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We've talked in the past about how you have certain people in your church who look over your lyrics from a theological point of view. Is that still true?

Cliff: Oh yeah. We have many wonderful people who have served as our mentors through the years. They read through our songs and call us on stuff. It's a good process to go through – a great and important process.

Josh: Often we just brainstorm about what we should be expressing to the church, to college students, and to other particular audiences. Then we give those thoughts to our mentors so they can help guide us in the writing process.

Cliff: They hypnotize us!

Josh: Yeah, yeah. They totally brainwash us to say whatever they want. Okay, no. But if you look at all the writers who've written for the band, you won't find a single person that we don't consider our closest friends. That extends into our church and beyond.

So there's a special understanding among everyone involved in the community. You understand each other and each other's contribution.

Cliff: That's right. If you heard some of the early music Aaron Tate presented to us, you'd think, "Oh man, this is over. He can't write at all." (And he knows this.) But ever since Aaron and I were in college together, I've been able to find something valuable in his lyrics. He might bring nine songs to the table and we only end up using one, but that one song will be amazing! He truly leaves his ego at the door.

With so many people contributing to each song, why don't we see it in the song credits?

Josh: Technically and legally, most of Aaron Senseman's and all of Aaron Tate's songs should be credited to at least five different people. (The exception is Derek's songs.) But we don't choose to do it that way. That process is uniquely Caedmon's Call.

There's definitely been consistency through the past 10 years, but what about the group's sound? Has it changed in your opinion?

Cliff: Sure! Oh yeah.

Josh: If Caedmon's hadn't changed and evolved over the years, we would've been out of it a long time ago.

Cliff: One example of changes in the music is with Sandra [McCracken] writing for Danielle. Sandra is an amazing songwriter. Because she has had conversations with Danielle, she understands her and writes specifically for her voice. She penned three songs on the new album, and I think Danielle is sounding better than ever as a result of that collaboration.

Learn more about Caedmon's Call at the band's artist page and read our review of Back Home. You can listen to song clips from their albums at Musicforce.com.

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