Deas Vail | Going International
How did Deas Vail first get involved with Faceless International?
Andy Moore: We first heard of Faceless through our friend Lori Lenz who has been heavily involved with them for some time. She told us about this group that is reaching out to those caught in human trafficking, the modern-day slave trade. We had been talking about how we wanted to make an impact as a community to help free those women trapped in prostitution and the sex slave trade, so when Lori told us about Faceless, we felt that we found an avenue to start effectively working to bring positive change.
What was it about Faceless that appealed to you so much to want to get involved?
AM: It was the shared passion for justice in the area of human rights. We felt that we had found an organized group of people who knew the most effective ways to bring change and hope. Their passion and knowledge in the bigger picture of human trafficking let us know that they had done their homework and had gained experience in what worked. We wanted to be part of that movement and they welcomed us and have been encouraging us to press on.
How important is it for you to use your platform as touring musicians to also spread the word about a cause?
AM: Deas Vail is a community of people who share a common bond not only in the music we create, but in our Faith, which affects all aspects of our lives. We feel that it is important to us as we follow the example of Jesus to help our neighbors and help those who are hurting. At the same time, we have been given a platform that reaches out to others in a moving and spiritual way. As we communicate what is in our hearts through our music and as our hearts are moved to help free the enslaved, it is our hope that what is in our hearts is communicated to our listeners. We hope that their hearts are moved to bring justice to the oppressed, not because a band says it’s important, but because of a desire to help their fellow man.
Do you think that more artists should be behind a cause and actively pursue promoting it?
AM: We were hesitant to start promoting a cause simply for the sake of a cause. We have played a number of benefit shows for different causes and through that we have seen very worthy causes and then we’ve seen some rather poorly thought-out causes. Those experiences had caused us to reconsider jumping behind just any person with an idea to help people. Mostly because some causes may have the right heart, but have not put forth the effort to consider all the angles and what is the best way to bring change. In fact some efforts we’ve seen have even worked against their goals by not being well thought out.
All of that being said, we feel that true artists create from their hearts and if their hearts are to bring about change, we hope that they are clear about it in their art as well as their lives. However, there are those who have no passion to help others and we do not want to put the responsibility of caring on those who cannot bear it. The desire to help others must come from a compassionate heart, not from a negative exterior motivation like guilt or coercion. I hope that more artists’ hearts are to help others and I also hope that those who are passionate will turn that into positive action.
How do you wish to be personally involved with what Faceless does over the next year or so?
AM: For the next year, we are planning to continue collecting toiletries and clothes for safe houses in America. At our shows, we take in what items people bring and when we have enough to fill a box, we ship the items off to the safe houses in need. As Faceless informs us of different safe houses, we will collect items more specifically to fit those needs. We are currently collecting items for safe houses in the South East and this Summer, Faceless is focusing more on a refugee house in Nashville, so we will collect items for them during our Summer tours.
Some people oppose bands getting involved with these types of organizations because of the fear that once a fan gets tired of the band, their interest in the cause may drop off as well. What are your thoughts on this?
AM: I think this sentiment illustrates the importance of the heart being the motivation behind social action. I don’t oppose bands passionately creating change and calling others to join in, as long as it is genuinely from the heart. I do oppose bands using such a platform to gain attention or garner favor with compassionate potential fans. Doing so creates white noise in the already saturated lives of listeners and can be a mockery of truly passionate individuals who want to see change and want others to hear their hearts. I encourage anyone – band member, activist, engineer, janitor – any person with a heart to help others, to go for it and do all that is in their power to help the hurting.
So I’m an average fan at a Deas Vail show, what will I see or hear at your table as far as Faceless goes?
AM: We have informational cards at our table which explain simple ways to alter one’s life in order to help others. Faceless is not only about ending human trafficking, but about living socially responsible lives. The cards explain how to contribute as little as one minute to creating change and how to grow in personal dedication to creating a better global community. At our table, you’ll meet Christie who is not only in charge of our t-shirts and other swag, but is our Faceless representative. She will be able to answer any questions about Faceless and explain the extent of our involvement with them. When the members of the band are at the table, we are always more than happy to talk about Faceless and making slavery a thing of the past.
Where can we see you guys next?
AM: Look for us on tour with O’brother in June, touring through the Midwest and East Coast. We will also be at Summer Fest in Milwaukee and Cornerstone Festival in Illinois. Later this Summer, we are heading South from Albuquerque to New Orleans with Lydia in July and hitting up the West Coast with the Warped Tour in August. We look forward to seeing you there!
