Stephen, IVM: Interview with Ben from The Glorious Unseen
Hey Ben, can you give me a short introduction from everyone in the band?
RYAN STUBBS IS OUR LEAD GUITARIST, HE USED TO PLAY IN SOME HARDCORE BANDS IN OHIO. I MET HIM WHEN HE MOVED TO NASHVILLE TO GO TO BELMONT. JON TODRYK PLAYS DRUMS, I MET HIM AT A PARTY IN NASHVILLE SHORTLY AFTER HE MOVED HERE. I TOLD HIM I WOULD INTRODUCE HIM TO A GIRL IF HE WOULD MAKE ME A SANDWICH. JOW BURGER PLAYS BASS, HE ALSO PLAYS IN A HARDCORE BAND CALLED MANKIND. PATRICK COPELAND PLAYS PIANO ON OCCASION FOR US, BUT HE HAS A REAL “CAREER” JOB SO DOESN’T COME ON EVERY TOUR WE DO.
How did The Glorious Unseen come together as a band?
WE BASICALLY CAME TOGETHER WHILE LEADING WORSHIP TOGETHER AT OUR CHURCH, THE ANCHOR FELLOWSHIP. I WAS THE MAIN WORSHIP LEADER AND WOULD HAVE ROTATING MUSICIANS EACH WEEK. SOME OF THESE GUYS HAVE BEEN PLAYING AT THE CHURCH FOR LONGER THAN OTHERS, BUT WE ALL HAVE THE SAME HEART FOR MINISTRY.
How would describe the band’s style of music?
KIND OF A SIGUR ROS, LEELAND, SWITCHFOOT, PEDRO THE LION MIX? I DON’T KNOW, THAT’S WHAT I GET ALL THE TIME.
What are some of the band’s influences?
WE LISTEN TO A GREAT VARIETY, MOST OF US LISTEN TO HARDCORE AND METAL A LOT, BUT THEN WE’RE ALSO LISTENING TO NEW WORSHIP BANDS ALL THE TIME.
Where does the inspiration come from for the songs you write?
JUST COMES FROM MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCES TRYING TO SERVE THE LORD. I ALWAYS FEEL AS IF I’M IN A BATTLE TRYING TO SERVE HIM. SO THESE NEWER SONGS I HOPE WILL COME ACROSS COMMUNICATING THAT.
What was the most encouraging thing to happen to you guys as a band?
JUST SHOWING UP AT PLACES WHERE WE DON’T REALLY EXPECT ANYTHING AMAZING TO HAPPEN, AND THEN GOD SHOWS UP AND TOTALLY WRECKS US. THAT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME.
What do you hope a listener comes away with after listening to your cd?
I HOPE WHOEVER HEARS IT WILL JUST BE DRAWN CLOSER TO GOD. I HOPE THEY WILL FEEL A PEACE ABOUT HOW GOD FEELS ABOUT THEM. I FEEL LIKE A LOT OF TIMES IN CHRISTIANITY WE TRY TO JUST DO BETTER SO THAT GOD WILL ACCEPT AND LOVE US. AND THE THING I’VE REALIZED IS THAT GOD SHOWS UP IN MY LIFE EVEN WHEN I FEEL LIKE THE BIGGEST FAILURE. I HOPE PEOPLE WILL CONNECT TO THAT PART OF GOD’S CHARACTER WHEN HEARING THESE SONGS.
Check out The Glorious Unseen on Myspace