Get Your Music on Amazon!
Get Your Music on Amazon!

Earth Groans


After re-releasing their Renovate EP with Solid State Records on May 12th, Jesusfreakhideout's Michael Weaver caught up with Jeremy Schaeffer of Earth Groans to discuss South Dakota, their new label, the "One Dollar Brawler Tour,", and the band's ministry...
This interview took place on: May 25, 2017.

Click here for Earth Groans's Artist Profile page.



  • JFH (Michael Weaver): How does it feel to have your EP re-released on a label like Solid State? The label has been home to some legends in the industry...

    Jeremy Schaeffer: Amazing and, frankly, quite shocking! Solid State has been each of our dream label since we started playing music. I've dreamed of being on Solid State since I was like 14. It's truly a dream come true and we are very blessed to be teaming up with them! Solid State has definitely had a number of our favorite bands. Zao, was the very first heavy band I had ever heard. From there on I was hooked on the heavier genres. Even today, Underoath, Haste The Day, As Cities Burn, Silent Planet, Fit For A King and a number of the other Solid State bands are some of our favorites.

  • JFH (Michael): How hard was it breaking out onto the scene in a place like South Dakota? It is certainly a state that's not known for its musical groups.

    Album Cover

    Jeremy: That is true; SD is a bit desolate on the heavy music scene, but there are a number of amazing musicians from SD and we have so much support from the state. Anyway, we started as a touring band from the start -- so to be honest, it wasn't too hard. I've been in touring bands since I was 16 or 17, so I have a decent network outside of the state. So once we got the ball rolling, things were easier than one would think. One thing that I have found is that the circle is really small when you start touring. It's pretty crazy how small the world really is. I don't think it really matters where you are from. If you have a good network and if you are willing to put in the time and effort, anyone can do it. If a band from SD can do it anyone can!

  • JFH (Michael): What went into the re-release? Re-mixing, re-mastering, re-recording? What was the process like?

    Jeremy: There isn't anything that's too different. I own a recording studio in SD and I do all of our production. I made just a few small few tweaks to take it to the next level.

  • JFH (Michael): I was unfamiliar with the band prior to your signing, but found myself impressed by your work. How has the reception been for Earth Groans so far?

    Jeremy: To be honest, we have been received better than anticipated. Sometimes bands aren't always accepted right away when they try to be original; sometimes it takes a while for people to catch on. So far, we are very pleased with the response. It will be cool to see how people react this next year with the label behind us.

  • JFH (Michael): It's a toss-up between "Price Tag" and "Eclipse" for my favorite track on Renovate. Can you talk about those two songs a bit?

    Jeremy: Where to start? This could be a long one... "Price Tag" is also one of my favorites; this song means a lot to me. Usually when I write songs, I write with the listener in mind. With this song, however, I had myself in mind just as much as the listener. I guess this was a letter to myself. Like, I need to hear these words just as much as the listener. I grew up with self-esteem problems. When I was younger, and even now, I don't always feel that I fit into my surroundings. [Like] the saying, "I can be surrounded by people, but I still feel alone." The thought that I'm not good enough, or I'll never be good enough... How I look, how I talk, how I act: None of it is good enough. I'd compare myself to others around me a lot. This song is the analogy of an artist and his painting. The artist being God, the Creator, and us as His painting -- or His creation. He has created each one of us perfectly and beautifully no matter what the critics say. No one can claim the worth, but the Creator and he says you are worth my Son's life -- and you are worth it.

    "Eclipse" is about dealing with trials, but more specifically dealing with self-inflicted trials. The saying "you reap what you sew…" What happens when we commit idolatry; when we mess up our priorities and we put things, others and even ourselves, before God? I'm sure you have picked up on this, but I'm big into analogies. I took the analogy: If there were a permanent eclipse, where the sun would be blotted out, what would happen to our earth? Everything would start to die and would cease to exist. In the same way, if we place things before the Son, slowly and surely our spiritual lives would die. This song is us coming back to God with a contrite heart and re-establishing Him as Lord of our lives. This song can also relate with anyone that is going through a trial or hard time in their life -- to dig deep into their faith to find strength through their storm.

  • JFH (Michael): Does the band have a favorite song to play live?

    Jeremy: This is a hard one to answer; we actually discuss this a lot. It seems to change, but I think we all agree that "Propaganda" is probably one of our favorite tracks to play live. It's funny because it was the first song written and we actually feel like it's our weakest song. However, that song just goes hard! It's fun. I'd say "Price Tag" is a close second though. That's also a banger!

