BDA
by Jessica

CS: What kind of equipment do you use?

BDA: We actually us audio technica microphones. They're great people and a great company. The rest of our stuff is just whatever we can afford. We try and put it all to maximum use.

CS: What is the main focus in your ministry? Teens? The lost? The hurting? Why did you decide up on this as a focus?

BDA: Christians have two purposes, to encourage one
another in serving Christ, and to spread the news of Christ to those who don't know. I think we're called to talk about truth in our lives and God uses that to help people in their own situations. We have emotions, relationships, struggles, and we try to talk about how God is in all those. God can use truth to meet all kinds of needs

CS: What does your groups name mean?

BDA stands for Better Days Ahead. We have really attached ourselves to the idea of "hope" that the name carries. The only one who can really give us hope is Christ, and so our hope is made real by our relationship with Christ day by day.

CS: Where did you come up with it?

BDA:Matt and Ben came up with it during class one day (not paying attention).

CS: Where do you see the band in five years? Ten? The future?

BDA:We hope we're still going strong. We love making records and playing shows, and we hope to just keep coming out with more music and getting out and meeting people at shows.

CS: Do you ever worry about getting caught up in the world of show biz? That success will change your group?

BDA:It's hard sometimes to be an "artist" and be
creative, and still remember that our "art" is inspired by the one and only Creator. God always finds a way to humble us if we get too caught up in ourselves. All the business and fame is just meaningless if you focus on it. So we strive to keep focused on who God is, not who we are.

CS: What kind of relationship do you maintain with your audiences? Do you fellowship with them? Or do you remain distant as the performer?

BDA: We always try to talk with people at shows, and
respond to email. It's one of the best parts of it all. We also like to post journals online about where our lives are at, to help people see who we are. Since we're a new band and have a smaller fan base we can do that, but I hope if our fans keep coming in we find a way to still connect and get to know people.

CS: How would you describe your music style?

BDA: We tend to call ourselves melodic rock. We love a lot of styles of music, but when we come together we like guitars, and good melodies, and good songwriting to be wrapped up all together.

CS: Who, or what, are your biggest musical influences?

BDA: As a band we listen to groups like DcTalk, Vertical Horizon, Matchbox 20, and Audio Adrenaline. The cd player changes all the time though.

CS: Are you involved in any other ministries?

BDA: We've had the privelage to get to know Paul from Northwest Medical Teams, which is a great organization that provides disaster relief in several countries. We're looking forward to working with them more in the future.

CS: How much time do you spend practicing as a group? How much time do you practice individually?

BDA: On the road we don't get to practice as much as we should. Clint whips out a guitar and plays a lot on his own time. And Jake likes playing trash can lids to keep his rhythm. When we're all at home we meet once a week to run over new songs or just keep up playing together.

CS: Does the group come together for prayer at times other than concerts and ministry opportunities?

BDA: We always meet before shows and events to pray,
and when we're at home we have a meeting once a week to have a devotion and pray for whatever is going on.

CS: Have you always had a desire to be in a group like this?

BDA: We've all wanted to do what we're doing. It's
always been each one of our dreams. We all met at college because we all came hoping to join a band.

CS: What is the latest news on your group? Any new CD's to be released soon?

BDA: Our debut just came out October 26th, and we're
excited about it. We're playing shows and will be a spring tour to be anounced.

CS: What's the weirdest thing that's ever happened at one of your concerts?

BDA: One time we played a show at a water park. Just before we played the emcee announced that the waterpark would stay open and all the people emptyed our. The only person left listening to us was a kid with a broken leg who couldn't enjoy the water.

CS: What are your favorite bible verses?

BDA: Some that we like are Galations 2:20, Proverbs 19:21,Matthew 6:33.

CS: Do you have any advice for the youth of today?

BDA: Seek truth, don't settle for anything less than truth. There are absolute truths with God.

CS: What people have influenced you (non-musicians)?

BDA: Friends and family, anyone who has shown the love of Christ to us.

CS: What's one tv show you can't live without?

BDA: Late Night with Conan O'Brien

CS: If you were stranded on an island, and could only have five things, what would they be?

BDA: a guitar, a frisbee, a Bible, a fishing pole, and the BDA record Better Days Ahead!!!