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What's the biggest challenge balancing that platform and your new-found connections in the mainstream industry?

Jon: We haven't figured it out yet. We have spirituality, commerce, and the arts all colliding. At first I used to see things that cause tension as something to run from or something to solve. I think the thing that causes the most tension is that we're supposed to be light in darkness. That's a tense place to be with so many conflicting elements. But we're trying to be that light in the darkness and trying to live within that tension.

What are some of your other goals?

Jon: Some people set goals for numbers of albums sold and numbers of Grammys won, but I have no control over that. We don't really set those types of goals. Our goals are much more ambiguous or [at least] attainable. Our goals are centered on being better live performers and living better [personal] lives.

A lot of what happens to you as an artist is out of your control. How do you give that over to God?

Jon: I think control is an illusion. When I look at the world and what it admires, I see it's all screwed up. Hanging out in L.A. while recording the album was like a cartoon sometimes. People would be like, "Oh, he's important so I'm going to go talk to him." That's the exact opposite of the gospel, which tells us not to sit at the head of the table and just invite people who can pay us back. When we're living with the kingdom of heaven in mind, then the things outside of our control are understood a little better.

It seems to play into the framework of your new album. What's an overall theme you'd like listeners to take from The Beautiful Letdown?

Jon: The letdown is the idea that your hands are ripped away from all the things that the earth has established. Sometimes, your fingers are torn off in the process. When all those things are stripped away and all that remains is who you truly are, that's where the kingdom of heaven lives. [Christ] didn't come for the people who have their hands on the money. He didn't come for the people who didn't need a doctor. He came for the sick, the poor, the broken, the losers, and the ugly jerks. He came for you and me, and that act is basically the beautiful letdown.

Learn more about Switchfoot at our artist page for the band, which includes past interviews and reviews. The Beautiful Letdown hits stores February 25.

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