Switchfoot’s Recipe for Long-term Success (Part 2 of 2)

Continued from Part One…

In recent years, a number of artists from Taylor Swift to John Fogerty have gone back and re-recorded music from their past; sometimes entire albums. Tell me about the thinking behind The Beautiful Letdown (Our Version) that you released last year.

It was the 20th anniversary of that record, and we had some friends that had told us, “That record was meaningful; we’d love to be a part of recording a new version” of this song or that song. So we took the opportunity to go in the studio. And after playing the songs for 20 years, they evolve. The parts change, the tones change a little bit. So we wanted to [make] an updated version of the album 20 years later, but also involve all these friends who had been influenced by that record. So we had a bunch of people record their versions as well. Friends from Twenty One Pilots, Jonas Brothers and One Republic all got together and did their version of the songs, which was super fun. It was a great project.

Do you have a favorite track among the ones that the different artists did on that album?

The one that comes to mind that’s probably the most different from the original is Jon Bellion’s version of “Meant to Live.” It’s essentially just his vocal with a string section. They recorded it at Abbey Road, and it is a phenomenal version of the song. It’s beautiful; it brings me to tears.

Over the years, Switchfoot has been involved in charitable initiatives. What do you feel is the responsibility that you have to fans, to the world or beyond music?

I feel an incredible amount of gratitude for the support we were given as young musicians in San Diego. We grew up as surfers and as musicians; those were the two outlets that kept us out of trouble: surfing and music. And over the last 20 years, we’ve been able to invest in the next generation by supporting local youth charities in our hometown. They’re helping kids thrive in various ways: everything from music education to [helping] kids who are facing hunger and food insecurity; some of the most needy situations.
We had the idea 20 years ago to start a surf contest and music festival on the beach here in San Diego. It’s called the Switchfoot Bro-Am. This year will be year 22, I believe. In June every year, it’s a big party on the beach to help local kids.

Who’s headlining this year?

We never know. It’s always a surprise who shows up. We’ve had everybody from Jason Mraz and Chris Shiflett from Foo Fighters to Goo Goo Dolls and Young the Giant. Everybody jumps in; whoever’s in town and wants to be a part of it.

Tell me about “Last Man Standing” with Buddy Guy. How did that recording come about?

We had a mutual friend, and his drummer/producer Tom [Hambridge] came by our studio. And he proposed the idea of working on a track together. We demoed a song idea with him, and he played it for Buddy. Buddy loved it! And we finished the song collaboratively over the digital airwaves, long distance. We were never actually all in the same room with Buddy Guy, but what an honor to work with a living legend. He’s influenced so many guitar players over decades and decades, so to be a part of a song with him is a huge highlight of our career.

What can you tell me about new and upcoming music from Switchfoot?

We’re just finishing the mastering on a new album. That’ll be released later this year, so I believe, if I’m counting correctly, this will be album No. 14. Man, what a gift. When I was playing drums in my garage in high school, I never thought that this would become my life, and that music would take me around the world with my best friends. To still be making music with people I love is such a gift.

After all these years, what keeps it interesting for you?

As an artist, you always have to be challenging yourself, whether it’s stylistically or with different arrangements, different time signatures. The upcoming record we’ve been working on is probably my most challenging one as a drummer. We worked with a producer who we’ve worked with before, Mike Elizondo. He’s an incredible producer and bass player, and he really pushed me and the band rhythmically on this album. I’m excited for people to hear it, and I’m excited to go out and play it live.

Switchfoot has won a lot of awards. Beyond the feeling of accomplishment and recognition, what do those awards mean to you?

It’s always an honor to be appreciated by any group of people. I remember the day we won a Grammy. We had been nominated a couple times, and we finally won one. We drove home that night from L.A. down to San Diego. We slept in our beds and woke up the next morning and it was kind of like, “Now what?” We’d go back in the studio and keep making new music, like we always do.

So those things are wonderful and cool moments. I think it was at that moment that my neighbors thought I finally had a real job! You know, they take you a little more seriously because they heard you won an award. But honestly, it doesn’t really change your life much. The day-to-day is still the same. We love music, we always have, and we love making music together.

Switchfoot’s lineup has held together through all these years. To what would you credit the band’s stability and longevity?

The three of us who started the band met at the beach, surfing. I think there’s something about surfing together, being friends offstage and having that connection in the ocean that’s really grounding. There’s something about being out in the ocean that makes you feel small; it’s humbling. Whether that’s in the ocean or up in the mountains or anywhere out in nature, I think it reminds you of a bigger story and how fragile and brief life is. We’ve had a motto as a band for the last 20-some years: Life is short; live it well.