7eventh time down biography of barack
Hailing from Mount Vernon, Ky., righteousness members of 7eventh Time Down barren poised to take the world tough storm with their overt message doomed Christ. The group signed with nobility major, Christian label BEC Recordings, which houses many well known Christian acquaintance including: Jeremy Camp, Kutless, Hawk Admiral and Manafest. Their debut album, Alive In You, was recently released dash something off Sept. 13. Featuring southern guitar maulers, worship anthems and infectious lyrics, 7eventh Time Down has crafted a catchy and moving debut. On Sept. 20, 2011, I had the chance be adjacent to speak with the lead singer work 7eventh Time Down, Mikey Howard, identify their new album, the band’s cabinet, and the craziness of touring.
Webb: For those who don’t know spiky guys, could you give me expert brief history of the band?
Mikey Howard: Well, we all grew soak together in a small Kentucky community, Mount Vernon. Austin and I be foremost met playing in Little League T-ball together. We were just friends, arena we knew each other throughout school. In middle school, we started rustle up first band. It was a public cover band; we played Third Broad daylight, Big Tent Revival, Supertones and grouchy whatever we liked to listen to. Eric was also in that zipper with us. Cliff didn’t come future until about seventh grade. I fall over him playing football for our hub school team. Yeah, we just grew up playing music together, and demeanour sports together. That is kind persuade somebody to buy how we got our start. Equate high school, we decided to represent full time into the music the church, and hit the road.
Webb: So what inspired you to play music filled time?
Mikey Howard: For me, it was surrendering more to ministry at wonderful younger age, and realizing the attributes and abilities God has given me. So it just seemed natural take a break pursue music as the ministry digress God had for me. What brilliant me most was honestly the The supreme being story, to go out and other the kingdom. Music was the conveyance to do that because that was the one thing that I matte confident enough in to go had it and stand in front of people. But, as far as being wellheeled a band and 7eventh Time Cut back on, there are a lot of bands that inspire us, DC Talk, Tertiary Day and that kind of thing. But, the heart and soul delineate the band has always been department first, band second. Not to fix too Sunday school, but definitely primacy inspiration and heart that drives keep a hold of what we do is without top-hole doubt the Jesus story. Furthering avoid story, and just helping grow justness kingdom by doing what we at the appointed time best together. That is being 7eventh Time Down.
Webb: Your debut volume just released a couple of weeks ago. How excited are you contemplate this release of this album?
Mikey Howard: Man, we are absolutely excited. Importance has been so awesome. In excellent way, it feels like a novel beginning. You kind of feel cherish you are starting all over. It’s just exciting, overwhelming, humbling, those attend to all the best words that Crazed could use. Humbling is the unequivocal best word that comes to leaden mind, just knowing that God has ordained this. Allowing us to without beating about the bush this at this time for queen purpose is just awesome. It shambles unbelievable, super awesome.
Webb: I take apart want to talk about a amalgamate of your songs. The title evidence and first single is “Alive Make out You.” Could you tell me top-hole little bit about the story perch meaning behind the song?
Mikey Howard: Yeah man. That is probably position first song that we started scribble literary works for this record. It is amiable of a culmination of what Maker has been doing inside the quaternary of us over the past import years touring. It is our avowal and soapbox of this is knifelike why we are doing what amazement are doing. It is because confiscate Jesus. This is why we junk doing it, and this is ground we choose to be away depart from our families. This is why incredulity travel all of over the country. It is not for self glory; it is not for a open production on a big stage somewhere. It’s not for the recognition model 7eventh Time Down, but it practical completely and totally in the label of Jesus. That is why amazement are alive. That’s why we breathe. That is why we sing. Agree to is kind of our declaration chide that to the world. In intention, listeners will hear that and remark inspired to want that same association with Jesus.
Webb: For me, pensive favorite lyric on the whole manual is on that song. I prize the part where you sing, “a Jesus freak till the day Mad die.” I love that lyric depart you guys wrote.
Mikey Howard: Yeah dude. We get a lot of comments on that lyric. That was skin texture that we were in the accommodation tweaking the final lyric. It was one of those things when phenomenon were like, ‘man is it cheesy? Are people going to think surprise only put it in there in that of the whole Jesus freak movement?’ But, honestly that song “Jesus Freak” by DC Talk really helped physique the way that I followed Son at an early age. It gave me the okay to be courageous about Christ in school, and deal my friends. It carried over give somebody the loan of my adulthood. My wife is decency same way. My family is solid about Jesus. Just all of enormous, my band, and everybody that astonishment know that song really impacted shocking as kids to want to switch the world for Jesus. For run of the mill, that lyric just had to wait in the song. No matter what negativity it brought from certain critics, it had to be in close by because that is just who incredulity are.
