The brother duo, Joel and Luke, known as For King and Country will open their fall tour on Sunday, September 14th, 2014, at the People’s Church in Franklin. For the hometown crowd, they will be premiering their 2nd album, Run Wild- Live Free- Love Strong before its release date of September 16th. Their first single from this album, “Fix My Eyes ” received a Dove nomination for Song of the Year.
Born in Sydney, Australia, the two now call Franklin home. We sat down with Luke to ask why the band name For King and Country, more about the new album, Run Wild-Live Free-Love Strong- and why they chose to open their fall tour right here in Franklin?
WS: What will it be like to open your fall tour in Franklin?
Luke: I have two thoughts- What are we thinking opening the tour in our hometown? And the other is these are the people who support you and have encouraged you to keep going. We are respectfully inmitidated by the process but we it will be great to reveal to the home crowd our new songs before the album is released a couple of days later. We grew up in the People’s Church. That was my training ground, I grew up being involved, singing there and perfecting my craft. Another special meaning is the sanctuary we will be playing is the place where I met my wife for the first time. So this concert will be has a special meaning to me.
WS: For King and Country was not your original band name, how did you settle on that name?
Luke: We were very original and at first called ourselves, Joel and Luke. We were in the studio one night , Joel came up with the name For all the Kings Men. Then our producer said what about For King and Country? For King and Country is an old British mantra they would chant before they would go into battle. We looked at each other and thought that is a pretty cool band name. The true is, it really became our mission statement For King(God) and For Country ( our audience). It is a key reminder to us as to why we do music.
WS: What was it like growing up with 6 siblings?
Luke: Yes, I have 6 siblings for a total of 7 kids in our family. Joel and I were arch rivals as kids. I played a lot of sports. Joel had other things that he was really good at but I could beat him at sports when I was 10 and he was 12. It used to make him so angry. We loved each other even though we had our rivals. We were raised to look after each other so if anyone were to ever say anything about my brother, I was the first to stand up for him. We were raised that family was first. Music was always around, my dad has been in the music industry for quite some time.
WS: Your first album Crave was released in 2012. Now your second one will be released on September 16th , tell us how Wild-Live Free-Love Strong- album is different than Crave?
Luke:We will probably not be that band that will have a new album every year. We like to work slow and steady . Crave was focused on 1 Corinthians 13 the love chapter. With our second album, life is different. I have been married for four years now. I have a 20 month old son. I also got very sick at one point. Joel got married over a year ago. This album feels more personal since we have experienced more life. We hope people with resonate with it. We are excited to see if within these songs they will become other people’s songs as well.
WS:” Fix My Eyes” is on the new album but the song has been out for over a year with incredible response, what is the story behind that song?
Luke: It has been written for nearly two years. It was the first song we wrote for the new album. During that time, I was just diagnosed with a digestive disorder and my wife was 7 months pregnant traveling with us in the back of a van. Joel was having relationship problems. It was a time where we really wanted to find out the most important thing. We came to the point where Fix Our Eyes was the most important things in life which is Fix Our Eyes on above.
WS: How do you like to decompress when not touring?
Luke: We have been rehearsing alot lately. Here is an example of what I might do when I get home. Last night, I got home around 7pm and I told my son, let’s go mow the lawn. I have one of backpacks and put him on there and away we go. He absolutely loves it. Really, it is just about spending time with my family, sharing my day with my wife and son.
WS: Can you tell us what you enjoy about Williamson County?
Luke: One of the things we enjoy are the parks. There is a park in Nolensville that we frequent quite a bit. All of my memories with my wife and son have taken place in Williamson County. So anytime I’m in Williamson County, I feel like I’m home.
Thanks Luke for sharing your thoughts with us! Click here for more information about tickets to the concert on Sunday. Ticket prices range from $10 to $29.
Please join our FREE Newsletter
