Artist Spotlight: Abide
June 8, 2018 by admin
Filed under Music, Music Interviews
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| CD/Song Compilation – Life on Mute Genre: Rock By Julie Cook Hess |
| I love my hometown of Chattanooga, Tennessee and I love hard rock. So, you can imagine how psyched I was to find out that this artist spotlight article would combine both elements. This week I bring you Chattanooga rock band, Abide. I got to interview lead vocalist/guitarist Eric Abney and chat about music, the Chattanooga scene, and their plans for the future. |
| The music scene and Chattanooga’s in particular, can be a bit hostile toward Christians. But, the Abide guys try to take it in stride and hope to win over new fans with their sound. They emphasize that their music is for everyone, not just Christians and they don’t shy away from playing at non-Christian venues. Abney says, “A lot of times people will hear what your band is about and lose respect. However, if they give us a chance, they can realize how powerful and uplifting our music is. It’s difficult to be a band in Chattanooga. Our goal is to infiltrate the mainstream genre with our faith but, we don't want our audience to be limited in any way. We want to hit every ear possible. So, we write music that everybody can relate to, Christian or otherwise.” | |
| Eric, a native to Atlanta, originally came to Chattanooga to attend Tennessee Temple University but, he also found a band in the process. He hooked up first with bassist Andrew Bettis through a mutual friend from church and then they recruited Andrew’s childhood friend Ben Gorden to play lead guitar. Then lastly, drummer Kyle Kinzalow, Bettis’s former band mate, rounded out the group. They remain grounded in Chattanooga but, they have hopes of playing across the pond some day. “We really want to go to Europe to visit, maybe Japan but, I think the boys will always call Chattanooga home. |  |
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I'll always call Atlanta, actually Kennesaw, home. I loved living down there.” I couldn’t resist picking his brain on his thoughts of the Chattanooga music scene in general since many of the bands there love to complain about its alleged lameness, especially the all-ages club Fathom. “Honestly, as in many other cities, there's always room for growth. When I think of the Chattanooga scene, I sense that people are just bored with it. It just needs some hype that's all. We don't mind playing Fathom, we are good friends with most of the volunteers so, we enjoy going. I think Fathom is misrepresented sometimes. There is some good ministry that goes on there.” |
| The future is sure to hold good things for this talented band. Of the band’s prospects, Eric beams, “We know that God has pulled us all together for a reason. We are excited to see what His plans are for us.” Amen.
For more info on Abide, visit: http://www.myspace.com/abiderock |
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