Hope. It’s a concept that is both elusive and fragile, both rare and
powerful. So few dare to allude to it, and fewer still make it their
mantra. After all, it is so much easier to sing of loss and regret than
to push through it and persevere. Yet, the word “hope” is the very word
that Josh Pearson, front man for the Chattanooga, Tennessee quintet
NEVERTHELESS, uses to describe the goal of his band. True hope though
faith. Their debut album
Live Like We’re Alive is
the vehicle through which they want to make this one word known. They
are far beyond driven to live for this purpose.
“You have to know what you are supposed to be doing, as well as know
where you are supposed to be headed to play music today,” says Pearson.
“Without direction, passion, and a belief in our purpose, we would not
be doing this. We don’t want to just play for status or for a cool
factor. We want every person who comes into contact with us to be
encouraged.”
It is this determination that gives NEVERTHELESS an asterisk amidst
their contemporaries in indie pop/rock. At first listen they would fit
nicely in the vein of such bands as Jimmy Eat World, Further Seems
Forever, and Cartel, except for one difference: Their songs deal in as
much spiritual substance as they do in relationship experience. On
Live
Like We’re Alive,
the band delivers diversity in emotion as well as depth in empathy,
which are traits that are seldom found in the current rock context.
“These aren’t just songs to soothe breakup sores or to feed the fires
of crushes; they are also songs to mend deeper wounds. We chose to
explore the entire spectrum of emotions on this record, not just
teenage heartache. Records that don’t have diversity are pretty boring
to listen to, and there are a lot of them out there today. We want
everyone to enjoy this record the entire way through.”
At the heart of the album is an energy created by a dynamic between
high and low, verse and chorus. Pearson’s voice soothes as soft moments
give way to explosive guitars and driving beats. Structure is
simplified without being compromised, to complement songs as a whole,
and in the end, the album as a whole. Each instrument is but one
variable in a song. Each song is a variable in the album, and the album
itself is a variable in the equation of changing the listeners that
NEVERTHELESS touches with the music itself.
“Our producer, James Paul Wisner (Underoath, Dashboard Confessional)
really took the songs to a higher place. It was also great to co-write
with Kevin Kadish (Stacy Orrico, Rob Thomas, Jason Mraz) on several
tracks. Recording the album was a process that really stretched us to
our limits, but we came out sharpened on the other side. We have never
worked so hard on anything in our whole lives. I feel like the process
reaffirmed our reasons for doing this, because we had to give our all
or go home.”
It is these sentiments that give life to this record. The band embraces
the challenges that have come their way and use these trials as real
evidences of perseverance. Ask Pearson about the band’s near break-up
and he will shed further light on the subject.
“We were going to break up the band when I went away to college two
years ago after high school,” Pearson explains. “It was a very hard
time for me because I had to let go of my one true love, which was
playing in this band. But I kept writing music (as did my band mates)
despite the miles between us. When I came home after that first summer
we found something amazing had happened--our band was stronger than
ever before. We began playing tons of shows and knew we had a tough
decision to make. And though many around us didn’t understand our
decision, we all dropped out of school because we knew we
had
to pursue this full time.”
Guitarist AJ Cheek and Pearson share musical and lyrical
responsibilities on the album, as their words seep the aforementioned
dynamic of emotions and spirituality. On the title track “Live Like
We’re Alive” they reference their difficult decisions as band and seem
to come to a higher resolve:
We’re here only for a second,
and then we’re gone when we least expect it. So do more than survive. On
“Time” the classic breakup issue is confronted with a new twist--the
author(s) tell of a breakup with a love who never loved at all:
You
keep your distance. Like, for instance, when you told me we should take
it slow. Time, you always needed more time. But all we’ve ever had is
time. So now this is the last time, but I’ll be fine. I’ve gotta get
away ‘cause I’ve had enough.
As previously mentioned, Cheek and Pearson aren’t afraid to broach
heavier issues. Faith vs. doubt is the subject matter of the first
single on the record, “The Real.” Pearson sings,
Here
I am tonight. I can’t stand to fight this feeling of despair I hide. I
wonder are you there sometimes. (Sometimes we all wonder). This is you;
this is me. This is who we’re meant to be. We are the real, but the
truth is unchanging. This is a call to hearts that are fading. Finally,
in softer moments like the track “Lover” the band takes the opportunity
to show their vulnerability before God:
You
can find me here with my head against the wall, lost in my regrets and
every time I fall - you catch me in your hands. You circle me like a
wedding band.
With a charismatic live show and a touring base that continues to
build, NEVERTHELESS is poised to continue onward towards building
increasing bridges with new audiences. They recently completed a tour
with labelmates Kids in the Way. The band has also shared the stage
with Skillet, Hawk Nelson, Falling Up, Decyfer Down, Number One Gun,
and many more. Obviously, touring a major part of any marketing picture
today, and this band plans to hit the road heavily in the near future,
including tour dates with new Maverick Record’s band The Finalist. But
touring just for increased sales? NEVERTHELESS has something else in
mind...
“The moment we stop caring about the people who buy our records is the
moment I hope the band breaks up. We are going to try to shake hands
with every single person we come in contact with, and if it ever
reaches a point where we can’t we will come up with something else to
let people know we care. we are here for others, to help people, to
give them something that will see them through, not just for ourselves.
There is something larger at stake. When you are dead album sales won’t
matter.”