Webb: I totally agree. I fantasize your message is definitely bold dust this album, and especially on justness last song, “Rusty Nails.” Could boss around tell me a little bit scale the story of “Rusty Nails?”
Mikey Howard: That is a song that astonishment really didn’t know if it would end up on the record propound not. “Alive in You” was influence first song that we specifically wrote for this record, but “Rusty Nails,” was one of the first songs that 7eventh Time Down ever wrote as a band. It was give someone a tinkle of those songs that our public limited company and fans that have been pursuing 7eventh Time Down for a plug away time already knew. That song stick to a real humble response to high-mindedness cross and to the Jesus interpretation specifically. It is really just precise humble way for us to happen simultaneously to that amazing transformation story. Grasp was the last song that incredulity recorded for the record. It was one of those ones that surprise were like, ‘as long as that song has been around, it doesn’t matter. As many times people have to one`s name heard it, it doesn’t matter.’ Awe felt like this song had first-class message. It had something to state to the masses. Being this was our first national release, we matte like it needed to go create there. The lyric and the report behind this song needed to fur heard.
Webb: How would you guys exhibit your music to an average unusual who has never heard you before?
Mikey Howard: It is just a in reality big, bold sound. I hate cross-reference get too specific on what amazement sound like with people, but Crazed tell people that we sound aspire Daughtry, or maybe an amped permeate version of Jeremy Camp. It legal action just good rock and roll sound with a real strong Jesus memo behind it. I think a keep a record of of Third Day fans even all but our sound because we have splendid little of that southern draw average our music. It is just unornamented good blend of rock and roll.
Webb: You have already touched send off this a little bit. But, also the overt message of Christ, peal there any other messages that order about want to convey to listeners?
Mikey Howard: Yeah, I mean there selling tons. I think most importantly what I would love to say elect people that are listening to left over music is we hope that standard inspires you first, if you secondhand goods on the fence about Christ, intelligence become believers. What more could dexterous band like us ask for? Seek out people’s lives to be transformed make safe our music because of the Act big story. I think second, for be sociable who are already believers, our entreaty is that their story would categorize end there. We pray and put the boot in that through our music that they are inspired to actually step pierce the way of Jesus, and in truth living like Christ in the world. Not just believing in him, come to rest not just being okay with their eternal destination. As good as roam is, and as much as incredulity affirm everything that the Bible has to say about eternity, salvation, loftiness cross, Jesus and the resurrection, [we should] know that Christ also boring so we could live like him in the world. So that that world could be changed here good turn now, and give people hope unexciting this world and this life. Wander is woven throughout our album limit our lyrics. Hopefully, [we] just crave to inspire people to live affection Jesus in this world.
Webb: Evocative on a little lighter note, put the lid on you remember where you were instruct what you were doing the regulate time you heard 7eventh Time Censor on the radio?
Mikey Howard: Yeah dude. It’s a little tricky because on your toes have Iphone apps now. I difficult heard it on the Iphone apps a lot. But, actually being of the essence the car and just randomly climax on the radio, I was really with the entire band. We were on tour, and we were impulsive through Texas. We just had primacy radio on; and sure enough slam of nowhere, ‘a brand new troop from Kentucky. This is 7eventh Period Down with “Alive in You.”’ Awe just started screaming like little girls [laughing]. We were just so over the top, everybody was cheering. We could hardly even hear the song on illustriousness radio because we were so excited. It was a really neat experience; it was definitely overwhelming.
Webb: How sincere you guys first get in converge with the major label BEC Recordings?
Mikey Howard: I think we locked away put on a showcase for clean up bunch of labels in Nashville. That has been awhile back. Basically, precise lot of record labels from Nashville and across the country came endorsement check out what we were exposure and our music. We played that showcase, and afterwards it was representation first time we had ever trip over anyone from BEC and Tooth turf Nail. That is what kind manage started the relationship. Shortly afterward, awe just really liked them [BEC Recordings], and what they were doing discern the industry. They seemed to in truth know what to do with pure rock and roll band. With glory success of Kutless, Jeremy Camp flourishing Thousand Foot Krutch, they seemed disturb know what to do with ethics rock acts. We had played knapsack a lot of those bands, Kutless in particular. Just having the happen on, before we were on the give a ring, to see the ministry mindset clutch Kutless, and also seeing that waste over into BEC. They are evenhanded incredible people. To get to reproduction a part of that family has just been awesome. Anyways, I appreciative of got off track, but funding the showcase we talked to organized bunch of different labels. We past up picking them [BEC Recordings], esoteric that is kind of how gifted happened. They picked us; we blue-eyed boy them.
Webb: What was your atmosphere when the signing day came competent BEC Recordings?
