cMusicWeb.com is back if you did not notice yet! Below you will find a
plethora of new reviews and articles on the site, as well as a brand new
interview with Relient K. The guys were lots of fun to talk to, and told us
a lot about their ministry, their music, and their crazy fans. We have part
of the interview in this cMusicMail, as well as details on many new
releases, including Derek Webb (formerly of Caedmon's Call), the
long-awaited release from Plumb, and even the greatest hits of Rebecca St.
James and Avalon.

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RELIENT K EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
by Kim Flanders

With the snow falling outside at about an inch an hour, and the news that
the February 16, 2003 See Spot Rock show was to be rescheduled, I sat with
Relient K at the Electric Factory in Philadelphia. Matt T was happy to be
able to rest his voice that night, but that did not stop him from answering
some varied questions about music and life.

cMUSICWEB.COM: The motto for cMusicWeb is "A Different Approach to Music."
How does rK fit into this?
MATT THIESSEN: One thing that we find is different than a lot of other bands
is that we don't take ourselves very seriously. A lot of bands are like, "We
are only in it for the music, not for the money and the fame," and stuff
like that. And we are definitely not in it for the money or the fame. We're
in it for the music, too, I guess but we just love our jobs and we love
having fun with it. And we feel like every day that we come out and play a
show, God has just been blessing us with more opportunities to keep doing
it. So it has just been a really good time. So our goals, I guess are just a
little bit different than other peoples.

cMW: I have heard the word "relevant" used a lot in Christian circles. What
does the word mean to you?
MATT T: Relevant is a pretty general word used to describe something that
actually means anything in the grand scheme of life. When I look to see if
something is relevant or not to me, that means if it means anything to me
when all is said and done. Sometimes I'll get really worried about
something, like I'll get all worked up about a sound check or something like
that and then I'll realize that it is not really relevant to what we are
actually trying to do.
BRIAN PITTMAN: I would say that I would have to have something, like a
situation would have to be proposed to me before I could answer that
question.
MATT HOOPES: A lot of people use the word relevant, like if you are playing
music that is really outdated or not with the times, and a lot of people
will not like it. People would say that is not really relevant. You are not
affecting people around you because no one cares what you are doing as far
as music.
cMW: I have also heard people talk about the Bible, for instance, is it
relevant for today, well of course it is.
MATT T: Yeah, and I think they are talking about making the Bible relevant
to people who don't come from the same background.
cMW nods in agreement
MATT T: I mean, there are some things in the Bible, like in the Old
Testament, some of the Law were relevant in the time they were written and
they are relevant now because they are used as things to look at, to study
and stuff but the Law itself is not actually still applicable for the way we
are living now. We are not still sacrificing lambs and stuff whenever we
mess up.

cMW: If you were to write a song about your typical fan, what would you
include in the lyrics?
DAVE DOUGLAS: We are really lucky with our fans. Our fans are amazing. We
all know so many people who like bands and even like specific bands that
have been their favorite bands for a long time. But for some reason, it's
really crazy, but I feel like our fans are just like super intense. They are
like all about Relient K. It's really cool because it just seems like the
fans are like hard core Relient K fans and they really like Relient K. And
they enjoy all of the little things that we do, we try to put stuff up on
the website, and keep changing stuff around, and little videos. I think we
are really lucky that our fans are that into us that they get something out
of that stupid stuff and we do a little extra stuff for them.
MATT T: At least those are the ones that stick out the most, the slightly
obsessive ones.

cMW: I understand that your parents encouraged you in the decision for you
to make a living as a band. What do they think now?
BRIAN: I just saw my parents. We just played in Cleveland which is really
close to where we are from. They were sitting in the balcony of where we
were playing, and I could see them the whole time. The expressions on their
faces.... I talked to my dad afterwards and I guess he signed like 10
autographs and they were like, "Oh my gosh, that's his parents." I think
everyone has learned a little bit about faith because my parents, when we
first started, there wasn't that solid.... They were not sure what we were
going to do or whether or not we'd be successful or not. It took a lot for
them to put their trust in us and to put their faith in us and their faith
in God. And I think that they can sit back now and definitely see that God
had a plan for us in the beginning. It is really rewarding for them to see
that just the way they brought us up and the practices that they showed us
has paid off when we are out there doing it on our own now. I think it would
make anyone proud to realize that you raised someone to be that, we can get
on stage and be encouragers and just be role models to kids. I know all of
our parents are very supportive and extremely fond of what we do.