  • JFH (Michael): The "One Dollar Brawler Tour" is a super cool idea. Who came up with the idea to do a bunch of shows in "tour-neglected" areas for only a buck?

    Jeremy: It was my idea. We want to give everyone an opportunity to come out and be a part of a great community! The music scene and community has been more accepting and more of a family than a lot of us have back home. We don't want anyone to have an excuse to miss out on this! We don't think money should be a deciding factor. We have been telling everyone "if you don't have a dollar we will give you one," so that everyone can come partake. The Midwest definitely has an awesome scene.

  • JFH (Michael): Are there any tour plans beyond your string of $1 shows?

    Jeremy: Yup! We usually have two future tours in motion at a time. We are always touring and always grinding. We actually just announced "The Passion Aggression Tour." It's a positive play on words of "Passive Aggressive." We also have two other tours we are booking for the summer. The announcements are coming soon! Our goal is to tour 150-180 days a year.

  • JFH (Michael): When can listeners expect the full-length Solid State debut to be ready? Is there a timeline in place?

    Jeremy: We are actually going to be just doing EPs for the first few releases -- and maybe even for all of our releases. We decided from the beginning that we wanted to pick our best 5-6 songs -- that absolutely just bang -- and throw them on a record. This way we can release more often and choose quality over quantity, if you will. We are big fans of short and sweet to keep people wanting more. That all being said, we are expecting to release new material in early 2018!

  • JFH (Michael): You said, "We want to be a ministry first and a band second." I think that's an amazing stance -- especially with so many artists trying to distance themselves from anything remotely "Christian" these days. From where does that heart for ministry stem?

    Jeremy: Ever since I was young I've felt a call for ministry through music. Like I said before, I've been in touring bands since I was younger. In 2012, after the band I was in broke up, I decided to go full-time with my recording studio. Even while working in my studio, though I loved the work, I could feel a tugging to return to the road. In 2015 I decided to pursue the calling. I chose Zach, Brady and Kaden because they all had the same mindset and goals. Everything fell into place easier than anticipated; I believe it was divine timing. Music is an amazing gift. It's crazy how it can connect and move people. We are all about building relationships with our listeners. We believe music is just a vessel to connect us with God and our listeners. If we were gifted in some other talents, we would use them as a vessel to serve.

  • JFH (Michael): I appreciate you sharing a few minutes of your time today. Do you have anything additional you'd like to leave with our readers?

    Jeremy: "The scene isn't dead until we are!" Despite what people say, the scene isn't dead. We hear it too much! Every night we see people with passion coming out engaging and bands that are laying everything down on the stage. Until that passion dies, the scene won't die. Keep the passion alive!


    Earth Groans's latest album, Renovate EP is available now wherever music is sold!




    Leave a Comment

     

    go to main Interview page

     

  •                  
    Listen to the debut EP from the band Hopeful.!

    Search JFH




    This Tuesday, March 26, 2024
    ALBUMS
    Brandon Lake Apple Music Nashville Sessions - EP [Provident]

    This Thursday, March 28, 2024
    ALBUMS
    David And Nicole Binion The Revelation Of Jesus - EP [Integrity]
    The Rocky Valentines Erase [Velvet Blue/Tooth & Nail]

    This Friday, March 29, 2024
    ALBUMS
    Grungepunks The Fall Blues EP [Charon Collective]
    Meadows Familiar with Pain [Facedown]

    SINGLES
    Joe L. Barnes Altar - Single [RCAI]
    iNTELLECT It Ain’t My Fault - Single [Polished Arrow]
    Spoken Worth Holy Week - Double Single (independent)
    Gileah Taylor Summer Jubilee - Single [Velvet Blue]

    VINYL
    Battlecross Pursuit of Honor (Blood Moon Vinyl) [Back Breaker]
    Battlecross Rise To Power (Silver Bullet Power Vinyl) [Back Breaker]
    Battlecross War of Will (Amber Wave Vinyl) [Back Breaker]

    Next Friday, April 5, 2024
    ALBUMS
    EmanuelDaProphet Fab5 [Capitol CMG]
    Me'Kayla Prelude - EP [Motown Gospel/Capitol CMG]
    We Are Messengers Where the Joy is [Curb]


    For all release dates, click here!
     



    Listen to the new album from Hope Beyond Suffering!




    Listen to the new Album From Tim Juillet!

    Check out depositphotos for royalty free images