TJ - Hi Shane, how's it going?

SL – Things are going pretty well right now in my music life! Orphan Project has started writing for the next cd and we have about 3-4 songs ready to go (pre-studio) to the studio...we are shooting for a late winter/early spring '07 release. I know it's been awhile since Orphan Found, but there has been some longevity with that cd that has given us the timeframe needed to get ready for a 2nd cd. As far as other things...I've been writing/singing on a collaboration effort with Rob Perez and Ric Mals from Visual Cliff...along with Bill Yost (Orphan Project bass player), and Tony Correlli (production and Orphan Project keyboardist)...called Fall of Echoes. We have 8 tunes ready, with 4 left to record and that cd is scheduled for an Aug./Sept. '06 release. Should be a pretty cool disc...you can go to www.fallofechoes.com to check out some clips.

TJ -  Tell us a little about yourself.

SL – Wow, a lot to tell. I guess you know from Orphan Found that I was adopted at a very young age and grew up in a Christian home. I would say I've been a believer since I was 5 with a lot of rocky roads traveled along the path, with Christ giving me strength to continue on and here I am today! I'm married with a great wife, Wendy, and we have 2 dogs (working on kids)...she teaches at our church's school and during the day I sell/inspect for a basement waterproofing company. We do a lot of work with the youth/young adults in our church...we lead a group of about 30 college & career people in weekly studies. I've been involved in music ever since I was little...my parents would have bands come in and stay with us if they were coming through Baltimore...most notable was Mylon LeFevre & Brokenheart when they were just getting started...so seeing those guys play and relate to people was just what I wanted to do. Then I got hooked into bands like Petra, Stryper, Daniel Band, and many others...singers like Greg X. Volz and Doug Pinnick (King's X) influenced me greatly. Then I've been involved in 3-4 bands as well, but when I talked to John Wenger (longtime friend) about writing Orphan Found everything really clicked and that's my main focus musically today...and Lord willing for a long while!

TJ -  Very cool, me and my wife adopted our two youngest boys. So, Orphan Found is a reflection of your life?

SL – Yes, sure is...I had it bottled up for quite some time and believe it or not...the lyrics/concepts were all written in a 45 min. span @ a Barnes & Noble bookstore about 5 miles from my house in March '02.

TJ -  I've heard you have quite a testimony, any chance of sharing it with us?

SL – Well, this could take awhile, but I'll try to give you the shortened version. Also, please remember that my faithfulness and coming to Christ has nothing to do with me...it's all His work!!!

This is how my testimony goes...First, when I was adopted at the age of 4 mos. I was brought into a Christian home with parents who didn't/couldn't have children. Then, 19 mos. later they had a son...so, and this is where things got a little hairy...it seemed like I became the scapegoat for everything my brother did. Now, don't get me wrong, I was mischievous, but not a bad kid, but still discipline for me was pretty harsh. I'm going to stop there with the family stuff...let's get to the testimony.

When I was 5 and going to Sunday School my teacher gave us a lesson on what Christ did for us on the cross and compared it to what Santa does for us every year. Once comparisons were made, my conscience was pricked and I couldn't fathom all the cool gifts and things I got for Christmas could ever add us to Christ giving up His life for me...so that afternoon, at naptime, I talked to God and asked Him to give me strength to live the life he gave me and to save me from hell. I have to say that now I'm 35 and I've broken His heart so many times, but He has never broken mine...He has given me so many things to be thankful for...getting me through very dark teen years and growing me through my 20s to where I'm now...a ripe, young 35! God is faithful and through great witnesses I've seen from all the believers I know, and can see, His work in all things. Orphan Found is just a little outline of my life...past, present, and future...and I hope that others who don't have a sense of true family (and I don't believe that physical family can compare at all to a great spiritual relationship with God) can see that if they just cling to their Creator with a strength that only Christ can give they will know Who their Father really is!!!

TJ - I and my wife were foster parents for over 9 years; it's almost an epidemic how many children are in the system. It's really dis - heartening, but it provides us with a chance to extend the love of Christ to very needy children. What would you say to parents who want to adopt?