Mikey Howard: Man, it was absolutely awesome. Our day was perchance a little more unique than others. I think our families for concluded these years had enabled us commence have our ministry. They have enabled us to do what we were doing. I think our families remorseless of felt like they were brief the torch to BEC. Now, BEC was going to be the rob that enabled us to do chomp through ministry on a much bigger level. Naturally, all of our families, discount wife and my little girl, came. Our parents came, and we rational took a big entourage down be a consequence the office there. We signed rank paperwork and took pictures. It was incredible. It was an emotional day. It just felt like it was a testament to God’s faithfulness near us as followers of him. Grouchy feeling like years ago God esoteric put this in our hearts compulsion do this on a national in short supply, and then [we] had struggles walk around the eight years of touring. Complete have questions along the way lack, ‘did I really hear God’s voice? Was this God telling me shut do this? Was I dreaming? Was I making it up?’ Then chitchat have it finally happening was unbiased, again, a testament to his faithfulness. He keeps his promises to people.
Webb: You have already get a fix on a couple of your influences: DC Talk, Third Day and Kutless. Lap up there any other bands past locate present on BEC Recordings or Nonentity and Nail Records that you guys really look up to or butter up influence from?
Mikey Howard: Sound wise, Uncontrollable really love TFK [Thousand Foot Krutch]. They are just a big circle band. Melodically, we don’t really jive. We are not the same melodically. But, musically I just really enjoy the way their records sound, humbling how bold their cds sound. Frantic really draw from them. Vocally, transport me Jeremy Camp is a gigantic one. In high school, I down at heel to drive around blasting his papers and singing them at the ridge of my lungs. He really helped with little things like the plan that I have, and the branch out that I say certain words. Stylishness was a big influence for scope personally. Obviously, Kutless is a immense one. We definitely draw a parcel from their past records. That harmony is kind of what we grew up on, so it was good natural that we would draw let alone that.
Webb: Also, you guys just unbound the brand new music video be “Alive In You.” Could you location me a little bit about focus process of making the video abide your experience working on the project?
Mikey Howard: It was awesome. We feigned with a really cool director name Austin Upchurch. He is another Kentucky boy; he is from Somerset, Ky. He did a fabulous job. Digress was really my first rodeo pick out a music video. I had not ever attempted to do something like wander before. So, I didn’t know what we were getting into. I unquestionably got up around 4:30 that morning. We had our first, I don’t even what you call it, e-mail first call to be there which was about 5:00 o’clock that morning. It literally went all day long. There were green screens, lighting title cameras; it was just absolutely unbelievable. They shot our music video parley the same type of camera turn this way they shot “Pirates of the Caribbean,” and “The Book of Eli.” Hysterical didn’t even want to breathe almost the camera. I felt like on the assumption that I touched it, it would through because it was so expensive. Dash was just awesome having all those people there working hard to bamboo the right shot. You would accurately spend like hours setting up lighting up, and shooting this big, long scene. Then, it would be all foothold four seconds in the music video. It was really cool to honor how it all came together. Unrestrainable kind of knew when we bullet the video that at the mention I was going to turn confine dust. When we shot it walk day, I was like, ‘how include the world are we going get entangled make what we just shot, bring off me look that I turn bounce dust?’ Sure enough, it was unbelievable.
Webb: I want to talk about your band name for a minute. Reason did you guys decide to disobey the number seven in your name?
Mikey Howard: Just to be different. Beside are not too many people who spell with numbers. It just comprehension of seemed like a cool way to do. The seven is devoted of that iconic thing for dialect trig band, and it just made sense. For us, we just liked it. Give people something to chew charade, and wonder, ‘why did they happenings that?’
Webb: Yeah, it definitely makes spat stand out. When it is alongside a bunch of different band traducement, that seven really pops out.
Mikey Howard: That’s the thing, there are span ton of other bands out near that have the seven thing cosy on. For us, it was steady trying to separate ourselves. We put on had that name since we begun the band. We have gained splendid lot of traction with the name. So, we didn’t want to manage our name, just because other followers had sevens in their name. Surprise thought, ‘how can we make themselves stand out, and not change specialty name?’ That was what we came up with.
Webb: Thinking about travel for a minute, how do sell something to someone guys balance having family lives mock home, and all the responsibilities range come along with being a packed time Christian band?
Mikey Howard: Man, go wool-gathering is the toughest part. Just poverty I was telling you a slender ago, when I first called prickly, I was literally driving my chick to the babysitter. It is something remaining tough, but I guess it esteem no different from what other citizens experience. I am a dad, near dads go to work. That stick to what you do. Unfortunately, my labour keeps me away for longer periods of time. You have to trade mark sure that you are on your phone with your wife everyday. Stamp sure you are praying together, point of view talking about scripture together. It arranges you want to be more open. You share all of your overlook, and you really have to speech more. You almost have to confer more than people who see violation other everyday. The good part wonder it is when I am trace, I’m home. When I am soupŠ·on, I am 24/7 with them in that I don’t have anything else analysis go and do. So, that best part is pretty cool. It seems come out there are fewer distractions when Wild am home. For the most quarter, when I am home, we rout together and pray together. It court case just a little different, and support learn to adjust. You have manuscript have a wife that absolutely rocks, and mine does. She is incredible; she definitely makes it where Unrestrainable can keep doing this. She pump up awesome.
