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I love writing songs and making music. For now, it’s usually just me and my guitar, a little recorder to capture my ideas before they slip away, and my inner voice surfacing to sing about matters close to my heart.
When We Need Hope EP is my first indie publication. I compiled these 5 songs initially as a creative project for my resume to give to churches when applying for a job. Once the ball got rolling it turned into so much more and has become a really fun project. My producer, Chris Duran, and my recording Engineer, Ben Eggehorn, were able to bring so many talented and amazing people into the studio to breathe life into these songs. These songs represent my best attempts to make sense of God and the world around me. I write with the intent of telling God’s story. I try to use scripture as much as possible, but I’ve also been influenced by books I’ve read, sermon’s I’ve heard, conversations with friends and my own life experiences. I have an affinity for lyrically rich songs that are able to lead people to the throne room of God. The theme throughout the album is Jesus is our Hope. “What kind of music is it?”
Well I think I sound like John Mayer and Caedmon’s Call. It’s acoustic pop with electric guitars and lap steel textures here and there. It’s organic yet catchy and easy to sing along with. Lyrically the songs have a strong foundation in scripture and in my opinion wouldn’t be classified as cliché “Jesus is my boyfriend” worship songs. The songs work well in cross-generational congregations and can even be arranged for traditional and modern worship music styles. “Where are you from and how’d you end up here?”
I grew up in Pasadena, CA. It’s a classy little city near LA. At seventeen I moved away to San Luis Obispo for college. It was in SLO that I fell in love with Jesus. I was the student worship coordinator for the InterVarsity chapter at Cal Poly. When I graduated, I volunteered as a high school worship director for New Life Community Church in Pismo Beach. New Life did a really good job mentoring and loving me. I got to play and learn from people like Scott Underwood (Take My Life/Vineyard) and open up for various Christian artists that came through town. I went to the Modern Music Academy for 2 years and took private lessons with Darren Clarke(Vineyard songwriter). In 2007 I decided to get a Masters in Worship from Azusa Pacific University and that brought me back to Pasadena. Through the program I was able to get an internship with Mosaic(Erwin McManus) and my life hasn’t been the same since.
My hope is that you see Jesus in these songs and are encouraged to live a lifestyle of worship.
Be God’s,
m
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