Howdy, all … though we’d let you know that we’ve given the final scrub to the transcript of our chat on Thursday with Derek Webb. If you missed some or all of the chat, you’ll really want to catch up on what Derek had to say.
As always, we hope you had as much fun participating in the chat as we did running it.
Derek Webb: i’m here now
Bryan Allain: thanks for taking time to be here derek
Geof Morris: yeah, we really appreciate it on short notice
Derek Webb: always a pleasure
Geof Morris: Joe and Bryan are here for running commentary. I’m just here for … something
Geof Morris: So Bryan, since you always lead off with a question, why don’t you do so again?
Bryan Allain: sure thing. derek, if i limited you to 3 words to describe your in progress album, what would they be?
Derek Webb: hmm. thinking
Bryan Allain: ok, two more words. [jk]
Derek Webb: experimental, for sure. it’s going to be a little left of center all the way around. maybe slightly provocative, but in different ways than the last one. it’s going to make ‘she must and shall…’ sound like ccm
Bryan Allain: very interesting. ok next question
Geof Morris: Okay, I got Jeremy Goss
jerlg: Hi Derek. Thanks for chatting with us. Besides songs you have written or performed, what specific songs do you enjoy singing during the music portion of worship services?
Derek Webb: hmm … like during church?
[jerlg] Yes during a church service. [I'm] trying not to use… the word “worship service” since that term is being thrown around so much in place of music during worship.
Derek Webb: right. well, as far as music goes, i really like hymns
Derek Webb: we do a lot of hymns at our church, and i really enjoy that because it’s different from what i’m used to hearing all day (which help to set that time apart) and also i enjoy the way they engage with my mind as well as my emotions, which is my main struggle with a lot of the more modern worship stuff
[jerlg] Any particular writer or hymn?
Derek Webb: i really like isaac watts, and steele and bonar
Geof Morris: Is that why you picked a Watts text for Caedmon’s worship record?
Derek Webb: probably. i think we just opened gadsby’s hymnal and put our finger down… there are so many amazing texts in there
Geof Morris: cool. next is Steve. try not to gush, Steve 
[the_steve] Well let me say that I am fanatically devoted to you, Derek, If you ever need someone whacked, I’m your man. Seriously, what are your plans for touring this album? More house shows?
Bryan Allain: if derek had a nickel for every hitman offer he got…
Derek Webb: that’s really nice to know
Joe Bassett: lol
Derek Webb: i’m actually slowing down on the house shows. i’m really enjoying teaching, and am actually getting more opportunities to do it formally, but i’m thinking that might becoming it’s own thing. i believe with this new record (which is much more ambitious artistically and musically than the last) i will focus on music on the road, and then continue to look for and take opportunities to speak without a guitar. i’ve been teaching at a few conference type things lately and really enjoying it, and my church leadership is really encouraging me to pursue teaching. but i think we’ll see it disconnecting from the music a bit on the road this next year
Geof Morris: Do you ever see teaching replacing singing for you?
Derek Webb: i really don’t actually. they’re two totally different mussles for me. i can imagine being a little more ambitious musically, and really pursuing teaching on it’s own
Bryan Allain: Derek, is ‘upsidedown’ one or two words in your album title?
Derek Webb: ‘i see things upside down’ yeah it’s two words
Bryan Allain: good to know
Geof Morris: Okay, Jarret Haas
[hoss] hey whats up derek, my names jarret, i have met you a couple times down here in tampa, most recently at the solid grounds coffee house
Derek Webb: yeah
[hoss] anyway, i have a question about the truth. you had said you were considering puttin it on the album, still an option? and if so, is it gonna be more acousticy, or rocky
Derek Webb: i didn’t record ‘the truth’ for this record, although i was thinking about it.
[hoss] aw shux
Derek Webb: i’m always looking for a way to use that song
[hoss] could you explain the album title to us, and how it fits with the song selection
Derek Webb: but as i got through the content for this record i found that the subject matter had all already been covered by other new songs…
[hoss] thanks a lot derek!
Derek Webb: how it fits with the song selection?
Derek Webb: the record has a theme of value, what we value specifically as christians/americans. the title comes from a lyrics in a song called ‘what is not love’. it’s a song about the fact that often what is success really looks like failure, and what is riches often look like poverty … having eyes to see the kingdon, and not just the american dream.
