Leave A Light On

Nothing can be rebuilt without first taking it apart. But sometimes the most incredible changes can happen when you are in pieces.
The members of Lastwatch – vocalist Ashley, guitarist Jon, guitarist Matt, and drummer Krislyn – have all lived both sides of life and want you to know that no matter how broken you are, you can be rebuilt. Each track of the band's debut project, Leave A Light On, has been crafted out of the pain of personal experiences, and the transformation that came after.
The band formed without ever playing a note. It took one meeting at a south Florida restaurant for Ashley and Jon to realize they had found a guitarist that shared their heart.
"We were talking and sharing stories for hours," Ashley says. "We went out to Matt's car and listened to a song he had written for another band, and immediately Jon and I gave each other the look – this is our guy!"
The trio didn't waste a moment, auditioning several bassists and drummers but eventually finding talent close to home in Ashley's sister and brother in law, while at the same time immersing themselves in writing the tracks that would become 2013's Leave A Light On.
One particularly soul-bearing conversation led to the project's opening track, Long For You.
"One night Matt opened up and said, you know guys, I know I should be in love with God, he has given me so many things, but I'm just not," explains Jon. "How could I feel this way? Will you pray for me? My heart broke as I thought of how many of us have felt that way without being honest enough to say it out loud. We prayed and I went home and wrote Long For You in a couple of hours. The words just spilled out of my heart and I was in tears by the time it was finished. One line in the chorus says – if we stand divided, then I'll (get down on my knees and) crawl to you (God) – and that is something that has remained in our hearts ever since."
The band then enlisted the help of Travis Wyrick, the Grammy-nominated producer known for his work with Ten Years, P.O.D., Pillar, Disciple, and The Letter Black.
"As we were looking for producers I started to notice that Travis had produced several of my favorite bands," Matt explains. "I sent him two demos and he called me immediately and that was that." The band entered the studio a couple of months later, stopping between takes to play 2012's Atlantafest and Ichthus festivals.
"Recording Somehow was especially difficult for me," Ashley says. "Travis is known to make singers cry, but he might have got more than he bargained for. I couldn't hold back the tears as I told him the story behind the song, and about how through everything God has never left me, and about how I'm now stronger and more determined than ever." The track would go on to be a fan favorite, a source of comfort for many people.
With 2013 came the release of Leave A Light On, and the band launched an aggressive three month run of touring in support of the album.

Lineup

Ashley Miller - Vocals
Jon Miller - Guitar/Synthesizer/Vocals
Matt Hanna - Guitar
Andrea Day - Bass/Vocals
Zach Day - Drums/Percussion

Guests

Mike Dearing - Guitar
Lewis Cosby - Bass
Julius - Piano
Travis Wyrick - Synthesizer/Programming
Jay Pfeifer - Strings