We live in a time when the stakes are high in the church. So much apathy that's affecting our generation... we need the church to rise up and to be passionate about God and dedicated in the lives that we live. Taking up the Gospel and Good News, loving the unlovable, and caring for the poor and the weak. So we really need to be taking huge steps. I guess the songs are kind of a full-on expressive response - raw and honest - of who God is. I hope the songs encourage people to get excited about God - to get excited about serving Him - and that they really relate to people.
What's the story behind the first track on the album, "Happy Day"?
There's a theologian at HTB, Graham Tomlin, who once told me that there are very few contemporary songs about the resurrection. It was Easter time... and he was telling me that there are lots of songs about the cross but less about Jesus being alive. So that really got me thinking - and I was actually reading this book, and it had this quote from Michelangelo. He laid out a challenge to fellow artists who depict Christ in His death. He said, 'Paint Him instead the Lord of life'. I remember one morning just jamming around with my guitar and I started singing out some of these lines and pretty quickly, it all came together. So in one sense, it was that this is an amazing truth that we need to sing, and celebrate that Jesus is alive and that makes all the difference.
Do you think any of the songs have the potential to become worldwide hits like some of your previous singles ("Here I am to Worship" and "Beautiful One")?
Sometimes the songs that you think are going to do great don't, and sometimes, songs that you're less sure about do well. There are different songs that I love. For me, I write the songs, so they're all quite personal and have meaning for me, so I don't know what will connect with people.
Who is the woman singing with you on "Clinging to the Cross"? Is she your wife Rachel?
No! (laughs) It's a lady called Brooke Fraser - she's actually from New Zealand. She's had a massive mainstream success there. My wife and I got to know her when we were in Australia - she's part of the Hillsong church there.
We just loved her heart, and she was great fun, and had an incredible voice. I thought it would be fun if we did a duet.
How is this project different from your previous ones?
I think it's a lot rawer and edgier in the sound. I tried to take more risks. I tried to push myself vocally, songwriting-wise, production-wise. I hope that every album will get better and better... For me, this is the album I'm most happy with from what I've ever done.
So what will happen after you release the album?
I'll continue developing stuff with Worship Central. And we'll also be doing stuff in America. And obviously there's Soul Survivor... In the summer, we're looking at different possibilities.
The last time we met at HTB, you've mentioned that you wanted to see the church step out more in setting musical trends. Do you think that's improved?
I think we're still stepping out. I think we all sing with different expressions. Guys like 29th Chapter sing rap and worship together. We had some amazing classical nights of worship at church. In terms of church setting the trends for music we're still praying, hoping. We'll just have to wait and see... I think the exciting thing is that we can't just hype up on our own strength. It's got to be God doing it, so we've just got to be faithful with our part.
