The Violet Burning Interview Part
2
Michael Pritzl
on Faith and Vibe
By
JJT
In March we launched the first half
of this interview which can be found by following the link at the bottom
of this page. The following is the result of a continued phone
conversation and email exchange that digs even deeper into the heart of
the founder and driving force behind The Violet Burning.
True
Tunes: So
you have a new project coming out right?
Michael J.
Pritzl: It is called "I am a Stranger in
this Place" - an experiment in vibe.
True
Tunes: How did you record it?
MJP:
Actually every year I do an acoustic show at Christmas time, and I
perform all sorts of songs, things I have written, rarities, stripped
down versions of favorites, and other artists songs that have influenced
me. But this year I decided
to incorporate the whole band into it, and picked all songs that for me
have been songs of faith, surrender, or worship, from the previous four
recordings by the violet burning.
I re-arranged the songs, in quieter,
more vibey versions, and the band rehearsed like mad, and it came out so
wonderful, we opted to record it.
and so we recorded it live in the studio a couple weeks
later.
The band really did an awesome
job.
David Archuletta jr. - piano, keys,
guitars, effects, backing vocals
Herb Grimaud jr. - bass,
effects
Eddie Fisher - drum kit, shakers,
tambourines
James Banuelos - djimbe, shakers,
tambourines, drum kit
Melissa Barnett - vocals
Michael J.Pritzl - vocals, guitars,
effects, drones.
It could be the best thing we have
never done… which is do a full recording of vibe.
True
Tunes: You mention on your web site that the words "Vibe" and
"Worship" are interchangeable to you. Explain your definition of
each...
MJP: I
am not sure where I mention this. But for me, worship is who I am,
offering whatever I have, whatever is in me, whatever I am doing, unto
the Lord Jesus. And in
music it has always been that way for me. Taking the feelings, thoughts,
words, ideas, emotions, sounds, and offering them and literally playing
them before the Lord. No
matter what mood I am in when I go onstage or play in my room all alone,
I cannot help but to surrender the music to Him.
Vibe, well this is what we do while
we play, we try to tap into the sounds, the Spirit, the feeling that is
there…
Some nights it is overwhelming, some
nights it is not so overwhelming, but it is up to the Lord. I think it is part of what makes
the Violet Burning special.
True Tunes: Tell
me about some of the shows you've played this year. What are some
highlights?
MJP: Wow, well there have been some wonderful ones, Blue
Café in Long beach, also the foothill in Long beach, Tomfest in
Washington, and I think perhaps the most special was the 'experiment in
vibe' - Christmas show at Chain Reaction in Anaheim, CA.
True Tunes:Most of the shows, or at least several
high-profile ones, have been at Christian events or schools. Do you feel
more comfortable in that environment now than you did in the last few
years?
MJP:
Yes, I do. Thank you.
You have to understand that for a long time, many churches were
offering us thousands of dollars to come and play and share the gospel
at their church, or in some cases to baby-sit their youth group. And
quite honestly, I have never wanted that. I believe the gospel is free to
all men, and therefore should be free, I do not want to be paid to share
the gospel. Jesus
loved me and came into my heart for free, and I would never charge
someone for it. I think
this is why we pursued a mainstream deal, because in my heart I have
always hoped to reach a larger fan base, which includes the Christian
market and mainstream market. And if we ever had a successful selling
recording then we could actually come to a church and perform for
free. Give something back,
you know?
True
Tunes: Would you consider your basic world-view to be consistent
with traditional orthodox Christianity?
MJP:
Yes, I am a very conservative believer, though I am sort of a
mystic as well.
For example, for me, when I sing a
lyric like, "shelter me in your side" (from the song, 'undone'), to me I
can picture myself hiding within the wound in Jesus' side, knowing that
"from there my strength is derived, I am done" In this case 'done' means
complete. So if you look at the lyric for me I am saying that within the
precious blood of Jesus I am complete. Which is really what the Bible
teaches. I love to study
and read about the cross, the blood, the resurrection of Jesus. It truly blows my
mind.
