Texas In July | Reality Bites

Written By: Jeremy Seick

Amidst recent tour controversy, Texas In July has just unveiled their sophomore charge at the scene titled One Reality. The facts around the related issue being grey as they are, we have decided to release our interview with TIJ about their new album, hoping the situation will be resolved with the best possible outcome. We have had nothing but good interactions with the band and for the time being, are pleased to bring you this interview with TIJ’s Ben Witkowski.

What do you feel is your greatest accomplishment on this record?

Ben Witkowski: We are very proud of the record, I think our greatest accomplishment is that we are 100% pleased with how everything came out: the music, the production, the artwork; everything about it is what we wanted. So with that being said, there isn’t much more that we could ask for, we were very excited about the release. The record has been in stores for about a week now and we are very much looking forward to playing more of the new music live.

I feel like we’ve been hearing a really steady buzz about you guys since the last record. How do you maintain that momentum?

BW: We released the last record, I Am, when we were still in high school and college, so we could never really tour full-time. So we kept busy by playing weekend shows out of state, and trying to get out and tour during summer breaks. After school was over for all of us, we slowly worked our way into doing some support tours, shortly after we did a few small headlining runs. We just always try to stay positive, and give it our all every single day. Texas In July has never been a short term or temporary thing for us, Texas In July is every single day, whether we are on the road or not, it’s our main focus and we love what we do.

Tell us about the title, One Reality… What it means and how it came about.

BW: I actually came up with the title before I wrote any of the lyrics. After the title was discussed and agreed upon, I began writing the lyrics based around true things, real incidents that happen every day to people all over. We want One Reality to be thought of as something positive. You have one life, one opportunity to make everything you have ever wanted to come true, and to become a reality. And in this life, things are going to happen to you good and bad, some people will stab you in the back, and some people will love you unconditionally. But nothing can equate to the truth that you control what lies ahead, and you can take it or leave it. “There is a sense of tension and betrayal throughout the songs, but at the same time they remain honest, positive and uplifting. There is a loss of affection, but it is for the better…”

I think the first thing I am drawn to is the lyrics of an album. I’m not sure if this is the same for everyone, but there is power and encouragement within this genre because of this. So talk to us about any themes taking place on this record…

BW: I took a lot of the lyrics to a dark, angry place. There is a sense of tension and betrayal throughout the songs, but at the same time they remain honest, positive and uplifting. There is a loss of affection, but it is for the better, recovering from old ways and searching for something that has always been there, but failing to find it because of an ongoing fear. There’s also references to a search for pride and respect, while continuing to feel hateful, unsure and lost.

What has been the reaction, or feedback, since the 26th when this album dropped?

BW: Everything thus far has been amazing. Fans have been really positive and saying very good things about the album on Twitter and Facebook. We are thrilled with the response we have gotten so far. Even beyond the core group of fans, our friends and family have been telling us how proud they are and how excited they are about the record. Very happy about everything we have heard, and can’t wait to see what people continue to say. It feels really great to have the album out there for everyone to hear.

We just heard you will be touring on the Scream The Prayer Tour. Does this opportunity excite you, or scare you, because it is such a large tour?

BW: We are extremely excited about that tour; we have always wanted to play it and are ecstatic to now be a part of it. It hits great places, not to mention goes to most of the biggest Christian festivals in the country, and who doesn’t love playing a couple festivals on a tour!? It’s also a wonderful opportunity to play with nine other Christian bands, but it is going to be a challenge learning all of those names! It’s going to be great, we feel very privileged to play on such a great tour.

Was there anything else you guys wanted to throw out at the readers?

BW: Sure! Go pick up our new album One Reality in a store near you! And keep an eye out for us this summer on the Scream The Prayer Tour. Come out and hang.