Ichthus Online.

Hawk Nelson might seem like just another fun little pop-punk band. But the members of Hawk Nelson are men on a mission. They want to send this world a message. Lead singer Jason Dunn said, "The whole statement behind our record 'A positive voice for a negative world," that's what the whole record is about and we want to make a difference."

Their new album Smile It's the End of the World hit stores last month. After almost 3 years of playing the same songs the members were ready for new music. "This album reflects the growth and experience of an older Hawk Nelson. "I think it's a lot more mature. With the first record we played it pretty safe, pretty poppy record. Our new record is a little edgier, a few harder songs. More rock than pop I guess," said Jason.

There are some topics you just don't talk about. Suicide and depression is one of them. However that's exactly what Hawk Nelson wants to tackle with their album. A lot of their fans struggle with depression and they wanted to address it. "A lot of songs on this record would help kids that are dealing with these kind of things. Letting them know that we've gone through problems to and there is an answer. That's what this record speaks about," said Jason.

"Night after night you see kids who come up and show me the cuts on their wrists and stuff like that. It's sad that a lot of these kids are from the church and growing up in the church. The thing is people like us tend to ignore them because, 'they grew up the church. She's the pastor's daughter she's fine. We need to worry about the kids in the high schools.' But really that's not true, we really need to focus on the kids who are hurting in the church. I think that's our goal for this for Hawk Nelson," said Jason.

The men of Hawk Nelson did not become motivated messengers overnight. They've been honing their musical abilities for years with help and encouragement from Trevor McNevan of Thousand Foot Crutch who attended Jason's church.

Jason has been in bands since he was 13 and confesses he was a rocking 13-year-old. Hawk Nelson, however, did not form until his last year of high school. All the members of Hawk Nelson were in different bands. After high school, when college and careers called, all of the bands fell apart. The remainders of the different bands came together and formed Hawk Nelson.

As the youngest member, Jason was still in high school. He really felt called to music and knew that was what he wanted to do with his life. But he had to finish school. "So when they are all done I'm like 'oh man.' And I tried so hard. I was like, 'Mom can you just let me get out of school and I'll be on the road,' and it was really hard for me. And I went through school and I got it done," said Jason.

His experience with Hawk Nelson has exceeded all expectation. They've recorded two albums, toured North America and preformed in a feature film. The down-to-earth guys from suburban Canada have even found themselves walking down the red carpet. "I can't really take it serious.' It seems like we won like a contest or something, 'congratulations you get to be a part of that.' It didn't really seem real," said Jason. His musical career hasn't been anything like Jason expected. "Everyday we're like 'thank you God,' cause it's just unbelievable."

Wisconsin Music.

WM: How did you get started in the music scene?

JD: I started playing piano when I was four years old. I wanted to play the violin, but my parents wouldn’t let me. They thought it sounded like I was killing a cat. (laughs) So they put me in piano lessons when I was four, and I went from there. I started a band when I was thirteen years old and I’ve been doing music ever since. Hawk Nelson started when I was nineteen, just finishing up high school. I graduated high school and hit the road right after that. I haven’t stopped yet!

WM: How old are you now?

JD: Twenty-four.

WM: Wow. So you basically grew up in the industry.

JD: Yeah. It’s crazy, but it’s awesome.

WM: How did Hawk Nelson come about?

JD: Well, when I was going through high school and they had these career classes. I was a good student, but I was a one track mind kind of person. I just remember someone asking me what I was going to do when I finished high school. I got really nervous, because I never really thought about it. So I decided to continue with my music. I was into the idea but the guys in my band weren’t into it. For them being in a band was cool in high school, but they were going to get real jobs. So I met with some guys who we played with in other bands over the years and they wanted to go for it like me. So we started Hawk Nelson, and here we are.

WM: How’s the response to your new video for the song Zero?

JD: I think it’s been doing pretty well. When it first went online, it received like a million hits in the first week. It was some crazy number like that. People seem to be into it, so that’s awesome.

WM: Can you give us a little background of the song?

