The Nehemiah Band is not your typical Christian music group. Mixing alternative sound to beats made for rapping, this group brings a style of music to the Christian music scene that is appealing to a listener who wants to blast more than just praise music in their car. This Los Angeles-based group gains more popularity in an appropriate time where fusion genres are common to a music-lover’s ears. And while some groups either go the route of being purely mellow or the route of being overly-produced, this group keeps their music raw with acoustic instruments as well produced beats.

The Nehemiah Band’s lyrical content includes a variety of topics. While often singing (or rapping) about the ups and downs of a Christian lifestyle, the group maintains a lively and fun edge. Their song “Rice, Kimchi, and Eggs” speaks for itself in that the substance of this song is nothing more than what the title says it is, yet the song’s addition says so much about the capabilities of the group. Eclecticism definitely comes to mind when one listens to their EP, titled, The Porter Ranch Fires. The band’s songs are personal enough to demonstrate a passion for the music they produce, but maintain an outreach to those listeners seeking connection of shared suffering, conviction, and altogether transformation. In addition, the band has performed to a variety of audiences and for different purposes—from supporting missions at church café nights to concerts that simply provide an outlet for upcoming artists.

In the months to come, watch out for The Nehemiah Band’s first music video on KAC Media’s website. In the mean time, purchase their EP off of their myspace page HERE.

**This questionnaire was compiled together from the individual band members’ responses**

1. Name: The Nehemiah Band (Daniel Chae, Daniel “Descry” Lee, John Chong, Kevin Kim, and Mike Whang)

MUSIC
2. Genre of music: RetroPop (Kevin Kim) // Hip-Hop/Turntablism (Daniel “Descry” Lee)
2a. Sounds like: The Musical Love Child of Stephen Mason/David Crowder/John Mayer/The Edge/Jimi Hendrix/Robert White/Jimmy Nolen/Freddie Green/Quest Love (Kevin Kim)

3. Who influences your style of music?

• Daniel Chae: Jimmy Eat World, Coldplay, U2, Mute Math, Jason Upton, Mayer (Post Heavier Things)
• Daniel “Descry” Lee: "Golden era" hip-hop artists like Pete Rock, Tribe, Diamond D, Finesse, Marley Marl, Eric B., DJ Scratch, etc. "Classical" artists like, Sibelius, Satie, Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky, Ryuichi Sakamoto, and new stuff e.g. the Ed Banger crew, MIA, Arcade Fire, LCD Soundsystem...my list could go on for pages.
• John Chong: Thrice, Elvin Jones, Death Cab, Trehaus, Mutemath
• Kevin  Kim: TNB, Jars of Clay, UBC Band, Hillsong United, Coldplay, James Brown, EarthWind&Fire, The Beatles, Misty Edwards, Jason Upton, Justin Rizzo, Merchant Band, anything Motown, hendrixSRVmayer
• Mike Whang: Bone Thugs, Misty Edwards, John Mayer, Relient K

4. What is your songwriting process like?
I wait. Because at random intervals over a long period of time (I'm talking weeks and months) I will feel inspiration to write. Many times the inspiration will give fruit to uninventive lyrics and melodies, but every so often they will turn out alright. I also like to indiscriminatively read books from a variety of writers. From Thoreau to Piper to Joyner to Bickle to Lahiri to Tozer. Keeping fresh thoughts and expressive writing a part of your daily diet is a healthy habit for all songwriters. (Mike Whang)

5. Where do you get your inspiration?

• Mike Whang: People. Seeing people find joy and pain in the most unexpected of times and places from the most unexpected people.
• Daniel Chae: (songwriting) Love, Life, Family, Friends, God. / (arranging) Good music. Good, quality music. Whatever it might be
• Daniel “Descry” Lee: Inspiration can be found everywhere. From brushing my teeth, to thinking about my lady friend…it can never stop.

6. How does your faith tie in with your music?

• Daniel “Descry” Lee: Faith is essential to my music. We as Christians are privileged because we know why God has placed us on this earth. The concept is simple, in all that we do is to give thanks and honor God.

• John Chong: Hopefully lyrically, if not, then just the attitude I play in. I play with the attitude of giving my best to Him. Giving my most creative output, my best energy, my best focus, and my best equipment. At least try to get those across.

7. Songs on repeat in your music player:

• Daniel “Descry” Lee:      
  [Let Your Kingdom Come] – Sovereign Grace
  [One and Only] – Teitur;
  [Rock, Rock] – Othello;
  and Nehemiah Band’s     

• Daniel Chae:            
  [Carry You] – Jimmy Eat World;
  Jimmy Eat World’s Chase This Light album and Futures album;
  [Shiver] [In my Place] [See you soon] – Coldplay;
  and [Runaway] – Jamiroquai

• John Chong:           
  [Daedalus] – Thrice

• Kevin Kim:            
  [Where I Belong] – Cory Asbury;
  The Mutemath self-titled album

• Mike Whang:           
  [Come Right Out and Say It] – Relient K;
  [Spinning] – Jack’s Mannequin;
  [Thugz Mansion (acoustic instrumental)] – 2Pac

GROUP PERSONAL
8. Favorites
            Thing(s) to do together:

• Daniel Chae: Just talking, everyone in this group is so interesting. boarding with john, jammin with kevin, philosophizing with mike, admiring descry
• Mike Whang: Carl's Jr. 99c spicy chicken with BBQ sauce and onions.

            Place to practice:

• John Chong: TCC or reseda sound arena

            Moment during rehearsal/performance:

• Kevin Kim: When it begins…and when John and I lock eyes in a groove…or in general
• Mike Whang: When John Chong became so enraged at a certain undisclosed situation that he vehemently played absolutely ridiculous drum fills at the end of every 4 bar phrase.

9. How did you guys decide to come together as a band?

• John Chong: Mike wanted to start again after a year hiatus from our previous band. He got new motivation from who knows where, but it is now the Nehemiah band
• Kevin Kim: The first and only rehearsal before our first gig on a late fall evening in 2008… in a really cramped space… it was magical

10. Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

• Daniel Chae: 10 years from now? WHO KNOWS
• John Chong: In the spa. 10 years of touring and playing takes a toll on a body.
• Kevin Kim: Wasting my life for His sake.
• Mike Whang: 10 years more in love with Christ

For more information, find them on MySpace and Facebook

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