An Interview with Relient K
Published December 20, 2004
Relient K's fourth studio album was released earlier this fall by Capital Records. The band's blend of Christian faith and punk pop has earned them an ever-expanding number of fans and a good measure of critical acclaim. In this Blogcritics interview, singer and guitarist Matt Thiessen answered questions about the group's vision, its future, and being a "progressive failure." More information about Relient K can be found on the band's website, relientk.com.
Unlike some of your prior efforts, your latest album features what some might say are fewer overtly "humorous" songs (such as earlier songs like "Mood Rings"). Do you feel a greater sense of introspection at this point in your lives? How exactly did you come to develop the songs found on this album?
I think a lot of this album was written from the perspective of us knowing that we're getting older. We have to be true to ourselves and write what we can be proud of. At the moment, its more serious stuff, and less of the goofy things that we've done in the past. We try not to let the subject matter stay TOO heavy, but we definitely want to make sure we're not playing songs we think are dumb. The songs on this album were mostly written about things going on in my life during the few months that we were writing.
In that regard, what is the significance (if any) of the album's title?
No significance ... just a short album title without any vowels. We thought it'd be fun to call the album 'mmhmm', because there's 100 ways to say it.
How would you characterize your musical evolution to this point?
I dunno. We're a band that learns from our mistakes and the mistakes of others. We wanted to progress, but not desert where we came from. We love melody, and we can't abandon that.
Who do you regard as your musical inspiration? What bands do you like, what songs do you listen to? What discs are you currently spinning, as they say?
The Beach Boys, Ben Folds, NOFX, Switchfoot, the Matches, and Name Taken are all influences (there's a lot more).
Right now, I'm listening to Letter Kills, Dennison Witmer, Name Taken, Acceptance, and a lot of others...I have a 40GB iPod filled up.
What is the theory behind your recent signing with Capital Records? How does it feel to work with a so-called "major" label? What are the differences (if any) that it brought to the development of this album as opposed to your earlier efforts?
We're good friends with the staff at Gotee, and from a 'friend' standpoint, we all agree that Capitol has the means to attempt to do a little more with our band than Gotee could. It could all amount to nothing, but life is about risk.
The album was written and ready for release before Capitol showed interest. So there was really no difference in the development of this record.
- An Interview with Relient K
- Published: December 20, 2004
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- Section: Music
- Filed Under: Music: Punk Rock, Music: Pop, Interviews
- Writer: W.E. Wallo
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yay, Relient K rox my sox hard core (or hard mantle) the songs help me witness to some of my non-christian friends, especially if they ask me what some of the lyrics mean.... yay!!! i wish RK visited buffalo, NY, more often.
<3<3<3<3<3<3<3hearts
I LOVE RELIENT K! I really love Matt Thiessen. Anyways, I loved the interview because the more I know about them helps me to become an even bigger fan. Relient k is a great christian influence and love them!
Relient K are definately the best christian rock act going around at the moment. They are not afriad to tell the world about the love of Jesus and what he has done for us. I really respect that and hope that they continue with the great work that has come out of their music
As long as Relient K keeps putting out good music, they'll do well. Beyond that, their lack of fear and so on are somewhat irrelevant to their role as musicians.
RELIENT K IS A A REALLY GOOD BAND AND ON TOP OF THAT THEY ARE REALLY POSITIVE I LOVE THEM ALOT BE MY ESCAPE IS A GREAT SONG! RELIENT K KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!!
Relient K is the best!!! I love all their songs and they're sooo cool! They are a great christian influence to everybody! Loved the interview.
Relient K is the best band ever, and they had me at hello...McFly that is. i love how they have grown into such a great band and that their music continues to get better! im really proud of the guys and this interview was great, matt is hilarious! i pitty the fool who dont know relient k and the jesus they serve!
i absolutly love relient K! they had me at hello...McFly, too (very cute and creative, nicki)someday my Matty will come for me and we'll make wonderful christian music together. i love that they're not afraid to say "yup, i love God."
i absolutly love relient K! they had me at hello...McFly, too (very cute and creative, nicki)someday my Matty will come for me and we'll make wonderful christian music together. i love that they're not afraid to say "yup, i love God."
