Theandric began as a solo project when I was in my twenties, but I’ve
been making music ever since I was in grade school. After several years of imposed and torturous
piano lessons, I convinced my parents to buy me a bass guitar. I was about 12 years old when I began taking
regular bass guitar lessons at the local music store, and later I picked up
acoustic and electric guitar as well. As
a teenager, I was a big fan of hard rock and heavy metal, but later my
interests broadened to include a wide range of music, including jazz,
classical, and world music. With regards
to the name “Theandric”, it was a theological word that I heard used in a
homily once. At the time I didn’t know
what the word meant but I thought it sounded cool! I thought it would make a great band
name. After I learned the meaning, I
found that it was the perfect word to express my musical philosophy, which is
essentially to allow my human nature to cooperate with the divine nature in the
creative act. Even though Theandric
started as a solo project, I’ve always had the vision of including more
musicians under the Theandric banner, and we’re starting to get there with the
addition of the talented Elizabeth Esqueda to our group.
As for influences, there are a few artists and composers that I would
consider my favorites, and you’ll see that they are quite diverse: in terms of
rock music I really like Genesis, King’s X, Iron Maiden, and Juliana
Hatfield. In terms of classical and
sacred music: Messiaen, Arvo Part, and
Sir John Tavener. In the Christian music
realm I really like Fr. Stan Fortuna, Tori Harris and the acclaimed guitarist
Phil Keaggy. In particular, the guitar
playing of Phil Keaggy has had a tremendous impact on the development of my
acoustic guitar playing.
2) You have a new album
out entitled "The Door of Faith".
It has a very different sound than your previous metal album "Up
the Irons". Was this intentional
from the beginning and can we expect more of the same in the future?
The EP “Up the Irons” was really my first experience in making a
professional sounding recording and releasing it worldwide. The music style was in tribute to one of the
my favorite bands, Iron Maiden, whose music I’ve enjoyed since I started
playing guitar almost 25 years ago. But
it really wasn’t meant to define all my musical intentions - it was just a fun
musical idea that I had and needed to put to rest. There is one song on that EP called “Adoro Te
Devote” which was part of my original vision for Theandric, which was to
utilize elements of Gregorian chant within a heavy metal framework. But over time I felt my musical interests
shifting, and I believe that the shift in sound and approach of the songs on
“The Door of Faith” was really a response to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. I had been working on the song “The Dream of
Joseph” about St. Joseph’s experience of the announcement of the birth of
Christ (Matthew 1:18-25) and I found I really enjoyed writing in a stripped
down, acoustic style, where the melodies and intimacy take precedence over
guitar riffs. Once I embraced this style
of writing the ideas really started flowing and I knew I was on to something. For now, I intend to continue writing in this
style because I feel it is the best use of my gifts to serve the Word.
3) The lyrics for this
new album are saturated with references and quotes from Sacred Scripture. How has the Bible shaped your songwriting?
The Word of God has been indispensable for the development of my songwriting.
Having a scripture passage in mind most often serves as a springboard for song
ideas. As a songwriter and composer, I
cannot think of a higher calling than to cooperate with the Lord in spreading
His Word. I think every artist wants his
work to be memorable and lasting, and the Lord reminds us that “heaven and
earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” So for me this form of creativity is a way to
connect with something eternal, which ultimately is the everlasting love of God. Also, writing the songs for this album has
been a form of Lectio Divina for me, as it has allowed me time to contemplate
more deeply into some of the personal experiences in scripture, such as those
experienced by St. Joseph, St. Thomas, and the Blessed Mother.
4) My wife and I were
just listening to the song 'Ave Maria' on our way back from Church
recently. Could you talk a little bit
about that song and the beautiful voice of Elizabeth Mihalo Esqueda who
accompanied you on this track?
Elizabeth’s participation in this project was truly a gift of God’s
Providence. She is a very talented
singer, not to mention a humble and enthusiastic person. I had placed an ad in the archdiocese music
newsletter and she responded to my search for a female singer to participate in
the recordings. From the beginning I had
envisioned a female voice being an important part of the songs, as I wanted the
music to reflect more of the diversity of the Body of Christ, and the
complementarity of the sexes. And of
course, the Marian songs “Ave Maria” and “Annunciation” required that feminine sound
and spirit to make them truly come alive.
Elizabeth contributed an incredibly beautiful performance. She also really helped me in improving my
Latin pronunciation! : )
5) Our Pope Emeritus
Benedict called for this year to be the Year of Faith. What kind of influence has his example and
writings had on you, both personally and musically?
Without a doubt I have Pope Benedict XVI to thank for the inspiration
and initiation of this project. The
announcement of the Year of Faith and the accompanying document “Porta Fidei”
provided me with not only the album title but also the inspiration to do a full
album’s worth of songs. I ended up
consulting many of his writings while songwriting, such as Deus Caritas Est,
The Spirit of the Liturgy, and Behold the Pierced One. I think I’ve also felt a particular affection
for Pope Benedict as my own father’s name is Benedict. I’ve made a point of releasing both of my
albums on July 11th, which is the feast of St. Benedict according to
the ordinary liturgical year. Another
bit of trivia: I had my wedding ring inscribed with the words ‘Deus Caritas
Est’ as a reminder of my vocation. Truly
I was really blessed by the pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI, and I’m grateful
there is still so much more of his work to study and reflect upon to grow in my
faith.
6) I know that
Eucharistic Adoration is a big part of your spiritual life. How has it impacted your songwriting?
The most fulfilling aspect of the preparations for this album was the
simple act of taking my guitar with me to the chapel to work in the presence of
the Blessed Sacrament. Not only was it
very fruitful creatively, but spiritually as well. I enjoyed being with the Lord to offer Him my
creative gifts, but also I relished being with Him in the silence of His Presence. This has now become my preferred mode of
composing, if the chapel is available and I can be alone with the Lord. And now that I think about it, this whole
project has helped me appreciate more fully how the Lord is present to us in
both Word and Sacrament. The Eucharist
and the Word both nourish us and strengthen us, and they are inextricably
linked. Also, another unexpected grace
from Eucharistic Adoration has been an increasing desire to spend time in front
of the Blessed Sacrament. This has
helped me feel grounded and humble. Like
many artists, I dream of playing before large crowds and having my music be
known far and wide, but over these past few months I find myself longing more
to be in the presence of just that One.
7) As customary for the
last question, do you have a favorite scripture passage?
It’s so tough to choose just one!
I’ve already mentioned 1 John 4:16, which pretty much sums it all up,
but currently the scripture that has been hanging on my heart has been Matthew
5:3: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven.” It was the first scripture that
I taught my three-year-old daughter and we pray it together at bedtime. There is a haunting mystery in that beatitude
that keeps calling me in a powerful way.
I feel like I could spend the rest of my life just contemplating that
one line.
Bonus Question: You are, of course, the genius behind the
Catholic Bibles Blog Theme Song. Can we
expect a follow up any time soon?
Yes, yes, I definitely want to do an updated theme song for the Catholic
Bibles Blog! I know that the current
theme has a “selective appeal”, if you will.
I already have an idea for the next theme song which will utilize lots
of Latin chant, scripture, and more cowbell…gotta have more cowbell!
Official Theandric
website: http://www.theandric.com
Your harmony with Elizabeth in 'Ave Marie' was beautiful. You are right she is very talented! Nice guitar work also!
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