In all of the crazy music news from the latter part of 2017, I feel the most bittersweet as we bid farewell (for now) to Switchfoot. Unlike other bands whose departure from the scene has been negative, Switchfoot states the need for being present in their home lives as their reason for stepping back. Finally, something admirable!

Throughout their 20 years as a band, Switchfoot have impacted both the scene and countless lives with their contribution of 10 full-length albums, three EPs and Fading West, their tour documentary. They are also a contributor to many charitable organizations, including To Write Love On Her Arms.

I have had the privilege of seeing Switchfoot live twice. I saw their Fading West tour and their latest Looking for America tour. Both of those rank on my list of best shows I’ve been to. The Looking for America tour also featured Relient K, and, quite frankly, as a kid who grew up listening to both bands, was a dream lineup. I wonder now, given this news of a hiatus, whether that was intentional – a last hurrah and nod to the golden age of Christian pop rock.

Hello Hurricane was the album that, for some reason, really drew me in. I always turn to that album as a familiar and constant musical friend. I don’t even have a favorite track; the entire album is like one long song and it feels like home. My boyfriend has been listening to Switchfoot for almost his entire life and I feel like that’s one of the things that really made us connect. He had the opportunity to see them for the first time from side stage when he was playing with a friend’s band in 2016, and he told me about what a special experience that was.

Switchfoot had the ability as a crossover band to really bring both sides of rock fandom together – those who just enjoyed their sound and Christian kids who craved something new and refreshing but didn’t know where to find it. Their songs about enjoying life and trying to find the meaning in all of it connect with people everywhere. Even if you don’t know Switchfoot, you know of Switchfoot. The broad range of people they’ve impacted is really incredible, and they used their influence to better the music scene they were in and the people around them.

I don’t know whether Switchfoot will ever come back to create new music, but I hope they realize what they and their art mean to all of us. Their musical talent and authentic lyrics are a gift. To Jon, Tim, Drew, Jerome, and Chad: Thank you.

by Nadia Paiva

Nadia Paiva has been a music enthusiast since she can remember. Going to shows is her main pastime. The other is being upset when she can’t go to shows. This is her first official venture into writing about music. You can follow her on Twitter.