True
Tunes: There was some controversy on your web site about Oceana
being the name of some spirit thing and you not even being a Christian
etc… Would you like to end that by stating the basics of your beliefs on
who Jesus was and such?
MJP: Yes,
it is funny how we as Christians really suffer from a deadly case of
gossip. Sometimes it seems
as though we should all wear big "G"'s on our chests, similar to The
Scarlet Letter. Why is that?
Why do we love to hurt each other by assuming the worst about one
another? Why don't we do as the Bible commands and "Love one another,
even as I have loved you"?
and "beloved, above all else, love one another, for love covers a
multitude of sins", and how about the fact that, "mercy triumphs over
judgement"?
This is the person I seek to be; one
who will love God with all my heart, soul, and strength. One who will love my brothers
and sisters as myself, one who will love my enemies, and bless those who
curse me.
The song you refer to, "Oceana", is
actually one of the prettiest songs I think I have ever stumbled
into. It is very
pure.
Someone wrote me once claiming that
I was worshiping false gods because there is supposed to be some god of
the sea named oceana.
How ridiculous. But, that is human
nature, sinful nature, to assume the worst.
As for the second part of your
question, "who Jesus was.." Well,
it is not who Jesus was for me.. it is who Jesus is to me. He is my Savior and my Lord, He
is my friend, and the friend of all sinners, He is Creator and Maker of
all that is seen and unseen, the Eternal God, the worthy
Lamb.
True
Tunes: Have you read any particularly inspiring books or portions
of Scripture you would like to share?
MJP: Wow,
this is always such a tough subject, since I am inspired by so many
things. Currently I am
reading a wonderful book called, "The Saving Life of Christ and the
Mystery of Godliness". It
is incredible. Another must read for all lovers of lyrics and words, or
burgeoning songwriters is by the man himself, Leonard Cohen - 'Stranger
Music'. It’s a collection of his songs and short stories. Truly the most gifted lyricist
that I have ever read. It
is kind of a songwriters secret to love Leonard Cohen.
Leviticus 17:11b- for the life of
the flesh, is in the blood.
This is so heavy, because think
about it, if you had no blood, you would have no life, right? If I cut my wrists open and my
blood poured out, I would die. No blood, no life. So my life is contained within
my blood. And within Jesus'
blood is contained the life of God Himself. Which the bible says is
"able to purge our consciences from guilt". Wow, imagine all of those people
who do not know Jesus, who wander around from day to day carrying all of
that guilt in their consciences, when all Jesus wants to do is wash it
away with the life of God, the Blood of Jesus.
Well, I won't ramble too
much.
True
Tunes: What are your thoughts on the close of the century and the
Millenium and such?
MJP: I
am excited for what the Lord is going to do, and I am scared for some
Christians who are not ready for the persecution that is
coming.
True
Tunes: Any chance the old albums will become available again?
Some rumors circulated that someone was releasing the first two albums
as a double disc.
MJP:
We hope to make available a couple of these through my Ruby
Electric Recording Label, via www.thevioletburning.com.
True
Tunes: Have you been writing for a new record? What does the near
future hold for TVB?
MJP: I
am always writing for new stuff. Actually once we release the new c.d.,
"I am a Stranger in this Place", I should be starting work on my first
real worship recording. And
then we are off to Cornerstone in July, Tomfest Northwest in July, Tomfest L.A. in August, and then
off to Europe for Flevo Festival in mid august.
Also, you can get the self titled
recording in Europe now through Word U.K. and they are also getting
ready to release "Demonstrates Plastic and Elastic" throughout Europe as
well.
The Lord is really opening some
wonderful doors for us.
True
Tunes: Any parting thoughts?
MJP:
Well, I just wanted to thank you John, it is always wonderful to
talk with you. You always
have had a way of getting me to share my heart. Blessings on
you.
Read
Part One of the Michael Pritzl Interview
