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February 1st Seventh Day Slumber followed up their critically acclaimed album “Picking Up The Pieces” with their outstanding new album “Once Upon A Shattered Life”. I recently had the opportunity to spend a little time with SDS where we discussed a new label, a new member, and the new album.

YMZ: Once Upon A Shattered Life ushers in a new season for SDS, Rhino is kickin’ it at home family style, Ray is the newest member of the fabulous foursome that is Seventh Day Slumber, and you have a new label in BEC Recordings. Can you introduce Ray to us and tell us how you found your new home at BEC?

SEVENTH DAY SLUMBER: Ray Fryoux is our new drummer. After Rhino left the band, we put out a nationwide search for a new drummer, ran ads in Nashville papers, and auditioned many drummers over a period of weeks. Ray seemed to fit exactly what we were looking for. His heart as well as his drumming were perfect for us.

One day the president of BEC/Tooth and Nail Records, Brandon Ebel, called to say he’d heard we were off our last label. Brandon said he respected our work ethic and our ministry. After a short negotiation, we were offered, and accepted, a deal with BEC. It’s amazing to be on the hottest record label in the U.S.

YMZ: As a band you are all very open about the struggles and success of your past as well as the blessing of each present day. For those who still may not be familiar with you could you each share a little about yourselves?

SEVENTH DAY SLUMBER: I grew up without a father so I never had anyone to play sports with me, and I never felt like I fit in anywhere. I had a $400/day cocaine addiction by the time I was 21, was a two-time felon and felt like I was at the end of my road. By this time, I was done crying out for help and thought I was ready to die. I took a lethal dose of cocaine to end my life, and was hoping my Mom wouldn’t be the one to find me. My chest began to hurt and I knew there was no turning back. My mother walked in unexpectedly just as I dropped to my knees and collapsed in front of her. She screamed out to God to save my life. She called the paramedics as I went in and out of consciousness. In the back of the ambulance, I felt the power of God. That’s when I gave my life to Jesus. He changed my life and made me a brand new man.

YMZ: There is a theme of brokenness borne from your lives that runs through the titles of your albums as well as the songs themselves, are you able to look at your collective pasts and see it as something that brings a strength and relevance to who you are as people today?

SEVENTH DAY SLUMBER: Absolutely. There are a lot of things we’ve done in our lives that we regret and would change if we could. However, those experiences have made us who we are today, men who believe we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

YMZ: The first single from the album Caroline is currently climbing the charts. The story of the song has elements of the prodigal son, and I would imagine some of your own past feelings, and yet could also be a song about someone you know. Which is what I think makes this song along with many of your songs so powerful and relevant; there are multiple ways that someone can relate to the song. Can you tell us a little more about this song?

SEVENTH DAY SLUMBER: Caroline was written about my mother-in-law. She just recently went through a divorce after 32 years of marriage. She expressed to my wife that she didn’t feel beautiful any more and wondered where she’s go from here. One day, as I watched her walk upstairs to her room in our house, I noticed how sad she was. I wanted to say something to cheer her up and let her know how beautiful she is, and how God feels about her as well. I was somewhat intimidated. After all, she’s my mother-in-law. So I put in into a song, sung from God’s point of view. Little did I know how much it would affect her.

YMZ: On your last album Picking Up The Pieces you had a number of stand out tracks Candy and My Struggle, which were available previously on your independent projects, Spiraling, Innocence and the #1 hit I Know. The entire album could rip your heart out and bring the listener to a place of vulnerability while at the same time pointing to the hope, grace, and victory that is found in a life with Christ. This pattern holds true on Once Upon A Shattered Life but on this album there are also a few songs that are more direct songs of love to our savior like Brand New Man and Oceans From The Rain. Do these songs reflect where you personally are?

SEVENTH DAY SLUMBER: Yes they do. I’m at a place in my life where I’ve seen the power of God working through me. I’ve experienced Him restoring my brokenness. I’ve allowed Him to engulf every part of me and I have truly surrendered. I’m now a husband and the father of two children, and, believe it or not, I’m actually a homeowner! This is a far cry from where I was. Jesus is absolutely real.

YMZ: Can you tell us about the song Break Me?

SEVENTH DAY SLUMBER: Break Me is about some of the shady people I’ve met in the record business, people who expect you to write less about Jesus and more about nothing. I’ll be honest: the sad fact is that, for about two minutes, I almost took their advice. But they didn’t break me!

YMZ: At one point you had plans to record a Spanish album is this something that you would still like to do?

SEVENTH DAY SLUMBER: Yes, we hope to have it out sometime next year. We’ve got some planning to do and right now we are busy with the tour.

YMZ: What influenced you as you worked on the new album?

SEVENTH DAY SLUMBER: We showed up for the recording with a few songs written and some preliminary ideas for others. Our ambition was our desire to inspire and encourage this generation through our music. We didn’t want to focus on just writing hits.

YMZ: Did working with producer Aaron Sprinkle impact the recording process?

SEVENTH DAY SLUMBER: Aaron is a musical genius. He definitely helped us to bring our music to the next level and wasn’t afraid to be honest with his opinions.

YMZ: You are currently on the X2005 with Falling Up, Kj-52, and Canadians Hawk Nelson how is the tour going? Have there been any personal highlights? Do you have any favorite moments from the other guys sets?

SEVENTH DAY SLUMBER: As we are writing this, we are just finished up the Collide Tour with Skillet and Kids in the Way, which has been an awesome experience. We are really looking forward to joining the X-Tour with our labelmates. We are huge fans.

YMZ: Here is the part where we always ask some of your favorite things. (pick two or three things from the list – Food, Movie, Video Game, Sport, Book, Vehicle, Album, Bible Verse)

Joseph: Favorite Food -Indian; Favorite Movie – Johnny Q; Favorite Vehicle – My Wife’s car because she pays for the gas; Favorite Bible Verse – Phillippeans 4:13

Jeremy: Favorite Food – Indian; Favorite Movie – Happy Gilmore, Favorite Video Game- Madden W (Sony Space Station); Favorite Bible Verse – Jeremiah 29:11

Josh: Favorite Food – Indian; Favorite Movie – Matrix; Favorite Sport – Soccer

Ray: Favorite Movie – Dumb and Dumber; Favorite Food – Cajun; Favorite Sport – Baseball

YMZ: Thanks so much for spending time with us and sharing so much of yourselves. Are there and last words you’d like to leave with?

SEVENTH DAY SLUMBER: Always stay encouraged. Never forget how much your life is worth. We love you. Pass on grass.

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