Relient K is AWESOME! and they arent afraid to say or show they love god and i respect that. but i've been a fan ever since they first started haha but anywayz I LOVE RELIENT K! the interview was great by the way :) laterz and much love!
Well, have you checked out the new manson cd/dvd? I recently joined the church of satinism, very cool.
Relient K is so awesome and they are coming to Michigan!!!!! I love their attitude and the fact that they are not afraid to say that they love God!
Satan, there is no such thing. Stop being on here, not everything is about you. Selfish&dumb
I LOVE RK!!!!!!! Im making a 24 by 24 poster of pictures of them for my web class and it looks so awesome. They are seriously amazing and I love their music.
God owns all. =)
relient k is an awsome band. i was having a hard time trying to find christian music thst i liked and relient k is agreat christian band i like. thanks for all your effort in your music
I absolutely adore Relient K! Not only are some of their lyrics hysterically random (woohoo for randomness!) most of their songs have great spiritual depth. I admire what the band is and who the band members are as inviduals. Relient K is different from any other band and they have really had a positive influence on my life. Matty T., Matt Hoopes, Dave Douglas, John Schneck and John Warne are really special people that GOd is using to reach the nations! sorry this is so long. all in all, rk rocks my socks off!!!
I LOVE RELIENT K. They rock. I listen to them everyday. I am doing a report on them in class. They are my favorite band. I can express that i love god in my favorite way...music!
I LOVE RELIENT K! THEY ARE THE BEST. ITS KOOL HOW THE CAN EXPRESS THEIR FEELINGS ABOUT GOD IN SUCH A WAY. THANKS SO MUCH RK. I LOVE YOU!
Thankyou relient K , your music has helped me go throgh hardships. Your the best rock band I ever heard , God bless you. Relient K Rules!
I loved the inteeveiw! The more I know about Matt the beter! lol Relient K is sooo awesome!
They are geniuses in so many ways.
God bless.
I LOVE RK!!!!
i love the way like all of u hav said they can express there christianity thru music. More than Usless is the one song i listen to everyday it helped me put up with my mom mentaly abusing me. I hope everyone can one day find the glory of god and the awesomeness of Relient K!!!
(P.S WOOHOO FOR RANDOMNESS!!!)
I luv Relient K! not just because thier christian (although that is an AWESOME thing) but because thier musi is wonderful and cool and awesome and any other positive adjective!
Matt T.-
if ur reading this, i think ur "punny" songs r rilly cool...
rk kicks ass i meen come on ne one can love this music thay are loved by all kinds of people in this world not only christian people im a christian but my friend arnt but thay like rk too so ya guys keep it up and PS YOU MIGHT WANT TO THINK ABOUT COMEING TO ALASKA SOME DYA ((( MAYBE ????? BUT O YA --- SATEN* yes i have seen the new marlon manson cd he's not too bad i guess lol i like him lol kisses xoxoxoxoxoxox and all you little wana b's fuc* off eat a dic* and die slowy
I love Relient K my ante, Sarah Popp told me about Relient K and I love her for telling me about RelientK.Relient K is a nice christen band and the only band I love.Matt T. is cuite and you all have beautiful voices.
I really love Relient K. Every album keeps getting better and better!
I'v been a fan since 2000. I became a Christian that year too! :)
I think that the fact that ya'll are into the Beach Boys is awesome, and that you havent lost sight of your main goal, to make a positive impact on people's lives. :)
It's also pretty hilarious that you are how old? and still live with your parents! :-)
matty t, you're the man, i don't think there's ever been a guy who can get the message across in such a clever way. music needs more of you man. props to relient k for being the best band on the face of the planet.
Relient K is an awsomely cool band!!!! they're my favey.They seem like very sweet people and the fact that they're a christian band is tight! Matt T. is like, really cute.Jeebuzz bajabbers, they're cool!!!! i'm a christan and proud of it. GO CHRISTIANS!!!!
RELIENT K RULES!
COME TO ADELAIDE!
