interlínc : Maximizing Music and Media in Youth Ministry

Your latest album Adventures in Eville there is a song called“Evil Genius”. This song is about one of Matt’s friends who liked a girl ,but didn’t know how to tell her. The song mentions a cyborg squirrel and a side kick dog named Grover Cleveland. Who would win in cage fight and why?
Cyborg robot squirrels were engineered for combat. They never lose. Ever.

Plenty of youth group kids will be going to Prom in the spring. Tell us about “Prom Song”?
“Prom Song” was written for my little sister, who is awesome. The first lyric is actually a true line about her coming back from the dentist and having him promise her she would get her braces off before Prom Night. I tried to write a song that would help her remember her Prom Night, as mine was completely horrible.

Some of your music is purely fun pop, but you also talk about serious topics like in the song “Best I Can”. Do you mind sharing the story of your friend that was dealing with their parents’ divorce?
This song stemmed from that conversation with him, and sort of reflecting on all the broken relationships that I’ve witnessed in my short life. There are so many of them! It’s so interesting how even the strongest and most fortified relationships can be completely dissolved by the tiniest cracks in trust and communication. The songis from the standpoint of a flawed partner, doing all they can to make their relationship work, and asking their partner to extend them understanding and forgiveness. We have to extend the same grace to others given to us by the Lord.

Who can you count on when you are faced with troubles?
It's always the Lord. So many times when things are flying out of control in my life (mostly because I’m being a control freak) I have to stop and hold onto His promise that "all things work together for good". My stress levels are wonderful indications of my faith life.

I’m sure kids write to you online and get to talk to you afteryour shows. What are some things you are hearing?
We have a lot of kids tell us that they've heard about our band for a long time, and were familiar with a few songs we did, but didn't really know what we were about, and after seeing us live they want to be best friends. So we share BFF necklaces with them and have a nice fireside chat with a bit of tea and scones. We approach the live performance thing a little differently from other bands. We want our shows to be focused on the fans having fun, and the best way to do that is having fun ourselves. There is no need to act like rock stars, we aren't, and our fans always make a point to tell us how much they love that.

What’s next for Eleventyseven?
We’re currently in the studio working on some Christmas tunes. We're headed out west for a Christmas tour this December with our friends in Teen Hearts and we're headed to Japan in the Spring to tour the new record over there. Yay!

What's God been teaching you lately?
Peace. How so often we trade His peace for our own understanding, and our own abilities to hold our lives together. At all times we have to be still, and know that He is God". It’s hard for me to be still, between caffeine drinks, touring, recording and writing I can loose focus so quickly. I always hear Him calling me back to quietness if I listen hard enough.

How can Youth Leaders be praying for you?
We can always use prayers for guidance, for unity, and a sound mind. We have to make a hundred decisions a day and often don't have the time to weigh the pros and cons. We know the Lord provides in everything, so prayers of encouragement are always a bonus for us.