Page 4 - Black Velvet Issue 88

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LIVING LIFE

ndianapolis band ForeverAtLast caught Black Velvet’s attention with their out-
Istanding 2015 release ‘Ghosts Again’. The band’s roots can be traced back to 2005
when drummer Jared Paris and guitarist Jordan Vickers crossed paths in the Indianapo-
lis music scene. They’ve been rocking out together ever since, with explosive vocalist
Brittany Paris joining them in 2008 (and Seth Brown, officially, this year). Black Velvet
got in touch with Jared and Brittany, who gave us their views on growing up, Christianity,
embracing your differences and what it’s like being married to your bandmate!
oreverAtLast haven’t always been go home I like to play video games or visit Jared tells us, “Christianity plays a big part
Fthe alternative punk band they are friends on my own.” of our lives. Musically, we tell stories and
today, they were originally a heavier met- Jared adds that he met Brittany when our lives are in a similar vein. We are good
alcore band. Drummer Jared Paris says his first band played in the venue at her listeners and enjoy getting to know people
that the transition between metalcore and town. “Eventually when we started playing and listening to their stories as well. We're
punk music came pretty naturally. “We music together we made sure to keep in- not much of a preaching-style band, we
started playing in a more metalcore style vesting in the music and band life before just try and relate to the people we interact
because that's what all our early bands allowing anything personal to open up. But with and believe our faith can heal and
and friends played,” he tells Black Velvet. like Brittany said, being on tour and in a help everyone yet we respectfully enjoy
“It was fun, but we evolved into what actu- van 3-4 weeks with your spouse is awe- the relationships of people that believe dif-
ally influenced us to play music in the first some, but a little time is needed once ferently. We actually play more places on
place; powerful rock and roll and punk-in- home.” tour that have no religious connection than
fluenced material. We still enjoy heavy mo- ones that do.”
ments, so it's just another tool in the hosts Again’ is the 2015 release In the song ‘Ghost In The Attic’ Brittany
songwriting bag.” ‘Gfrom ForeverAtLast, and the sings “In the end we’ll be ghosts again.”
The band hasn’t always been fronted band pushed themselves to create an Jared says that he thinks there are such
by Brittany Paris either - she joined the album that anyone could relate to. “The things as ghosts. “All that line is referring
group in 2008 after an audition. “I'd always album is related to all walks of life and all to is that when we die we will be with Jesus
wanted to play music,” says Brittany. beliefs because we all experience death,” again. It's just a creepy symbolic way of
“When I was 14, I knew in my heart I was Jared tells us. “We all know the hurt and saying it. I love ghosts and creepy stories
meant to do this. So later when that oppor- struggle it is to go through it and deal with and bizarre things, it's all so interesting to
tunity came, I went for it. Thankfully they it. This is just some of our hurts and strug- me.”
liked me and let me in!” she laughs. “Music gles we've gone through, and we hope oth- In ‘Echoes Are Secrets’ Brittany sings,
is so rewarding, I love it.” ers can be encouraged through these “We’re filling problems with problems, it
Brittany isn’t just a talented singer, songs to keep pushing on, regardless of doesn’t solve them.” Jared explains, “Often
she’s also a tattoo artist. “I've been a tattoo what life throws at us.” people try to cure a problem with a prob-
artist for a few years now, it's an incredible Catchy single ‘Bad Blood’ is about lem. Sometimes we have to go through
job and I love doing it,” she tells us. Brit- death, but also growing up and moving on. those things to understand ourselves and
tany has quite a lot of tattoos but there are Jared says that being in ForeverAtLast has what we're in. But all in all, always reflect
a couple that are especially meaningful to helped him grow as a person. “The band on yourself first. We should always look in-
her. “I have one on my leg that I love. I tat- has shown me a lot of different walks of life ward before accusing others, when we
tooed a character on myself from My from a lot of different people. The things could actually be a big part of the problem.”
Chemical Romance’s album ‘The Black people say, do, show you... It's all things I “Let us live, not just exist” is a lyric from
Parade’ after they broke up. That band in- take in and experience and add to my ‘The Observatory’, another track off
spired me to play music and push myself knowledge,” he tells us. “It's amazing what ‘Ghosts Again.’ “Living life is going out with
to do it even when things are hard.” such a small conversation can do for a meaning,” Jared tells us. “Existing is just
The band are appreciative of their someone. Death isn't easy… but knowing doing whatever it is you do daily with no
hometown of Indianapolis. “Indianapolis that those people loved you and that you purpose. Living life is hard to do some-
has been incredible,” says Jared. “The loved them is something you have to live times. It's easy to just get into auto pilot
people in the scene here are supportive, in. You can live and reside in the fact that mode and stay there, but we've gotta
from the venue, The Hoosier Dome, to the they are really gone, but hold them forever break the mold and do what makes us
kids hanging off rafters of the building and in your heart.” happy too.”
stage diving. Everyone is important and One of our favourite songs on ‘Ghosts
we’ll always be grateful for Indianapolis.” Again’ is ‘Mr. Whitecoat’, Jared tells us that oreverAtLast are very passionate
That said, they’d love to come travelling. ‘Mr. Whitecoat’ is a representation of a Fabout talking to fans and being
“We would love to come to the UK! All of doctor and patient relationship. “Dealing there for them; they even make a point of
us are working on our passports!” with feeling different or being a little off as responding to every message they get on
the world sees it, and wanting to just be their social media. “It's important because
rittany and Jared are married, and “fixed." Mr. Whitecoat is a "golden" doctor we've felt like if a song we wrote touches
Bthey say that being married in a who can fix anything and cure any illness. or encourages your life, we want to hear
band is pretty fun. “We don't get mushy or But once we decide to embrace the things about it and hear your story,” Brittany tells
anything in our band or on the road,” says that make us different, we can truly live. us. “Jared’s phone is non-stop going off
Jared. “We're all about making our fans’ Knowing we don't need to be fixed, but be because not only does he currently man-
lives better, not being all PDA behind the who we are.” age and book us, but he responds to every
merchandise table!” he laughs. post and every message someone writes.
Brittany says “Being married in a band oreverAtLast have said that their We really enjoy being there for people.”
can be cool for the fact you get to see them Fmain motivation for playing as a For more info on ForeverAtLast, visit
everyday! But I am personally a bit of a re- band is to “reach people to offer life-chang- www.foreveratlast.com
cluse and love my alone time. So when I ing rad knowledge and love about Jesus.” Words By Carissa Thorne
Photo By Errick Easterday
FOREVERATLAST