"Switchfoot: No labels, please"...

For all those people who get confused about Switchfoot labels, please, please read this latest article form the Denver Post. Hope it helps. =)



Switchfoot: No labels, please
The San Diego band hopes listeners will look past the Christian rock and just lend an ear

Finding the right band name is of paramount importance to musicians. A moniker can draw curious listeners, but if it hits the wrong chord can turn off scores of people.

Just as crucial is being labeled, be it a hip-hop, rock, indie or rap band. These labels are why Switchfoot, at the Broomfield Event Center on Sunday, shuns the Christian rock tag.

"Christianity is faith, it's not a genre of music," said Switchfoot lead guitarist Drew Shirley. "We want to be music for all people. We've played campuses, bars, clubs. ... When you have this labeling, it closes the doors to our music, instead of people just listening to it to see if they like it.

"Yes, we all have a strong Christian faith," Shirley added. "It influences everything we do, and our view of the world. And as musicians, we write about what we are dealing with — our experiences, what we are going through."

Switchfoot got its name from the band members' surfing background and means to take a new stance facing the opposite direction. The band scored new fans when its song, "This is Home" was featured on the "Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" soundtrack.

"It was such an honor to be picked," Shirley said. "It opened so many doors."

But the band's success has not diminished its grassroots, "get your fingers dirty" work.

When Switchfoot ran out of T-shirts at a show in Texas, the members spent time in their hotel rooms making new schwag.

"We are a hands-on band. We like to get things done," Shirley explained. "Plus, we like to meet the people that we are around and involved with. And we are going to be an independent band in November. We're building our own studio. "

When the band goes into its own studio, it will take lessons learned from legendary producer Tim Palmer, who worked on Switchfoot's latest CD "Oh! Gravity." Palmer has worked with U2, Pearl Jam and the Cure, among others.

"It was amazing to work with Tim," Shirley said. "He worked on our songs like he was a member of the band. He believed in the music and worked as if it was his own. We learned so much from him."

And the biggest thing he learned from Palmer?

"He's such a humble man," Shirley said. "That really struck me, was how humble he was. I really loved working with him. Sometimes when you work with these big-name producers, they can be quite prideful."

Being big U2 fans, there was plenty of time to pick Palmer's brain on Bono and his religious convictions.

"It was really inspiring to hear these stories about U2," Shirley said. "We've had people compare us to them. They are a deep band with a unique perspective on the world and their philanthropy work."

Switchfoot signed on for the "Music Builds" Tour with Third Day, Jars of Clay and the Robert Randolph & the Family Band because of its association with Habitat for Humanity.

"This is such a great thing," Shirley said. "The money goes back into the communities and cities we play in. And you get to see people building houses. Instead of just leaving a city after we play, we are helping the people in those cities."

So if you are still reluctant to listen to Switchfoot, try this on: indie band Switchfoot. And as Shirley said, listen and decide for yourself.

I hope that clears things out. Have a great day!

Oh btw, check out the webcam blog for a recap of what took place in the studio yesterday.