Jars of Clay chat transcript

Jars of Clay Chat Transcript

JARS OF CLAY member Matt Odmark chatted with Prodigy members on June 21st.

SYSTEM Greeter
You are now in Auditorium Jars Of Clay. You have READ/WRITE access. You may ask up to 10 questions, until this auditorium reaches its maximum of 2500 questions.

Moderator (Speaker)
We'll be starting in about 5 minutes... Thanks for kicking off your weekend with us!

Moderator (Speaker)
Jars of Clay formed in 1993 when vocalist Dan Haseltine, keyboardist Charlie Lowell and bassist Steve Mason met at Greenville College in Illinois and began to work on a demo in the college's studio. Charlie's childhood friend, guitarist Matt Odmark, joined shortly after the trio started their studio work. From there, the band began to gel... Please write to Matt Odmark now with your questions...

Moderator (Speaker)
Here's what Dan Aquilante writes in today's NY Post about JARS OF CLAY: ...the lyrics of Dan Haseltine explore timeless themes of faith and devotion. The plainly beautiful songs praise God, long for love and often ask or offer forgiveness. When you look at their picture, these Jars of Clay are just kids; yet, in spite of their youth, they're thinking the big thoughts, addressing universal truths with amazingly melodic appealing pop.

Moderator (Speaker)
Good evening and welcome to tonight's very special chat session with JARS OF CLAY guitarist Matt Odmark. Please submit your questions for Matt now! Thanks for joining us tonight.

Moderator (Speaker)
We'll be starting in about 1 minute...

Moderator (Speaker)
Good evening and welcome to tonight's very special chat session with JARS OF CLAY guitarist Matt Odmark. Please submit your questions for Matt now! Thanks for joining us tonight.

Moderator (Speaker)
Claiming influences that range from The Beatles to Depeche Mode, Nashville-based JARS OF CLAY offers listeners a refreshing sound--something a little different from the glut of formulaic alternative rock and pop bands that are around today... Have you heard FLOOD, Jars of Clay's single from their CD? The song has also been made into a video...

Moderator (Speaker)
OK, Folks... Straight from The Sound Factory in Charlotte, NC (where they're playing tonight), here's Matt Odmark from JARS OF CLAY!!!!!

Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
Greetings from Jars of Clay! We're in North Carolina this evening, and it's nice to be talking to y'all!

Moderator (Speaker)
Great to have you here, Matt... Let's rock!

Big Belew (PRODIGY Member)
Hey Guys, I saw in the NY Post today that you're going to be playing in the East Village next Tuesday. Can't wait... Didn't like the caption on your picture though. It started out with the word Potheads. Guess they were playing off the Jars of Clay name...

Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
We've joked around, calling ourselves potheads before. Just joking though!

Joyful Music (PRODIGY Member)
I like the Flood video a lot. Can you talk about the circumstances behind putting it together?

Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
It was produced by a guy named Ken Fox, who also did the last Dave Matthews video, as well as the last Blues Traveler video. It was shot in New York. It was a lot of fun to do.

Nic of Time (PRODIGY Member)
Is it true you guys are big Depeche Mode fans? For how long? The article in the paper today said that you can see how Dan is influenced by Depeche when you listen to his lyrics.

Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
Oh really? Interesting! Dan's really the biggest Depeche Mode fan. He grew up in that whole '80s, New Wave scene. I'm personally not super-familiar with their music...

Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
I don't know if lyrically they're an influence though...

BABAB00EY (PRODIGY Member)
Just a quick question and comment. I love your work, and i first listened to you a few months ago when my father brought home your CD . Are you touring on Long Island soon?

Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
Yeah, we're going to be on Long Island in August... Check our web page for dates... www.jarsofclay.com...

Music Maven (PRODIGY Member)
Hi Dan, I've just picked up your CD and have only been able to listen all the way through twice. Can you let me in on the 10th track? My CD says it's 27 minutes long! How many songs are you hiding in this final track (I noticed there are long periods of silence at the end between the songs)

Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
Well, you'll have to listen to it to hear all their is to hear. There's more than silence there at the end, but I'm not going to give it all away! : )

JaceyCCM (PRODIGY Member)
Growing up, who were your role models (not musicians)?

Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
My grandparents, personally...