Derek Webb: so the title is confessional: my confession of the fact that i don’t see things right side up
Bryan Allain: and pretty cool (if you ask me)
Geof Morris: as God sees them right side up … ahhh, sweet
Derek Webb: i don’t value things of kingdom worth. you have to learn that the gospel turns our system of values (especially as americans) completely upside down. so the point of it was to say that i don’t see things right, and that’s why my life is so frustrating
Derek Webb: the whole record kind of explores that idea from a lot of angles, but not all obvious content. i think it’s going to be challenging for some people
Joe Bassett: i think it’s very much needed
[chrisfromlc] Derek,…you’ve got to leave home with only 3 CDs. What are they?
Derek Webb: wow
Derek Webb: i’ll answer, but know that this answer could change in a week
Derek Webb: wilco, yankee hotel foxtrot
Derek Webb: pedro the lion, winners never quit
Derek Webb: tom waits, mule variations
[chrisfromlc] awesome. What’s in your CD player right now?
Derek Webb: i think radiohead, ok computer was playing when i came back from lunch in the car
Joe Bassett: derek, you said a while back that you’re were being influenced by wilco/damien rice… is that still the case? are you seeing that reflected in this cd?
Derek Webb: i REALLY am actually. not the sound of damien rice so much as the spirit of it. and both goes for wilco
Derek Webb: this recording process has been kind of upside down, too, come to think of it. i started with final guitar/vocal performances of all the songs that i recorded here in my house then took all of that in the studio with some guys and built on it from there. now we’re back in my house doing the overdubs
Joe Bassett: recent wilco or stuff like a.m. and summerteeth?
Derek Webb: recent stuff
Joe Bassett: very cool
Derek Webb: a ghost is born/yankee hotel foxtrot. really experimental, REALLY fun. i don’t think i’ve EVER felt as free artistically as i do in every way on this record. i’m doing vocals in my house late at night, getting performances that it would be near impossible to get in a conventional studio. i think you can for sure hear all of that on the recording. it’s going to be really progressive
Derek Webb: NO ONE in Christian music will get it. i will make my 1st prediction
Bryan Allain: What are your plans for promoting the new album? Have you given up on CCM Radio? Will you be utilizing street reps? Solely word of mouth? (besides using the dotnet of course)
Derek Webb: i have given up on ccm radio. i told the label that i didn’t want a penny to go to ccm radio this time around. so don’t expect to hear anything about this record on Christian radio. we’re certainly exploring the marketing side though
[raekwon00] derek . . . i was wondering what your goal (so to speak) is in “preaching the Gospel to the Church”. what would be the ideal result after the Church hears the Gospel again and again? btw, see you in Dyersburg next week. i’ll be the black one.
Derek Webb: cool
Derek Webb: well the goal of the church hearing the gospel again and again is that they we might believe it. that’s it. martin luther said he would preach the gospel every week to his congregation until they walked in looking like folks set free by it. he never preached anything else there
Derek Webb: i still live like someone who is justified by the law, but i’m not. i’m free, so i need to hear it over and over again to restore my sanity when i am tempted to believe that i can be justified in any way by keeping the law. i must hear that only Jesus is sufficient, because i don’t live like i believe that, if i’m honest.
[bo -ob] I want to reconnect with one of the themes you talked about in regard to the new record, Derek. In light of the things you said about American values and kingdom values, I’m wondering about how you react when very Christian justifications are used for American ends, like war and similar circumstances.
Derek Webb: yeah, that’s good. we mistake Christianity and nationalism a lot around here
Derek Webb: i won’t comment on war now, but i will say that Jesus always kept ‘em guessing. he rode into town like he was going to stir the place into an uproar, and folks thought he was there to lead them into battle, but he was there to lay his life down.
Derek Webb: it’s complex, but we certainly have to learn to divorce out Christianity and our nationalism on some level. no wonder all the portraits of Jesus portray him as having blue eyes and light skin. he was a 1st century jew. he would never make it through the profiling in any american airport
Bryan Allain: or maybe he would??
Geof Morris: I get pulled over all the time. I think it’s the beard
Bryan Allain: it’s the smell
Geof Morris: bite me, Bry
Joe Bassett: that’s because they think your john piper–popper
Geof Morris: I am NOT JOHN PIPER
Bryan Allain: freudian slip
Joe Bassett: yes, yes indeed
[yodathefrog] hey Derek–just wondered if you had any plans of marketing to the mainstream audience or staying more indie?
