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?"

1. 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.

Q2:
How hard/easy is it for a band or artist to succeed on the mainstream level?

2. 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 separate...but there is a place for worshiping together, of building up the church, of discussing spiritual issues within the church.)

q3:
(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?

3. 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.

q4:
What are some real figures of guarantees that Atticus Fault put in their pocket for shows? (please list as many as possible, to help me round out my companion online article, "The Ugly Facts & Figures of Christian Rock." For example: House of Blues, Houston - $250; HOB, Austin - $250; Snyders, Omaha - $500... you know what i mean. And, if you're uncomfortable putting your name with these figures, please let me know and I'll make them anonymous.

• Ugly File Sharing Debate #1
• Ugly File Sharing Debate #2
• Ugly Facts & Figures of Christian Rock
• The Ugly Bruce Fitzhugh Interview
• SXSW 2002 Recap
• You Say You Want A Record Deal?