Greetings friends!
It’s time for the annual “Year in Switchfoot” countdown, where we relive the memories, retell the stories, and revisit the not-so-distant past to count down BEST (or most memorable!) Switchfoot moments of the year. This has been a beloved LOBH tradition since 2007, but this year we’re going to break from tradition just a bit… a instead of posting the full top 10 list on the first day of the new year, we’re going to post 2 a day, countdown style, leading up to the first few days of January. We hope you’ll enjoy the journey down memory lane, and leave your own memories, lists and thoughts in the comments below!
HONORABLE MENTION – Switchfoot Covers Adele’s Rolling In The Deep
Oh lord. I still remember the interwebs blowing up after this happened. It was unexpected, hilarious and kind of awesomely bad. In a good way… and come on, Tim’s backing vocals rocked, didn’t they? The guys only attempted this cover in concert once, sadly. I talked to Jon about the performance the next day, and he hilariously commented that they had practiced it before and it sounded pretty darn good… but when they played it live? “It just… didn’t.” Whatever. We liked it.
Additional Reading:
10. Switchfoot Turns Up…
Where? EVERYWHERE. Seriously, we saw Switchfoot in some of the most unlikely places this year. Take a look…
- People Magazine -
- Under Armour Commercial – (JT Daly’s Remix of The Original from Vice Re-Verses)
- iPhone 5 Commercial – (Always music)
- American Idol – (The contestants perform Stars; A contestant is encouraged to sing Switchfoot)
- Major League Baseball & Hockey -
Honestly, I think what I like the most about all this, is that it’s so VARIED. None of these appearances are in any specific genre – sure, maybe American Idol and People are pop-culture, but then you have sports and tech appearances. We think the diversity does the boys justice.
Additional Reading:
- Switchfoot In People Magazine
- “The Original” Remix ft. in Under Armour Commercial
- “Always” Used In iPhone 5 Video
- American Idol Hopeful’s Perform “Stars” for Ford Music Video
- “Did we just finish the Fiction Family record today?”; Switchfoot in American Idol
- Switchfoot’s Major League Baseball Promo
9. LOBH Interviews Switchfoot/The “Where I Belong” Flag Project
Alright, alright, we’re tooting our own horn here, but come on! This was cool, yeah?
Let’s start with the interview. Over the years, during our time as a site, we’ve interviewed almost everyone who is involved with Switchfoot – from Charlie Peacock, to Andy Barron, to Mike Elizondo. Yet, in all that time, we’ve never interviewed Switchfoot themselves. Why? Just never got around to it. This year, we decided to change that. So we took to the web and asked YOU to send us YOUR questions for Switchfoot – and we got flooded with dozens and dozens of fun, interesting, and creative questions for the guys. So this happened:
Drew’s “Trip Cutno” story alone should justify the inclusion on this list.
Tied for 9th place, is definitely the Flag Project – and we’re not sounding our horn here, it was YOU guys who took this project and made it special. What was the Flag Project? This:
There’s no doubt about it, Where I Belong has become one of the favorite songs off of Switchfoot’s Vice Verses release. It means so much to so many fans… and to the guys. As Jon has said, “Whenever Switchfoot breaks up as a band, this is the last song I want to play.” This song has become a beacon, a symbol, for so many people. Lately, Jon’s been embodying that physically, by bringing out a massive “Where I Belong” flag whenever the guys play the song in concert. Check out some photos!:
So here’s the plan. We want YOU guys to make your OWN “Where I Belong” flags and bring them to the fall (2012) tour. When the guys start this song, unfurl them, wave them around, and become a part of the story. You may go to a show where there’s 4 other flag wavers. You might be the only one. But either way, imagine how neat that will be for the guys to see from the stage – the audience answering with a flag of their own, becoming a part of the narrative.
You guys took it from there. Nearly EVERY show on the Fall Tour had at LEAST 2 flags present – most had 4 or 5. Jon even took to “borrowing” the “Where I Belong” banners from fans and bringing them up on stage with him. Check out these shots from the project:
The story went on…
Additional Reading:
- LOBH Interviews Switchfoot Photos
- LOBH Interviews Switchfoot with YOUR Questions
- LOBH To Interview Switchfoot… with YOUR Questions
- “Where I Belong” Flag Project
8. Jon’s Solo Release Progresses
Can you believe it’s been almost 4 years since Jon’s solo albums released? The four seasonal EPs were beloved by fans and critics alike, and ever since we’ve been waiting to hear more from our favorite lead singer. There have been hints and inklings over the years of more music, but this year we finally got something concrete. Jon confirmed that he IS working on a new release and that some of his friends and fellow artists (Darren King, JT Daly, Jeremy Larson, Ryan O’Neal and others) are producing the tracks.
