Sons Of God | Building Momentum
nother gem put out by Come&Live!, Sons of God is the brainchild of Aaron Newberry, a man who has experienced the scene from all angles. Newberry began this project alone after stints in several largely successful acts and is now ready to show the world what he can do when he is put in the driver’s seat. The Genesis Prologue, out this month, is only three tracks but they are three tracks that will leave you wondering what Sons of God has coming next now that they are armed as a full band. You can be sure that this is one of those bands you will be happy to know now before they completely blow up.
I read in an interview that you really look for the “epic quality” in music. What makes a song epic in your opinion? How do you make sure that your own music has that quality?
Aaron Newberry: It’s a quality that transcends something beyond what hearing can contain, or sonically moves you to the point that it provokes you emotionally. Maybe even stretches the imagination like something else might not be able to, and overall a depth that is BIG which I feel is hard to do well anymore. I can’t make entirely sure that what I or we do is epic, because I would most likely be limiting it to my perspective alone but I can say that just what comes naturally usually possesses at least a fraction of that quality; I don’t think I could escape it if I wanted to. Whether or not I succeed in meeting my “epic” standard remains to be seen in my honest opinion.
You’ve played in a lot of bands before Sons of God, huge acts such as As I Lay Dying and Spoken. What have you found comfort in by now starting Sons of God?
AN: Well I think I should start by clearing the air that I was never a member of either band, I just had an opportunity to play with them among others and it was quite a treat. What comforts me is that I’m doing this with my brothers, the dudes that I have known for years and consider to be guys who I have an unbreakable bond with. Clearly there’s a comfort in getting to create, to be used to do a work beyond ourselves, and to fulfill a deep desire to reach people for a reason that’s more than just the clamor of chords and voices.
We have interviewed a few other Come&Live! bands as well as Chad Johnson. Tell us a bit about your relationship with this ministry.
AN: The relationship can be summed up in that it is a family. Somehow in God’s crazy plan I made the cut, I had enough interaction with Chad in the past and that was enough for him to hear me when I contacted and when we first spent some real one on one time together. I don’t know all the bands yet, but those that I do know including the staff at C&L! are dudes I could call and talk with, and pray with at a moments notice; that’s family.
I mentioned earlier that you have spent time in various large acts in the “christian music” realm. What would you say is the biggest lesson you have learned having had all these different experiences in the “christian music” world?
AN: Truly I have learned that sometimes it’s no different than the “other” realm. If I’m going to be real with you, there are just as many people in it for the money as there are when referring to the secular side of things. When I realized this more and more, it was disheartening but it made sense. I can see how fame, even as a Christian artist, can go to your head. In fact, I feel it’s for that very reason that God has given and taken from me so often considering success with certain bands; I wasn’t ready for it. I don’t even know that I am now, but I know that I’m fighting a fight like I never have and I will continue to do so and my hope is that we will all fight for His Kingdom.
Tell us about The Genesis Prologue. What do you want to get across to your fans with these songs?
AN: It’s our simple desire to let music go out that hopefully will fulfill some kind of purpose, I can’t hope for anything but that people will not only enjoy it but find a common place with myself and my brothers. Perhaps my words will provoke those to action, perhaps it will call upon tears and a repentant heart, or maybe it will mean nothing to you. To hope for more I think could be foolish for what I want it to do, or what I want out of it. As genuine as can be, it’s an honor for anyone to listen in the first place, the rest rests solely upon the listener and what God intended.
As far as your live show goes, what can someone expect who has never seen a performance?
AN: Yet another question I can only speculate, (laughs). Because I get to work with such outstanding musicians in this band, you can expect a tight, large and ferocious sound. I’m going to leave this one open for continued speculation as the year plays itself out, but those three attributes I can assure will not be lacking.
What do you love about the music you play?
AN: I love that I get to do what I want musically, I love that I am no longer the sole creator of Sons of God and can collaborate with guys that I admire as musicians, and I love that I finally got wise and started using this music for its intended purpose. I love most everything about what Sons of God is and will be. There’s a euphoria that comes with getting to perform what you played a part in creating and letting complete strangers listen and watch in, that probably excites me more than just about anything.
What is 2010 going to look like for Sons of God?
AN: Even I don’t have a specific answer for this, but we certainly hope to commandeer 2010 and make it a year we create a solid footprint in. I myself have high expectations; I’ve been waiting on this for years and feel that this year is our opportunity to come out of hiding so to speak. Touring and a new record are two definites, among the many other possibilities that are currently up in the air. You’d better expect something after all this time!
