Josiah of So Actuate
By: Jessica

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

J: I suppose that teens in general would be the most appropriate answer. Our musical genre is definitely directed towards them; the messages of our songs, however, are mostly for anyone and everyone. We are teens, and thus are naturally inclined to focus on those in our age category with what we do.

CS: What does your groups name mean?

J: "Actuate" means to put into to motion, or cause to take action. The message is along the lines of: you say you're a Christian, so actuate. Do something with it. Put it into action.

CS: Where did you come up with it?

J: The word actuate was in a lyric from one of our newer songs. After developing and eventually finishing the song however, we actually ended up removing the entire stanza that the lyrics was in from the song haha.

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

J: Each of us in the band is Class of 2005. We are all going to college this fall. Three of us are actually going to Appalachian State (Josiah, Adam, Todd). Tim is going to NC State, and Matt to UNCC. So we will all still be relatively close to each other, and currently plan on continuing as a band through college, playing shows on weekends and such, while continually writing new material. I suppose the only way we would continue after college is if we were picked up by a label. We're gonna have to play it by ear.

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

J: I don't believe we will have anything to worry about for a while. "Success" in the music business of today involves becoming nationally known, touring and recording for a living, and being all over the media. We are none of those right now, but even if we do become such, I don't think we will have difficulty just doing what we're doing now, for the same reasons we're doing it now.

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

J: When playing live, our actual set consists of much crowd involvement and participation. We try to get them involved as much as possible, and after playing, we never hesitate to meet those who came out to see us, talk with them, even go get something to eat with them. It's always fun meeting new people.

CS: How would you describe your music style?

J: We have been officially labelled as post skalternatechnemocore. However, to be user-friendly, I shall explain it a little better. We all have different musical influences. There are some bands that all of us like a lot, and many bands that only one member may be crazy about. This makes for a collision of genres throughout our music. Many of our songs could be compared to those of Story of the Year, The Used, or Anberlin. But within these songs lie traces of other styles such as punk, alternative, experimental, etc. We try to keep it interesting.

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

J: As a band: Story of the Year, Anberlin, Yellowcard, Relient K, Taking Back Sunday

Then we all have our individual favorites. I (Josiah) am fond of Thursday, Cursive, Showbread, Further Seems Forever. Adam and Tim are fond of The Used, My Chemical Romance, and such. Matt and Todd like all those too, and actually Todd is a big Weezer fan.

CS: Are you involved in any other ministries?

J: I think we are all in some praise band somewhere. I lead worship for my school's chapel services, Matt and Tim play together for their youth services, as does Todd I believe.

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

J: Right now once a week as a group, but during summer that will change. We practice our own stuff a lot throughout the week at home and such. Except we usually don't actually practice our own songs haha.

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

J: We meet for Bible studies at times. Sometimes we'll go get coffee and share what God's been showing us recently.

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

J: Yes

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

J: We are planning on recording 3-4 new songs in June, and possibly adding them to The Aftermath of Maybe to make kind of a full length. We are going to be touring a lot over the summer.

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

J: At the Charlotte World Battle of the Bands I broke two strings and knocked over a mic stand, all within 5 minutes. We were set to play three songs, but had to stop after two because I was kind of lacking a usable instrument.

CS: What's a band could you not live without?

J: The Beach Boys. The rest of the guys think I'm crazy but they are my favorite band of all time (the '66-'68 era preferably)

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

J: Don't smoke. It's lame.

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

J: Friends, parents, supportive fans

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

J: 24

CS: What is the biggest thing God had shown you through your music career?

J: Practice makes perfect, and always do it for Him.

CS: When you are on tour, when do you find time for personal worship?

J: This question doesn't really apply to us, since we're never actually "on tour" as in travelling around for weeks

CS: If you had 30 Minutes with God how would you spend them?

J: On my face

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

J: A Bible, a very large notebook, a pen, an ocean of ink, and a grand piano

CS: Do you all write your own music? If yes where do you get your ideas for the music?

J: Covered this already

CS: Can you share a short testimony with our readers?

J: My dad's been a pastor since I was born, I accepted Christ at 4 and have lived for Him ever since. That was pretty short I guess.