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TODD EVANS ON THE CHRISTIAN SUBCULTURE...

Todd Evans [far left in photo] was the lead vocalist of a beautifully atmospheric band on MCA Records that released its debut album almost two years ago and then was subsequently dropped about a year later. The band was called Atticus Fault. In writing the cover story, he emailed me out of the blue to let me know what was going on with his current project -- The Golden [a description of which follows at the end of this interview]. He seemed like the perfect candidate to ask some questions about the Christian music industry, since he bypassed it with his art.

Question:
What motivated you to go into the "real world" of music business, as opposed to the "subculture" of the "Christian music scene?"
As for my motivation- I suppose it really wasn't a question. in the beginning we were offered some Christian stuff but that's not where our hearts were. Whether for good or bad - when i think of having an influence on the world's culture and media - i don't think of the "Christian Music Scene." (of course that's not to say there aren't amazing musicians and artists there). But truthfully, it is a subculture that has its own rules...based supposedly on Christ...but also business. That's a scary and dangerous combination as far as i'm concerned. You need to make money to keep the business going..."how can we sing about our savior in a way that we can make money"...that's a scary thought...but one that guides much of the christian entertainment culture.

I may disagree with myself in a few moments...but honestly i believe there is a part of me that thinks, "If i'm going to get screwed, if i'm going to enter a relationship with someone that most likely will go back on their word or change their mind when their money - making plans are in jeopardy - i'd rather have it come from an unbeliever, than from someone who is supposedly my brother or sister in the Lord. it comes down to where you are "led" to go.

There is something very powerful physically and spiritually when a group of believers are all together expressing themselves musically to the Creator. There are things you can do and experience there that you can nowhere else.

Unfortunately because the industries are so separate, there is a generation brought up (that we are a part of) whose mindset has been compromised by this. We must return to a renewed mind where our priority - as believers - is relationship with our Saviour...hearing where He wants us to go, and Truly ... TRULY sharing and exposing ourselves musically. (Of course there are extremes in that as well, but the point is having relationship so that we can be led easier.) We don't need to know everything...when all else fails, just be honest.

Why are there so many bands not affiliated with Christianity that touch something in the heavens that many believers do not? I experienced the best worship at a Sigur Ros concert. Absolutely amazing. They went to a place and took us there. How can they do that? Many refuse to let an industry, or money dictate to their mind how to express themselves. Many are broken and reaching out for answers...and finding new places creatively in their broken state...parts of the walls in their soul are down.

WE NEED TO BE BROKEN. WE NEED TO LIVE BROKEN.

How hard/easy is it for a band or artist to succeed on the mainstream level?
Succeed? It depends on what you mean. i touched on a bit of that in my first rant. First...above everything else...wherever the Holy Spirit leads you IS success. There is favor there. There is blessing there. There is fulfillment there. (sorry if i sound cliche and corny...but it is a truth we must know in our being.)

Outside of that...if we are just talking surface appearances...... If you want to have an effect on the world culture, have an open door into an unbelieving world's heart, it would not be to enter the Christian entertainment subculture and tour churches, Christian clubs and Christian festivals. Just make sure you are where you are supposed to be...He can do anything and everything through your obedience..in or out of the christian subculture. (It doesn't all need to be eparate...but there is a place for worshiping together, of building up the church, of discussing spiritual issues within the church.)

(here's a weird/slanted question) How much "persecution" or "ill treatment" did you receive from an "evil" and "unbelieving" and "hostile" and "secular" music world for fusing a little bit of faith into your songs on the Atticus Fault album?
Suprisingly, we had favor. Most of MCA and New York management loved it. We were honest spiritually and open about our broken places. Honestly most of them are only used to referring to people as Protestant, Catholic, Jewish...whatever. "Christian" was a vague foreign concept..and the "Christian Industry" was this thing that had little or no impact on their music business world. It wasn't like that everywhere though. Those who did have experiences with that subculture...usually had a bad tast in their mouth...so the spiritual things we touched on in the record and through our personal conversations seemed to evoke memories of bad experiences within them and there was automatically a wall - but staying broken and agenda-less(except for listening to the Spirit) seemed to bring favor, or at least peace when the favor was gone. You can rest assured though that Truth will offend some people....you just can't get offended...because we are the "dead ones"...or at least we are suppose to be.

The key is that we didn't try to fuse our beliefs into the music.....we were just honest..and it appeared. I personally think that, typically, once you try to figure out how to fit the message of Christ into music to be hip and relevant ... then you are neither. Be honest.

Overall i find that if I am affiliated with the Christian Industry - it keeps me from being able to do some of the things i am called to do.

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