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OC welcomes Cloverton

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Manhattan-based Christian band, Cloverton, hits Oklahoma Christian University’s campus next week, sharing a conviction of nonconformity for Christians through their music.

Their first full-length album, titled “Patterns,” debuted in September 2013 and explored their passion for breaking secular norms to pursue their music in the Christian genre.

Amanda Watson, events coordinator for Oklahoma Christian, has been in contact with the band to organize their arrival.

“We found them because Hannah Heithold, who graduated from OC a year ago, grew up with the lead singer Lance,” Watson said. “They contacted her and said, ‘Hey, we’ll be traveling through that area, do you think that you guys would want to do a concert?’ It just really worked out and fell into place that we were able to get them lined up.”

The band consists of Lance Stafford on piano and vocals, his twin brother Layne Stafford on bass, Kirby LeMoine on drums and Josh Svorinic on guitar. The four have done well in the Christian music scene, holding K-Love radio’s No. 1 most downloaded song in the station’s history for their single “Take Me Into the Beautiful.”

Senior Megan Mitchell, executive vice president of Oklahoma Christian’s Student Government Association, is planning a pre-show event to reach out to the Oklahoma Christian community and get students involved with the band’s visit.

“We’re going to be trying to draw in other people so we can really fill the auditorium,” Mitchell said. “Something we noticed students love is food, so we want to provide dinner or some snacks in the conservatory. We’ve talked about doing prizes in the middle of the show.”

Following fellowship and food in the conservatory with SGA, the concert will kick off with music by Kris Strobeck, videographer and editor in Oklahoma Christian’s marketing department. He and his band open for Cloverton at 7 p.m.

Strobeck’s band consists of a few Oklahoma Christian alumni: Ryan Parker, Kelcy White and Ryan Gross. The band also features Hans, a cello player from Oregon. Strobeck is currently finishing his first full-length album.

“Its kind of a pop style,” Strobeck said. “Some of it is R&B, some of it is more acoustic. It’s going to be fun; we’re bringing a ukulele.”

Strobeck’s varied styles will set the stage for Cloverton’s pop-rock Christian music. Despite the success of “Take Me Into the Beautiful,” few students on campus have heard of Cloverton.

“I might go for a few songs to check them out,” senior Aaron Graefe said. “I’ve only heard one song so far and want to hear a couple more.”

Students who have previously listened to Cloverton, however, are excited for the upcoming concert.

“I watched a video of theirs,” Mitchell said. “He’s playing the piano, and he did some remake of the Hallelujah song, but it’s a Christmas version and it’s so awesome. I’m going to the show and I’m really excited about it.”

Senior Mindy Borth acknowledges that the band appears relatable, although not entirely unique.

“They’ve taken a lot of the good generic things out of Christian music and put them in a song,” Borth said. “It means they’re talented enough to do that.”

Senior Hayley Fisher recognizes those generalities, but looks for something deeper in their music, however.

“The song that I listened to is full of clichés and feels kind of empty,” Fisher said. “It doesn’t seem very sincere. My spirit wings don’t flutter when I hear their voices.”

The similarities and differences between Cloverton and other popular Christian artists are apparent to several students.

“They’re definitely not Hawk Nelson,” Mitchell said. “People probably won’t be moshing at the stage or anything like that. They’re more comparable to Tenth Avenue North or David Crowder Band.”

Borth and senior Stanton Yeakley both noted how such similarities often prevent the Christian genre from having much musical diversity.

“The biggest problem I have with Christian music is that so often, all the voices sound the same,” Borth said.

Yeakley doesn’t see this as a problem so much as using what works.

“I think their musical style sounds like a lot of other Christian artists, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing,” Yeakley said. “There’s definitely a market for that. But I think they sound like the type of band you would expect Oklahoma Christian to bring to campus.”

Students expressed interest in seeing the school bring in other artists in the future that do not explicitly fit the Christian music genre.

“I would like to see OC take a page out of Harding’s book,” Yeakley said. “Or other Christian campuses that have branched out into the world of secular music and looked at artists that are not only Christian artists but also good musicians, and are not within the boxed confines of, ‘We are a Christian band.’”

Borth echoed Yeakley’s sentiment, but focused more within the genre.

“I think it’s great that OC has done the Christian band route,” Borth said. “I like the fact that we are open-minded enough to have Christian music with instruments. At the same time, though, I would like variety.”

The concert is Tuesday, Jan. 28, in Hardeman Auditorium. Tickets are free for students and $5 for non-students.

More on this story as it develops; a Q&A with Cloverton the day of the concert to follow.

 

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