SL – Simple...pray about it and then take the Lord's leading. Just don't be someone who takes a kid just 'cause they want a child, and then if they have their own child...discard the adopted child. I hear that goes on a lot.

TJ - What would you say to kids who are in foster homes or are being adopted?

SL – As you are waiting, know first of all it will get better...but most importantly, when that day comes that you are "chosen" be excited, but know that your parents cannot and never will be able to satisfy your every need! That can only happen when you are chosen by God the Father, through the work of His Son Jesus Christ!!! There will be good and dark times, but your heavenly Father will never let you down!

TJ -  Do you have children of your own?

SL – No, but I have been involved in working with youth for about 12 years or so...and within the last 2 years my wife & I started a College & Career group at our church (over 35 people and growing...and no one is allowed to be older than me...hehe...35).

TJ -  Can you tell us about the new cd?

SL – Well, honestly, I can't tell you much only that it will be heavier and it won't be a concept cd. We have 2 tunes ready to record...one pretty heavy with a nice industrial feel, the other a very melodic upbeat tune with a very catchy chorus...and both have a slight prog edge. The stuff we're working on now are much more in the prog vein...a 6-7 min. Dream Theater-type epic song, but with all the melodies from the "Images era" and we have a working chorus on what-I-think to be probably one of the slower (but still heavy) tunes on the cd. Really I can't wait to get in the studio and lay these down. We don't have a working title, and this cd is more of a full band effort whereas John Wenger wrote all the music on Orphan Found.

TJ – Who are your influences musically?

SL – Wow, that's a question that could have a very long answer. First, as a vocalist I would have to say Steve Perry, Bono, Jorn Lande (unbelievable vocalist from Scandinavia!!!), Greg X. Volz, Peter Gabriel, Darryl Hall, and John Wetton (Asia). As far as bands go, I love anything with larger than life melodies...i.e. Journey, Boston, Asia, definitely U2, and I love darker stuff like Gabriel...Jorn's ex-band Masterplan is very good with another one of his old bands...Ark...being one of my all-time favs!!! I grew up on old classic Christian rock...Resurrection Band, Petra, Mylon, DeGarmo & Key, David & the Giants, Whiteheart (not that old)...then I progressed into the heavier stuff...Daniel Band, Barren Cross, and Stryper...then a gradual progression into music that is more experimental, emotional, and deep...Kansas, Yes, Rush, Dream Theater...so put all those together and you have my vision for Orphan Project!!!

TJ -  How about spiritually?

SL – Now this list could be and should be longer, but I will save sometime and put down just a few names. First of all, obviously, Jesus Christ and His calling on my life to be a child of His...my parents, my Sunday School teachers through elementary grades...a lot of my close friends have been influential in keeping me on the narrow path. My wife, who is such a great studier that I try to pick up things from her (she is a teacher, so she has tremendous study habits)...my Youth Group leader, Tom Wenger, when I was in high school...my godparents the Prigels for being my parents when it seemed no one understood what I was going through...and all the pastors that I've learned from all the way up to my present pastor.

TJ -  Are you aware of any adopted or foster child whom you have reached through your music?

SL – Actually I have...a couple of people who somehow come across Orphan Found contact me and let me know how it seems "no one has been able to understand what I'm going through". So, there is a connection and an understanding between myself and those who have been adopted. Through that, I get a chance to give them encouragement and hope, and hopefully direction on how and Who their real Father is.

 

TJ -  Awesome! Well Shane, it has been an honor my friend. I hope and pray that GOD will continue to bless you and your ministry. Thanks for the time.

SL – Thank you man! It's been great having an opportunity sharing the story of Orphan Found! Remember "we are all orphans until..." and that until is why we are playing...we want to give great music with a message for those who don't know the "until"! God bless, and thanks for your work and your encouragement! Keep an eye out for OP 2 sometime in late '07!

God bless,
shane
Orphan Project

www.orphanfound.com
www.myspace.com/orphanproject