ABOUT ALABASTER BOX:
The journey for Alabaster Box began in 1998. The guys were the youth worship band at Christian Community Church, on the Gold Coast of Australia. The first year was filled with rehearsals and dreaming. In 1999, the band broke through by winning Brisbane’s 96.5FM creative challenge, and the phone started to ring off the hook.
5 years later the band had risen to the top of thier game in the Australian Christian band scene, and had top charts in all areas. Being one of the biggest names in the country meant Alabaster Box was in high demand.
Now, in 2006, Alabaster Box takes their biggest step yet, and relocates to the USA to continue the journey abroad!
Introduce yourselves and the instruments you play
Naarah-vocals
Brett-guitar
Sam-guitar
Matt-bass
Josh-keyboards
Swanny-drums
What was it like coming from Australia to the US to pursue your career?
Well we kind of did it all back in Australia, we had heaps of radio hits and tours and all that…and we really felt like it was time to take it abroad. Doors were opening up over here, so we jumped at the chance. We love the USA!
Who has been your favorite band/artist to perform with?
We’ve played with Delirious from the UK a few times, and they’re always great. Good fellas, and good music. I guess we have that “we both like the queen” connection…plus we always beat England in cricket, so it’s nice to remind them of that đŸ™‚
What would your dream tour be?
One where could just hit a button and be beamed to the next location without having to travel, like Star Trek. But then again, If it was anything like airlines and our baggage, I wouldn’t want my disembodied particles to get lost and only half of me turn up in the next town.
Do you guys like the US or would you prefer going back home?
We love a lot of things about the US, but Aussie will always be home. We probably like the food back home a little more. It’s less sugary, like to us, your bread tastes a bit like cake. On the other hand, we like buying fireworks here and blowing stuff up…you can’t do that back home.
Has 2006 been a good year for your career?
It’s been exciting, a big move overseas, and heaps of new friends and opportunities. But every year seems better than the last, so i guess that’d a good thing!
Would you like to pursue any other business besides the music industry?
Well it’s not really a business, but we have a girls ministry on the side called God’s Little Rocker. It’s a free e-magazine that encourages girls to stand up for themselves and not bow to peer pressure. You can see it at Godslittlerocker.com
How is your music different from others?
People usually have trouble defining our music…not that it’s weird or anything, but they don’t know what box to put us in (no pun intended). But the good thing I guess is that it seems that all ages seem to get into it….so yeah.
Plus we use the Bohemian Nasal Flute a lot… đŸ˜›
Do your families treat you guys different now that you’ve achieved so much?
No, we still get yelled at by our mums when we put our feet on the coffee table
Favorite Candy?
Candy makes us fat…but if we’re forced…Cadbury Chocolate from Australia (sorry Hershey’s)
Any musical influences?
U2, Coldplay, Switchfoot, Live, Hillsong United, etc.
Bus or a Hotel?
At the minute, we only have a little bus…so sleeping in it is definitely non-chiropractically safe. So at this point, hotels are good.
Favorite song to perform?
We have a new one coming out on our next album called “My God is Bigger”…it’s a rockin’ tune, and it’s a lot of fun to play live. Plus the folks seem to dig it.
Favorite TV show?
Dunno, but definitely not Oprah
Favorite thing about being in the group you’re in?
The good times, good friends, and most of all, we get to make a real tangible difference in people’s lives everyday. We get heaps of emails and myspace messages from kids who say their life has been changed by God after seeing us…and we know it’s nothing we did, cos we’re not that great…so it’s an honor to be used like that.Â
