While sonically, rock band Switchfoot and rapper Lecrae share little in common, but when it comes to their principles and their musical mission, they're nearly identical. Having both started within the confines of Christian music, both set out to share their art with the largest audiences possible while staying true to themselves.

The result is that both Lecrae and Switchfoot not only are some of the biggest names in Christian music, but they've seen tremendous favor in the general market as well. Armed with new music, an army of rabid fans from coast to coast and stage performances that will rival any mainstream act, these artists are joining forces for the first time on the Heartland Tour, heading out on the road for nine special dates in (appropriately) the Heartland of America from June 10-19. 

Together they'll share the stage in Cedar Rapids, Ia.; Salt Lake City; Boise; Wenatchee, Wash.; Kent, Wash.; Medford, Ore.; and Spokane, Wash. It's a new arrangement and a new kind of musical gumbo for both groups, so I asked both Lecrae and Switchfoot guitarist Drew Shirley a few questions about the tour. 

What's the history of the relationship between Switchfoot and Lecrae?

Drew: Lecrae is an artist we've always looked at and respected. We've seen his work over the years, and we just love his style, his lyrics, his content, his passion. We recorded our record, When the Light Shines Through, and when we were working on it here at our studio in San Diego, we had a song that was really rhythmic and seemed really powerful. It's called "Looking for America." It's about as political as we get. We're not really a political band, but "Looking For America" is about who are we [as a nation], about identity, and we thought it would be cool to have someone rap on that song. Lecrae was our first choice, and we contacted him and he said yes--so he actually rapped on the song on our record. We thought, "Well, we have to do some tour dates together," and then we made up this tour. 

Lecrae: Well Switchfoot--the roads that they've paved I've watched from afar for years. And just seeing how they've navigated the music industry and held on to their roots and beliefs in the process of that, was always inspiring. We got to meet years ago at a festival. We did a panel discussion--myself and Jon--and just hearing his perspectives, we shared a lot of similar perspectives. And we just thought it would be awesome if we could all just continue building relationship, continue collaborating in some kind of way. So when this tour came to the forefront, I said let's do it. 

Obviously you'll be performing the new Switchfoot song "Looking For America," which features Lecrae. Are there going to be any other collabs on this tour? 

Lecrae: It's just going to be an intense time. I think everyone will be blown away by what they're going to experience. Without giving away too much, I think it's definitely an event unlike any other. And it's something unlike anything I've done, or anything they've done as well.

Drew: I'm sure we'll have a few surprises up our sleeve. We'll just have to find out. We're a live band. We're one of those old school bands who don't use any tracks and play everything live and we change the set list, you know, during the middle of the show, where Jon has an idea to jump in the crowd. Or someone holds up a sign or says, "Play THIS song!" and he'll say, "Alright let's play that song, let's do it!" And we'll just adjust and play it and have fun like that. It's live, it's music. Talking to Jon the other day, I just realized recorded music has only been around for like 100 years, but live music has been around since humans have existed. We just really value that and that connection as something very powerful that happens. If all you know about us is our recorded music you're missing out, you gotta come see a live show. 
 
This tour features two very different styles, different genres. Talk about how it'll work switching gears, in a sense, between rock and hip-hop. 

Lecrae: I think [the tour] speaks a lot to where we are as a society and as a culture. Genres are blending. People see a lot of collaborative efforts, especially in mainstream music. This is something that has happened for decades, and it's just good to see us be able to do something like this and do it well. It's going to be very natural. It won't feel forced, it won't feel haphazard; there's definitely going to be a flow. We're taking time to make sure that everyone who touches that stage, it makes sense. Everyone will be pleasantly surprised.

Drew: Well, you know, my honest answer is I don't know how it'll work. We haven't started the tour yet, so I don't know exactly what that's going to be like to shift gears from a rock band to a rap artist, but I know we both are very passionate, we both play and sing songs that we fully believe and are out there with all our hearts, and leave nothing on the table. I think that'll resonate with people. 

You've mentioned having similar philosophies as artists. Specifically, what are some things you share in common?

Lecrae: Well one is just being confident in what it is you're called to do, and sticking to your guns and your beliefs in the process. Because there are a lot of people who want to thwart that or critique you until you kind of back down on all sides. They never shied away from it. Whether that's coming from people that don't share their beliefs, they're going to stick to what their foundations are in faith, or from people who do share their beliefs and don't agree with everything they do. 

Drew: Lecrae's singing big songs, you know? The theme that we came up with on this record is "hope deserves and anthem." And that's something that we honestly came to because we sing songs that are just music, but what we're singing about has changed people's lives. It's a lot bigger than just us and our band. Lecrae's the same way, singing big songs that are anthemic, rallying people and changing the direction for the masses. Singing about hope and bringing people into it. 

Drew, are there certain new songs you're itching to play on this tour? 

Drew: Oh yeah, there's lots. We've got four tracks that are already learned for the new album, that we're starting to play live. And as we go, we'll have more of them learned. New music always brings new energy to the live show. There's a new energy, and your band has the opportunity with the new songs to redefine itself, change the directional kind of sound. I think people will be kind of surprised at some of the styles we have going on in with the new record.

Lecrae, your Anomaly Tour was very media-heavy and narrative focused. Will we be seeing those elements on this tour, or completely new stuff?

Lecrae: It's completely new. We did something completely new. We just wanted to give the fans, in case they've seen something before, a completely new experience. It doesn't lose anything by any means--but it's something completely different.
 
What do you hope people come away with on this tour?

Drew: I hope people are changed. To be honest with you, you are changed every time you listen to music. The things you listen to affect you and change you. We're wanting to be a part of that fabric in people's lives to help change them towards hope. We hope that some people just enjoy the music and it uplifts them--that it brings them up to hear good rock and roll guitars and drums. And some people will dig a little deeper and find a song that is the soundtrack to their relationship or love or children, or connection to their art. Some people dig even deeper and find that it resonates with something very deep in their heart, giving them a vision of hope that they didn't have before. Whatever the case may be, whatever level people want to take the music and let it into their lives, we're just honored to be there doing what we're able to to be there for people. 

The Heartland Tour runs June 10 through June 19 at the following dates:
Friday, June 10 - Omaha, Neb.
Saturday, June 11 - Moorehead, Minn.
Sunday, June 12 - Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Tuesday, June 14 - Salt Lake City, Utah 
Wednesday, June 15 - Garden City (Boise), Id. 
Thursday, June 16 - Wenatchee, Wash.
Friday, June 17 - Kent, Wash. 
Saturday, June 18 - Medford, Ore.
Sunday, June 19 - Spokane, Wash. 

Buy tickets and learn more at either Lecrae's or Switchfoot's tour pages.