always attracted me to the styles of your band ever since the
first time I heard “Flood”. Even now with your latest album having a
lot of blue grass/folk influence you guys are absolutely amazing
musicians. What would you consider as some of your musical influences
that help get the creative juices flowing?
Steve: We’ve always considered ourselves fans of
Rock and Roll, even before musicians, maybe. Haha. The historical
(Beatles, Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac) references, the alt country and
singer/songwriters (Jayhawks, Tom Petty, Allison Krauss, Ryan Adams,
etc.) to where we feel music is going (Interpol, Keane, Butterfly
Boucher, Kanye West). We’re ALL OVER THE MAP. I’d have a different
answer next week. Again, huge music fans. :)
Dennis: Blood: Water Mission is a non-profit that you guys started. Can
you tell us a little about that?
Steve:
Well, the band has done some traveling overseas to meet a lot of folks
in Africa that are working in the eye of the HIV/AIDS storm, and it has
impacted us mightily. It’s been another opportunity to use our gift of
music in a way to challenge and serve each other, our communities, our
churches, and the continent of Africa. We are working to come alongside
people in Africa that are working towards the eradication of AIDS and
providing clean water, to give of our time and resources to help.
Dennis: For those reading this today, what can they to do be part of
Blood: Water Mission?
Steve: We have just started a campaign to provide
clean water wells in MANY villages in different countries in Africa. The
math is simple: 1 US dollar = clean water for 1 African for 1 year. This
is our challenge to our listeners, churches and communities. There are
many ways to help with this, and there is a WEALTH of information on the
campaign at www.bloodwatermission.com.
Dennis: Jars of Clay over the years has been able to stay out of the
Christian bubble and expanded your witness by more than most can ever
imagine. What is your advice to the Christian community today or more
effectively reaching non-believers?
Steve: We have found over the years, in our own
story, the more we are present in conversation with our culture, without
any other agenda than to love people well, the more effectively we can
show how faith has changed our own lives.
Dennis: Music is such an amazing and powerful tool. Tools can be used
for positive or negative. Many bands in music today feel it necessary to
be obviously negative in their approach and leave out any messages of
hope or restoration. How do you think listening to that type of music
effects teens today?
Steve: We feel like an artist’s job is to
describe the world in a way that connects with people. Helps them
process it and think critically about it. We feel like it’s important
to tell all the aspects of the story. Sometimes it’s positive,
sometimes it’s negative. All have redemptive qualities to them.
Dennis: With so many bands like your self getting so much mainstream
press and attention many people all over the world are hearing the
gospel for the first time through artists like yourself. What do you
hope unbelievers hear about who Jesus is from Jars of Clay?
Steve: Hopefully, people will get an honest
picture of Jesus and how radically He loves people.
Dennis: New album coming out in March? Will we be hearing the same
folk/bluegrass influence or do you see the band steering a different
direction? PLUG AWAY!!!
Steve: We’ve taken a lot of our favorite hymn
text and written new melodies to them. As well, we’ve covered some of
our favorite Reformed University Fellowship arrangements of some hymns
and some old standards. It’s been a BLAST to record and play. Guest
appearances from Martin Smith (Delirious), the Blind Boys of Alabama,
and Sarah Kelly. Hopefully, folks that appreciate what we do, will
connect with this in the way that we have. It’s been a grand process,
and it’s truly reflected the spiritual encouragement hymns have had on
our own hearts. It contains (IMHO) our best rock song to date, "God
Will Lift Up Your Head.”