5Q4 > Jerome from Switchfoot

After a highly successful 2004, San Diego band Switchfoot toured Australia in February and have an album due later this year. Keyboardist, guitarist and vocalist Jerome Fontamillas chatted with Kimberly Luste Maran recently for Edge.

1 What is the best thing about being in Switchfoot? > To be able to write and perform music you are passionate about. That’s why I play music, and that’s why I’m in Switchfoot. We never would measure our success by how many album sales we have. It’s about connecting to an individual, or a few people, or an arena. We feel the music is for everyone, and if more people are listening because they feel connected somehow to the music and the songs, that is more meaningful to us.

2 What are some of the challenges you have faced playing more than 300 shows to more than 1.25 million people since the release of the beautiful letdown?> Travelling and being away from family and friends is definitely a challenge. The other guys have wives and kids and communicating with them while they are apart is in itself a challenge. Luckily, we have mobile phones and the Internet. Travelling is great, but to stay connected to family and friends back home makes it easier to do your job. We really need their prayers and support.

3 Why are Christian bands important? > We need more music that is passionate and meaningful and honest. Whether it’s country, jazz, hip-hop or rock. We need more music that is positive and uplifting. I’m an advocate for all kinds of music only because of the fact that I love music in general. Sometimes, you have to sift through a lot of music to find those gems. But it’s worth it.

4 Some of your early fans may wonder if the band will “sell out.” How has this new-found popularity affected the group? > “Selling out” can meaning a lot of things to a lot of different people. We just are focused on trying to play our tunes to people who want to hear them. We also are fortunate enough to have some doors open for us to play our music to a broader audience. I believe it’s divine. We as a band prayerfully try to follow where God is leading us.

5 As a Seventh-day Adventist, have you had to compromise your beliefs? And how does your faith influence what you do? > Switchfoot has been very accepting to
my beliefs because we share a lot of the same ideals. I feel like I’ve never compromised my beliefs—ever. When you live a life of grace, you have something of an understanding of the depth of the death of Christ. You’re in awe of it. You just live your life with appreciation and wonder and thankfulness. Maybe, you may have an opportunity to share it with someone. Those are awesome moments.