Efata I Am Me I Em Ma I CD

i am me / em ma i ?When the members of alternative rock outfit efata sit down to write a song, it would be incredibly easy for them to touch on only the positive topics in their lives- from members' most perfect relationships to personal triumphs to possessing firm footed faiths. Though that would be the safest and most comfortable journey, the foursome from San Jose, California seeks a gutsier, less predictable paradigm on their debut EP, complete with the most vulnerable tales of frustration, grappling with doubt and digging beyond the surface. "We said from the beginning that we wanted to always convey our real emotions, complete with the pain and the struggle, in whatever came out on record," notes lead singer/primary songwriter Elohim. "That's not to say that we want to dwell on only the bad stuff that happens in our lives, but we want our listeners to not feel guilty about being weak or confused."Despite the seemingly dark territory, Efata points to a light at the end of the tunnel governed by unbreakable spiritual ties birthed from their local, multi-cultural home church called Christian Community. Though every player in the band is a believer, the results don't fall within the Christian band umbrella, nor does the group's message only apply to those within those walls. Instead the vibrant collection of interpersonal musings seeks to reach all audiences and meet listeners wherever they're at, providing a dual dosage of relatable lyrics and infectiously catchy beats. "Our band name means to 'be opened,' which we take from the story of Jesus in the Bible healing the mute and deaf person," Elohim relates of the word's Hebrew/Aramaic decent. "We want the music to be open ended enough where anyone can connect with it but also to be moved and for their eyes to be opened on a deeper level." Listeners are able to do just that as a series of clean, melodic vocals unfold over aggressive guitars and thundering drums slashes. Each musical rumination is clad with ingenuity and elements range from soft delays into heavy distortions that teeter between straightforward simplicity and adventurous dexterity. "We grew up with a lot of influences, from the classic rock of groups like Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin to the Spanish styles our families played," Elohim explains. "Like many bands, there's a bit of a Beatles influence, but there's also a more modern leaning, especially towards Incubus."Such moving muses unfold across each cut, starting with "Fly," which provides an analysis of the media and society's pitfalls accompanied by a believer's need to break away. It's followed by the comfort zone buster "Outside the Lines," the desire to be salt and light in culture on "Sal" and battling intensely with evil on "Break." "Skin" provides several visual analogies about anger and bitterness, while "All the Same" rounds out the record with a hope to dispel hypocrisy in one's day to day choices. "The songs all relate back to the title of our record," Elohim summarizes. "The first part is a common phrase that could come out of any book, but when you flip it around and mirror the image, it seems to beg the question 'am I me?' A lot of the songs are about breaking or getting away from a troubled past, along with getting right for the future, so I think the synthesis works well together."In the end, Efata makes the mark on all accounts providing an incredible account of living a better life while simultaneously excelling in their craft. Initial performances of the project in concert have already proven fruitful throughout the region with additional efforts being geared towards the national direction."We're getting out on the frontlines with the goal of opening up people to God," Elohim concludes. "We want to show people a more tangible Christian lifestyle where the reality is we all make mistakes. God has a purpose for us all, and it wasn't until recently where we really understood our band name and apply it to action. We've put it all together an