New band JARS OF CLAY are currently the hottest new thing in the American CCM scene. Yet there's a maturity in this young new band as Jan Willem Vink reports.

Jars of Clay

We all have this treasure in jars of clay to show that the all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." (2 Cor 4:7). What a name - Jars of Clay. All kinds of associations spring to mind; frailty, humanness, brokenness, simplicity, but deeply affected by God who gives power and inspiration and can even use the simple things according to his plan.

What a band - Jars Of Clay. Their self-titled debut album is without a doubt one of the best debut albums to be released this year (if not the best, but we're only halfway yet. . .).

Jars Of Clay produce a fascinating cocktail of driving acoustic guitars, dance/hip hop rhythms, the use of instruments like the violin, mandolin and cello, and a vocalist who knows a thing or two about leading a song into an emotional climax.

Jars Of Clay is more than a nice name for a young band. "The jar of clay is a picture of something so easily broken that you wouldn't put a valuable treasure in it, yet God does that anyway," says band member Steve Mason. "That one verse paints in full the picture of what we're trying to communicate."

"We want to offer something that's an alternative to everything that's out there," says Matt Odmark. "Something that's different and interesting musically with artistic integrity that sends a true message about who we are as humans, and who God is, and paints an accurate picture of that relationship."

Jars Of Clay consists of Dan Haseltine (vocals), Steve Mason (guitars/bass), Matt Odmark (guitars) and Charlie Lowell (piano/organ/keyboards). Haseltine met Lowell in 1992 while studying at Greenville College, majoring in the school's contemporary music programme. The following year Steve Mason joined the two and their original guitarist. The band went on to record a CD demo, following the interest in the band, which was titled 'Frail' and contains mostly songs which were re-recorded for their debut album for Brentwood Music.

After the original guitar player left, Charlie asked Matt Odmark, a childhood friend, to take over his place in Jars Of Clay. When the band won the Spotlight Song Contest, they were soon overwhelmed by lots of positive response and numerous record labels.

After signing a record deal, Essential/Brentwood brought in Andrew Belew to produce two of the songs on their album. Belew has an impressive track record, including solo recordings and production work for artists like David Bowie and King Crimson. Jars Of Clay produced the other nine (find the hidden track!) songs themselves, with many of the songs achieving the same level as the Belew produced tracks.

The members of Jars Of Clay are overwhelmed by the instant success, but rather choose to remain with both feet on the ground, not unlike PFR. "PFR's heart for ministry is kind of the same that we share," comments Steve Mason in Syndicate magazine. "We share the same thought that we aren't going to be doing this forever. Joel Hanson from PFR said many times during shows that the band and the music will all fade away but what we do for Christ will last."

"We find ourselves more humbled than egotistical," states Charlie. "Seeing the response of people in the industry and other musicians we look up to who've commented on our music, makes us feel honoured and unworthy and very blessed. One thing we're trying to establish as a band is a lifestyle ministry going on beyond the music and what we do as a band, and more than anything trying to let people see that we are very normal humans, who have a faith in Christ, but are really no different from them."

"I don't feel like God gives us gifts of fame," comments Matt. "I think if we're in a position where attention is going to be drawn to us, there will be a way for that attention to be refocused on Christ."

Singer Dan Haseltine expands on Matt's words. "I've come to the perspective that when we're on stage, we have that amount of time to take all the attention that's been put on us and shift it to God. You have your entire career to basically somewhat work against what the industry creates, this pedestal. I think that it's possible to shift that focus on to God rather than yourself. But it seems like you're always working against what people are creating by all the hype."

"All I really feel qualified to do is tell what God has done in my life, and what I believe he can be to others," states Matt. "If I'm going to be up there in front of kids," continues Charlie, "potentially being a role model, telling them where I think they need to be, I better be sure that I'm in the Word every day, and where I need to be."

All band members have at some point felt God calling them to a position in Christian music. Mason: "God's done quite a number driving us to this point and we'll just continue the ride in the back seat and just kind of hang on for the ride."

Concludes Steve, "Creatively, I just hope we continue to progress with the times and keep up with things, and can share our creative vision with others," giving voice to a vision shared by all four members of Jars Of Clay. "Spiritually, I've already gotten a new sense of how God works in a creative atmosphere, and just hope - along the way -to get another small glimpse of who he is."