BunnyGrunt95 (PRODIGY Member)
What was the inspiration behind Flood?

Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
Inspiration for Flood was, as far as I know, a real struggle with guilt and sin and it's really just a cry-out to God to lift one out of that struggle.

OatBran 2 (PRODIGY Member)
Me again! Who is the bands "pretty boy"? (you know..the guy who meets all the "chicks")

Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
Let's see...I think that'd probably have to be Charlie!

Moderator (Speaker)
That's Charlie Lowell, the keyboard player in the band and Matt's longtime friend...

Mindblender (PRODIGY Member)
After i first saw your video, a couple months ago on MTV, i went to find it at a local music store. It was under 'christian' and contemporary. Was that your decision? Or your distributors?

Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
It's each individual chain that decides where they want to file the CD...

Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
I think as far as being catagorized in a store, it's kind of a bummer to be thrown into a christian section, since not as many people will find it... But in terms of being called a christian band, I'm honored to be a part of that.

Soothsayer1 (PRODIGY Member)
How did you meet the other members in your band?

Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
The band started in college, with Dan, Steve and Charlie. I grew up with Charlie and knew him from high school.

Moderator (Speaker)
The college was Greenville College in Illinois...

Ms Petra (PRODIGY Member)
How old were you guys when you started singing?

Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
I started guitar when I was 13 or so, Steve the same, Charlie started piano probably when he was 6 or 7. Dan started singing when the band started playing...

Ms Petra (PRODIGY Member)
How long did it take you to write World's Apart? and was it an easy one?

Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
World's Apart was probably the hardest song to write, it took about 4-5 months to write! It's probably the most personal song on the record.

EvilGrinne (PRODIGY Member)
do you got any more songs on the way?

Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
Hopefully plan to have a new record out by this time next year. We're currently writing for that record.

dudette70 (PRODIGY Member)
How did you get to record in Adrian Belew's studio?

Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
We first met Adrian through a relative of his that was a close friend of our's. It was through that relationship that we were able to record with him. The experience was fantastic. It was a privaledge to work with him. We actually felt sort of out of place there... : )

Moderator (Speaker)
Adrian Belew, of course, is the brilliant musician/producer known to many for his great work ove the years with King Crimson...

JaceyCCM (PRODIGY Member)
What was going through your mind onstage at the Dove Awards? I was there and was thrilled when Point of Grace announced Jars of Clay for New Artist of the Year. Congrats!!

Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
Thanks! Honestly, it was a pretty surreal experience. It was hard to really know what to think at that point. It was a little like, am I really here?

Ms Petra (PRODIGY Member)
Did you enjoy touring with Michael W Smith and Three Crosses?

Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
It was a great experience touring with Michael and Three Crosses. The Three Crosses have since become very dear friends. And it was a honor to be taken under the wing of someone like Michael. It was great to see how he's done this for so long, and how he has a grasp on things...

Ms Petra (PRODIGY Member)
I love you all and all of your music. I plan to listen to it over and over and I have learnes a lot from the lyrics. Thank you for some GREAT tunes!!!....Love, Liz...Atlanta, GA

Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
Your welcome and I apologize to all your neighbors! : )

DrkSeed (PRODIGY Member)
how do you feel about being on the air with all secular bands..i think it's cool..u?

Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
I feel like it's an honor to be included in the music industry as a whole, and included in some of the same arenas with the bands that we are being put together with...

SCRIPTURES (PRODIGY Member)
Will touring slow down this fall or winter -- how long do you expect to work on your album?

Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
That is the eternal question: Will touring ever slow down! Lord, I hope so, at least long enough to record anohter record. We'll tour through Thanksgiving, and then hopefully take a break so we can record the next record...

SCRIPTURES (PRODIGY Member)
Do any of you write poetry or fiction?

Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
Yes, some of us do! I think mainly myself and Dan...

Moderator (Speaker)
Matt Odmark is currently reviewing your questions. He's answering as many questions as he can as quickly as he can... Thanks for being with us tonight, and please continue to submit your questions and comments.

Pelag (PRODIGY Member)
Have you guys ever felt that your faith was threatened by your new lyfestyle?

Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
I sometimes feel like ever since I've become a person of faith that it's been threatened every day!

teereg (PRODIGY Member)
What inspired you to release Flood on the pop chart when you are primarily a Christian group?

Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
The decision was made based on repeated interest from the pop world, and them continually approaching us and wanting to play our music.

DocG13 (PRODIGY Member)
I know you guys inspired many bands, but what band inspired you most

Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
Artists like Sarah McLaughlin, Peter Gabriel, Sting, Indigo Girls, the Beatles, Toad the Wet Sprocket...to name a few.. We listen to a lot of music of all kinds...

JFREAKI (PRODIGY Member)
this is brad your previous truck driver, just want to say hi and how its going on the road

Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
It's great to hear from you, Brad! Things are going great, but we're working really hard!

Pelag (PRODIGY Member)
Do you guys have a fan club? Can I join?

Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
Yes, we have an online fan club, a newsletter, and a web page: http://www.jarsofclay.com... You can get all the other info on the web page...

mr wHiPcReAm (PRODIGY Member)
I think it is cool that their is a Christian group that is popular in the secular music scene, (even a video on MTV). I think it is important for Christians to reach out to the lost. Good job!

Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
Thanks! We agree, and we pray daily that Christianity as a whole has an impact on this culture... Moderator (Speaker)
We still have time for more questions and comments. So please keep sending them in!

JarsoClay (PRODIGY Member)
Do you plan to open up for any secular artists at concerts and if so how are you going to tell your message?

Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
We may open for some secular groups, and it will depend on the circumstances. Hopefully, through our music, and our lives, we have faith that the gospel will be seen through those things.

Tracy3 (PRODIGY Member)
matt, when do you have a new video coming out?

Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
Not anytime too soon, but hopefully there'll be a video for Liquid sometime soon...

Tracy3 (PRODIGY Member)
i've gotten the chance with you all after a couple of concerts and you all seem very nice. What is it like having so many people you don't know coming up to you and talking to you, feeling like they know you from your music and interviews?

Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
It's overwhelming sometimes, but it's fun for us to get a chance to dialogue with people and to try as much as possible to get to know our audience. That's something we really enjoy doing...

loststar35 (PRODIGY Member)
Matt, have you always wanted to be in the music profession? If not, what did you want to do?

Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
I never really expected to be in anything remotely resembling what I'm doing today. But I was going to school for music and English. I considered teaching and full-time ministry or mission work, too.

Winter Starr (PRODIGY Member)
Where did you grow up?

Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
Charlie and Matt: Rochester, NY... Dan grew up in Springfield, MA... and Steve outside of Chicago...

Winter Starr (PRODIGY Member)
Will you be playing at Night of Joy?

Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
I think we're trying really hard to, but I don't know if it's going to work out... Hopefully...

DianaMorris (PRODIGY Member)
I hear that you went to Greenville college in Illinois. Are you from Illinois and are you a Cubs, Sox or Cardenals fan?

Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
Steve is the only one originally from Illinois, and yes, he is a Cubs fan (and a Bulls fan!). The rest of us don't have any Illinois affliation whatsoever...

ZEIA (PRODIGY Member)
What's your favorite song?

Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
I think all of our favorite, unanimously, is World's Apart. For lots of different reasons. It's just one of those songs where everyone felt their hearts were really into, and it really painted a picture of where all four of us were really at.

Mr Sushi (PRODIGY Member)
You started out as a Christian band and are now crossing over to mainstream. How is your originial audience responding to that?

Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
Most of our audience has been very supportive and have continued to come out and show their support, and we've been very thankful for it...

AEon FIux (PRODIGY Member)
I love the CD-ROM, do another one.

Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
There's a good chance that we might do another!

Winter Starr (PRODIGY Member)
I know Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith angered some people when some of their songs got popular in the secular world. Have you gotten any of that with Flood Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
We have ran into the occasional person who is confused and/or upset at seeing that. But thankfully, and to our relief, it's been a minority and not a majority...

Moderator (Speaker)
Are you going to be in the NYC area next week? Jars of Clay appear at the intimate Mercury Lounge in the East Village for two shows (8:30 and 10PM) on Tuesday (6/25). Tickets are $7. The Mercury is at 217 East Houston. (212) 260-4700.

Spiffy Dog (PRODIGY Member)
Hey Matt, will Fade to Gray appear remade on your next album?

Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
You can count on it!

Moderator (Speaker)
Check out the band's web site for more info on tour dates...

