An Interview With Relient K
Bill Wallo - December 20, 2004
Relient K's fourth studio album was released earlier this fall by Capital Records. The band's blend of Christian faith and punk pop has earned them an ever-expanding number of fans and a good measure of critical acclaim. In this Blogcritics interview, singer and guitarist Matt Thiessen answered questions about the group's vision, its future, and being a "progressive failure." More information about Relient K can be found on the band's website, relientk.com.
Unlike some of your prior efforts, your latest album features what some might say are fewer overtly "humorous" songs (such as earlier songs like "Mood Rings"). Do you feel a greater sense of introspection at this point in your lives? How exactly did you come to develop the songs found on this album?
I think a lot of this album was written from the perspective of us knowing that we're getting older. We have to be true to ourselves and write what we can be proud of. At the moment, its more serious stuff, and less of the goofy things that we've done in the past. We try not to let the subject matter stay TOO heavy, but we definitely want to make sure we're not playing songs we think are dumb. The songs on this album were mostly written about things going on in my life during the few months that we were writing.
In that regard, what is the significance (if any) of the album's title?
No significance ... just a short album title without any vowels. We thought it'd be fun to call the album 'mmhmm', because there's 100 ways to say it.
How would you characterize your musical evolution to this point?
I dunno. We're a band that learns from our mistakes and the mistakes of others. We wanted to progress, but not desert where we came from. We love melody, and we can't abandon that.
Who do you regard as your musical inspiration? What bands do you like, what songs do you listen to? What discs are you currently spinning, as they say?
The Beach Boys, Ben Folds, NOFX, Switchfoot, the Matches, and Name Taken are all influences (there's a lot more).
Right now, I'm listening to Letter Kills, Dennison Witmer, Name Taken, Acceptance, and a lot of others...I have a 40GB iPod filled up.
What is the theory behind your recent signing with Capital Records? How does it feel to work with a so-called "major" label? What are the differences (if any) that it brought to the development of this album as opposed to your earlier efforts?
We're good friends with the staff at Gotee, and from a 'friend' standpoint, we all agree that Capitol has the means to attempt to do a little more with our band than Gotee could. It could all amount to nothing, but life is about risk.
The album was written and ready for release before Capitol showed interest. So there was really no difference in the development of this record.
What are the challenges you've faced to this point in your musical career?
Trying to get the people that like our music to grow with us. A lot of people get hung up on the stuff we did when we were 16. And though we appreciate our roots, its tough to have that stuff constantly haunting you.
A few years ago, there was a commercial with Michael Jordan that discussed how many times he'd missed a game-winning shot; writers often hoard their rejection letters as a method of motivation. They say there aren't any overnight successes, which means most successful folks have failed. What would you say your biggest "miss" or "failure" might have been to this point?
We've been a progressive failure. And I'm not pessimistic about it. We just love to make mistakes and learn from them. Fortunately, no one criticizes us more than I do.
In contrast, what do you regard as your greatest accomplishment or achievement to date?
Our biggest accomplishment has and always will be the fact that we've had a positive impact on some people's lives.
While many of your songs do not feature overt Christian content, each of your albums does reflect your faith in some manner. What is your perspective on the concept of "Christian witness" through music, and what do you perceive your role to be as musicians?
We write about our faith because we're passionate about it. We're very careful to not be forceful about it. I like Rufus Wainwright, but I don't feel like he's forcing me to convert to homosexuality. He sings about dudes...He's passionate about dudes. We just feel like we're lucky to get to be in a band and play music....
You are all young enough to be part of the so-called Digital Generation. What is your perception of the raging debate over peer to peer networks, file sharing, and sampling?
Um... I guess it's the same as most. I feel like you can download or stream a song or two to get the gist of a record. Then, if you're digging it, go buy it. That's what I do.
How has your success changed your life? Have you taken any steps to preserve certain aspects of your prior lives?
A while ago I came to grips with the fact that what you do isn't who you are. It's cool that a couple people know who I am and dig the things I create, but that doesn't make me any more special that anyone else. I'm pretty much the same as I was when all this started. I'm just older, and (hopefully) a bit smarter.
What would you say the "best thing" your success has allowed you to do?
Live with my parents at the age of 24.