After two years of attending Cornerstone as a member of the press, I have learned one fact: most press conferences are boring.
However, I hoped that one particular conference would be different this year-Madison Greene's. Ever since I first heard their album,
The Whitestone Gathering, I had wanted to visit with the people who make such amazing and unique music.
So I was looking forward to the press conference, despite the boring reputation of press conferences in general. But when the time to meet came, even I was surprised by how un-boring it actually turned out to be.
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photo by rob c. (madisongreene.com)
The band, composed of 3 siblings (Michael, Lissa, and Bone of the family Blair), and one married couple (Jason & Erin Beck), along with their manager (you'll hear more about Him later), provided for a very entertaining half-hour. Questions were answered by all, but Lissa was usually the primary instigator of silly answers to serious questions like this one:
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 |
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 |
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| Mike |
Lisssa |
Bone |
Jason |
Erin |
Me: How would you describe the political philosophy of MG?
Lissa: Total anarchists!
However, Lissa wasn't the only one with a sense of humor that day. Bone's romantic confession topped the list of funny moments.
Bone: I have such a crush on Miranda Stone.
However, in the midst of the craziness, there were also moments of profound truth about serious issues expressed in their songs and about who the individual band members are as musicians.
As a musical collective, MG pioneers a style of music they call "tribal," blending African, Native American, Celtic, and Aboriginal sounds into "aggressive acoustic" songs that are passionate yet thoughtful.
But the word tribal is more than just a "style." To Madison Greene, it is a way of seeing their audience as more than just listeners or even fans, but rather as participants in a community. MG shows are not the place to sit back and chill, but are tribal gatherings where all are called to dance and sing along.
photo by John B. (madisongreene.com)
In the context of that community, the Greene Tribe has set a very high standard for itself: a vision that is, first, "to lift up the son of man so he can bring glory to himself . . . so that he can bring people out of darkness," and second, "to encourage the church . . . to bring an awareness of the (dry) rituals and religiosity of the church . . . to loosen up the worship of the church."
It is out of this vision that MG tackles many of the issues of our day.
Me: In your song 'Collide' you have some pretty harsh words for today's consumerist church? What would you see as an alternative to the current status quo?
Jason: First of all, I would like to mention that in 'Collide,' we are not condoning or endorsing leaving the church or meeting together as believers. Some people have taken that, because of certain issues we don't agree with, we have suggested leaving organized church. The Bible says not to forsake meeting together. We have gone through some personal experiences where the church body was focused too strongly on legalism and financial prosperity. The song is voicing that frustration primarily, and I feel the only alternative to the 'status quo' and solution to these problems is to focus continually on Christ.
. . . . As followers of Christ [all too often we see] how many 'holy' things we can accomplish on our own strength, [but at the same time] sit back and pretend that when God wants us to serve Him, He will 'supernaturally' let us know.
As believers we need to be continually serving Him with everything, in humility, and have our focus on Him and the work of the Kingdom, not on whether we have done our part or what others are doing.
Another issue that is important to Madison Greene is defending the sanctity of life. Lissa said that the band sees that now is the time for the church to stand up "for our unborn brothers and sisters," as "these are the only people who have specifically been denied the right of life."
Later, when I did a follow-up interview with band member Jason Beck, he suggested that folks who are moved by the pro-life slant of MG's music consider taking these actions:
1. Pray to end legalized killing
2. Pray to change the numbness of our country towards this issue
3. Research and VOTE for pro-life candidates
4. Learn the scientific facts about the issue
5. Find your local Crisis Pregnancy center and volunteer (time, money, baby clothes)
Apart from mainline political issues, Madison Greene's "philosophy," as a band and as a community, is also lived out in the way they operate in the musical world.
photo by John B. (madisongreene.com)
Despite the attractions of the indie scene, I was still curious if the band would ever consider being signed. Michael replied, "We would examine any offers, but our hearts are independent of any person and dependent on God alone."
Lissa also had another insight into the band's decision to go indie-"We're actually afraid a label might make us cut our hair or something."
If the band ever is signed, though, it will likely not be to a "Christian" label. I asked Jason if he sees the band as a part of the Christian music industry. "I wish there was no such thing as the 'Christian music industry.' That term bothers me and doesn't really even make sense. We are not a part of it, and I think that we have hurt the ability to reach people with music by categorizing and marketing in such ways as the C.M.I. does."
photo by Amanda Dull (madisongreene.com)
In talking to the band, it is also apparent that while the band isn't a part of the C.M.I., it does see itself as a part of a community of artists who share a similar vision. This plays out with occasions like Jason guesting on drums for Miranda Stone at her "free grassroots army, vegetarian supper and concert" at C-stone, as well as the combined worship/drum circle at Cornerstone with Seeds and Waterdeep.
But it is unfortunate that grassroots distribution methods are sometimes slow, because the Greenesters' new album (
…think the dancers mad) marks a fresh creative adventure as the band moves towards an even more tribal sound. The release includes more instrumental sections with lots of crazy drum jams, and has a very live feel to it.
And probably a good part of that successful live feel comes from Madison Greene's unusual confidence in living out their vision for Spirit-led tribal music. In talking with them, I discovered that their confidence results from the competent leadership provided by the band's manager. Several times in the interviews, members of the band credited their manager for the direction they have chosen to take, and they expressed an unwavering faith in His direction.
Michael: We always listen to the manager. He is never wrong.
photo by Tim Burger (exitzine.com)
Along these lines, a great example of how God has provided for the band is their experience at Cornerstone 1999.
Jason: We had originally sent a demo to apply for the new band stage at C-stone 99. We were not chosen. So we went anyway a couple days early, set up in our campsite, and performed 2 concerts and an all-inclusive drum circle.
During the second show, a guy showed up in a security vest and was talking to the pastor who let us use his campsite to play in. We were then told to break down, but not because we were getting shut down, but because Chevelle had cancelled. The guy in the security vest turned out to be Mike Troxel from Seeds, and he was also the stage manager for the magazine tent, and he wanted us to fill the slot.
With that kind of never-fail leadership, may Madison Greene continue to follow the Lord's direction, leadership, and inspiration, and may the Tribe continue to worship Him with greater passion and creativity!
* The material in this story was taken from the Madison Greene Press Conference at C-stone, along with a follow-up e-mail interview with band member Jason Beck and the band's press kit. By the way, this was Madison Greene's very first press conference.
** Since the interview, Madison Greene's music has been played on Radio One 94.3 FM, a micro/pirate secular radio station in Austin, Texas.
