QQ) What was the reason behind the album being named “Youth?”
A) It kind of came from when we took a few years off and we started to record the CD two different times. It didn’t feel good and we ended up scraping all that material and starting over. When things started to connect and we were feeling good about this music it kind of gave us that feeling like we had when we first started out. It was fun again and we were enjoying it and being together. It sort of came out of our heads from when we were making the music and playing the music.
Q) What is your favorite track on the album and why?
A) Right now I like the songs “How Do You Love” and “Home.” I like the song “Home” because it is sort of the Collective Soul formula with a pop melody on top of it. “How Do You Love” I enjoy because I love the lyrical content and the melody.
Q) Music off your new CD is featured on TV shows like “One Tree Hill,” “The OC” and “Smallville.” What is it like knowing that your work is played on such popular TV shows?
A) It’s great! We’re really proud of it. I hope it translates to people when they hear it that they recognize that we have so much fun when we play it. I hope they get a similar feeling.
Q) Your song “Counting the Days” was used for Nascar’s end of the season racing challenge. How did this come about?
A) I don’t know. We played a show for Nascar in Richmond. It probably stemmed from that. It’s great when you’re music is used in that kind of format.
Q) What is the message that the music on the album is trying to convey?
A) The message I guess would be that after being away for the past four years that we went away and dealt with a lot of personal issues, divorces and ups and downs in relationships and kind of going through a dark period in our lives, that I think it’s sort of about coming out of the dark. It’s about hopefulness and the light at the end of the tunnel.
Q) You and Ed are related. Is it hard or easy working with a sibling?
A) It can be both. It can be easy as much as you let it be. Sometimes we butt heads, but ultimately we’re good friends. With any relationship there has to be trust and I trust my brother. It’s a strong foundation.
Q) Why was it so important to the band to perform at a benefit for the tsunami victims?
A) In life we’re here to help one another out. I think life is built on interdependency. I think when stuff goes bad and people are hurting in other places in the world or places in your community that it is our duty to go help and do what we can.
Q) Who are some people in the music industry that you enjoy listening to?
A) I love the new U2 record. There is a band called Keane that I really like.
Q) When you are on tour is there something that you must have in order to make the days brighter?
A) A cup of coffee works good out of the gate and I like to drink some water. I like to see my friends smiling and I like to hear my mom’s voice. Those things make my days bright more than anything.
Q) What can fans expect to hear from Collective Soul in the future?
A) Hopefully good music! We feel really fortunate to do what we do. We love making music and playing it. We hope to be sharing that joy that we’re doing now.
Q) What would you like to say to your fans and supporters?
A) Thank you for sticking with us after we were gone for four years. It is nice to get back out there. I hope that people can feel how much fun we’re having when we’re playing and I hope that translates and their able to share in the experience of what that is.
