Creation and death; looking back whilst moving forward; good and evil battling within; the new album from Britain's premier roots rockers EDEN BURNING abounds with contrasts. Kevin Elliott talked with the band, hard at it in the studios, to find out if there is room for both mirth and matter in Christian music.
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"Watch for me, cry for me, run to meet me, be my Father, hem me in."
In "Me Comfort Still" Charlie reads out words from Psalm 23 beneath the music. The song lyrics speak though of a believer looking back at the initial excitement of accepting Christ in his life and realising that he now feels a little colder towards him. Those initial feelings have gone and yet there is a strong reassurance that God is still close by.
"Forgive Me Not" was composed mainly in the studio and jigs along with the mandolin. However, it was almost not included. Paul struggled with its suitability as it came out of an upsetting conflict for the band which proved to be a low point of 1993. The sentiment expressed is of the situation when as a Christian you feel that you have a certain calling of God, but other Christians are trying to force you into a different mould. Such differences can create a spirit of unforgiveness and yet despite all your stubbornness, the voice of Jesus comes over stronger with pleas to you to soften and forgive.
'Lay down your needing to my cold needing/Lay down and let me call the shots'/But a voice comes softly yet loudly/'Love me more than these forgive-me-nots'."
Too much talk about 'looking back' could fool you into thinking that the collective minds of Eden Burning are locked on the past. Not so. There is an excitement about 'Mirth & Matter' and the future direction of the band. "I think the sound on this album is more mature," remarks Paul. "As for our future, we want to do the things that we are already doing, but to take them into secular venues, doing more clubs and colleges. I feel that when I am singing such songs as 'Jubilee' in a London club like the Borderline, that I really am proclaiming something for God. Over the past years the music and methods of the band are suiting the 16 plus and college audiences more than the younger teens. We have been trying to work out which ways God can best use Eden Burning, adopting some methods and rejecting others. We want to infiltrate a world which needs to know about Jesus, in the ways that we can be most effective."
After finishing the new album, in the two weeks set aside before their tour, Eden Burning will be converting their new studio material into 'live songs', and catching up on office work. Life has been a little easier for the band since they recently moved their office out of their shared home into town premises. Mark Harvey has joined the band to take over management roles, whilst the important decisions are still very much a team effort with the band. Mark had put together the 'Mirth & Matter' tour which consists entirely of good secular venues. He points out that they are the sort of places played by the popular indie bands, such as the Charlatans. The dates include the 500-seater London club The Garage. This is seen as an important step for the band in extending their audience. The new album is ready for sale during the tour (and incidentally from all the Spring Harvest sites). 'Mirth & Matter' will be available in the local Christian bookshops via ffg's marketing deal with Kingsway Music around Easter.
Eden Burning are excited about the prospect of the tour. Various support bands were selected. "We become good friends with the bands we use." continues Paul. "In our normal gigging where possible we try and encourage the local talent. For the 'Mirth & Matter' tour it was important to choose bands that had some experience and felt comfortable in playing the pubs and clubs." The list is certainly impressive and amongst others it includes established acts such as the Electrics, Pink Dandelions, Azimuth, Why, Jonathan Day and Dan Donovan.
"Dependence Day" finishes at last. "Is that the final mix?" asks Charlie, surprised. His question is met with assurances. Paul comments, "On a first listen this may sound like a selfish song, talking about all the things that you own. For me, one of my big struggles in my faith is my want for independence. The song bemoans the fact that it is our possessions and pride that separates us from God. If you are going to be a child of God then it is him that you need to depend on."
Another track mixed. Within a few days the CD will be mastered, tapes copied, artwork transferred to the sleeves, and the new album subjected to critical eyes and ears. The band will have to wait to see how their new offering is received. But for now, the chocolate fudge cake I brought has defrosted. Nive appears with some plates. Time for lunch.
The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.