After Edmund
After Edmund can be booked through this site. After Edmund entertainment booking site. After Edmund
is available for public concerts and events. After Edmund can be booked for
private events and After Edmund can be booked for corporate events and
meetings through this After Edmund booking page.
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securing After Edmund at the best possible price. We go over the rider for
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In fact, in most cases we can negotiate for
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After Edmund Biography
Having been raised on a hearty intake of indie, classic and
experimental rock, along with the fact that members are classically trained and
met amidst college music classes, are just a few points of distinction for After
Edmund in the modern Christian pop/rock pack. The LaGrange, Georgia-groomed
quintet (named after the Edmund character in C.S. Lewis’ bestselling book series
The Chronicles of Narnia) has been electrifying that regional scene and beyond
since 2001, touring tirelessly and refining a potent alternative sound that
merges the timeless sensibilities of Pink Floyd and the Beatles with the organic
influences of Wilco, the dynamic swells of Keane, plus the band’s own
razor-sharp rhythms and introspective lyrics.
“We grew up listening to
all kinds of music—classical and classic rock to jazz and experimental stuff.
We’re kind of a melting pot, a unique fingerprint for Christian music, combining
so many of our individual musical influences into one sound,” notes bassist Matt
McFadden, while making it apparent members’ Christian beliefs are a clear
lyrical component. “Our musical backgrounds are so diverse, and it’s interesting
to see how we pull it all together; but more than just sounding strong, we hope
and pray our varied backgrounds will open us up to a larger audience-- one not
subject to the same three chords over and over.”
And those elements are
exactly what attracted Slanted Records, the pop/rock/alternative indie label
under the Spring Hill Music umbrella, which also recently launched the
Grammy-nominated act DecembeRadio. The two bands share the same producer Scotty
Wilbanks (Third Day, Overflow, Echoing Angels), who introduced After Edmund to
the highly interested staff when demoing tracks for its national
debut.
“We actually had a handful of labels interested; but the reason we
went with Slanted was we really felt like they were After Edmund fans and we’d
seen what they had done with DecembeRadio,” McFadden continues. “Slanted didn’t
feel like business. It was really more like a partnership and friendship where
we’ve both decided to work really hard.”
“Another reason we were really
interested was from a musical perspective,” interjects lead vocalist Mitch
Parks. “Everyone allowed us to just keep doing what we were already doing with
Scotty. He had already made a record with Slanted, and we loved how the label
embraced an “out-of-the-box” sound, allowing bands to make an album that is 100%
who they are. That’s what we wanted to create--a non-typical style that is
uniquely After Edmund.”
The results have proven to be overwhelmingly
fruitful throughout the ambitious Hello, which fans from any scene can recognize
for its artful approach when it hits the shelves in the Fall of 2007. Between
the vast degree of inventive muses, plus members’ own individual talents and
chemistry with one another, the disc is drenched with an engaging sonic
landscape and thought-provoking lyrical fodder.
“When we talk about
several of us being classically trained, it is not meant to sound like showing
off,” explains drummer Adam Stanley. “Hopefully people won’t listen and say
‘they sound like music majors,’ but our goal through that kind of practice and
study is the ability to make better music where we know what we’re doing in the
studio rather than just stabbing around in the dark. If our backgrounds are not
facilitating better art, it’s pretty worthless other than just for amusement’s
sake.”
This is definitely one of the most talented bands I've ever
worked with, confirmed Wilbanks. Most of the guys play at least two to three
different instruments. It's pretty cool when the drummer can pick up a guitar
and start playing jazz standards and the lead guitar player goes over to the
piano and starts playing some Joplin. The guys do a high energy live show, and I
wanted to do my best to capture that vibe in the studio...there's no programming
on this record. Everything was played live in the studio by the band, kind of
'old school' for today's way of making records. I'm really pumped about the
sounds we got on this record....
Several practical examples can be
traced in the Hello sessions, such as the fact that every member brought ideas
to the table and worked through many of the arrangements even outside of their
dominant instrument. “If Adam has an idea for a bass part, he’ll just go up and
show me,” echoes McFadden. “If our guitarist Ben has an idea for piano, he’ll go
show Yates. Mitch, our lead singer and guitarist, actually notated piano parts
for the song ‘Like a Dream’ in the middle of the night so he wouldn’t forget
them and then came into rehearsal the next day to show us that
part.”
That track is a gloriously ethereal example of After Edmund’s
unity (plus uncanny ability to align melody with lyrics) which includes a high
flying chorus streaked in Parks’ stirring falsetto. The even more intense rock
n’ roller “Fighting For Your Heart” exposes the band at its energetic pinnacle
while prompting listeners to surrender their fears to God and cast all burdens
upon His shoulders. A further example of dynamic shifting comes in the sublime
ballad “To See You Leave,” which takes on a raw edge highlighted with
purposefully under-produced grit. “From a lyrical standpoint, I feel like anyone
can relate to that song,” suggests Parks of the latter track. “A lot of
Christian songs talk about things only “church people” can understand. There’s
not a person on the planet whom God doesn’t love and desire a relationship with,
and I wanted to talk about that in a way that anyone could
understand.”
Other selections stem from a deeply dug spiritual
sustenance. “Thank God” has become a live classic, bearing musical resemblance
to the Foo Fighters and Muse while unveiling thoughts of God being the ultimate
source of peace and stability over temporary earthly treasures. The artsy,
almost chromatic feel of “Clouds” speaks of Christ’s presence in our lives
through the storms we face and how He lifts us above the clouds while
simultaneously encouraging the downtrodden that better days are yet to
come.
“Scotty has been a huge influence on us, and that’s helped make all
of these songs better than our original intentions,” offers McFadden. “He helped
us bring out the best in the songs and made sure they sound like us and
accurately convey the musical and personal messages we have in our
hearts.”
Much of those emotions stem from the guys’ personal lives, which
have been openly intertwined into the progressive fabric of the project. Ben
Matt, and Mitch are each married (and Matt also serves as a youth pastor); while
recent university graduate Yates scored the top spot in his graduating class;
the band members are actively involved in their local churches while at home,
including serving as worship leaders.
After Edmund is sure to score big
with listeners as the group offers its high-energy, complex compositions on
their debut. The band builds on those commendable report cards with an electric
sound that alternates rhythmically and sonically while capturing the raw, fluid
vocals of lead man Parks. Just like throwing creative caution to the wind, the
guys have turned over complete control of their future to the ultimate Creator
and are keeping their cool. After all, it’s never been their goal to amass money
or fame, but to truly touch lives one listener at a time. “A lot of our ministry
is off stage since we enjoy talking to people and hearing what’s on their mind,”
Stanley sums up. We are happy to share how faithful God’s been to us. Being a
musician, life is really uncertain, but we’ve never missed a meal! We’ll be
happy to share that, plus a lot of people are looking for someone outside their
families to help them feel validated. Just being a listening ear does wonders
for their self-esteems, which is an important part in finding the Truth. Sure
we’re all sinners; but on the flipside, we’re beautiful in God’s eyes and people
have to realize how much He loves them.”