Ryan O’Neal (Sleeping At Last) and Jeremy Larson both blogged about the experience:
If you’ve followed the Sleeping At Last Twitter or Facebook over the last several months, you might have seen me mention that I’ve been working on a few “secret projects”… well one of those secret projects is with my pal, Jon Foreman (Switchfoot). Earlier this year, Jon asked if I’d be interested in contributing to his upcoming solo record (release date tba)… So he sent me a song that he had just finished writing and asked if I’d care to add some things… anything I’d like, really. So I spent a bit of time with it (adding anything that popped into my mind… drums, bass, strings, pianos, background videos, etc!) and had an incredible time layering ideas onto his gorgeous song. Soon after, he was kind enough to invite me to contribute to a few more songs. It’s been such an honor to say the least… Jon is one of my favorite songwriters (and people) ever, so to be invited to be a part of his music is just a wonderful privilege!
Although I have no clue as to when these songs will meet the world, I can say that they are some of Jon’s very finest work and I cannot wait for you to hear!
Much love, Ryan
From Jeremy:
I’ve been keeping something a secret for quite some time, but I think it’s safe to let you all in on this now. Jon is working on a new solo album, and I wrote some string/piano arrangements for two of the songs. Since he tweeted about this the other day, I figured it was safe to talk a little bit about it. I’m not exactly sure when this album is set to be released, but I’m so excited for you all to hear these two songs. Some of Jon’s best songs yet!
With Jon being so busy with Fiction Family and Fading West, it’s doubtful that we’ll get anything solo for awhile, but it’s nice to know that it’s a work in progress – and it sounds like it’s going to be INSANE.
Additional Reading:
- Sleeping At Last Collaborating with Jon on Solo Project
- “Some of Jon’s best songs yet!”
- Jon Foreman “might want to release one new song a week for a year”
- “Thanks for helping out with the next solo project”
- Producers of Jon’s next solo release
7. The Switchfoot Bro-Am
A standard on this list by now, but it IS the guys favorite day of the year! This year the Bro-am expanded a bit to a 2 day surf contest (a youth division and the regular contest) and the auction soiree, a show at the San Diego fair and the beach concert rounded out the events. And let’s not forget the always amusing surf jousting contest.
Check out some photos!
Photo Credit: Jordan Z
Photo Credit: Live Naturally High
Photo Credit: Jordan Z
Photo Credit: Darren Tung
Photo Credit: RanchoSantaFeReview
Photo Credit: Jordan Z
Photo Credit: Tiffany D
Photo Credit: SusieSC
Photo Credit: SusieSC
Photo Credit: Megan
Photo Credit: North County Times
A taste of Drew’s awesome MCing:
Once again, thousands of dollars were raised to support the work of Stand Up for Kids, helping homeless kids on the streets of our cities and towns.
As good as the 2012 Bro-Am was, we’re STOKED for the 2013 Bro-Am… not only will it be full of awesome music and events for a great cause, but they’re planning to premier Fading West there as well. We can’t wait.
Additional Reading:
- Switchfoot Bro-Am Photos Galore, Recaps and Videos
- Happy Birthday Romey, Videos from Jon’s Daytona Show and a Bro-Am Photo Extravaganza!
- “I’m not trying to ostracize half of the audience here tonight… I’m just saying it came to me in my sleep”
- Switchfoot Bro-Am Live Updates from the Events
- Let the 2012 Switchfoot Bro-Am festivities begin!
- “Surfing and Music kept us out of trouble when were kids”
6. Switchfoot Goes Back to South Africa
When the guys first went to South Africa, way back before the release of NiS, the trip inspired many things: the Shadow Proves the Sunshine; work with the Kuyasa Kids and a large part of the Lowercase People initiative. The guys often talked in the ensuing years about the trip, referencing the hope and inspiration they found in the people, and about their desire to go back. This year, they finally were able to make that return trip. As part of their Fading West filming, the guys returned, to play some shows, make some music and of course, surf. While we’ll have to wait till the release of Fading West to see all the details of the trip, we still got lots of awesome photos, stories and videos from their time there. The guys even got to reconnect with the Kuyasa Kids, who joined them on stage during their show. We think this is going to be a VERY special part of the new movie.
