Your Music Zone.

YMZ: “The best songs take you places you’ve never been, and ultimately, leave your world a different place than it was when you first pushed “play”.” This is an excerpt from your bio and I have to say I can’t agree more as it applies to the songs of Natural Anthem. Where does your inspiration come from?

Jonathan Steingard:
Growing up, my favorite music was always music that made me FEEL. Regardless of genre or style, I found myself listening to songs like “Where The Streets Have No Name” by U2, and “Obsession” by Delirious. These kinds of songs became my inspiration, and ultimately the platform from which I started writing. I was drawn to these songs because of the obvious passion behind them. I have always strived to write songs with that same kind of passion.

YMZ:
Your new radio single is “On The Rooftops (This One Is Yours)”. This song seems to reinforce the over all outlook that you want to leave your fans with. Songs that are uplifting and that they can take ownership of and make a part of the soundtrack of their life. Can you tell us a little more about the song?

Jonathan Steingard:
There isn’t anything glamorous about how that song came about. At the time, I was working a part time job for a produce company, in order to make some sort of a living. I was humming to myself in a giant vegetable cooler when that melody came to me. I had been thinking a lot about how everyone, regardless of social status, income, or popularity, experiences hardship. Hardship and suffering can bring people together in an incredible way! I love the way you worded that….”taking ownership”. That’s exactly what a good song does; it pulls you in, and makes your life a part of the song.

YMZ:
In October of 2004 you released “The Places We Go” to kids across the country as part of the alternative rock and hip hop sampler “Launch: The Journey Begins”. It was quickly embraced by fans and radio, even reaching #1 on the More Radio CHR chart in October. For a new artist it must feel great to have that taking place?

Jonathan Steingard:
It does feel great. There is so much satisfaction for me in simply finishing a song, and being proud of it…. When people feel it enough to grab ahold of it, and make it their own, that is just over the top to me. I am so blessed to be able to make music, and if people can identify with it… well that’s just amazing to me.

YMZ:
Now on top of the buzz surrounding Natural Anthem you are now also performing as 1/4th of Hawk Nelson. On your website you indicate that this is likely to be a long term situation but in no way does it indicate the end of Natural Anthem. Can you give us an idea of what might be next and how if at all your experience with Hawk will influence Natural Anthem?

Jonathan Steingard:
Well I had filled in on guitar for Hawk Nelson a few times over the last year, and I think that had already started to influence my writing somewhat… I mean, listen to the old September Satellite album, and then listen to The Places We Go. There’s quite a bit of change in there! I have played guitar for quite a few artists now… everything from worship tunes to emo to pop punk. I think I have taken a bit from each of those experiences, and they’ve become a part of my style. The pace with the Hawk boys is pretty fast, so its tough to multi-task, but I’m still writing lots, and i would love to release some new Anthem songs in the future. When will that be? It’s hard to say at this point, but it is definitely something i am constantly considering.

YMZ:
Since being on the road as a member of Hawk Nelson what has been the biggest highlight?

Jonathan Steingard:
There have been quite a few highlights…. We played on a morning TV show in Minneapolis, and Heidi Klum was on the same day. I think all 4 of us felt pretty dumb. “Uh Hi Heidi… we’re…uh… a band.” It was a pretty funny experience. We’ve played a ton of shows, and the tour schedule for 2005 is insane. I’m really looking forward to the AudioAdrenaline/TobyMac tour that we’re doing this spring.

YMZ:
What is influencing you both musically and personally most right now?

Jonathan Steingard: I bought my brother U2’s Live at Slane Castle DVD for christmas, and I found myself fairly envious when we watched it. It is the single most inspirational concert DVD I have ever seen. These guys have been my favorite band since I was a kid, and it is so amazing to see how hard they have worked, and how far they have come. Their new album is great too. Other than U2, I’ve been listening to the new Relient K album (which was a big surprise to me, cuz i’m not really a RK fan), the new album from The Used, MuteMath, the new Jimmy Eat World, and even the new Avril Lavigne album. Chantal Kreviasuk made a great impact on this album, it’s totally worth a listen, even for non-avril fans like myself.

YMZ:
Every time we interview an artist we ask them to tell us a few of their favorite things.

Jonathan Steingard:
Favorite CD: “Joshua Tree” by U2
Favorite Book: “Mere Christianity” by C.S. Lewis, “Flatland” by Edwin Abbott, and “A Wrinkle in Time” by Madeline L’Engle
Favorite video game or movie: “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”

YMZ:
When we spoke a number of months ago you had just begun Skateboarding on a long board, does this go on the road with you?

Jonathan Steingard:
Haha. Sure does. My longboard comes with me everywhere. I feel kinda bad, because it takes up space in a crowded van, but it’s worth it every time we’re in California or Florida. even here in Nashville, its warm enough that i can skate all year round.

YMZ:
Thank you for spending time with us, is there anything else you would like to leave your fans with?

Jonathan Steingard:
I would just like to thank everyone that has stuck with me through my phases and growth periods. Life is a learning experience, and I am just struggling through it the same as everyone else. At the end of the day, if I have had a hand in making music that can touch people’s lives, then I will be overjoyed. For me, that is the biggest blessing of all.