Interview: To Write Love On Her Arms

At this years Warped Tour in San Diego, I was able to chat with Chris Youngblood (how’s that for a last name?) about what To Write Love On Her Arms is up to along with a few other things. I recorded the conversation and was planning on simply typing it out for everyone to read but unfortunately due to some technical difficulties (i.e. I forgot to hit “save”) the recording was lost. This will be a more story like, and paraphrased version of the conversation I had with Chris.

For those not familiar with To Write Love On Her Arms, or what is commonly referred to as TWLOHA for short, they are a non profit organization that came into existence after an attempted suicide by one of Jaime’s friends (he is the one who started TWLOHA). The actual telling of the story of how the organization came to be is told much better and more delicately on the their website for those wanting to know more.

TWLOHA has been one of those things that has caught fire since it started with the help of bands like Anberlin, Switchfoot, and The Rocket Summer. TWLOHA has gone on tours in the past and currently  are on their second Warped Tour. One of the things I asked Chris about was what kind of reaction and response the organization received once people realized they weren’t a band, and that they would be talking instead of playing music. Like you might expect, most people are receptive to the message and supportive of helping people who are contemplating suicide get the help they need. Currently TWLOHA is promoting their new campaign, Pick Up The Phone, to help raise money for the Hopeline, which is also known as 1-800-SUICIDE.

…because of a delay in government funding, Hopeline is struggling to pay their phone bill. If this bill is not paid, the government will be allowed to fully take control of 1-800-SUICIDE. Part of what makes Hopeline such a powerful resource is that the calls placed to this number are completely private and confidential. We believe that the responsibility for providing a private and confidential environment in which to find help should remain in the hands of those who had the heart and compassion to begin this work ten years ago. [taken from twloha.com]

Also coming up at the end of August, TWLOHA will be releasing a book, ‘Purpose For The Pain‘. The book is the journal and journey of Renee, who was the one TWLOHA was started for. Instead of retyping the journal entries, Purpose For The Pain includes photo copies of the actual pages and so you see the hand writing and all the details that are part of the struggle. Chris seemed very excited about the book coming out and made no attempt to hide the fact that it would be pretty graphic but that it was something that takes the experience to a whole other level than simply reading the words.

Chris shared that TWLOHA was voted as the biggest trend, or something to that affect, on the 2007 Warped Tour but being back for a second year he mentioned that people are digging in a little deeper to find out what they are all about. Please click on one of the links in this article, or the banner below to find out more and get involved. Out of all the bands on the Warped Tour, I chose to interview/talk to someone from a non-profit organization because this is a message that needs to get out there and although it hasn’t affected me personally, suicide and depression has affected many people out there. Get involved.

Tags: music, to write love on her arms, twloha, warped tour

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 19th, 2008 at 8:44 am and is filed under Articles, Interviews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.