Do you ever sit down at the computer with one purpose in mind and come out a few hours and websites later unsure how you ended up on such a goose chase? Trust me, I know the feeling. I love searching the internet for all kinds of things including the latest Christian music news! I set out to learn more about an awesome organization called Art House America after learning that Sara Groves and her husband Troy are opening up Art House North in Minnesota, and I stumbled upon a great interview with Dan Ostebo of The Afters. He was the featured artist last week for the Art House America blog, so I took a second to read what he had to say! I think I like The Afters even more than I already did!
Dan has played bass guitar for the band for four years. He shared a little bit about what made him start:
“I ‘chose’ the bass guitar when I was about 15 years old. I had a lot of friends that played instruments, and they had a pseudo band going, but no one played the bass guitar. Actually, I think that’s how everyone who plays the bass, starts to play the bass. Your friends have their first birthday party gig coming up, but they’re bass-less! So, they get the friend that doesn’t know anything about music to play the bass. I really like to think of my beginning in bass guitar as a rescue mission. I bailed my friends out! Except the rescuer (me) didn’t have a clue how to play. Rescue mission fail? Yeah, pretty much! The good thing was I fell in love with the bass guitar. So, thank you friends for throwing me under your musical bus, and thank you dad for buying me my first bass guitar.”
According to Dan, all the members of The Afters truly believe that family comes first–even before their music. “Bands have a short shelf life.” He observed. “They come and go all the time. Your family is where your investment needs to be.” Way to go Josh, Matt, Jordan, and Dan for having your priorities straight! Dan also mentioned that he and his wife are expecting a baby soon; his family is about to expand!
Dan and the rest of the band really believe that everything they do should count for eternity. He said,
“We believe that we are promised nothing, yet are blessed with so much. That’s how we view radio success. It’s just a flash in the pan. Life is but a vapor. It is there one minute and gone the next. We try to make every moment and opportunity count for a greater purpose than this life.”
There is so much good stuff in this interview! Check it out to learn more about The Afters and Art House America! Just click here.
Happy Tuesday!!
– Chandler
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