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Man with a Message

The West Australian newspaper

Thursday, October 19 2006


Man with a message

Ara Jansen


It is comforting that Live haven't veered from their original mission: bringing people together.


For the four long-time friends from Pennsylvania, who have been playing together for almost two decades, Live are indeed a rarity for having made it this far. They have built on a dedicated fan base and continue to use music as a tool for change and to lift the human spirit.


"I have always felt that is a unique message," extols singer and songwriter Ed Kowlaczyk. "It's special that we can bring that Live community together at a show, which is designed to elevate the experience you take home with you."


"The first concert that changed my life was U2 is 1987 because they have us this incredible communal experience. If I can come anywhere close to that, then I have done a decent job. That's what I go after every night."


Kowalczyk admits that not all their fans are intimately involved in their lyrics but some prefer to hook into the vibe of the music and be moved by that instead. He says that's another key to their longevity.


"That's been a great challenge and something we have excelled at - having a pretty specific message that has some weight to it and at the same time being accessible to all kinds of different people. The beauty of it is, if you want to dif deeper, then there is something there for you."


Way back when he started writing music, Kowalczyk says he began with a simple plan: to make music that made him happy. He's done that over and over again and it's still working. Even on the band's latest album, Songs From Black Mountain, which has seen a resurgence in the band's popularity, espescially in Australia.


"The songs off this album are great and fit so well with the rest of our work," says Kowalczyk. "I think Birds of Pray was very simple, very stripped down. It was as it went down with a minimum of production with a very austere approach. We took the same kind of approach with Songs From Black Mountain."


For Kowalczyk, the most noticeable aspect about Songs From Black Mountain is the uplifting nature and the album's human spirit. Long-time Live fans are well-acquainted with their spiritual rock.


"My whole idea about music is that it's much more than a little bit of entertainment. I believe it is something powerful, has hope and can transform. Together, those things are very powerful. At the same time, I want to keep that aspect of artistry about it too."


Kowalczyk lives with his family in Los Angeles and has kept the cult of celebrity at bay while the rest o the band live in Pennsylvania keeping an equally low profile.


"I feel like a bit of a rarity in town" he says of LA, "because I don't care about being seen. All I care about is the music and our performance of it. I hope in 10 years time somebody says they decided to make music because they just wanted to bring people together."


"I feel like my job on earth is to stay tuned to the depths of my soul and stay true to that. It's what's given Live longevity and a deep relationship with our fans. That's truly unique and not many bands can truly say they have that."


Live and Shannon Noll play Challenge Stadium next Tuesday. The show is sold out.

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