Lastwatch formed in September 2011, only having been together for less than a year before catching the attention of and recording an album with Grammy nominated and Dove award winning producer Travis Wyrick (10 Years, Pillar, Nine Lashes, POD, Disciple). Their signature sound blends heavy guitars with synthetic and orchestral landscapes, the perfect complement to Ashley's powerful, yet melodic voice. Frontwomen Ashley Miller talks about the band's beginning's, present being, and future start for Lastwatch since the release of their debut album and hit single "The Countdown".
1. You guys have been a band for 2 years now, what's that
been like for everyone?
Ashley: It has been so much fun getting to do what we love
most! We all really enjoy playing live and ministering to others about Christ,
while constantly cracking jokes with each other.
2. Can you give us a back story on the band/ band biography?
Ashley: Well yes! We actually started out as a family band,
having two sisters and both of us married to fellow band members. We believe in
Jesus Christ and what He did for us and knew we wanted to do something for God.
So, we combined that with our love for rock music and started this band. After
being together for less than a year, we were able to show our music to Travis
Wyrick, who wanted to work with us after we were able to meet him. From there,
we recorded a full length album and are currently out on the road touring and
promoting it.
3. What made you guys decide to form a band?
Ashley: Like I said, we really do love the Lord and wanted
to share about God’s love with others. God changed my life and made it
infinitely better and I want other people to experience what I have with God
for themselves. I believe our music is a gateway for that and who God really
is, not who is portrayed in our society to be.
4. How did you guys come up with your band name?
Ashley: The Bible talks about a rapture that will take place
where God will take his people. Many believe we are in those last days and in
the last generation before Christ comes back. Therefore, we are the Lastwatch.
5. Your debut album is called, "Leave A Light On"
where did the title come from and is this a concept release?
Ashley: Leave A Light On is a calling for people to stand
and be the light of God that we are called to be as it says in the Bible. Many
songs today are full of negative messages, so we wanted Leave A Light On to be
full of positive messages and I believe our title encompasses that.
6. What lyrical theme do you guys use in your music? What
message do you want to send?
Ashley: We want to send out a positive message to others of
hope and love through God.
7. What are your songs about? Do you write your own songs?
Ashley: All of our songs have been written primarily by Jon
and Matt and I have helped lyrically with some of the songs. All of our songs
have different messages, but they all revolve around God and his promises.
8. What bands have influenced your band and its sound?
Ashley: I would say several bands have influenced us
musically, such as Sevendust, Red, and Breaking Benjamin just to name a few.
For me personally, I listened to a lot of Sent By Ravens and Demi Lovato to
draw inspiration of how I wanted to portray the emotions of the words.
9. You're a Christian Rock band, do you think talking about
spirituality in music is becoming more popular and accepted in mainstream
music?
Ashley: To be honest, I think it is actually harder
nowadays. Of course, being in a
Christian rock band and believing in what I do drives me to share my faith with
others. I have found that in most cases, it is accepted, but not really
popular. I, however, feel strong in my faith and simply want others to
experience what I have in God. I look at it as a gift. If you had something so
crazy awesome, wouldn't you want to share it with others. I don’t want to be
selfish about it.
10. Does the band ever get criticized for not being
Christian enough? How do you respond to those people?
Ashley: We do get criticized for not being Christian enough
and for being too Christian, but we expect it. It comes with the territory. It
really helps to read in the Bible that Jesus and many others were criticized
for these very same reasons. We try to respond how Jesus did, in love, prayer,
and continuing the mission.
11. If Jesus walked the Earth today and had an iPod, what
five songs would definitely be on it?
Ashley: Haha! Hopefully five Lastwatch songs! Nah, I’m
totally kidding, but it would be super awesome to have one of the five songs be
from us. I would say Somehow out of our songs only because that is my most
personal and intimate song with God that I have on the record. As for the other
four, I would pick something from Jeremy Camp and Lincoln Brewster, just because
I think they are anointed worship singers. I would pick a rock song from The
Protest because I know those guys personally and they have true hearts for the
Lord. Lastly, Revelation Song, because it is such a powerful song to God.
12. What’s your favorite song on "Leave A Light
On"?
Ashley: Okay, this is
a super hard question for me because I really love all of them. My favorite
song to listen to is The Countdown. I love the energy behind it. My favorite
song to sing is Leave A Light On because it is so much fun to move around to on
stage. My favorite song for the message is a tie between Somehow and In His
Hands because those two minister to me on a daily basis. Somehow is my most
personal song on the album because it actually is based on a true story where
God stepped in and showed me that I was not alone. I will never forget that
night when I witnessed how powerful God is. That song brings me to tears almost
every time I hear or sing it.
13. How much material did you write, for this release, will
we be seeing the leftovers on a future release?
Ashley: We only had about two songs that we didn’t use for
this album. Travis really liked these ten, so we didn’t have to write any at
the last minute. One of those two songs we definitely want to use on the next
album and Travis agreed with us on that decision. So, you will get a chance to
hear that one in the future. ;)
14. What is your opinion on sites posting your guys material
and other bands material?
Ashley: I am all for it personally. It really helps to get
our music out there and the message we have. It does hurt bands financially,
but I desire our message to be heard over making tons of money, so I am all for
it!
15. "The Countdown" is the current single off this
release will you be shooting a video for it?
Ashley: We are currently scheduling to shoot a video for our
next upcoming single, Leave A Light On, in March. So be on the lookout for it
in the next couple of months!
16. What can the fans expect to see from you in the future?
Ashley: Expect to see us around a lot more! We have several
months of tours lined up, as well as festivals in the summer, which we will be
posting on our website at www.lastwatchrock.com
and on our Facebook at facebook.lastwatchrock.com soon! Expect a music
video and a new single release for Leave A Light On in a couple of months and
we may have a few other tricks up our sleeves, but fans will have to stay tuned
to our site and Facebook for that information!
17. Is that your final answer?
Ashley: I think so! I feel like I am on Who Wants to be a
Millionaire and I’m thinking I would like to use a life line now! Haha!
Seriously though, I always want our fans to know that they can always come up
and talk to us. We love meeting new people and having a good time! We are doing
this for others, not for ourselves and want everyone to know that!
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