This is your brain; this is your brain on music.

Stephen Christian, the vocalist behind the pop-rock group Anberlin, is a big fan of what he refers to as “gateway music.” Although the term “gateway” is usually applied to drugs, Christian said his term explains the same string of events, only with music.

“It is so much better than five years ago,” Christian said of the mainstream music played on the radio and stations such as MTV. “Bands like Dashboard Confessional are like gateway music that can lead you to a whole bunch of other amazing bands.”

Hopefully, Christian said, one of those bands is his.

Anberlin signed a contract with Tooth & Nail Records in late 2002 and has produced two albums since then, and another is almost completely written.

Along with the two albums, it also has a track on a newly-released compilation album from Drive Thru Records.

The compilation is a two-disc tribute to Bob Dylan, featuring many artists.

“You can’t cover legends; there is no way to compete. We didn’t pick up an acoustic guitar and try to sound like him [Dylan], we just tried to make it different,” he said.

While not in the studio, Anberlin enjoys getting out on tour. Whether it’s with Hawthorne Heights, Story of the Year or Emery, Anberlin said it enjoys making its way around the United States as well as the rest of the world.

“We’re in Portland right now; it’s one of my favorite cities,” he said.

“There are always people around at the shows and I like to get out in the city and wander. There’s a place called Powell’s Book Store that I love and there’s just so much to do.”

Despite Anberlin’s growing popularity, Christian said he remains humble and knows how lucky he is to be able to travel so much at a relatively young age.

“I talk to my grandma and parents and it is hard to believe they’ve only been out of the country like twice – I can’t believe I have this opportunity,” said the Florida native.

Now on tour with Emery, Anberlin is making its way to Des Moines for a show Saturday. Christian said high energy and “ADHD-ness” make the band’s show what it is.

“When you go to a show and pay a certain amount of money, you expect something out of it. You can play the CD at home, but we are about the interaction at shows. We like to put on a show we would want to see,” said Christian, who added he can always be found hanging out after his performances to meet fans.

Christian said he is especially proud that this tour has sold out almost all of its dates, something he said has him looking forward to playing each night.

Along the way, the band said it likes to spread a message to a younger generation of getting out and helping in its community or wherever people can.

“Gandhi said we should become the change we wish to see in the world. Each night we tell people about a thing we’re involved in called World Vision,” Christian said.

Christian said he never hesitated when he was offered the chance to live the life he is now and head out on the road.

“It feels right, nothing else in life makes sense,” he said.

Although the band is climbing the ladder in the music business, Christian admits band members know their place and aren’t trying to become huge rock stars. The band may, however, be a gateway to a field of other music and opportunities.

“We don’t want to be U2 or Coldplay, we just have a great time. I would love to inspire other people to make music or start bands. I am so content and I love my life,” he said.