Founded by Joshua Havens (vocals/guitar/keyboard) and Matt Fuqua (guitar/backing vocals), The Afters was formed as the two musicians who worked together as baristas at a Starbucks in Mesquite, Texas began playing for customers at the local coffee shop.
Their popularity and fanbase would spread, as Joshua and Matt eventually moved on to performing at local clubs in the Dallas area. After catching the attention of a Nashville record label, the band, which also includes bassist Jordan Mohilowski and bassist Dan Ostebo, gained popularity with its first single "Beautiful Love." The song was used as the theme song for MTV's hit show "8th and Ocean" and was also featured in the 2006 Lindsay Lohan film, "Just My Luck."
After forging a partnership with a mainstream label in addition to its Christian market label, The Afters' second single "Never Going Back to OK" was a #1 hit that pushed listeners to drop their "comfortable lifestyles and yearn for something greater. It was followed up with their latest single, "Light Up The Sky," which speaks of God's continued guidance when we stumble in the darkness.
With their new single, "Every Good Thing," off their new album Life Is Beautiful (April 16, 2013), the band continues to encourage listeners, reminding us of how God can make beauty from heartache."It seems like we're reminded everyday about how much bad there is in the world," Josh said. "Our new song 'Every Good Thing,' is a reminder of all the good things that God is doing in our lives"
"Our hope for our record—and a lot of heartache went into this album—is that it will encourage people to see how God is working in their lives,” Josh explains. “He's not just there on the sunny days. No matter what we go through in life, God is still with us and life is beautiful—God is beautiful."