Lead vocalist Scott Brownson also plays guitar in Pivitplex.
Suite: Everyone seems to notice the huge leap forward between your debut, “Under Museum Quality Glass,” and “The King in a Rookery.” (Read Suite review here).To what do you attribute this growth spurt?
Scott: A couple things: The first is that we actually recorded “Under Museum Quality Glass” in January of 2001. So the gap between albums was bigger then most realized. That album was our first try at recording. While most bands record a few indie projects that not many hear, “Under Museum Quality Glass” kept growing in popularity until it finally came out nationally in November of 2003. We have been through so much and learned so much since then. The leap is huge, but seems natural to us, since it has been nearly 6 years between albums.
The second is just the guys I was working with on “The King in a Rookery.” We were really able to make an album we’re proud of. God had the right people together to make this piece art sound the way it needs to.
Suite: You’ve shared the stage with some great bands (Switchfoot, Audio A). What have those experiences taught you about performing?
Scott: I think the most important thing we’ve learned over the years is to treat people with respect. Many times, when bands get together to do a show, there is a competition thing happening. We have see bands act stuck up and rude and we’ve seen bands be gracious and thankful to be serving God. Switchfoot and Audio A are great examples of bands that treat people with respect. Of course, we’ve picked up on stage performance things that we steal because we think they’re cool, but how we treat the fans, promoters, and other bands, before the show and after the show, on stage and backstage is even more important.
Suite: I can’t help but notice your significant respect for melody. Is that how your songs tend to begin, with the melody line?
Scott: Definitely. I’m not a great guitar player, in any way. I strum a progression and sing a melody as the chords change. The sounds that I make when I’m singing the melody turn into words and then I form a sentence around those words. Then, I step back and think and pray about what I’m feeling from this music. Before long, a song is forming. I will continue to sing it and tweak the lyrics all the way up until the song is on tape. I love melodies and love the way words sound in particular parts of each line. The melody and lyrics really affect each other that way in my writing.
Suite: How do you deal with the ups and downs of the music industry and ministry life?
Scott: Prayer and support. I couldn’t do it without a strong support system from my wife and family. Sometimes I feel like I can’t deal, but we always make it through. I just need to keep my priorities in order and remember that God is on the throne.
