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Jars
of Clay :
Four years ago, a band of eager, but completely unprepared,
young musicians came together in a sort of dormitory acoustic
group at Greenville College in Illinois. Not even thinking
about an actual career in music, they began to write songs
more for the fun of it than anything. For even a little more
entertainment, they decided to submit a demo to a national
new artist competition. Three million records later, the music
of that unassuming group of college buddies is heard around
the globe. And the band, filling store shelves and the hearts
of millions, is Jars of Clay. Comprised of Dan Haseltine,
lead vocals, Stephen Mason, guitar/ background vocals, Matt
Odmark, electric and acoustic guitars/background vocals, and
Charlie Lowell, piano and keyboards/background vocals, Jars
of Clay comes together with an excitement and spontaneity
that is reflective of their youthful spirit and creative risk.
Since winning
the Gospel Music Association’s Spotlight Competition
in 1994, Jars of Clay has achieved multi-platinum status and
collected numerous awards - including a 1997 Grammy, 4 Dove
Awards and 15 career Dove nominations. They have also received
extensive radio airplay on contemporary Christian, mainstream
alternative rock and alternative pop stations resulting in
10 #1 singles. But what keeps audiences clamoring for more
is the group's talent for blending edgy and dynamic sounds
with thought provoking and pointed lyrics that challenge listeners
to thrive outside of the typical. If I Left the Zoo, the band’s
third album for Essential/Silvertone Records, grabs hold of
the unexpected and stands it on its head. Incorporating a
unique blend of organic and playful music - reminiscent of
the group’s self-titled, debut album - with inspirational
and witty lyrics, If I Left The Zoo refreshes the spirit and
ignites the soul. If I Left the Zoo asks the question, 'What
if?' What would happen if I left this comfortable place? What
if I woke up one day and decided to do something completely
different? says Charlie, commenting on the theme of the album.
Practicing what they preach, Jars of Clay left the typical
Nashville recording scene behind in order to record with Dennis
Herring in Oxford, Miss. near the campus of University of
Mississippi. Most of Jars of Clay's fans are college-aged,
yet the fact that the band was in town recording was kept
secret. The experience of recording in a small, Southern college
town seemed to lend a bit of magic to the process, also evident
in the record’s outcome. Dennis really made us work hard
and do things we weren't used to doing, recalls Dan. He reviewed
the lyrics, said they were great. But then he told us to go
back and write them as if we weren't Jars of Clay, but individuals
exploring the possibilities of a completely new direction
of sounds and styles. We didn't want anyone to hear the process
of the record because to us it sounded terrible, laughs Stephen.
And then one day it's like, hey, this is pretty great! Another
pattern in the making of the album turned out to be relying
on friends. Jars of Clay enlisted the help of some longtime
pals, such as bassist Aaron Sands and drummer Joe Porter (another
Greenville College alum), and some very important new ones,
like producer Dennis Herring (Counting Crows) and drummer
Ben Mize (also with Counting Crows) to assist in their new
effort. Although the If I Left the Zoo project was lengthy
and challenging, it was those experiences that the band felt
allowed them to make real creative progress. The result is
a record infused with enthusiasm, character-adding imperfections,
and total personality. Dennis made the band explore all the
possibilities of music-making. I think there's more on this
record than new songs, there's a new attitude, shares Stephen.
We were each taken out of our comfort zones and pushed to
be more playful and dedicated to being different where we
may not have done that before. Dan continues, We try to continue
to challenge ourselves to not only grow as Christians, but
to also enjoy the moment we are in. Because what we learn
during our experiences, gives us a better understanding of
the direction in which we are heading. This recording process
has been a tremendous exercise in embracing and learning from
the moment. The first single from If I Left the Zoo, Unforgetful
You, is elevated alternative rock with quirky musical components
and dramatic lyrics that express the failed attempts of humanity
to handle life’s changes without remembering God’s
plan. This song serves to remind us of how forgetful we are
and how 'Unforgetful' God is, reflects Dan. It's amazing the
extent God will go to in order to show us who He is on a daily
basis. Regarding I'm Alright, which includes backing vocals
from a gospel choir, Matt comments, Our perceptions of ourselves
and why we believe we are alright, and the reality of why
we are alright in God’s eyes, are usually polar opposites.
It's important that people remember that God doesn't make
mistakes. This is a record that expresses God’s relentless
pursuit of us as human beings, remarks Charlie on the overall
motivation behind the project. “It's because of His unconditional
love for us that we are allowed to be exactly who we are.
And exactly who is Jars of Clay? They’re still a group
of good friends making music for the fun of it and letting
God take it from there. Jars of Clay takes its name from II
Corinthians 4:7. We have this treasure in jars of clay to
show that this all surpassing power is from God and not from
us.
 _.:Jars
of Clay Official Site
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