After its lead singer Lacey Sturm stepped down in 2012, fans questioned if rock band Flyleaf would be able to remain together. Talk of the band’s demise quickly followed the announcement of her replacement, former Vedera lead singer Kristen May. 
Many considered Sturm the heart and soul of the band. Sameer Bhattacharya, Flyleaf’s lead guitarist, assures it’s doing just fine and that its newest album “Between the Stars” is proof. 
With the new lead singer, the band is already touring and will be coming to the Varsity Theatre on Wednesday. The band plans to show how much it has grown over its 12-year career. Bhattacharya said the experience Flyleaf has gained comes from a perspective change in the band members. The band is recognizing the impact of the decisions they make on the world around them. 
“Most of us have children and families now, so we’re re-evaluating and realizing what we view as important,” Bhattacharya said. 
The individual members may have their own families, but the band calls itself a family as well. Bhattacharya said that same family atmosphere made the transition from Sturm to May seamless. There was no period where Flyleaf felt it had to make May feel welcome or force a productive environment. The album and the current tour are a part of the band’s
natural progression. 
“The hardest part of the process was naming the album,” Bhattacharya said. 
“Between the Stars” stems from the lyrics of the band’s song “Magnetic.” Leaving the meaning of the title open to interpretation, Bhattacharya looks at it as the relationship between individual people. Each person represents a star and the effect they have on others may be greater than
they assume. 
The band’s return to the Varsity Theatre will recall many memories for Bhattacharya and other members. He remembers the first time Flyleaf came to Baton Rouge when he was “the age of an average college student” and they ate boudin in the upper level of the venue. 
“We love the culture down there and we knew we had to come back for another great experience,” Bhattacharya said. 
Flyleaf emerged around the same time as fellow female lead bands Paramore and Fireflight. To remain relevant and continue making music, the band tries to remain flexible and honest with itself and its material. Avoiding repetitious songs and challenging itself to make a product that reflects Flyleaf’s approach to life is where Bhattacharya believes the band has
found success. 
The band finds its biggest perspective in its Christian faith but avoids the label of being a Christian band. Bhattacharya finds the terms “Christian band” and “Christian industry” an oxymoron because he doesn’t believe that faith should be used as a marketing tool. 
“If you believe in something so strongly, then it should permeate from your life,” Bhattacharya said. “We shouldn’t need a label for that.” 
While a lot of the band’s songs are faith inspired, Bhattacharya promises the show is for people who simply like music. He said a Flyleaf show energetic and powerful for the band and the audience. 
You can reach Joshua Jackson on Twitter @Joshua_Jackson_.