Alternative rock outfit Switchfoot has long been in the business of pushing the envelope.
Often heralded as one of the most crucial trailblazers in forging across the divide between Christian and mainstream rock formats, Switchfoot is pioneering a route once again with their film, Fading West. As unusual as it is for a band to create a full-length film that isn't performance-based, what makes it even more unique is the way rockumentary-style segments flow seamlessly with the constant undercurrent of the surf-movie culture the group's founding Foreman brothers grew up riding. The corresponding album (due to release in January, a month after the movie) is a similar marriage between alt-rock sensibilities and shoreline nostalgia.
In order to provide the perfect climate for introducing fans to Fading West, the band decided to debut the movie in a series of "premieres" around the country in which the movie would serve as opening act for a brief question-and-answer time and song set from the band. The resulting Fading West Tour spent two months hitting major U.S. cities, including back-to-back shows in music heartland Franklin, Tennessee.
The band carefully selected theater-style venues for this special set of concerts, so the Franklin stop saw the band loading in at the historic downtown Franklin theater. The smaller space gave the evening a more personal vibe, providing through proximity a connection harder to achieve in arena performances. In addition to the theater seating, the Franklin theater staff set out small tables equipped with flickering electric candles for early arriving VIP attendees, creating a family dinner party atmosphere in the small space. After a brief introduction from the band, a very enthusiastic audience was treated to the opening scenes of the movie, Fading West.
From the first introductory vistas and tight-framed band interviews, it's clear that this movie is a step above the usual band-made fare. The camera work, color treating, editing, and scoring (the soundtrack being helmed by the Switchfoot boys) are all exquisite. The feeling is polished, professional, but still uniquely personal and alive with the personality of the band members.
Suitably, the band frames their movie loosely as a story rather than trying to impose a thematic organization on the material. They set out on a world tour of locations in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Bali, focusing on destinations that share two primary qualities: an interest in music, and really solid surfing spots. The band invited professional surfers who have become personal friends to join them along the way for exploring new surf sites.
Exploring the identity of Switchfoot happens naturally as they tell the story of their travels, between the way they meet the challenges of playing for Aussie hard rock/metal festival circuit Soundwave, surf trips both triumphant and troublesome, revisiting the South African children's choir that helped inspire songs like "The Shadow Proves the Sunshine," and a deeply poignant episode of health troubles with frontman Jon Foreman's infant daughter.
The band's perspective on family, faith, music, and surfing all consistently emerge through the storytelling. In addition to pro surfer features, Fading West also features cameos of alternative rock icons from bands such as Foo Fighters and Goo Goo Dolls, as well as the inspiration for "The Sound (John M. Perkins Blues)," John Perkins.
Although the impressive line-up of featured surfers, musicians, and locations might become little more than an ego trip for other bands, there is never any danger of straying into that territory for this project. The film both begins and ends with the simplicity of the band members in the roles that may be most important of all: husband and father. This is by far the most detailed glimpse the band has ever allowed into their personal lives, and it adds a grounding level of humor and humility that complements the other themes.
(Editor-in-Chief Marcus Hathcock sat down with drummer/producer Chad Butler and keyboardist/do-all-instrumentalist Jerome Fontamillias for an exclusive interview. Check that out here.)
Judging by the way the rolling credits were met with thunderous applause, every Switchfoot fan in attendance had their expectations met and surpassed by the film. A brief intermission provided space for fans to stretch and reset from the role of film-watchers to concertgoers.
The band chose to open with a stripped down arrangement of "The Sound" from 2009's release Hello Hurricane. Although it's often hard to draw no-holds-barred enthusiasm from a Music City crowd steeped in industry legacy, the audience couldn't seem to stay in their seats, opting to stand and engage the music—even if just to nod along with the rich grooves of Tim Foreman's bass and Chad Butler's drum beats.
Recent single and cut from the Fading West EP and album, "Love Alone is Worth the Fight" followed, with lead singer Jon Foreman encouraging the crowd to sing the catchy hook choral-style along with him.
A brief question-and-answer session followed, drawing on questions submitted via Twitter throughout the movie and intermission. The band answered both specific questions about the movie and more general questions, ranging from earnest to absurd. One of the more serious questions was directed at Jon, asking him what his "wow moments" were after all the things he'd done and experienced.
After answering that the first one that came to mind was looking into his daughter's eyes (which earned more than a few misty eyes in the room), he responded that another moment was a song that he'd decided to play that night: "The Shadow Proves the Sunshine."
Although Switchfoot writes a unique set list for every show they play, this song is one that rarely makes the cut, so its inclusion for the Franklin crowd was a rare gift. The band opted for a more scaled-back arrangement for this song as well, a perspective that served the mellow tune well.
The energy levels in the room didn't stay low long, as the band launched into "Who We Are," another new track. This song also got a strongly positive response from the audience despite the fact that it was largely unknown, its infectious beat keeping listeners engaged.
"Only Hope" followed, an older selection more commonly found in Jon Foreman's solo shows than full band performances. This song reinforced the fact that the setlist overall tended towards the softer side of Switchfoot's dynamic, a decision that seemed better fitted for the venue and the setting.
Jon Foreman introduced classic "Dare You to Move" with the words "hope is believing in a world you haven't seen yet." The well-known chords drew a strong reaction from the audience before the first words were even sung, a testament to the way the song has endured through nearly a decade of performances and radio plays.
In a moment apparently spontaneous even for the band, all five members stepped off the stage and worked their way up into the audience with just a drum and a mic. As the crowd gathered around, the band launched into a raucous one mic performance of "Hello Hurricane" worthy of the local folk roots, digging deep and finally fully drawing out the audience's singing voices. Most of the band headed back on stage as that song wrapped, but Jon Foreman stayed out with the crowd to play what has become the band's signature closing track for the past two years, Vice Verses album closer "Where I Belong."
Although the set was one of the shortest of the tour due to the fact that the band had to fit two full concerts in one evening at that particular stop, it was both well-crafted and well-suited to the situation and the venue. Other stops on the tour featured more crunchy rock tunes and rowdy audience participation—this reviewer also caught a Texas show, featuring a setlist significantly longer and louder, and our Editor caught an Oregon show that was somewhere in the middle—but the Franklin crowd got a more reverent and thoughtful set of songs. Switchfoot truly has a gift for allowing every evening of a tour to be its own story as well as part of the larger whole.
The songs were also a beautiful and natural continuation of the movie, a further statement of the band's identity and an invitation for fans to join them in it. If Switchfoot shows are often described as sing alongs, perhaps this movie could accurately be seen as an invitation to live along with the band, through songs and waves and the moments in between. Fading West is a ride well worth experiencing yourself, whether on the road or in your own home. This movie is yet another case where Switchfoot took a daring shot at honest connection with their audience and undeniably hit home.