- Chad learns some moves from the Kuyasa Kids -
- The Shadow Proves The Sunshine with the Kuyasa Kids -
- Pictorial goodness from South Africa -
Photo Credit: Malherbe Pelser
Photo Credit: Malherbe Pelser
Photo Credit: Malherbe Pelser
Photo Credit: Malherbe Pelser
Photo Credit: Malherbe Pelser
Photo Credit: Malherbe Pelser
Photo Credit: Malherbe Pelser
Photo Credit: Malherbe Pelser
Photo Credit: Malherbe Pelser
Photo Credit: Adam Rozanas
Photo Credit: Tarryne Rautenbach
Photo Credit: Malherbe Pelser
Photo Credit: Malherbe Pesler
Additional Reading:
- Switchfoot Arrives In South Africa
- Kuyasa Kids Perform with Switchfoot, teach Chad some moves
- Switchfoot Hurley Store Performance
- A Pictorial Tour of Switchfoot in South Africa
- “We have an empty canvas and we paint with our emotions, our minds…”
Great to see these again!
awesome..thanks !!
Jeanna, your interview with them was the best! Also really interesting all these places where Switchfoot turned up!
COME ON JEANNA!!!!!!!!!! number 9???? seriously???? (It’s not tooting your own horn if it’s true
) The LOBH interview was absolutely, without a doubt, TOP 2!! Now I really can’t wait for New Year’s Day to see top two 
. (Bro-Am was sweet but Fading West filming will have to beat it out this year–by an ever sooooo slight margin–course so much filming was done at Bro-Am that it could a tie 
).
I agree with Kim – the LOBH interview should definitely have made it higher up on the list!
haha thank you!
ahah thanks Kim!
Counting down the best (or the most memorable, hehehe!) Switchfoot moments of the year is definitely one of my most favorite traditions!! I’m loving the new twist on it too!
Second this! Seriously one of the highlights of the year! Looking back at all the amazing SF-ness just makes me all happy
Also, the new twist… arrgh, I can’t help both loving and hating it at the same time… The idea is brilliant, but I’m sorta… not very patient. Like,at all.:P
somehow I missed those commercials. Well, some. I did love the use of Switchfoot for the World Series. That was perfect.
How do we know that JT is working with Jon? Yes, that would make my life, but when did this surface? But Jon’s solo release is gonna be insane. He needs to do something with Stephen Christian of Anberlin and Anchor & Braille. He’s an excellent songwriter.
JT is a friend of mine
I believe I posted about JT working on a song or two with Jon earlier, but I don’t remember where
Well, now I’m very excited. JT is a musical genius and his talents combined with Jon’s are gonna make for some excellent music.
AGREED. The whole paper route band is INSANELY talented. (BTW, did you know Kevin and I also run their official site?)
No way! That’s awesome! I actually sensed some involvement because I was reading that post regarding Absence on vinyl (such a perfect album, I must have that vinyl) and saw that it was written by someone named Jeanna. That’s so cool that you guys run it!
ha yeah, kevin handles the code and design, and i manage/write content.
Absence was BRILLIANCE – but TPOWT tops it for me… I hope you got that on vinyl as well!
Nice! And it was brilliant. And I really do want TPOWT on vinyl, but shipping costs almost as much as the vinyl itself and my record store doesn’t have any copies. Plus I ended up broke after preordering FFR. I don’t know if I can compare the 2. They’re so excellent. Absence is more layered, but TPOWT has some great melodies, plus I love Glass Heart Hymn and Letting You Let Go. The lyrics on both though are incredible. I’m also a huge fan of their first EP.
Yeah, shipping from the PR store is INSANE. But TPOWT is probably my favorite musical release of the year. Phenomenal.
TPOWT might even be the best release of the past 5 years
I wouldn’t argue that. Though this year it’s my 2nd favorite album (#1 is Vital by Anberlin), it’s definitely in my top 5 favorite albums of all time. It’s such a beautiful album.
