THE TRUE WITNESS INTERVIEW
True Witness is a New York based Christian rock band located just outside of NYC in the Hudson Valley. Their passion is to inspire lives through music and lyrics and be identified as a band for the people dynamically relating to all age ranges on and off the stage. Their artistic contemporary rock sound merges a high-energy blend of acoustic and electric rock with thought provoking lyrics. A "must see" live show that captures an upbeat musical style uniquely unfolding life's struggles and offering plain solutions of hope in tough times. True Witness provides a melodic, distinguished declaration of strength, faith and love to everyone surviving the struggles and challenges of each day.
True Witness originated as an acoustic Americana band in 2002 with Tom Bowen, Tim and Dan Adams. The high-spirited band enhanced their depth of inspirational, positive rock music by evolving into a significant touring rock band since 2007 performing throughout the Northeast and New England.
Throughout the years and all their tour experiences, the rock band became very diversified, performing in coffee houses, famed bars and clubs, (Ace of Clubs NYC, Delancey NYC) as well as large premiere Performing Arts Centers (Caesar's Palace Circus Maximus, Atlantic City, NJ) and outdoor festivals (SoulFest, KingsFest, Cherry Blossom Festival, Utica Music Fest, and Rocket Town in Nashville, Tennessee). They were recognized as a Notable Winner in New York City's premiere MEANY festival 2009.
June 2010, True Witness signed unrestricted as an independent artist with Canadian American Records, Ltd, Ursula Music / BMI. The "Once In Time" CD was re-mastered for radio and has been released Nationally and Internationally. "How Love Lit The Full Moon" and "On High" are featured radio releases.
True Witness recently received a 2010 Grammy nomination by (NARAS) National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences for Best Rock Performance by a duo or group with vocals.
The band has two prior released CD albums, Origins (2007) and Once In Time (2008). In 2011, the band will be releasing their third CD album "Send Me" and returning back on a new extensive tour. Join True Witness as they continue to reach out and impact the hearts of people everywhere with imaginative tunes echoing life, truth, and love.
"Their positive message is certainly appreciated in this time of crisis all over the world.
The music speaks for itself" - SKOPE Magazine A2W (March, 2009)
The band members of True Witness are: Tim Adams, Dan Adams, Tom Bowen, Chris Bowen, Kim Adams, and Heather Adams.
Their album "Once In Time" has 14 spirited songs describing life's challenges and needs. The songs bring out strong emotions and thoughts while offering solutions through hope and love. All the songs on the album were spiritually directed by the Holy Spirit and defined by the band member's actual life events. The reality and strength of God's Word came alive through those tough life experiences and influenced the band's hope to present powerful, effective solutions of love and restoration without judgment or self-righteousness. True Witness strongly believes that nothing is beyond the reach of God's grace and mercy, because love is enough.
Key Scriptures that motivated the "Once In Time" CD, as well as the past two tours, are:
Joshua 1:9 - "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
1 John 4:19 – "We love because he first loved us."
Ephesians 3: 16-19 – "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."
Galatians 6:1-7 – "Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each others burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each on should carry his own load. Anyone who received instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor. Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows."
The song "Tonight" was inspired by a group of women struggling with alcohol and chemical addictions at a rehab center. In order to identify with their pain and suffering and share their story of intense loss and grief, the band had to get into their hearts and minds. Over the past years, True Witness has seen incredible responses to the song with so many examples of strength, courage and willingness to shout out to the Lord in their darkest moments. To walk into the presence of the Lord is the first step to cope with their addictions and to move beyond their past with complete restoration.
The song "On High" was written about the band's encounters with souls that have lost their minds through accidents, drugs, disease or mental illness. Life is very fragile and in a single moment that frailty can quickly become something out of control with torment, rage, embitterment and apathy especially if someone is not in Christ at the time and aging older. On the other hand, the band has witnessed those who lose their capacity and minds but were grounded in Christ remain in joy, no matter what the circumstances. The mind can be lost, but the heart remains in pure love always and exhibits the nature of Godliness. The theme of the song is the importance on keeping both your mind and heart focused on those things "On High."
The band symbolically ended the "Once In Time" CD with the song "Sunrise". True Witness confidently believes that as long as there is a sunrise in the morning, we have an assurance of being forgiven through Jesus Christ because God is still in control. The band actually wrote this song while standing on a Georgia beach watching the sunrise. They observed how everything was quiet, dark and calm until the moment that the sun rose above the horizon. With the sunrise, all life came alive and rejoiced. It was a fascinating design of God's grace that is definitely worthy of our praise.
