“If you’re not growing you’re dying,” says Stephen Christian, lead vocalist of alternative rockers Anberlin. Perhaps explaining why the Florida five-piece’s latest and sixth record, Vital, showcases several new takes on their sound, while at the same time returning to their origins.
“Whether you’re 95 or 5 years old, every day is a moment of growth and a time where you’re moving, progressing and becoming a better you,” reasons the vocalist.
“If I stop learning or growing, or watching and absorbing, I feel that the lyrics would become absolutely stagnant. Part of being in the band, of being a singer and a lyricist per se, is the fact that I don’t want to stop learning or growing, because I feel that if I do then that’s the inevitable death of Anberlin,” says Christian.
The band’s first album in two years encapsulates catchy punk rock vibes characteristic of Anberlin, yet combines a fresh high energy and heavier sound, with unexpected electro infusions – elements that were well and truly planned, according to the frontman.
“We kind of wanted the more aggressive, more energetic sound,” Christian assures. “The thing that drives us and keeps us together as a band, is that hour-and-a-half on stage in the live shows where everybody is screaming their lungs out. So we thought why not write a record where that live rawness is the most important part.”“That’s kind of the ultimate goal, to be a better band than you were yesterday.”
“Those precious moments are what music is all about,” he adds. “The connection between us and the crowd, the moments where physically and emotionally we connect with the audience, that’s the reason we still play music.”
And the surprising electro additions? You can thank a keenness for the French cinematic electronics of M83 and the harp-lined dream pop of Active Child for that.
“It was just a natural progression of the fact that as a band we want to evolve and experiment and progress, at the same time writing and playing music we want to hear,” enthuses the vocalist.
Evolve and experiment they have indeed, through Vital, however the fivesome also returned to producer, Aaron Sprinkle, who worked on their firs three albums. Which may have had something to do with their ability to progress while simultaneously embracing their roots.
“Working with Aaron again felt like we’d been on this epic long journey and now we’re finally back home,” Christian affirmed.
“When we parted with Aaron it came down to growth, we wanted to be better than the last record. That’s kind of the ultimate goal, to be a better band than you were yesterday. But now we have all the knowledge that we’ve learnt from other producers and we’ve applied that to the production that Aaron brings. We’re constantly learning and being educated,” he assures.
The first single to be lifted from the record ‘Someone Anyone’ is an emotion filled track inspired by the peaceful Egyptian protests of 2011.
Although the singer didn’t visit Egypt himself, the sense of unity and progression of the country was inspiring enough to inform the song and in turn, the underlying theme of the entire album – feeling alive.“Maybe Ghandi and Martin Luther King Jr were right, we can change the world in a peaceful way, it doesn’t take violence, it doesn’t take war.”
“The fact that these peaceful protests revolutionised and changed an entire country, was so inspiring,” praises the frontman.
“As a world and a civilisation we’re starting to progress,” he continues, “maybe Ghandi and Martin Luther King Jr were right, we can change the world in a peaceful way, it doesn’t take violence, it doesn’t take war. It takes people determined to change a country and society for the better. Change doesn’t have to involve violence, and Egypt has lead the way proven that,” proclaims Christian.
While currently on tour with the Smashing Pumpkins, the vocalist’s modesty remains intact, “It’s so humbling to be on tour with a band that have had such an influence on so many people, including myself,” he says, but adds that although being on stage is the most thrilling experience, sometimes touring isn’t all that.
Having missed his grandfather’s funeral due to tour commitments, (a moment from which the song ‘Innocent’ was derived), Christian highlights the importance of not taking anything for granted.
“Being away from friends and family and missing things that might be mundane to everyone else, is the worst thing. All these things in life that people take for granted we miss. It’s tragic and it’s sad and I wouldn’t trade my life for anyone else, but those are the kind of moments that you regret being in a band,” reflects the singer.
Rest assured, the quintet’s constant enthusiasm for touring down under remains undamaged, Anberlin are expecting to hit our shores sometime early April next year.
“Australia is one of our favourite countries, it feels like we’ve been there twice a year for the past 5 years,” an enthusiastic Christian announces.
Paying homage to our fine nation, Vital was released in Australia before anywhere else in the world, the singer declaring, “It was just another way we could show Australia we really appreciate you.”
Vital is out now through Universal Music. Read the Tone Deaf review here.
