Guitarist opens up about success, touring
>>Print ViewPublication Date: 04/13/2007
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After the release of its sixth album, the alternative rock band Switchfoot will bring the music from its diverse, home-recorded album to Purdue.
The Exponent caught up with Drew Shirley, guitarist for the band, for a Q & A about his love for college campuses, how the group's new album, "Oh! Gravity," was made, and the stress of being successful.
Switchfoot will play at 3 p.m. Sunday at Slayter Hill. The show is free and open to the public.
Q: Do you guys play on a lot of college campuses?
A: We've played a ton; we started off playing everything from colleges to coffee houses to clubs. We'll basically play anywhere that people will listen. We've always thought of ourselves as a band for all types of listeners. I got be honest with you though, colleges are one of my personal best to play; I just relate to college-age people the best. It's like peers that I can hang with. I'm one of the few band members that actually graduated from college, so maybe that's why I can relate. Although, all those people who are wanting to drop out can relate to the rest of the band.
Q: What was it like to write "Oh!, Gravity?"
That album was so much fun to write and record. The album before that, we wrote on the road and so there was a lot of like stress involved with it, and it kind of had a darker feel. Then this one we all felt like we fell in love with music again. We got to record it at home.
Q: What was it like to be in the spotlight for a while?
That was fun, those where good times. I learned a lot about why I do what I do because when you're in the spotlight, everyone wants a piece of you. You learn who your friends are. Some people will just want to burn you out.
Q: How does the band deal with the pressure of success?
A: One of the things about this band that is different for me, is that everyone is close. These guys are like my brothers. We are brothers of different mothers. It's like a team.
Q: How is the current tour going so far?
Awesome. We're fortunate to be doing what we do. We really appreciate everyone that comes out to see us, because we live and breathe as a live band. We really love playing these songs for people and bringing the music to people. In a live show is really where the band is at it's best. We just treat every show as it is our last. We play like there's no chance to play again, we love to play live.