Derek Webb: i know that jeff (moseley, from the label) has a really good relationship with sony/epic (our parent company) because of mercyme, and i sold about half of all of the sales of my last record through them (in target and borders, etc.), so we’re definitely headed that way to make up for what we’ll lose in the Christian market
Derek Webb: i think this new record is going to be much more likely to lean that way, because we’ve tried to focus on making good art, not something easy to categorize or easy to sell. i think there will be some folks who will like it, and they won’t all be Christians. i’m not talking about some ‘crossover’ (whatever that means) but finding small pockets and nitche markets out of the Christian ghetto that are into more experimental music
Geof Morris: Will you try to do as Sandra does and pimp it in the UK? Both Chris from LC and I want to know that
Derek Webb: not sure. my only connections with the uk will be through my existing record deal, so if they choose to focus there, great by me. i’ll already be there a lot
Bryan Allain: Derek, I’ve heard a rumor that you played some guitar on part of Caedmon’s next album? Is that true, and what do you think of what you’ve heard of Share the Well?
Derek Webb: i did play some guitar on the new record. they were mixing here in nashville, and invited me over to hear the mixes and play a little bit. it was a blast, but really different from the recording experience i was having at the same time on my record… they have a slightly bigger budget… it was a blast though
Derek Webb: i think the new caedmon’s record is a great piece of art. i think it’s probably the most focused and artistic thing the band has ever done. i can’t wait to see if the Christian world gets it/buys it. it’s really ambitious for them though
Derek Webb: i think it was a result of them finding something more important than just selling records, and they did, and i’m really proud of them
[the_steve] Are you, or do you ever see yourself being politically active in any way?
Derek Webb: i am personally. as far as professionally, not sure. it’s definitely something that i’m getting more interested in. i think this new record has some pretty strong political statements on it
[the_steve] In what ways are you politically active?
Derek Webb: i read. i vote. i work with organizations that further ideas i believe are important in a political arena
Joe Bassett: what books have you been reading lately and is there anything you’d want to recommend?
Derek Webb: i definitely recommend charlie peacock’s new book, ‘new way to be human’. and i’m re-reading the 5th harry potter book… patiently waiting for #6. i’m also reading howard zinn’s ‘a people’s history of the united states’ again. that’s hard to recommend though, it’s so sad
Bryan Allain: BUT YOU”RE A CHRISTIAN! YOU CAN’T READ HARRY POTTER!!
Bryan Allain: sorry had to do that…
Derek Webb: if you want to stay proud and happy, keep reading school history books. the true history of our country is so sad, it’s hard to read. and not hate my own reflection
[hoss] i was wonderin if you had any time while you were in the uk to visit any churches, and if you could convey some differences… cause for a lot of us, all we know is that lazy fat american church, is it any different accross the pond?
Derek Webb: i did visit a church where some friends of ours go in scotland. it was a little presbyterian church, and it was pretty amazing. it was SO much simpler
[hoss] yeah thats gotta be nice
Derek Webb: it didn’t look like a three ring circus like a lot of american churches do. there were no loud bands, no cool lights, and no celebrity preachers. they sang psalms to common tunes, the pastor lead that. and then there was preaching and communion. then we all just hung out and had fellowship. it’s was amazing … makes the most modest american church look kind of like hollywood
Geof Morris: Derek, how hard is it for you and Sandra to constantly be on the road? I mean, right now she’s in England, and you’re in Nashville working on the record. I’m not a married man, but I gotta bet that’s hard.
Derek Webb: it’s really difficult. it’s not ideal for sure. we’re figuring it out as we go
Derek Webb: we’ve been used to having two careers going at the same time, but usually there’s a lull in one while the other is really busy, but not right now. we’re both pretty slammed, but it’s not usually this way.
Geof Morris: Will you ever write another song about Sandra? We’re probably all used to all your old songs about relationships and such.
Derek Webb: half of the new record—more than half—is relationship songs
Geof Morris: cool
Derek Webb: it’s just as disjointed as a caedmon’s record… 
Geof Morris: 
Joe Bassett: derek, after the album is out… any chance you’ll be touring with a band again?