Christians should listen to Extol-Undeceived, one of my favorite albums, and I'm not even really christian, so it's hard for me to like christian bands, therefore, extol must be really awesomely fantastically good, THEY ARE.
here
Scroll down to the bottom and look at the comments. Has Relient K ever time traveled?
rekient k is my favorite band in the world i love they're songs i know all of you songs i love relint k they're the best
I love relient K, in fact I bought their new EP, Apathetic last month and it finally arrived today! But I recently hear that since they are mainstream they aren't christian anymore, they just used that image to become popular. Right now I don't know if I belive it or not, someone please tell me I am wrong, because I don't want my favorite band to turn into something secular.
Well Matt T. I'm from Singapore and I think I'm about the most craziest guy here about Relient K! I think that as christians we must show how our faith has changed us and that's a real good way to show to all non-believers.
And kinda glad you all went mainstream finally haha. More music then.. but please keep making christian-based songs, keep the mood light, and stay like who you all always are - people we teens can always relate to. Thanks alot for being here.
And pleae do come to Singapore! wanna chat about Brian pittman and other stuff.
relient k is officially the best band ever. There music is sooooo awesome and i really like the fact that their music is christian based. Keep up the good work and i hope u come out with another album after apathetic ep, even tho it was awesome. Peace out
hola
relient k rock!
sorry guys that was meant to be rockS!
Mary Palmer, we'll just pretend you're British, and then comment #40 fits. :-)
I really love Relient K. I'm so glad they're music is christian!! It helps so much when I try to get away from all the negative infulences in some other music. Thanks for all the great music. <3
I think they are doing good. I like their music and I just hope that they will be as different as they can...God has so much to show us all :).....You shall know something by the fruits it bears..I pray that they will continue to put off good fruits.. Its funny how we will seek something for so long and then realize its not what we really wanted...Only he can satisfy..I pray we will finally find whats true..
-Jesus rox
RELIENT K ARE SO AMAZING I CANT EVEN EXPLAIN HOW MUCH I LOVE THEM AND THIER MUSIC.GOD HAS TRUELY BLESSED THEM IN SO MANY WAYS!THIER SONG"THE MOMENT I FEEL FAINT" HAS HELPED ME SO MUCH SINCE I FOUND OUT MY GRANDPA WAS DIEING OF LUNG CANCER.RELIENT K ARE SO AMAZING I WISH I COULD MEET THEM AND TELL THEM THAT. RELIENT K I LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH,YOU WILL NEVER KNOW,THANKS FOR ALWAYS STAYING TRUE.
RELIENT K IS SO AMAZING!!! I LOVE THEM LIKE NO OTHER BAND!!!! IF I EVER WENT TO A CONCERT OF THEIRS OR EVER MET THEM I WOULD CRY TEARS OF JOY FOR DAYZ!! rk is so tallented!!! i love you guys so much !!! thank you for giving us great music!!! oh and please come to little o' chipley fl, :) love you :)
okay, so i know that like every person has already said this, but you guys have SERIOUSLY impacted my life as a musician, a christian, and a jesus freak(a term made up by dctalk). you guys have inspired me to take up guitar, reach for my goals, and to love jesus with all my heart. keep up the great work, and remember to thank god daily for your success and faith. and to that satan dude who commented earlier:i feel bad for you and i hope you change your mind someday. LOVE WINS!!!! (by the way, dave douglas: you are an AMAZING DRUMMER, and matty t., your vocals on from end to end are completely OUT OF THIS WORLD!!:-), and matt hoopes, you're rockin') tata
Relient K is the bomb digidee. Well i got to bouce. Holla at your boy now, cuz i'm out.
that hippie who wrote that last entry is like awesome!!!!! i totaly agree with u man. relient k is better than switchfoot. but than again switchfoot did influence them to their style of music. well, jesus rocks my world. he's awesome. "Blessed is the man who preserves under trial, for when he has stood the test, he will recieve the crown of eternal life that is in jesus christ our lord." James 1:12
i'm gay!!!!!!!!!!!! i love relient k. Matt Hoopes is the hottest there is!!!!
it's me again silly. i also love the cover on the CD mmhmm. that flower is awesome. flower power forever!!!!!!!! the next one should have a rainbow on it. FYI i'm wearing purple today!!!!! I love Matt Hoopes!!!!!! Love the day? Be gay!!!!!
