"It's a new day and a new chapter for this band," exclaims an obviously excited Rutz. "We have a new sound, a new direction, a new feel, a new member, a new label and new management, so it felt like our old skin didn't completely contain what we do now, nor did it do this band justice anymore."
Though the players brainstormed for months before making the moniker switchover, they wanted a title that wouldn't be tied to any preconceived notions or specific music industry connotations. Originally, VOTA didn't have a meaning, instead creating a blank canvas for the listener to interpret, though a longtime listener soon pointed out an alternative meaning anchored in faith.
"One of our fans did a Google search and found out it does have a spiritual meaning, which is an interesting nod to God's sovereignty," explains Maranville. "VOTA is a Latin root word that stands for a collection of vows before God, which echoes our goals of using this music to His glory."
Outside of ministry intentions, the group's self-titled debut is loaded with artistic innovation, taking cues from the players' previous alternative dichotomy, plus additional influences ranging from dance poppers Maroon 5 to ethereal rockers Augustana. Add in a return outing with famed producer Nathan Dantzler (Relient K, Audio Adrenaline, Tree63) and VOTA brilliantly straddles the line of current and timeless.
"We really tried to throw the rule book out the window with these sessions and we tried to look at each song specifically and give them what they needed," offers Olesen. "We stretched our limits in every sense even down to the way we recorded. A lot of times a band records the drum tracks, then bass, then guitar and then vocals, but we took it one song at a time, which made the process more expensive, but artistically it was great to freshly move to each element. In the end, all the tracks have a wonderful diversity, which allows you to listen all the way through and put on a nice iPod shuffle mix."
Adding Friesen not only added an extra layer of paint to the band's dynamic, but also a brand new instrument in the form of keyboards. Though those sounds appeared on older albums and in concert, they share double billing with the guitars on this endeavor, putting a bit more groove in the step of these Nebraska natives.
"We had honestly been looking for the past three or four years for somebody to fill this part and we knew Riley was a real answer to prayer," ruminates Rutz. "He fit the profile we were looking for perfectly, we get along so well and he lives in Lincoln, NE, which just reaffirmed it for us!"
Beyond the studio, that fleshed out sound has expanded on stage, leaving VOTA a force to be reckoned with either in headlining, festival or even outreach styled environments such as on its onoing 180 Tour a public high school assembly program designed to encourage students in their character and decision making. The foursome's veteran status certainly doesn't hurt, with Olesen serving as arguably the most explosive rock n' roll front man in recent memory.
"Part of what we're tying to do is take the live show to another level, and now with four members, we're giving the audience an even more engaging show," Olesen adds. "We bring all our own sound and lighting on the road and we take the show really seriously, plus its been really encouraging to have support from our fans right from the get go of performing the new songs."
There's no doubt anyone leaving a VOTA show will be thoroughly entertained, but outside of a mere performance spectacle, there's a much more introspective thread that runs through the guys' sets. Besides showcasing a relatable message that runs the gamut of personal and spiritual relationships, plus being lights in even the darkest corners of society, members' humanitarian interests are also major components.
"We're interested in moving beyond just the music, which you can see in something like our partnership with Food For the Hungry and everything that's continuously being out on the 180 Tour, our commitment to encourage students through the 180 Tour" muses Maranville of the endeavor they started in 2006. "We want to offer students and listeners of all ages to consider how they can make a positive change in this world, whether that be by lending a helping hand or just living a life of character and integrity on a daily basis."
Olesen echoes those sentiments, also adding the gang's earned additional wisdom through experience, along with ongoing faith refinement. "We're not looking to be defined by being musicians and rock n' roll and we hold on loosely in that sense," he sums up. "Now that we're not 16-year-olds wanting to be rock stars, we're sensitive to where God wants us and I think that's given us a mature focus to kind of break the mold of going through the motions- whether that be with the way me make music, the 180 Tour and how we interact with everyone we meet along the way."
www.votaband.com
Wastin' Time
Vota Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cool breeze, electric pale blue skies
I've been given' keys to this paradise
I'm livin' large, it's a good, good life
Here we are just wastin' time
I can not do one thing to save my life
I must be out of my head
Wastin' time
Let's build a tower up to the sky
So close but yet so far behind
Can't see where you're goin' when you're walkin' blind
You're livin' lies man, just open your eyes
Here we are just wastin' time
You can not do one thing to save your life
You must be out of your head
Must be out of your head tonight
Wastin' time, yeah
Here and now's where I want to be
I know there's somethin' right with me
I'm an individual with liberty
This is the life someone died to give me
I can not do one thing to save my life
I must be out of my head
Must be out of my head tonight
Wastin' time, yeah
In VOTA's song Wastin' Time, the singer takes the listener on a journey through the countryside, where he is enjoying a luxurious life. He emphasizes that he has been given access to a paradise and is living a good life. Despite all of this, however, the singer feels that he is wasting his time. He can't seem to do anything to save his life, and he feels like he must be out of his head. The song highlights the theme of materialism and how we can feel like we have everything we could ever want, but still feel unfulfilled.
The second verse talks about building a tower up to the sky, but the singer points out that it's so close yet so far behind. He talks about the danger of living lies and encourages the listener to open their eyes to what's really important in life. The chorus repeats the idea that they are "wastin' time" and cannot do anything to save their lives.
The singer concludes the song by acknowledging that what he really wants is to be present in the here and now. He realizes that he is an individual with liberty and that his life is a gift that someone died to give him. The song is a reminder to focus on what's truly important and not get caught up in the distractions of materialism and the fast-paced world around us.
Line by Line Meaning
Let's take a ride through the countryside
Embarking on a journey through peaceful natural surroundings with good atmosphere
Cool breeze, electric pale blue skies
Refreshing air and an electrifying atmosphere with light blue skies as backdrop
I've been given' keys to this paradise
Being in possession of the tools needed to access this wonderful world
I'm livin' large, it's a good, good life
Enjoying a great, fulfilling life that feels rewarding
Here we are just wastin' time
We are merely wasting precious seconds we'll never get back
I can not do one thing to save my life
Incapable of performing even the simplest tasks efficiently
I must be out of my head
Feeling slightly insane or losing one's mind
Must be out of my head tonight
Possibly feeling more crazy, unbalanced, or uncentered than usual
Wastin' time
Foolishly squandering priceless moments by engaging in meaningless or irrelevant activities
Let's build a tower up to the sky
Think ambitiously and construct something magnificent
So close but yet so far behind
Avoid getting stuck within projects, ideas or pursuits that will not advance one's goals
Can't see where you're goin' when you're walkin' blind
Continue to remain ignorant towards opportunities, risks and outcomes that can arise when making incomplete or uninformed decisions
You're livin' lies man, just open your eyes
Living in a state of deception, denial or pretending that everything is perfect, only serves to prevent you from seeing reality clearly
Here and now's where I want to be
Current location and time is the best place for me to live in and enjoy life at the moment
I know there's somethin' right with me
Having a positive sense of identity and believing that you are a good person
I'm an individual with liberty
I'm free and allowed to express my own thoughts, beliefs and aspirations
This is the life someone died to give me
Acknowledge the sacrifices and struggles that predecessors have endured for present and future generations to live better lives
I can not do one thing to save my life
Still incompetent or lacking the necessary means to survive
I must be out of my head
Feeling totally out of sync with reality or highly befuddled
Must be out of my head tonight
Feeling more discombobulated than ever before, possibly due to intoxication or other factors
Wastin' time, yeah
Continuing to waste moments and regretting it later
Writer(s): Bryan Olesen, Case Maranville, Jason Burkum, Scott Rutz
Contributed by Abigail B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.