Sackcloth and Ashes Open Up About the Passion Behind Their New Album

Sackcloth & Ashes, a Missouri-based Christian pop/rock band formerly known as All Together United, announces today's release of its debut single, titled "Sons of God." The high energy single goes for adds at Christian CHR and Christian rock-formatted radio stations. The duo features lead vocalist Bobby Burns and Chad Hampton, drummer and band manager, who is legally blind due to an accident while he was serving in the Army.

Q: Thank you so much for your time. Why did you call yourselves SACKCLOTH AND ASHES? 

First of all, thank you so much for asking us to do this interview. We're so greatful that God is continuing to present us with opportunities such as this one. As you may or may not know, we were formerly known as All Together United. We went through changes, some good, most bad and with that we (lead singer Bobby Burns and ATU founder/drummer Chad Hampton) decided to move in a different direction, both spiritually and musically. The term "sackcloth and ashes" Biblically refers to a time of change, repentance and a turning towards and seeking God for a new beginning, new start and/or restart to what God's already done or has been doing. The Biblical men who demonstrate this are David, Job and Noah. Now, having gone through that transition and change from ATU to Sackcloth & Ases, God is really moving and making the way for us to succeed, more than we ever have before.

Q: How did you guys come together? 

We met one another in June 2014. ATU was auditioning for new singers because the founding singer had moved on in life to pursue other things. We connected fairly quickly as we are closer in age than the other members at that time, so we had a few more things in common. Because of our connection, when the tide started turning, we were able to meet separately and talk and discuss our dreams and visions for what we wanted to see God do through us and through our music. So moving forward together as Sackcloth & Ashes was a no-brainer. We were on the same page spiritually, musically and personally.

Q: How would you describe your style of music? 

We are high--energy pop/rock, which simply means that we have a rock base with the addition of pop elements such as synthesizers, backing loops and tracks. Recently we've been compared most closely to the Newsboys. We appreciate that comparison because they are currently blending the two styles of pop and rock extremely well to create a modern sound from a classic feel root.

Q: Congratulations on the release of your new single "Sons of God." For our readers who have not heard it, what's the song about? 

It's a song of hope and promise proclaiming that we are all indeed sons and daughters of God. He proclaimed that over us, that if we are Christians, followers of Christ, that we are His children. The song tells us that without Him we are desperately seeking our true place, a home if you will, to call our own. The other great thing about the song is how it came to be which of itself speaks directly to the title Sons Of God. Bobby's then 7 year old son came up with it. He had the chorus and sang it to Bobby on the way home from rehearsal one day. After pulling the car over due to teary-eyed vision and heartfelt emotion from what his son had just sung to him, a song was then born.

Q: I believe you are working on your new album. Are you writing most of the songs yourselves? Who are you working in terms of writers, producer and guest singers? 

Yes, we are currently in the studio working on the first Sackcloth & Ashes release entitled "STAR". We do all of the writing and arranging ourselves and what's really cool about this time around is that we are also getting some more time in the co-producers' role as well. We are working with a great Producer/Engineer out of Patton, MO name Dustin Bannister. He owns/operates Blue Creek Production. He has been truly a blessing for us in this new season and has been able to assist us in our vision for a new direction musically and is able to understand where we want to take this new album.

I, myself (Chad) have always envisioned producing or co-producing because of what God has given me to be able to hear and envision for songs. Then add that with the ideas Bobby has for his songs and between the 3 of us, we're a fairly deadly combo in the studio. Things are happening fairly quickly, but this time in a more controlled, equal power/share type way than in situations past. As for any guests on this album, that for now is still unknown, but what we do know is that we are certain that people are going to listen and respond to this album better than we've seen before because of the feeling, the music, the vibe of this album is like no other project we've done together. We're very excited to release it when it's done and can't wait to share it with the world!

Q: Any release date set yet for the album?

Honestly, we've bounced some ideas around...maybe this fall...maybe spring 2017. We're not sure. What we do know is that we want a great product, the right product, with the right material on it so that there is no doubt left when people start to listen and share it with their friends, family, neighbors etc. about who Sackcloth & Ashes is, what we stand for and who we give ALL credit to for giving us these gifts and talents.

Q: How do you wish this album will impact the lives of people and their relationships with God? 

As we all know, each persons' relationship with God is different. Partly because of both biological as well as spiritual maturity, but also because we've all gone through different things in life. The impact we want any of our music to have on someone's life is the impact of hope, love, peace, faith and the realization that no matter what is going on in your life, no matter what the circumstances look like to you on the surface in the here and now, that God has you in His hand, He is working all things out for your good.

Jeremiah 29:11 says "For I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you, plans to give you a future and a hope.", and that's what we want people to be impacted by with our music. So many people, even generations at this point now, are left feeling hopeless in life. Whether due to upbringing in a down-and-out environment, or because someone told them that they weren't worth it. Whatever that situation is, we want people to know that they don't have to listen to anyone but God and what He has to say to them and about them.

We need a generation, a world that understands that God has a purpose for all of us and as long as we listen to that purpose from HIM and nobody else, we will begin seeing even greater changes on even greater levels than we do currently. God has given the two of us gifts and talents to help impact others for Him, so all we can do is just that...DO. We are firmly believing that God will take Sackcloth &Ashes to heights, regions, places, countries that we couldn't even have imagined to spread the gospel of His Word and share our music of hope, restoration and renewal to every heart and every ear that God has for us to share. That's all He's really asking for from us, and we're so excited to get the opportunity to do so!  

 

Tags : sackcloth and ashes sackcloth and ashes interview sackcloth and ashes news sackcloth and ashes sons of god christian duo sackcloth and ashes hallels interview