Sovereign Strength | The Scene Was Built On This
ecent Mediaskare Records addition Sovereign Strength have put in some time and tour hours to get where they are today. Where they are, however, is not sold out shows or tour buses; it is glorified house shows and a full-length album. But they seem just fine with that. In-fact they could really care less. They are doing what they are doing because they believe in it. This scene has been built on bands like Sovereign Strength and will continue because of bands like this. Hailing from California and just getting off tour, guitarist Nelson Flores took a few minutes to talk to us about his band, their vision and their debut release, Reflections.
Hey, thank you for talking with us! How did getting on to Mediaskare Records come about?
Nelson Flores: Hey dudes, no problem at all! Thanks for having us.
Well getting on Mediaskare was kind of a long process for us. We basically caught the attention of them through playing a lot of shows with our friends in Betrayal who are also on Mediaskare Records (Check em out). [Mediaskare] pretty much just kept watching us and giving us tips and finally they said to come to the studio and record a few songs and we went from there.
What has the difference been so far between being signed and being unsigned?
NF: The only real big difference was of course getting our album, and getting everything that comes along with a new album being released, and having a manager. You still gotta work hard (Laughs). Stuff doesn’t get handed to you like a lot of unsigned bands tend to think it does.
The lyrics to your album Reflections seems pretty straightforward. What are your intentions for this band?
NF: We as a Christian band of course want to spread the word of God but we like to do that through our music. We don’t like shoving anything down anyone’s throat and we are known for that. Were not saying that we don’t like when bands preach or anything. Honestly, when I go see Sleeping Giant or For Today I look more forward to seeing what Tommy or Mattie have on their hearts to say that night. We just like bringing the presence of God in the room through our music and our stage performance.
Where do you pull inspiration from for your music?
NF: God is always the number one priority in our music. We write all our music to glorify Him.
Talk to us a bit about your album…
NF: All of the lyrics off of our album titled Reflections are of our past, and past experiences from the lives we’ve all left behind. We’ve gone through a lot of struggles in our lives and this album talks about how we pulled through them through the love and grace of Jesus.
I think in the back of all of our minds we want to be rock-stars, to hangout with our best friends all day, make a ton of money and have people grovel at every word we say. The realization that you guys will be in the back of a fifteen passenger van with what are hopefully your best friends, eating BK for, hopefully, the next five to ten years has had to hit you already right? (Laughs) Even still, what are your thoughts on this choice of a lifestyle?
NF: I don’t really look at it that way but now that you mention it I am definitely excited, (Laughs). We don’t really care about making tons of money or having people stoked on us, if we cared about that stuff we would be a walking contradiction. We are not suppose to put ourselves up on a pedestal or be money hungry. We are suppose to trust in God that we are going to be provided for and that everyone sees Jesus through our music and doesn’t idolize us. I mean its cool to have fans of course but I’d rather have people be stoked on us for what were doing for the kingdom then to have kids worship our every word or move.
What are your touring plans for this Fall?
NF: We have a few things in the works that we can’t announce yet but be on the look for new things soon! Follow/add us on Twitter, Facebook, and Myspace for new Sovereign Strength announcements. 
Twitter.com/SovStrength | Facebook.com/SovereignStrength | Myspace.com/SovereignStrength