Hey guys its brit again im just joking brandon isnt gay
relient k what to say about you... i've been a fan since you've started out! i love that you take the talent that the Lord has given you and give it back to Him that is truly amazing! i am definetly in love with you and your music! matt if i ever meet you (and i will) i will probably bawl my eyes out!! may God truly bless you. i love you dearly
-rachel
I totally, absoloutley love Relient K. They are the bomb! I espescially love Matt Thiessen. Their band gives me inspiration and helps me through a hard day. They are my favorite band. I have all their cd's and can't wait till they come out with more. Keep up the good work. U guys have changed a lot of lives. God truely speeks through your talent.
What are the names of the new members of RK
RELIENT K ROX MY SOX OFF! I WANT O MEET THEM SOO BAD. ITS SOO COOL HOW THESE GUYS ARENT AFRAID TO SHOW THEIR LOVE AND DESIRE FOR GOD IN THIS SECULAR WORLD. THEY MUST HAVE SOME GUTS. KEEP IT UP GUYS.
I HAVE BEEN A CHRISTIAN SINCE I WAS 5 OR 6 BUT RELIENT K HAS MADE A PERMANENT IMPRESSION ON HOW I LIVE MY LIFE
Is you guys were non-christian you would be even better
relient k is the best christian band ever!! they are totally sweetishly tight! thousand foot krutch are pretty awesome too. i love David!!
I love Relient K so much. My friend, Katie told me about them when i saw a pin on her sports bag I asked her what it ment, and she laughed and told me they were a band. I had the same taste in music as her so, I checked them out. At first i thought they were to "slow tempo" But now, now I love them. I am the person who, if I feel strong about somthing I jump in! So knowing of them for about 4 months I owned all the CDs and had the lyrics memorized. I saw them in consert Febuary 15, 2006. I loved it, but, well I was hoping to hear For The Moments I Feel Faint. (my Fav. song) They have helped me alot on my spiritual walk, by helping me stay calm and move on, because face it my life is tough, a step-dad who used to abuse me, now he is starting to agian... They help me stay focused on God, not the worldly veiws at school, and so many other places too. Thank God for Relient K! I'm very happy that they are making it to bigger and better things, finaly making it to top artists and junk. They are spreading the gospile in a way, people like the song on the TV, they learn more about the artist and then get the CD, and there on the CD is a couple Christisn songs. I just so happy that there are really good, clean, Christian bands out there. Stay focused on God. All of you, listen, mabye He is tring to speak to you? Open your eyes and see what the Lord has given to you, stay close to Him, and you will be blessed. Serve Him, honor Him. Joshua 1:9- Have I not commanded you?- Be strong and couragous, do not fear or be dismayed. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Oh, yeah... sorry got carryed away, well, no not really, I did not say 1/2 the stuff I wanted to.Like my Aquire The Fire- by the way, Relient K needs to be there next year, it would get them alott of new fans, christian fans- story. Oh, you wanna hear it? ok. So i was on the bus, well, reflecting about the night I had just had, the thins I leared, thinking about how in 20 years only 4% of America will be evangelistic Christians, not cultural Christians, and how that can't happen how, how we had to do somthing, I was also moved by the speaker too. I was totaly unaware on how far I had stayed from Christ, on how lost I was. I had alot of resentment, towards my step-dad for how he trated me, and my mom for not doing any thing about it. I was so over whelmed, with thoughts of "how will I ever fix this?" and "will God ever help me out of this?" Then there I was on the bus in deep thought listening to my CD, and track 8 comes on. For The Moments I feel Faint comes. The words "when the world around you crumbles he will be strong" and " I think I can't, butI think you can" spoke to me. I cryed, I felt that I could, I really could get through this now. I would stop trying to do things my way. I am not my own I belong to God. The next day, (the last day of Acquire The Fire) I redeticated my life to Christ, letting go of the past, of my anger, and resentment. I have felt a little tingle ever since, it is hard to explain... Like every time I talk about God it seems I could just go on and on, never stop. HE IS SO GOOD. GOD IS GOOD. THANK YOU JESUS.THANK YOU JESUS!!!! I truly belive God has created us all for a purpose, I think God gave Relient K the ability, purpose to touch lives, and hearts of His followers. God Bless the reader of this. God, please, just Bless The members of Relient K and all who make their work possible, like gotee recoreds.