You all know I can’t resist a conversation surrounding Paper Route…
I’d definitely say TPOWT is the best release of the year, although Matthew Perryman Jones’ record Land of the Living was absolute genius. Totally different types of music though… but as far as comparing TPOWT and Absence, I’d had to say Absence is slightly better. And maybe it isn’t really even better, I just like it a little bit more. A tiny bit more, really. It’s just so descriptive of my life. That’s perhaps why I like it so much. Seriously I have a playlist of Good Intentions, Be Healed, Last Time, No Sudden Revelations and Lover’s Anthem that I listen to EVERY night. It’s the tunes that complete my day. Jeanna you mentioned TPOWT might be the best release of the last 5 years, i could probably say Absence is the best release of the last 5 years. Dare I even say… 10 years? I know I’m gushing way too much here, but I’m absolutely in love with their music. It’s not often I can say that I don’t dislike a single song by a band, but I can say that about Paper Route.
Okay, I must end this before someone thinks I’m obsessed. Which I might be.
SF/PR tour better be, like, #1. Because it was EPIC.
Best TOUR EVER
I don’t seem to connect with PR. Is there something wrong with me?
I despised them for the longest time. Even when I saw them play with SF. But they slowly grew on me and are now one of my absolute favorite bands – there’s so much talent in their music
side note: loving how the comments on LOBH always end up talking about PR.
I think that’s my fault. I tend to gush about PR’s music on a regular basis
Hello Hurricane and Vice Verses would have to be in my tops for the last 5 years. Love Mumford & Sons, John Mayer, etc..but Switchfoot will always be in my tops ! : D
Where’s the love for Switchfoot? I’m sure that we all love them..and that we all love lots of music..but thought that Land Of Broken Hearts was for things relating to Switchfoot. I know that we all love any good band opening for them when there is an opening band. I agree with Alex’s comment earlier. Just saying…..PLEASE don’t get upset anyone.
Ok, I think my top moments have all already appeared! I can’t wait to see what I’ve forgotten.
(does Romey playing drums count as a “SF” moment?).
My personal favorite this year was seeing Jon at BigStuf…and my son getting to play guitar with him on Resurrect Me. Proud mama. Thanks for posting the videos!!
LOVE your interviews!!! Y’all are the best!!
I do have to agree with that, the Bigstuf live stream was one of my favorite switchfoot moments of the year. Fun time.
Great list and another well deserved great year for the boys from SD. Can’t wait to see the completed list. While we (the public) didn’t really participate in it, I hope the birth of Jon’s first born baby girl makes it on the list. #1?
When are we going to get the dates for Bro-Am 2013?
Saltwater Heart is one of Switchfoot’s best up-beat tunes in a long time. Straight out of the The Beautiful Letdown era. Slightly reminiscent of More Than Fine, a little heavier though. I’d totally be cool if more of Fading West sounds like that.
Am I the only one who can’t decide which new song is my favourite?? That’s such an impossible decision to make O.O
Yes, Switchfoot and Paper Route will have to tour again. They HAVE to. Why? Well, other than the fact that its just a whole bunch of awesomeness doing rock shows together, I didn’t get the chance to catch a single show, as they didn’t come within 1500 miles of me. So they just have to tour again.
My favorite Switchfoot memories from 2012 were going to my first Switchfoot concert (at the San Diego fair — the top pics of Jon waving the flag were from that concert) and spending the day at the beach with Switchfoot at Bro-Am! Watching the guys surf, and surf-joust, and catching my second Switchfoot concert was the ultimate memory for this fan!
HI LOBH,
Can I make a suggestion? I like that you decided to post the top 10 events over a number of days. But, I would suggest splitting up the posts, too. You’ve embedded so many photos and videos, that it basically freezes up my computer for a few minutes, trying to load the page. Then I have to scroll way down passed all of the posts I’ve already read, in order to get to the new stuff. If I only had to do this once, I wouldn’t mind. But, I’ve already done it almost 7-8 times and there are 2-3 posts left. Just split the post up (Part 1, ect.) and it would be more enjoyable.
Just a suggestion. (Otherwise; the site it great; as always).
Yo,
David
absolutely agree David. i click on the article then go do something else for a little while so it can load. but again, brilliant site and thanks.
Good advice David! We’ll take it *grins*
[...] THE YEAR IN SWITCHFOOT – The 10 Best Moments of 2012 (Part 2)By Jeanna on January 4, 2013 var addthis_product = 'wpp-262'; var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true,"data_track_addressbar":false};if (typeof(addthis_share) == "undefined"){ addthis_share = [];}Read Part 1 of our “Year In Switchfoot” countdown right HERE! [...]
OMG ! Thank you Jeanna,Gosh! this year went by so fast, but it was SO amazing!Loved remember these moments!But,HAPPY NEW YEAR !In the name of Jesus will be as rewarding as this !! God Bless
OBS:I loved remember them in africa XD