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Do your fans often comment on your underlying spirituality?

Detweiler: Because a lot of spiritual issues are addressed, people ask if we're Christians. We say, "Why don't you describe what you mean by that word, and I'll tell you if I'm that person?" I sort of feel like that's necessary, because you can't talk about that neatly and quickly. Faith is an important part of what I do. It's sort of the same thing when I go to Europe and they ask me if I'm an American. I am, but I may not meet your preconceived notion. It's a fun dilemma to work out.

What is the overall goal of this career period in Over the Rhine's music?

Detweiler: When we were recording Ohio, Karin and I realized—for better or worse—this music has to do with why we're here. Barring some unforeseen misfortune, we'll probably be doing it for the next 20 years. I believe this music is our lives' work. My dream for this music would be that it would get tangled up in the stories that people are writing everyday with their lives, and become a part of people's travels through the good times and through the messy times of being human. People do connect deeply with our music; that's why we keep making it. In terms of being embraced by the mainstream or our audience growing exponentially with a commercial breakthrough, I don't know if it will ever happen. If it has potential to reach much wider audience, that's out of my control. I'm just blessed to make a living at it.

Editor's note: While Ohio is an excellent album replete with spiritual messages, it does include one strong profanity in the song "Changes Come." For that reason, it was decided not to include Ohio among our Christian CD reviews, nor will it be eligible for our list of the Best Christian Albums of 2003.

To read more about Over the Rhine visit their artist page, where you will also find our coverage of Ohio as part of our Glimpses of God series. You can listen to song clips and purchase Over the Rhine's music at Amazon.com.

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