G: It’s been a little over two years since it’s been official. Do you have any regrets?

D: No. I really don’t. I mean, I’ve been thrilled with the autonomy that I’ve had to go and make music and to just champion subject matter, and the things I’ve been able to do as a solo artist that I never could have done in Caedmon’s, wouldn’t have even had the time to do if I tried to do it on the side. It wouldn’t have worked, no matter what way you cut it, it wouldn’t have worked.

And I love that the band has kind of taken up a new direction, they’re going after some new causes. When I heard Share the Well, I just wept listening to it. It’s just one of the best, most-moving, important records I’ve heard in a long time. And I am, for the first time ever probably, I’m a fan. I’m a big fan, and I can’t wait to hear their next record, I can’t wait to see what they’re going to do next. And it wasn’t like that the last year that I was in the band.

Because you know, there are pitfalls, there are easy things to fall into, you start to know again how to make the music that you know will succeed, and if you don’t have anything else more important to you, then that’s just the default. And I understand, man, it happens to everybody; I mean I had moments like that all the time. But Caedmon’s has found something to shout from the platform that they have, and they’re using it, and I love what they’re doing. And I love that I, that the Lord providentially got me out of the way so they can go and do that, you know?

G: So you think they’re a better band now, without you?

D: I do, I do, I think they’re doing their best work. I think Share the Well is their best record. I think they needed Andy, and his particular gifts and what he brings to that band, to do this. I do, I think they are…it’s like all of what has come up to this point has been preparing Caedmon’s for where they are now, I really do think that.

But I think the same is true of me, and I think we’re all proud to be a part of each others’ stories. Because I’m in a really unique place to be able to, because of…thanks to Caedmon’s I have, like you said, a certain fan base that are loyal enough to stick with me regardless of what records I’m putting out, and a label that gives me the real liberty to totally trust my instinct, to be able to do records that are a little riskier. And Caedmon’s has contributed to that; if it wasn’t for Caedmon’s…if I was starting from scratch right now, if I was a new artist trying to do what I’m doing, it would already be over for me. I mean I would already be finished. But because of my history with Caedmon’s, because of their support, because of the Caedmon’s fans who have come with me on that is the only reason I’m able to do that. And so Caedmon’s is a huge part of what I’m doing; and I love having been part of their story for all those years, I’m proud of everything we did. But I’m most proud of what they’re doing now.