P.s. sorry, I am "long winded" or more like long typed... LOL have a good day! God Bless You
well,
i must say that i am disappointed in relient k. they were my fav band and i was crazy about them until i heard that they weren't doing christian music any more. i threw away all their albums. even if they don't start writing bad songs, what kind of testimony is it to unbelievers for rk to just one day stop writing christian music.
bad idea, guys. i m praying for you.
Omgsh, I'm INLOVE with the band Relient K! I'm thankful to God to have decided to check out this band. If I had to choose a fave song...I couldn't. Too many. Just Too many. I listen to Relient K 24/7. They have touched my life in so many ways. One is that you should never be ashamed to talk about your God. Don't ask me how they did this for me, but they just did.
I LUV YOU RELIENT K! KEEP THOSE SONGS COMING!
Melissa
Any chance of coming to Western Montana? LOL. Just Kidding. Byez.
you guys are the best pleas come to palmer alaska!i have every cd of you guys!
your best song is jefferson aero plane i listen to it all day on my mp3 player!
pleas come to anchorage alaska you guys will get thousands of new fans i would be the first 1 in line for my ticket!matt thiesen is the best!!!!pleas sing more about God.why did u guys make a song about the psico marelen mansen?bye
Man! Relient K does rox! they're awesome! I love this band! even my friends, they also like them! I really like the "Be My Escaape" song.
I just heard about reliantk lyke 2 months ago & i already luv them. Matt thiessien is the coolest most cutest singer i've ever seen & heard. if i could i would get tickets 2 c them live! Thank God he makes ppl lyke them. I hope that they will b good role modles. & keep on praisiong god 4 all the things he's dome 4 them. Oh yeah my favorite 2 songs r "Who i am hates who i've been" and "Be my escape". My moms says i'm obseesed cause i have all their picture from the computer and in the morning i say good morning relientk!, but who cares. I'm only 12 and i luv them! Oh i luv u guys. [Personal contact info deleted]
ive recently listened to relient k music and they are my favorite band. i have no idea wut thier names are but they still rock! im only twelve but i no good music when i hear it. my favorite songs are "Sadie Hawkins Dance", "Be My Escape", and "My Girls Ex-Boyfriend". Relient k rocks!!!!!!!!
I love Relient K, they ROCK! They're the best band EVER! Keep up your christian songs, I luv them!! God bless u guys!!! <3 <3 <3 <3
-Meeegans
relient k is awesome, i like their songs
relaint k is awsome possum!! =D
hurray!!
hey
Ive listened to relient k, like all my life, I love all their songs, im a christian and I think what they sing about is really encourgaing, its good for people to listen to these kind of music
YOU GUYS ROCK
yeah...i love relient k too!! and just like keri long,ive been touched just the same by their music!! i think that was a great testominy keri!!
thanks for sharing..
what ^ you gess shuold come up to Alaska and go smowboard and get some nar nar pow pow! butt load of love
jo jo
relient k is totally awesome! i love their cd mmhmm. it's a big change from they're other albums, but a good one. the way that they play guitar is so complicated! i've never heard any band play like them before. let's just put it this way...no other band compares!!
..well,so this was the gentle,soft spoken young man I sat next to on a Continental flight from California to Cleveland! I'm very impressed.
We talked about his music,his photo shoot,the album. And he let me go on about my own son,who plays and sings in a band..
..what a pleasure,thanks so much for the company
Matt,you made my plane ride so enjoyable
~Best to you & the Band
CG
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I loved it. Its funny and I know alittle more about RK now. Witch is always good.
RELIENT K ROX! They have changed my life for the better.