But as for a favorite song off the "Once In Time" CD, the band unanimously agrees that "On High" is their favorite because it rocks and reaches out to the people.
The music has evolved over the years for True Witness. The band's first CD "Origins" had a strong Christian Acoustic/Americana sound. With road and touring experiences, the band wrote their second album "Once In Time" and they began to take on more of an Americana/Rock flavor identity. A lot of the musical styles and personal growth came from the types of venues that were being performed in: They were able to still play unplugged in smaller intimate venues but were also able to have a high energy rock show for the large festival stages as well. In doing this, the music was able to reach all different types of fans and age ranges. The third True Witness CD (to be released in 2011) is titled "Send Me". The new music has a heavier edge and rock sound than anything they have done before.
Although the sound has progressed significantly over time, the act of composing the music has relatively remained the same throughout the years. Most of the songs originate with a guitar, although the band does have quite a few of piano songs. Regardless of the music's origin, most of the songs seem to always begin with the lyrics. Chris writes the lyrics, and then the rest of the band begins working on rhythms and the builds the passion of the arrangements. All in all, True Witness is solely responsible for producing all their music, CD's, and tours.
Some of the band's favorite musical artist and influences include: Switchfoot, Third Day, Marshall Tucker Band, Collective Soul, Mercy Me, Aerosmith, Keith Urban and Jars of Clay.
A significant influence and motivation to the formation of the band, True Witness, was the influence of two brothers, Tim and Dan Adams. Their journey began as children who grew up in a self-righteous, judgmental environment that promoted hypocrisy, fear and a belief that being in church on Sundays, and a good tithe, was more essential than living a genuine life of Godliness and unconditional love. As they grew older and began to ask relevant questions, they were fed fear tactics and lies, attacked, and referred to as obstacles which eventually led to the brothers being told by their parents and their church to get out. This once in time moment in their lives led them to carefully seek the truth in the Holy Scriptures and to find the love of Christ. They've never looked back and made a commitment to help others who live in chains by being judged, ridiculed, beaten, and gossiped about. The rest of the band has like minds and similar experiences that give them all the same passion to share God's love and a message of hope through forgiveness. As it says in Galatians 5:1, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."
Each member of True Witness considers the most important part of being out on tour is the moments and time they spend with the people that come to their concerts. Their open lives presented through their music and the lyrics validate that. It's more influential to know what we are than who we are. As it says in Luke 10:27, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and Love your neighbor as yourself."
Favorite touring moments include The Soulfest in Gilford, NH, an elite New England Christian Music festival offering an amazing safe family environment. The band loves closely interacting with the fans and other bands throughout the entire festival week. The Utica Music Fest in Utica, NY is filled with encouraging people, wonderful food, and great press. Reedsville, Ohio is always a highlight for the band because the people take you in and are authentic examples of humility and Christ's love. The National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, DC is another fantastic crowd to share music and thoughts with. It is always an amazing experience to rock at the base of the Jefferson Memorial and the Washington Monument. And lastly, there are the New York City night clubs. Enough said!
True Witness is now expanding beyond its northeast borders, pushing a new, edgier rock sound with their up-and-coming CD called "Send Me". They believe that God has called them to go out and challenge others to take accountability and responsibility for those in need around them. "It's time for us to show God's grace and mercy and not just put lip to it," says the band. "We are a broken nation in need, and if we don't become effective ambassadors for Christ and show His love, then who will? We base it upon Isaiah 6:8."
For True Witness, it all comes down to living a life according to the fruit of the Spirit. In Galatians 5:22 it says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things, there is no law."
Catch True Witness at their official website: TrueWitness.com.
Look for our current tour dates, merchandise and latest additional information about the band.
Also watch the True Witness music video "How Love Lit The Full Moon" on YouTube.com.
Additional official True Witness fan sites are:
Facebook: facebook.com/truewitness.chris
MySpace: myspace.com/truewitnessband
Twitter: "" twitter.com/truewitness
ShoutLife: shoutlife.com/profile_view.cfm?uid=182266
ReverbNation: reverbnation.com/truewitness
Ourstage: ourstage.com/profile/truewitness
Sonicbids: sonicbids.com/truewitness
Authorized FanSite: reapers.info
Official Merchandise Site: truewitness.info/mm5/merchant.mvc
