Addison Road

The title to Addison Road’s latest progressive pop/modern rock project 'Some Kind of Spark' is especially fitting, given the group’s creative and interpersonal relations rebirth. The Dallas-based band’s latest full-length project marks an official follow-up to 2003’s 'Breaking Beautiful' (though it technically trails last year’s Always Loved You EP) tracing yet another artistic stoke of fresh invention and reinvigoration. When it comes to this “spark” of sorts, the American Christian Music Award nominees were by no means previously lacking in any area, though after a grueling schedule on the road and additionally challenging circumstances, members admit to turning a little rough around the edges.

“We were honestly dragging through the last year or so and there have been a lot of changes as far as our relationships with one another,” says lead vocalist Jenny Simmons, recalling the last few years’ rigorous concert schedule, plus 13 weeks of Lifeway’s Centrifuge Camps in Panama City, Florida while simultaneously serving as worship leaders in Texas. “We were running around so much and spending tons of time and energy getting from one place to the next that it was draining us in every area. When we finally decided to step down from leading worship at the church and really focus on what we wanted to do, we found a feeling of freedom and enjoyment we never had before.”

Indeed a change in commitments coupled with a more specific game plan to pursue artistically and spiritually inspired music (rather than purely praise) as a full-time career path truly found the quintet falling in love with its craft all over again. It also gave everyone enough breathing room to rediscover each other as friends, which besides the husband/wife relationship of Jenny with guitarist/vocalist/piano player Ryan Simmons, had admittedly been treading on thin ice.

“We all liked each other going into the band, but it was more like a job based relationship and we certainly had our moments,” offers lead guitarist/vocalist Ryan Gregg, inciting a round of laugher from his band mates. “It had been our duty to all be together, but when we took a step back, we really started developing true friendships. A lot has happened outside playing gigs to the point where we’re hanging out with one another - playing Frisbee on Tuesdays and even hanging out on the weekends when we’re not touring, which has made us feel like a family.”

Not only have these steps improved relationships with one another outside of the studio and stage, but 'Some Kind of Spark' is sewed together by remarkably cohesive bonds and an unshakeable chemistry. Rather than sounding forced, the writing sessions were incredibly collaborative and even more introspective than before, allowing all to truly feel comfortable with one another and lay out any emotion within the framework of a tune.

“We’ve come to a point where we’re not afraid to write what we’re feeling,” verifies Jenny. “If Ryan and I are going through a roller coaster of craziness in our relationship, we’re ok channeling that into a song. We have all gone through things that have stretched us and made us stronger, which we can get some really great songs out of.”

A case in point comes from the get go with “Breathe You In,” a robust rocker overflowing with hammering passion and unhindered vulnerability. The Travis penned track talks about his desperation to truly maintain relationships with friends and loved ones rather than letting them slip by the wayside, in turn growing in greater commitment to God. The subsequent “Wake Me Up” (written by Ryan Gregg and Jenny) talks about truly living life rather than sleeping through it in a sluggish state, landing somewhere in between a prayer and a motivational plea against complacency. That pair returns with the stirring guitar tones and organics of “Collide,” covering the deep seeded need everyone has to connect with somebody else, which can also be applied in both earthly and heavenly contexts.

“When I look back at a lot of the songs written for this record, a lot of them are so relationally driven,” notices Ryan Simmons. “It’s one of the most frequent topics we write about and people can take them in a variety of different ways. It’s important to us to write about them a lot- both how much of a struggle they can be and how rewarding they are.”

Musically, the band has stretched its already superb sonic landscape to incorporate increased examples of aggression or more indie rock/earthly elements depending on the circumstance. Though members are all committed Christians, they often turn to mainstream music for inspiration, falling somewhere within the complex, female-fronted pedigree of Wilco, Iron & Wine and the Beatles.

As the band looks forward to supporting those sounds on tour with solo headlining dates thanks to its recent partnership with Jeff Roberts & Associates (Casting Crowns, Rebecca St. James, Sonicflood) its players are also excited about a unique outreach opportunity with the Planet Wisdom Tour this fall and next spring. The conference styled movement seeks to inspire and enrich the lives of teenagers through culturally relevant means like music, drama, comedy and noted speaker Mark Matlock.

“We’re really excited about what’s in store and finally have a clear vision on what Addison Road is supposed to do and the way we’re supposed to say it,” sums up Ryan Gregg. “We want to encourage our listeners through what we’ve gone through and let everyone know that life’s too short for regret. Sure, you may have made mistakes in the past, but it’s time to move forward and not let your happiness be taken away from guilt over something that’s already been forgiven. We’ve had to deal with a lot in the past together as a group, but we’ve gotten to a place where we’ve left it in God’s hands and come back a whole lot stronger than we ever were before.”

*Addison's self title release "Addison Road" releases March 18th

Additional Links
Addison Road Online
Addison Road @ MySpace
Addison Road: Planet Wisdom Tour
Jenny's Blog