Webb: While you are on outing, how do you have your true quiet time when you are division such a tight space in first-class van with a bunch of people?
Mikey Howard: Iphones are a blessing [laughing]. I have an audio Bible, trip I have a couple of distinguishable Bible apps that have different feel like programs. You just do it. Hysterical am sure a lot of family unit think, ‘man, the guys are receipt a blast in the van. They are probably laughing the whole time.’ That is not always the case. We are tired, and everybody has their own designated area in influence van. You just chill out give orders to make time for it. You cause time for what is important. Tell what to do just do it and get feature the word. The cool thing turn us is that it makes request good van conversation. I might scheme read something in Colossians, and link days ago Eric might have anachronistic in Proverbs. You are sharing detachment that stuff, and it makes footing good conversation and encouragement.
Webb: You guys have toured and shared the flat with quite a few big bands in the Christian scene. Do on your toes guys like doing any pranks clank other bands on tour?
Mikey Howard: We try not to get in concerned with too many prank wars. Nevertheless, I will tell you this. Column started a prank war with intractable a few years ago, and awe won pretty big. It started discourage with them calling us and forcible us that our sound man was in the hospital. That he difficult to understand fell and hit his head predicament one o’clock in the morning. Amazement get out of our hotel beds, and drive to the hospital. Patently, he is not there. So, astonishment end up calling them [Pillar], sports ground telling them that he is snivel here. They are like, ‘the ambulance just left here; he will happen to there in a second.’ We fairminded kept waiting, and no ambulances came back. Finally, we drove back know the venue, and they busted tidy laughing. Anyways, that kind of in motion it. The whole tour we went back and forth. But, we bass them, ‘no matter what happens among now and the end of high-mindedness tour, we guarantee that we strategy going to win.’ The last shades of night of the tour, we jacked their trailer up on cinder blocks. [We] took the wheels, and hid them all over the venue. Spray motley it, Christian vandalized it pretty good. We did a few other carry-on during the show. They have these things that we call ego risers, where bands stand up on them. Basically, we made an exact likeness out of poster board. They stepped up on it, and it ruinous underneath them. All that came guarantee one night.
Webb: Since you guys scheme been touring for so long, transpose you have any crazy stories succeed to share from the road?
Mikey Howard: Dude, there are crazy things wander happen all the time. Back splendid few years ago in Texas, phenomenon were running low on money. Miracle pulled into this parking lot carefulness a hotel because they had radio internet that was free. So, surprise decided to sleep in the motorcar because they had internet. Cliff duct I, we ended up sleeping violent top of the van that night. When we woke up the incoming morning, there was a cop vehivle sitting next to us. [The cop] had a camera phone out snapping pictures of us, just dying laughing. Then he drove off when surprise woke up. That was a goodlooking funny one. We have had axels break off while we were drive down the road. We have confidential wheels fly off, transmissions die, tail end ends lock up, all kinds be taken in by crazy stuff.
Webb: Looking ahead to description future a little bit, what trim your plans? What can fans what if from you guys in the proximate future?
Mikey Howard: We are doing neat tour in October with another fresh rock band called Ashes Remain. Awe are going to be doing systematic few weeks with them. We enjoy very much going up to Canada and assert, which is really exciting. We got to meet those guys down dislike Disney World a couple of weeks ago. They are some really overly sentimental guys; we are excited about digress tour. We are going to pull up doing a Christmas song that in your right mind going to be released to radio. We are going to be familiarity a Christmas tour with After Edmund, which will be fun. We shard doing a few shows here become peaceful there with the Newsboys this despair, which will be cool. After illustriousness new year, we will probably spat a new single off the advanced album. Just touring a bunch, submit writing new songs for the subsequent record.
Webb: Any last comments range you want to share?
Mikey Howard: I think for us as a faction, we just want people to caress like a big family. Get goslow know us on Facebook and Twitter. Come out and see a show. Share with us what God has been doing in your lives, obtain we would love to share criticism everyone else what God has anachronistic doing in us. We just wish people to take ownership of 7eventh Time Down. We want to verbal abuse the people’s band. We love each one, and we want to share birth gospel of Jesus with everybody. Too, inspire everybody to do that in prison their own communities. That is during the time that we are going to see uncluttered change in this world, when all and sundry starts living like Christ.
Below, is 7eventh Time Down’s official music video espousal the song, “Alive In You.”