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Kierstin: The Eleventh Hour just released on March 5th. Would you say this is a particularly innovative project for the band, or more of a return to your roots?

Steve: I would say that on different levels it's a combination of both. We produced this ourselves, so in one regard people can say it's a return because we produced our first record ourselves. As far as the artwork and a lot of the other elements that we've typically left to the record company and outside people, we've taken on some of those responsibilities too. In that way, it's quite innovative in terms of our familiarity with the project and doing creative stuff we've never done before.

Kierstin: What about in terms of the music?

Steve: Well, I think our philosophy going into it was about trying to get interesting sounds. It's kind of a mix of low-fi and hi-fi. It's not so innovative for the industry, but for us, we think it was a good combination of where we've been and where we'd like to go.

Kierstin: Is there a particular song that means the most to you?

Steve: So many, for so many different reasons. "Silence" is one of my favorite songs because I think one of the most familiar human emotions is longing, that feeling of abandonment, sometimes just from life. The song asks some really good questions about where God is in the midst of our wonder. And trying to understand what it looks like to know that He's there and that He cares, given our human condition.

Kierstin: Most of the songs on the album touch on questions of faith and themes of hope and redemption. What do you feel like is at the core of human hope and longing, especially in light of the tragedy our country has seen?

Steve: As humans we want to be rescued. We want to be able to believe in something true, and we want something to fall on. This life is about a journey to discover that. And I think that's what longing is about. For me, my relationship with Christ is the only thing that has found its way to this place. But even in acknowledging that, it's still a lifelong realization that I don't think we ever fully understand.

Kierstin: Beyond here at home, Jars of Clay reaches out to causes worldwide. For instance, I recently attended the Nashville benefit concert that you did for African Leadership. What has led the band to this cause and other organizations that respond to people in need?

Steve: For some reason when you have a guitar in your hands people want to hear what you have to say, even beyond the songs that you sing. So we've seen it as an opportunity to bring people information about some things in the world that are unjust and that need our attention. Specifically, we've been working with World Vision to help orphans in Africa whose parents died from AIDS, so the teenager or sometimes even the eight-year-old is the head of the household. Things like that, and the Sudanese Christians being massacred. It's hard to get your head around it when you hear it on the news. We feel like it's important to ask what it looks like to live our lives in light of these things. By no means being undone to the point where we can't function in the life that we're called to, but to at least acknowledge it and have compassion.

Kierstin: The album title, The Eleventh Hour, evokes thoughts of anticipation and of being on the brink of something. Is this an idea that is appropriate or timely for you as a band?

Steve: It's appropriate because it encapsulates a lot of what we wanted to talk about on the album. I think it kind of partners with that sense of longing and abandonment we so often feel. Personally, in the process of beginning this record we found ourselves abandoned a bit and dealt some circumstances that really we had no control over, but that altered the face of the songwriting process for us. Some of the best songs on the album, I think, were written at the last moment, so the album title seemed appropriate for that reason too.

Kierstin: How do you feel that the band has changed in the past eight years since you started out?

Steve: I think there's a natural maturing that goes on. Sometimes people can swallow their differences for the sake of whatever it is---celebrity, fame. But when you're in a group of guys and you call yourselves a band, you reach a decision at a certain point. For us there have been monumental opportunities where we've made the decision to go deeper in our relationships with each other or else it would remain on the surface and probably eventually part our ways. Everyone tires in relationships but we came around to the realization that the four of us as friends were called together for a purpose. And the music we're making and all the stuff that comes from the relationships begins with how we band together and what we struggle well with.

Kierstin: So would you say that you've been distracted at all by celebrity or fame?

Steve: No, I think that's what you usually see. That's what breaks bands up. Somebody gets really hungry for this or that and I think the relationships take a back seat. That brings a quick end to the art. You can watch any documentary on any band and I think you probably see some elements of that dysfunction going on.

Kierstin: The song "Revolution" suggests that everyone has the potential to make a difference. As artists, you have a very obvious means of impacting the culture. But for you personally, are there specific desires that you have to leave an impression?

Steve: Just being involved with different organizations that are pursuing justice and pursuing love. Even on a singular level we can all make a difference. And that's basically what it reduces to with each person doing what they can. I think reading is really important, trying to stay informed, and trying to pursue truth in the midst of the media and what's going out. Also, finding some service organizations and things that we can be a part of. In college we worked with the homeless in downtown St. Louis and Nashville and did some child abuse prevention benefits, and then took trips to Vietnam and China. Basically, there are opportunities, we just have to look for them.

Kierstin: Speaking of leaving an impression, you used to play guitar with your teeth when performing the song "Crazy Times." Why did you stop doing that?

Steve: Oh boy. (Laughs). For fear of dental backlash. You know what, I don't really know. It just kind of had its day I guess.

Kierstin: So do you have any other obscure talents that you are working on to incorporate into the live shows?

Steve: You know, um, we're doing a lot of dances.

Kierstin: Dances?

Steve: Yeah. I mean, we just love playing these songs and so I usually end up dancing.

Kierstin: Interpretive dancing?

Steve: No, no, no. Just kind of white man's overbite.

Kierstin: What about on the album? Was there anything new that you added to the project?

Steve: During the demo process I played a lot of drums and that was a little bit interesting. Actually Dan (Haseltine) did too. Everybody was doing some different things and that was great.

Kierstin: Didn't all four of you contribute to the songwriting as well?

Steve: You know, we actually did on this record.

Kierstin: So what was that songwriting process like?

Steve: It was different. Man, lyrics are a vulnerable thing. It's like opening your diary really. For us and what we write about, we're talking about conversations that one has with God or with a loved one, so it's different. It was really an open forum.

Kierstin: If you had to pick any song to encompass your life and experiences, what would it be?

Steve: That's an interesting one. (Whistles.) Um, "In My Life" by the Beatles.

Kierstin: Why is that?

Steve: I think a strong part of my life experience has been learning my story and learning how to share that with other people.

Kierstin: So where do you see that story going from here?

Steve: I don't know really. We'll see....