Grammy-winning band Switchfoot will make its Indian debut with a series of performances. lead vocalist Jon Foreman talks to Karan Bhardwaj about inspirations behind their soulful lyrics and how his solo projects help him rejuvenate
They celebrate love over hatred, faith over religion and hope over despair. Switchfoot’s soulful lyrics can bring even a dead soul back to life. The San Diego-based band that comprises singer/songwriter Jon Foreman, his younger brother (and co-writer) Tim Foreman on bass, drummer Chad Butler and multi-instrumentalist Jerome Fontamillas shot to fame with their popular tracks in A Walk To Remember. The band then commenced their journey to success with hits like We Are One Tonight, Need To live among others. The alt-rock sensation is touring India for the first time with Micromax Vh1 Rock Rules and will be performing in Mumbai, Pune and Gurgaon at Hard Rock Café on March 25, 27 and 29 respectively. Excerpts from an interview:
Jon, you came to India once as a tourist. But why did Switchfoot keep away for so longIJ
India is far away from our home in California — distance kept us away. The first time I came to India I was amazed by the people and culture. I went home with more questions than answers. I’ve been longing to come back ever since.
How do you find performing in IndiaIJ
It would make sense to me — friendships come from these establishing moments and more folks follow suite.
Is your India tour going to be part of any of your EP or any documentaryIJ
Maybe — I take pieces of where I am as my inspiration for art, music. I’ve never been anywhere as vibrant as India.
You have been together for years now. How challenging has it been to stick together and resolve creative clashesIJ Also, how do independent shows and tracks help you retain a solo identity as a musicianIJ
I have the incredible privilege of calling Tim, Chad, Drew and Jerome my band-mates and friends. I love these guys. We challenge each other in music and beyond. They have been amazingly supportive of my solo stuff which in turn allows me to feel rejuvenated when I return to the band.
How do you keep your music fresh and relevantIJ
I look for questions — for places of wonder and doubt, fear and joy. These are the places where the kid inside me can run free and write something fresh.
What drives your concepts of lyricsIJ
I am always looking for hope. The songs are often looking for light in dark places — reaching for faith in a cloudy sea of doubt. But a song can be a vehicle to get somewhere new and the live show can be transportation as well. On a good night you exit the room in a different state than how you entered.
You are a Christian band. How do you reflect faith in your musicIJ
Faith has much more to do with actions than words. I try to live my life to the glory of my creator — my songs reflect that struggle and the grace I’ve found along the way.
Vice Verses was a comment on race of life and presence of God around. Can you tell us how the idea germinated and how did you sail through the philosophy of the album via lyricsIJ
When I was in college I loved to study philosophy — it felt like the bones of what it means to be human. I love to read Kierkegaard or Pascal or Nietzsche or whoever. Vice Verses was an album of polarity — life/death, faith/doubt. These are the margins where my true questions come to life.
Fading West got your fans closer to your working style. Tell us about your experience of making it. Is it still continuingIJ
Fading West was a movie we made to tell a larger story than a three-minute rock song. It was an amazing experience that brought us close together as a band and let people backstage see a bit more of what we’re really like. It was a ton of work through — trying to draw the line between what is personal and what is public. I’m not sure we’ll ever do it again.
Tell us about your musical and literary influences.
(Thinking) I love Miles Davis in the morning. I grew up on the Beatles, led Zep, The Police and Bob Dylan. I like to read Herni Nouwen, lewis Hyde, David Dark, Dietrich Bonhoeffer...anyone who challenges my comfort level.
Would you like to surf in Andamans or GoaIJ
I would love to surf in India — surfing is another way to express and find myself. It’s an amazing thing to stare at the horizon fully aware of your lack of control.