JD: The song talks about loss. I personally went through a loss when a friend committed suicide when I was younger. I originally wrote the song when I was eighteen years old. When we’re all born, we’re born so pure. So innocent and fault-free. As we get older, the choices we make decide who we become as people. Unfortunately for my friend, he made that one wrong decision. The guy had so much going for him, like a football scholarship to a university. He just didn’t go through with his calling. We all have a calling in our lives, I really believe that. It’s sad when people fall short of their calling.

WM: You must have made quite an impact with the youth with that song…

JD: Yeah, it’s kind of a touchy topic. People don’t really want to talk about suicide. But I think we really need to address it. There’s a lot of people out there that are dealing with it, and a lot of people in the church too that are dealing with it. We tend to ignore those people in the church allot that are going through it, so I think it’s a good eye opener.

WM: Have you heard of any suicide prevention groups using your song?

JD: I haven’t heard of anything, but that would be cool if they would.

WM: You’ve appeared both on national television and in a major motion picture, as well as having your songs in several different soundtracks. Do you see Hawk Nelson venturing out into other media again in the future?

JD: I don’t plan on it. It’s funny, you see people in bands wanna go into acting and people acting go into bands. I think I’m gonna stick with what I’m doing. For now, anyways.

WM: How did your previous outings to TV and film happen?

JD: A few years ago we did this music conference in Nashville, and a bunch of TV representatives were there. A guy there saw us, and he hooked us up with the American Dreams thing. Once we did that, it just seems like a chain reaction.

WM: Is it true you were recently in California working on some new songs?

JD: Yeah, I went to LA a few times in the last couple of months and met with some writers. It’s something I’ve never done before, but it’s been really cool. I learned a lot from different writers, and I’m really looking forward to this next record.

WM: Do you have a direction for the new album?

JD: It’s still in the air, but it will still be Hawk Nelson.

WM: Will you be taking a break before recording the next album?

JD: We’re going into the studio in September and October. Then for the first in our whole career, from September until March, we’re just going to do weekend shows. Which I’m really looking forward to!

WM: Any plans on what you’re going to do with your well deserved break?

JD: Yeah, I’m gonna buy a home and live a domestic life for once.

WM: When your recent CD came out, there was some backlash from some in the Christian community that your lyrics were watered down. Do you still face that kind of criticism a year later?

JD: Yeah. Everyone is going to have an opinion, ya know? If our lyrics offend people, then please, don’t listen to our music. If it’s just because they have a preference, then they’re more than welcome to send in some song ideas. (laughs) I mean, I’m gonna write what I want to write. I’m going to write about what kids want to hear and what kids need to hear. Kids need to hear songs about divorce and suicide because these are real things that kids are dealing with. Sure, God is awesome and God is good. But it’s really cliché to say when everything is wrong just put your trust in God and he’ll pull you through. I’ve heard that since I was four years old. But kids who have never heard about God or don’t believe in God, that’s not going to do anything for them. They’re not going to know what I’m talking about. But when they hear things they can relate to and they come to terms with that, then they can realize what some of these songs are trying to say and find the truth in that.

WM: You’ve been on the road almost non-stop over the past couple of years. Do any moments stand out over the blur?

JD: Our very first tour we were robbed in Hillsberry, North Carolina. By gunpoint. Literally a week on the road after a show one night, we went to a Waffle House. Two guys came in, and ordered some food. Next thing I know, they pull out these automatic hand-guns. They cleared the cash register, and one of them came up to me and pointed a gun to the side of my head. I could feel the barrel against my temple. I really thought I was going to die! It was so scary, he made me put my wallet on the floor. He took it, and then they just left.

WM: Is it true that your whole life flashes before your eyes?

JD: Oh yeah. As far as I was concerned, it was over for me. I’ve never experienced anything like that and I hope to never experience anything like that again!

WM: I’ve seen a lot of tie-in’s between your current tour and the new movie Evan Almighty. How did that come about?

JD: I think they’re just a sponsor. I don’t really know, I’m just the singer. (laughs)

WM: In closing, any message to your fans in Wisconsin?

JD: Hope to see you at the shows!