Read the rest of the interview at cMusicWeb.com:
http://cMusicWeb.com/rock/relientk/interview.shtml


OTHER NEW STUFF ON cMUSICWEB.COM
Review: ( ) - Sigur Ros
http://cMusicWeb.com/rock/sigurros/untitled.shtml

Review: Come Away With Me - Norah Jones
http://cMusicWeb.com/pop/norahjones/comeawaywithme.shtml

Review: By Surprise - Joy Williams
http://cMusicWeb.com/pop/joywilliams/bysurprise.shtml

Movie Review: Shanghai Knights
http://cMusicWeb.com/movies/s/shanghaiknights.shtml

Movie Review: The Bourne Identity
http://cMusicWeb.com/movies/b/bourneidentity.shtml

Review: Stand Up - Everyday Sunday
http://cMusicWeb.com/rock/everydaysunday/standup.shtml

Views: How to Become a 6' 3.5" Coat Rack
http://cMusicWeb.com/views/archiveben/howtobecomeacoatrack.shtml

Review: Last One Picked - Superchic[k]
http://cMusicWeb.com/rock/superchick/lastonepicked.shtml

Feature: Someone Named Simon
http://cMusicWeb.com/features/someonenamedsimon


AVAILABLE TUESDAY, MARCH 18 (at cMusicWeb.com or your local music store)

DOVE HITS 2003 - VARIOUS
Although no one really needs another collection of Dove Award nominees, the
real reason to release this disc is the first track, entitled "Friends
2003." An all-star cast of singers contribute to this 20th anniversary
recording of Michael W. Smith's most beloved pop song, which sounds even
more grand than ever before.

WOW WORSHIP YELLOW - VARIOUS
Provident Music takes hold of the WOW Worship scene this time around,
getting many Christian musicians to record their own versions of worship
favorites instead of putting the originals in. Oh, this is so last year...


AVAILABLE TUESDAY, MARCH 25 (at cMusicWeb.com or your local music store)

BEAUTIFUL LUMPS OF COAL - PLUMB
Although fans of Plumb's edgy old rock style may be disappointed, Plumb's
sound has been much improved. Plumb still rocks, but builds a much wider
soundscape, as well as including a number of quieter ballads. Lyrically,
Tiffany Arbuckle tells of her struggles since her last album 3 years ago.

CARRY AWAY - SHANE BARNARD AND SHANE EVERETT
Barnard and Everett have been a good team of musicians, crafting good
worship tunes. This release is the follow-up to their successful debut.

JUST LIKE HEAVEN - VINEYARD USA
From the Vineyard church in Anaheim, California comes twelve new tracks of
fresh worship.

THE LIGHT OF THINGS HOPED FOR - BRAVE SAINT SATURN
An epic rock album, some members of Five Iron Frenzy, lead by frontman Reese
Roper, boldly goes where no band has gone before to create the "astro-rock"
genre, with their eyes set to the heavens. The final frontier is their
focus, as well as "the sun," the source of light.

SHE MUST AND SHALL GO FREE - DEREK WEBB
This one has been in my CD player for a couple months, and I can't say it's
an easy listen. Derek's message of unity and freedom within the church is
one that everyone should hear, though, and as accompanied by some great
acoustic folk music. This is the PICK OF THE WEEK because everyone should
hear Derek's message!

STACIE ORRICO (self-titled)
Stacie is now on Virgin Records as well as ForeFront, and is currently
hitting MTV's TRL with her video "Stuck." But, this time out, 17-year-old
Orrico takes her crack and songwriting and does a decent job.

TESTIFY TO LOVE: THE BEST OF AVALON
Avalon has been a major hit on Christian radio, and this disc collects all
their #1 singles, plus adds a few new tracks for good measure. Here you will
find hits like "Testify To Love," "Adonai," "In Not Of," and "Can't Live a
Day."

THE TICK TOCK TREASURY - JOY ELECTRIC
Probably the most prolific Joy Electric release yet, the Treasury brings the
signature syth-driven sound of jE to new heights. We will have more on this
album coming soon, so make sure not to miss it!

UNSPOKEN - JACI VELASQUEZ
Jaci's career has been getting even bigger than ever. She's a Christian pop
star, a Latin pop star, and now a movie star. Just weeks before her acting
debut in "Chasing Papi" hits theaters, Jaci is releasing another album,
which is filed with upbeat pop beats and ballads proclaiming God's love.

WAIT FOR ME: THE BEST OF REBECCA ST. JAMES
Rebecca St. James has been one of the most influential and popular artists
of the late 90s, but despite some amazing songs, the track listing fails to
amaze me. If you want to find what Rebecca is all about, skip this one and
buy her God and Transform releases. But, if you are a huge RSJ fan, get two
new tracks plus one unreleased track, the radio hit "Yes I Believe In God."


Thanks for reading this week's cMusicMail, and we'll be back next week with
even more great content. If you have any comments or questions, please reply
to this e-mail or send them to webmaster@.... We'd love to hear
from you!

Dan Ficker
http://cMusicWeb.com/
a different approach to music
AOL IM - dMusicWeb