Futrue of Forestry is a popular melodic rock band from San Diego, CA and led by musical mastermind Eric Owyoung who is the only permanent member. FOF just released their new Christmas EP titled Advent Christmas Vol. 3 this week. 

We would like to thank Future of Forestry for taking the time to speak with BreatheCast. 

BreatheCast: How does it feel to be releasing your Advent Christmas Vol. 3 EP today (Nov 12th)?

FOF: Very exciting. It's been a long time since the release of the advent 2 ep so this one has been overdue. 

BreatheCast: What has inspired you to keep releasing new Christmas EP's?

FOF: It started back in the day when I was a regular worship leader in San Diego. I was putting out a lot of extra effort during the Christmas season. It's the time of year where worship leaders try to go above and beyond the norm. I arranged some Christmas songs with a lot more of a diverse instrumental palette. Using timpani, tubular bells, glockenspiel, strings, and various orchestral instruments, the songs took a unique shape. Eventually it was obvious that they needed to be recorded and released. 

BreatheCast: Your version of "Still, Still, Still" is very unique. What was your recording process like for that track?

FOF: I did a lot of sampling to get that song to begin working. I wanted it to have an organic feel but also to have a unique and unfamiliar sound. So I sampled some piano and various instruments. Then I put them through a ton of manipulating toys and effects with a lot of reversed wave forms. I layered them and ended up with the initial sound you hear. The rest came very easy, it was a matter of just developing the song and adding stuff such as cello and harp to take things to another level. 

BreatheCast: Are you writing new music for your next studio album currently? 

FOF: I am. I'm really taking a lot of time on this one. I'm approaching things with a real cinematic view lately and my progress on the advent 3 EP has actually really helped the process I think. We will see where it ends up. 

BreatheCast: If you could collaborate with one Secular Artist and one Christian Artist, who would you choose?

FOF: I would love to collaborate with someone strange like Bjork. I'm in love with her voice too. And since we are speaking in "if" terms I would like to go with rich Mullins who sadly passed away at a young age. He lyrically and poetically seemed to be on a wavelength that I resonate with. 

BreatheCast: What advice would you give to up and coming Christian bands?

FOF: Get away from all the "shoulds" that religion seems to bury us in. Find the creative being within that is unique and designed to uniquely reflect God. How to do that is the biggest quandry. But realizing the need and seeking it is the first step. Not many Christian artist get to this place because the channels of success that have been prescribed lend themselves to musical regurgitation rather than divine inspiration. I know that sounds judgemental. But trudging through and out of that system over the last 15 years has shown me the bleakness and have pushed me out of it. 

BreatheCast: Do you have a current scripture that has been speaking to you? If not, what are some personal favorite verses of yours?

FOF: I have to say that I don't. The bible speaks in various ways to me during each season, so it would be like picking a favorite wave in the ocean.

BreatheCast: What are your touring plans for this Fall 2013?

FOF: This is the first year that I have chosen not to do the Advent Chritmas tour in about a decade. It usually takes me away from family for most of the season, so I'm pretty stoked to enjoy the season with them for a change.