Exit East's self-titled debut album brings out these passions in the form of catchy guitars, floor-shaking drums and groove-heavy bass lines that work as a team to create tight, unforgettable songs like "All of This."
Jason is an unabashed lover of great pop bands, from the Beatles to matchbox twenty, and says "We're huge fans of great hooks and strong writing." The members of the group wear their influences, like their hearts, on their sleeves, and they range from Train and Lifehouse to Switchfoot and Steven Curtis Chapman.
Producer Otto Price met Exit East at AtlantaFest where they won the festival's Artist Search contest in 2003. Though Otto is best-known for working with acts like Out of Eden, Grits and BarlowGirl, he turned out to be the producer to mesh with and help bring out the band members' individual strengths. "Otto can reach inside you and pull these things out of you that you didn't know were there," Jason says. "He takes you out of your little box and opens you up to all sorts of possibilities."
"I've worked with some great artists on every level of talent, and after being with these guys in the studio and out; they are the whole package! There will be no stopping Exit East. They have such a defining and interesting sound throughout their entire album that makes them the real deal," shares Otto.
Childhood friends, Little Leaguers, and now bandmates, Jason and Jon paired up and collaborated on eight of the album's 11 songs. Jason worked, until recently, as the assistant to the head of worship at Altanta's Westridge Church, a position that occasionally had him working with and learning from Third Day guitarist Brad Avery. The two have since become great friends.
"It's very important to remember where you are at all points in your life—good, bad, ugly, beautiful," Jason says. "It's the path that God has put you on, and you weren't there for any other purpose but His."
Non Fiction
Exit East Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Welcome to the pain,
Welcome to the madness,
Of black and white and gray,
Say, hello to the sadness,
Of every day,
CHORUS
Taken away, taken away the hurt,
Welcome to redemption,
Welcome to the truth,
Welcome to your freedom,
Freedom from you,
Say, hello to tomorrow,
Goodbye yesterday.
CHORUS
BRIDGE
Welcome to the planet,
Welcome to today, say
Hello to tomorrow,
Goodbye yesterday.
CHORUS
The lyrics to Exit East's song Non Fiction invite us to confront painful truths and acknowledge the mixed and complex nature of our emotions. The singer welcomes us to "non-fiction", the opposite of fiction and fantasy, where we have to face the harsh reality of life. In this place, we experience pain, madness, and shades of gray, which seem to represent the complexity of human experiences. The singer also refers to the sadness that is part of our daily lives, suggesting that we need to acknowledge and accept it.
However, the chorus of the song also offers hope. The singer speaks of someone who has "taken away the hurt" and offers "redemption" and "truth". These lines suggest that we can find relief and freedom from our pain by confronting reality and seeking the truth. The second verse continues this theme, inviting us to say goodbye to the past and welcome a brighter future.
The bridge of the song changes the focus from the individual to the world around us. We are invited to welcome "the planet", acknowledging our connection to the natural world, and to live in the present moment, "today". This lines seem to suggest that by connecting to a wider reality we can find a sense of purpose and meaning.
In summary, Exit East's song Non Fiction invites us to face the complex and painful reality of our lives, while also offering hope and a vision for a better future. The song encourages us to embrace the truth and find freedom from our pain by acknowledging our connection to the natural world and living in the present moment.
Line by Line Meaning
Welcome to non-fiction,
Welcome to the harsh reality that can't be altered or disguised
Welcome to the pain,
Welcome to the discomfort and distress that comes with life
Welcome to the madness,
Welcome to the unpredictability and confusion that we encounter in life
Of black and white and gray,
Of the contrasting aspects of life we deal with, the good and the bad, and everything in between
Say, hello to the sadness,
Acknowledge and embrace the sorrow that is present in everyday life
Of every day,
A reminder that emotions and struggles are constant throughout our lives
This is the way, this is the way it works,
An observation on the nature of life, acknowledging that things happen in a specific way
(He's) Taken away, taken away the hurt,
A hopeful message that someone has been able to overcome their pain and struggles
Welcome to redemption,
Embrace the possibility of being saved or liberated from past mistakes or negative experiences
Welcome to the truth,
Embrace facing the reality of the situation, even if it is difficult
Welcome to your freedom,
Embrace the opportunity to be free from the past and present circumstances that limit an individual in life
Freedom from you,
Freedom from the negative influences or past mistakes of an individual
Say, hello to tomorrow,
Embrace the possibilities of the future
Goodbye yesterday.
Let go of the past to move forward into the future
Welcome to the planet,
An acknowledgement of a person's existence in life
Welcome to today, say
Embrace the present moment
Hello to tomorrow,
Welcome the endless possibilities of the future
Goodbye yesterday.
The past is over and it is time to leave it behind
Contributed by Amelia A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.