Ever Stays Red

Ever Stays Red formed in late 2002, when the four recently graduated high-school friends decided to start a band. Determined to creating music that would touch people's souls, they bought a small home in Phoenix, Arizona, and became roommates. They filled the house with more musical equipment than furniture, and produced more music than meals, soon turning the small home into "the" loft studio. A short 2 years later, the band hit the road in support of their debut album, I'll Tell The World. Playing in over 250 shows across America, they quickly gathered a group of devoted fans, with 3 songs from their album going into the 'top-twenty rock single' list, and the album selling over 20,000 units. With the money made from the touring, Ever Stays Red managed to fund a trip to Belo Horizonte, Brazil, where they performed nightly for thousands of young Brazilian teens, many of which lived in the inner city. Throughout that 12-day stretch of shows, the band witnessed firsthand the power the music had to transcend culture and creed, making them even more certain of their calling.

"Brazil was a turning point for this band,” says Carlson. “It was the moment in time when we all realized that we were a part of something so much bigger than ourselves. We came home from that trip committed to the idea that music becomes meaningful when it brings hope--we have always strived to make meaningful music.[1] I wrote songs for the new album from my heart; songs about never giving up on the dreams inside of you, songs about redemption, songs about daring to believe in what the world could be."[1]

Fueled by the idea of a second trip to Brazil in 2006, the band returned to their home in the states, and started recording its second album. They finally independently released the album, entitled These Words Become Us, an album that quickly gathered airplay at numerous rock radio stations across the states.

In anticipation of the album's release, the band invested heavily into their live performances, spending tons of cash and hundreds of hours to build a mesmerizing multi-media production that made the already impressive live show into a spiritually moving experience. Throughout this time, the band toured with bands like Kutless, Sanctus Real, Falling Up, Hawk Nelson, Dizmas, Everyday Sunday, Stellar Kart, and This Beautiful Republic, which helped the band continue to grow their fan base and reach new markets.

In the spring of 2007, Ever Stays Red signed with Vertical Shift Records (VSR Music), and was asked to record a third album. Released in March 2008, On the Brink Of It All embodies the band that has given everything to chase their dreams. With compellingly honest vocals, and spiritually gripping lyrics aimed to please fans of rock and roll and worship music alike, the heartbeat of the album is the band's firm belief that the dreams that inspire us should never be allowed to die.

• Dustin Carlson - lead vocals, guitar
• Zach Andresen - guitar, vocals
• Erik Brunner - bass
• Josh Carlson - drums

• I'll Tell the World (2004, Independent)
• These Words Become Us (2006, Independent)
• On the Brink Of It All (2008, VSR Music)

• Music Faith "Ever Stays Red" Retrieved 2009-08-30