By: Matt Conner
A promising label imprint making waves in the Christian music scene (and specifically in worship circles) is Varietal Music, a new segment of Vineyard Music. Creative artists like Chris Lizotte push the boundaries of what we understand traditional worship music to be and give the listener a true artistic experience to go with the thoughtful lyrics.
Now in the same vein comes the Indianapolis band, 1000 Generations. With a new album out entitled Turn Off The Lesser Lights, we were eager to find out more about the band. So SA recently asked the band two members of the quartet – husband and wife duo Steven and Amanda Potaczek – some questions regarding their hopes for the new album, signing with their first label and the need for creativity in worship music.
Soul-Audio: Can you talk about your deal with Varietal? What is the vision they have for you as artists?
Steven Potaczek: Yeah, we really enjoy working with Varietal! We’ve been independent for a long time and so signing with a label was a big deal for us because we didn’t want to sign over everything that we’ve worked so hard for over the years. The deal we have with Varietal is a rare one because it is beneficial and risky for both them and 1000 Generations. Varietal has really been great about coming alongside our vision to connect people with God through music.
SA: Do you know what they’re trying to build overall?
Steven: Well both Varietal and 1000 Generations are interested in creating compelling art that makes an impact on the culture at large.
SA: With Turn Off the Lesser Lights, can you talk about your vision with that?
Amanda Potaczek: Absolutely! In this day and age there are just so many distractions vying for our attention all the time. I know for us personally it’s a struggle just having the Internet at home because there is always that pull to be working, surfing, or even just being on Facebook. You know there’s cable TV, cell phones, and the list goes on and on. Turn Off the Lesser Lights is really a challenge to take our focus off the things in life that distract us from the things that really matter.
SA: I love this as a worship record and yet something that’s completely left of center compared to what typically lines store shelves. Is that something you were aiming for?
Amanda: Yeah, being a piano driven rock band sort of makes our music sound like a car crash between Billy Joel and Coldplay. We look at the word “worship” in a broader context than just talking to, or about, God. For example, our new song “How Big Small Can Be” – which won the GMA Song of the Year Award – speaks out about issues of social justice and how, oftentimes, we are so intimidated by the magnitude of the problems in our world today that we don’t do anything to be a part of the solution. So yeah, if that’s left of center, we’re really happy to be in that place.
SA: Can you tell us a bit more about that on a larger scale and what you believe to be important about artistic creativity and worship music?
Steven: Definitely, artistic creativity is hugely important! We’re not interested in re-creating what’s already been done or what someone else is doing well. We’re passionate about crafting excellent lyrics and music that might be off the beaten path but that is imaginative and makes you think about our indescribable God in fresh ways. We extend this creativity to our live performances by doing things like leaving stage to play in the audience, doing Stomp-like drum features, and really interacting with the crowd.
SA: What’s the plan for the album in terms of tour support, radio plans, etc.? Can we expect to see you out soon or hear you on the radio?
Amanda: Yes, yes and yes. Our song “Fail Us Not” is on the radio right now and we are currently discussing what our next single will be. Label or not, we’ve always been a road band, traveling with a baby grand piano and two drum sets. You can check out where we’re playing at www.1000generations.com.
SA: For all of the things happening for the band to this point, is there one that stands out as a highlight?
Amanda: Yeah, our radio single “Fail Us Not” has been getting nationwide airplay, which has been very cool. Even cooler though, is that we are constantly receiving e-mails from people telling us how the song has become an anthem of hope for them in the midst of really difficult circumstances. It is an incredible honor to be a part of someone else’s journey in that way.
SA: What about the opposite side and is there something you still wish would happen for your career that’s been evasive to this point?
Amanda: Well, Coldplay still hasn’t called for that opening slot on their tour! No seriously, you know it’s definitely a struggle not to compare ourselves to others in terms of where we’re at. We’ve been at this for six years and all of us in the band have made it a point to be very open with each other about our expectations and disappointments. Ultimately we truly believe that God is leading us on this journey and that, as long as we’re staying connected to Him, we’ll always be right where we’re supposed to be.
SA: How does being rooted in the local church change your approach to songwriting for a label deal? Or does it?
Steven: Our church has been just awesome in supporting us! We’ve been on staff as the worship leaders at the Vineyard Community Church in Indianapolis, IN for seven years. Being in this role has helped us to see what songs people connect with and we’ve definitely taken that in to account in our writing.