Derek Webb: that’s the plan, actually. i’ll be out with a band and full production around the release, the two weeks starting november 9. at least two weeks. should be really cool shows. we’re going to be really deliberate where we do the release shows
Joe Bassett: any idea who will be out with you yet?
Derek Webb: not for sure yet. pretty sure i’ll have kenny meeks on guitar and maybe will sayles on drums (over the rhine), and maybe cason cooley on keys. (i hope so)
Derek Webb: not sure about bass, but that’s about it
Joe Bassett: very cool, cason adds a LOT
Derek Webb: he does. he’s been adding a lot to my record over the last few weeks. i won’t be able to survive with out him soon.
Geof Morris: Cool on Sayles, too. He’s pretty dang talented
Derek Webb: those are the guys who played on the new record
Bryan Allain: derek, here’s a few quick hitters
Derek Webb: sure. i appreciate everyone staying up so late (on the east coast)
Bryan Allain: Cliff and the Jars of Clay boys love their sports. Andy O has no use for them. Where do you fall into the sports spectrum? If you do follow any teams, which ones? Or do you have no time or interest?
Derek Webb: i have no idea about sports. all sports could cease and i might not notice
Bryan Allain: heh
Derek Webb: i don’t watch tv/news, and i don’t really do any kind of sports. so it might take a while for the news to get to me. and yeah, i have no time
Joe Bassett: i don’t think you’re missing much with the news
Derek Webb: i’m a hell of a foose ball player though. maybe that’s my one sport
Joe Bassett: don’t bring up foose ball!!
Joe Bassett: for those that don’t know… derek whooped me and cozart in foose ball… all by his lonesome
Bryan Allain: I’ve heard you pimp Netflix to people before. What 3 rentals are sitting in your house right now?
Derek Webb: that’s a good question
Bryan Allain: if you care to share…
Derek Webb: let me check
Derek Webb: bob dylan, unplugged (from mtv)
Derek Webb: john q (we never saw it in the theater and didn’t know much about it. that’s what netflix is for…)
Derek Webb: fog of war (an incredible documentary) everyone should see it
Bryan Allain: cool
Derek Webb: that’s it
Bryan Allain: Have you purchased any new guitars lately? Have your eye on any one in particular?
Derek Webb: nope. no $ for it. and i have all the ones i need. i don’t really lust after guitars like some of my friends do
Bryan Allain: cough Andy O cough
Geof Morris: you put money into recording equipment though, right?
Derek Webb: recording gear is a different story
Bryan Allain: how many guitars do you own?
Derek Webb: let’s see. i guess sandra and i have around 15-17 between us. some are banjos and dobros and stuff though
Bryan Allain: do you have a favorite?
Derek Webb: yes
Bryan Allain: maybe if you could only save 1 in a fire?
Derek Webb: one of sandra’s. it’s a really old small body gibson that she got last year. i played it on literally the entire new record. it’s the only acoustic you’ll hear. it is amazing and records like no acoustic i’ve ever heard
Bryan Allain: your thoughts on jeremy casella being named opener for caedmon’s fall tour?
Derek Webb: really great. i just heard about it. he’s amazing, so good for him. plus he’s marrying one of christie’s best friends, so it would be cool if they could all hang on the road
Bryan Allain: well, derek thanks for doing this once again
Derek Webb: certainly. always a pleasure
Joe Bassett: yeah, thanks so much for taking the time
Bryan Allain: stuff like this separates you from 95% of all artists out there. we appreciate it
Geof Morris: As if your music doesn’t already We really appreciate it, especially on 48 hours’ notice
Derek Webb: well, you guys being here separates y’all from 95% of the music communities i know of. we’ll try to plan better next time
Bryan Allain: and there will be a next time, of course
Derek Webb: i’ll try not to change plans on you so many times. we shouldn’t wait so long between
Bryan Allain: if its for the sake of new recordings, we can live with it
Derek Webb: yeah…
Joe Bassett: besides, we like to keep geof and bryan actually working
Geof Morris: we’d rather have a good record than a good chat
Derek Webb: i’ll be up all night again working on it
Derek Webb: (again)
Bryan Allain: give us davejac and we’ll give you a break
Derek Webb: haven’t been sleeping much
Bryan Allain: sleep is overrated
Geof Morris: I agree
Bryan Allain: thanks everyone for coming
Derek Webb: thanks everyone
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