Jars of Clay Interview:
New Music & Fan Incentives!
Jars of Clay never cease to amaze me. Twenty years strong and counting, they’re still releasing great music, they’re continuing to praise Jesus, and they’re still working on their labor of love, the project called Blood:Water.
And in this festive season of our Lord’s birth, the band has launched a benefit in support of the cause on https://www.rallysong.com/jarsofclay. Each person who contributes has an opportunity to enjoy Jars of Clay Christmas music and other opportunities. Here’s an excerpt from their page:
“Take Action. Unlock Music. Change Lives.
“We can’t thank you enough for supporting our campaign and a cause that is very important to Jars Of Clay.
Your gift will help support Blood:Water, an equipping agency that partners with African grassroots organizations to address the HIV/AIDS and water crises. Everyone who contributes $5 will be the first to receive our brand new 5 song EP, “Others EP”. We’re also playing a private concert at Blood:Water headquarters in Nashville, TN for 20 contributors. Every dollar you contribute is one entry to win a dinner with Jars of Clay the same day as this very special show. Good luck and see you in Nashville!” – Jars of Clay
Rocking God’s House spoke with Jars of Clay keyboardist/piano player Charlie Lowell about this project and a few other things (including his favorite Christmas song!):
Please tell us about the Blood:Water campaign you are so passionate about and how people can help out.
Blood:Water has served over 1 million people in Africa over the past decade. They partner with local doers of good, bringing support and building capacity to African organizations that are already doing great work in their communities. Blood:Water believes in making heroes out of Africans. This new campaign is all about bringing water to the Next Million, one person and one story at a time. www.bloodwater.org
How does it all tie in with a free Christmas album?
We are always looking for ways to leverage our music and attention to the good work that Blood:Water is consistently doing. This was a creative way to incentive fans to generosity in the pursuit of unlocking five new songs. It’s a different way of interacting with a band and a non-profit. We’ve tried many different mediums over the years. Rallysong.com is a great new way to connect artists and causes.
Is it true your album 20 has a Grammy nod this year?
We haven’t heard that, but it would be wonderful!
Charlie, what is your favorite Christmas song?
“I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day” is a tough song to sit in, but it holds in it the world’s sorrow and brokenness, but also the hope of beauty and redemption.
What does Christmas mean for you personally?
It’s a time of reflection, rest, hope, family, renewing belief in simple but awe-inspiring things.
This is not Christmas related but thank you for the revamp of the song “I Need Thee Every Hour” — I can’t go a day without listening to it!
Oh, good! That was an important pet project of ours…to reinvent and remember some hymns. So many people are just living on new worship songs; it’s important to not lose sight of the time-tested ones too!