Moderator (Speaker)
http://www.jarsofclay.com...

catzzz (PRODIGY Member)
What are your goals for the coming year?

Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
Our goals are to survive the rest of the tour, survive the making of our next record. I'd settle for maybe three or four days off... : )

Zalophus (PRODIGY Member)
Does Flood refer to Noah's Ark? Are you some little christian rock band? Do you seriously believe some old guy built a wooden boat that held 40 million animals?

Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
Yes, there is a reference to Noah's Ark and the flood. And yeah, I do believe it.

Flannery22 (PRODIGY Member)
i'm going to be at AtlantaFest tomorrow- just wondering what time you guys will be performing?

Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
I think we are performing at about 8:00... around then, anyway...

Back2Front (PRODIGY Member)
how did you get the name Jars of Clay?

Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
It comes out of the Bible. Second Corinthians 4:7... But we have this treasure, in jars of clay, to show that this all surpassing power is from God and not from us...

Moderator (Speaker)
In case you're just joining us, we're chatting with JARS OF CLAY guitarist Matt Odmark. Matt joins us by phone this evening. He's calling from The Sound Factory in Charlotte, NC (The band is performing there tonight!)...

Mr Sushi (PRODIGY Member)
What's the best part of being on tour? (Other than getting to meet all of us great fans)

Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
Getting to visit the different parts of the country and getting to play. Getting to meet all kinds of different people at the radio stations. There's a lot of good things about touring. The only bad thing is that you have to do it away from home.

Tracy3 (PRODIGY Member)
I heard that there is a new video for Flood. What is the difference between the new one and the old. Also, how can we get our grubby little hands on the version of Flood with the electric guitars?

Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
The version of Flood with electric guitar is only available on the radio single. There's a new version of the Flood video, done for MTV, basically with a larger budget. And that was done to fit in with the standard MTV playlist. But VH1 still plays the old one...

Sixpence3 (PRODIGY Member)
Who are your favortie CCM artists?

Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
Phil Keaggy, Rich Mullins, Gary Chapman...to name a few...

MHall30220 (PRODIGY Member)
My sister, Nanette, wants me to let you know that you two have exactly the same birthdates. In the interest of keeping everything in the form of a question (no, this isn't Jeapordy!) what was the exact time of your birth. (Surely you can remember that!)

Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
I don't precisely remember what time I was born. That whole day is kind of fuzzy for me... : )

WAFFLECRISP (PRODIGY Member)
Is it hard to keep up your christian outlook as you get more end more popular in the secular world?

Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
I think that, no matter where you're placed, it's hard and a challenge to continue to look at things in a proper perspective. That's a challenge that everyone faces, whether me or someone else..

. Moderator (Speaker)
We have time for a few more questions...

EvilGrinne (PRODIGY Member)
was it hard getting started?

Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
For us, it kind of happened very unexpectedly and quickly. There wasn't much we did to invoke all of that...

queen nutty (PRODIGY Member)
What do the Gregorian chants at the beginning of Liquid mean?

Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
I don't know the precise translation off the top of my head, but someone did translate it for us. I can't do it justice off the top of my head, but if you email Steve Carlson at the web page, he'll know...

Moderator (Speaker)
Don't forget, you can check out the JARS OF CLAY Web Page at http://www.jarsofclay.com...

JarsofClay2 (PRODIGY Member)
Hey, Jars, first off I wanna say I love your music and appreciate your ministry. I wanted to ask a question about the electric guitar version of Flood I've been hearing secular radio, what's the story behind that? Why did you remix it. I think it rocks, by the way

Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
We remixed it mainly because some of the modern rock stations really wanted to play it, so we let Adrian Belew remix. We felt it was okay, seeing as it's kind of an aggressive song.

Moderator (Speaker)
Our thanks to Matt Odmark for a great chat this evening. Continued success to you and all the guys in the band, Matt. Thanks again!

Jars Of Clay (Speaker)
Thanks y'all for listening and for your questions! Jars of Clay appreicates your support! I hope to see you online... Mail me anytime at odie74@aol.com...

Moderator (Speaker)
Thanks again, Matt... And thanks to everyone for the great questions.

Moderator (Speaker)
Good night all! And have a great weekend.

Moderator (Speaker)
Good night from New York...

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