Answers with Anberlin

Answer 1

Lowborn is album number seven! Did you ever imagine you would record and release so many albums?

Deon: Of course I hoped we would have a long career, but there are no guarantees as far as the music world goes. Pretty proud of what we've been able to accomplish.

How has your sound evolved from your first to last album?

Deon: I feel like this album is very much a "This is who we are, right now" album. We really just tried to create honest songs that portrayed the influences of the five members.

What risks did you take, knowing it was your last record together?

Deon: I think we gave less sway to the idea of criticism. This album was purely for fans and for us. It was one last goodbye, so we didn't allow fear of anything to hold us back.

What's the significance behind the Lowborn album cover?

Deon: The crossed fingers first appeared inside our album, Vital. Since then, it has been a somewhat unofficial logo for us. When Nate was discussing this album with our long time friend and graphic designer, Jordan Butcher, the idea came up to make the logo a little more official by having it grace the cover.

How do you feel when fans emulate the album's cover by crossing their own fingers?

Deon: It makes me feel very good. We wanted something that would be iconic in its own way. Judging by the pictures we've seen, I think we have achieved that.

Do you think Lowborn sums up your journey as a band? Why or why not?

Deon: I think it brings us full circle. We worked with Matt Goldman, Aaron Marsh and Aaron Sprinkle this time around. They are all three people that have been with us since the beginning, so I feel like they were able to help us make the honest album we needed to make. Deciding to go through with one last album wasn't the easiest decision, but I think it was better to leave our dedicated fans with something in the end.

You started this journey when you were very young. Do you feel like you missed out on some important teenage moments to follow your dream?

Deon: No way. I've done and seen things so many people will never get a chance to do and see. Being part of Anberlin was like being a part of a very exclusive club. I wouldn't take any of it back.

How did you feel when you heard one of your songs on the radio for the first time, nearly 15 years ago?

Deon: It felt surreal. I had heard my old band's songs on the radio before, but only on a local, late night show on a small station. That doesn't compare to getting into a car in a different state and having your song just come into rotation next to bands like Foo Fighters and Rise Against.

You've been known to tour extensively. Do you ever get homesick?

Deon: Of course, but the facts that I have enjoyed this band so much and have been fortunate enough to be surrounded by great friends that I consider family, they definitely make dealing with the whole traveling thing easier.

The result of touring so much is a hardcore fan base. How inspiring is it to know you have a large group of people supporting and admiring you?

Deon: It's the ONLY way we have survived. We have such dedicated fans that have been there for us. A band without a fan base isn't a band at all. We have been very lucky to have that solid support for 12 years.

What's the funniest thing that has happened to you on tour?

Deon: Long story short; A turkey flew through the windshield of our bus a few years ago. It lived too! It's just one of those things where you look at what has just happen and ask, what are the odds?!

To celebrate the album and the band's trajectory, you're going back on the road one last time this fall. Will it be hard to say goodbye?

Deon: I try not to think about it, but I know there will be moments when it will hit me and it will get tough. I really want to try and not dwell on it though. I want to soak in every moment I can.

Any must-dos and must-sees during The Final World Tour?

Deon: For me, I want to try to get to all my favorite food/drink spots around the world. I've had a lot of good times just hanging with friends and discovering bars and restaurants while on tour. My favorite probably being a little Italian spot in Melbourne, AUS named Pellegrini's. After 12 years of touring the same cities, some of these places begin to feel like my own local hangout, so it'll be nice to go back at least one more time during Anberlin even if it's not my last time visiting those countries.

Is it true you're still announcing more tour dates? Any specific cities we can look forward to seeing you play in?

Deon: I think most of the dates are announced by now, but we definitely tried to hit as many places as possible in the small timeframe we had. You can expect to see us in New York, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, Sydney, Singapore along with many other places.