Interview: Stace Fauske
Christian singer / songwriter Stace Fauske recently released his debut single 'A Better Way'. Louder Than The Music chatted with him to find out what inspired his music, and his plans to release a string of singles leading up to his EP.
For those who haven't heard of you before, can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got involved in making music?
I've been writing songs since my early 20’s and I spent a bit of time in Nashville then too. Although "life" took me away from Nashville, I couldn't stop writing music. Over the past several years I have been getting some very positive feedback in NSAI songwriter meetings and was encouraged to get some of them produced.
Tell us about your new single 'A Better Way' and what the inspiration behind it was?
That's an interesting question because there is a non-profit called A Better Way Ministries here in Georgia and they absolutely inspired this song. I had heard some of their ads on the local radio stations here and they explained how they take in men who struggle with life controlling issues and help them turn their life around through Christian, biblical principles. Myself, having lived a life that could have easily seen me needing that program (by the grace of God somehow I didn't need it), I was very inspired to write "A Better Way".
You also have an EP coming soon, what can you tell us about that?
I will be releasing all of the songs as singles throughout the coming year and at the end they will basically be bundled up as an EP. I have been working with Jason Hoard Productions (former guitar player for Third Day) in Griffin, GA to get them produced, and some of the songs are still in work. The ones that are completed, even though they aren’t officially released yet, can be heard right now on my website at stacefauske.com/music.
What message would you like people to take from your music?
The main goal of my music is for people to realize that they are NOT unforgivable. God loves you and can help you no matter where you are or what you're going through -- unbelieving, left the church, struggling with sin, struggling with hardships -- whatever. You are not beyond the reach of God!
How would you describe your style of music and what are your influences?
I would call my music Christian contemporary with a bit of rock edge to it. I draw from a big diversity of music in my life. As a boy it was country, teens was hard rock & rap, in my 20's and later I've gravitated more toward country, rock and Christian contemporary. Some of the bands & singers I love are TobyMac, Third Day, Casting Crowns, Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pink Floyd, Willie Nelson, Eric Church, & Bob Dylan.
If you could work with any songwriter, who would it be and why?
Immediate thought on that is TobyMac. He brings SO MANY thoughtful lyrics to the table and I love his music, and so do my kids. So I would jump at that opportunity!
However, a very close second is Matthew West because, well, it's Matthew West! You could give that guy 10 minutes, a bad pen and soggy napkin to write on and he could write a top-10 hit. He's just so amazing, I love the songs he's written and co-written.
How would you define success in your career as an artist?
For me, success would be consistently getting out the message of Christ to as many people as possible.
What is your favorite album of all time?
This is a tough one, but Third Day 'Offerings' was instrumental in helping me become a Christian. When I hear any of the songs from it I can't help but thank God that by His grace I am where I am now and not where I was in my youth. It helped change my life.
You're stuck on an island, it's hot, you only have enough battery life left to listen to one song on your phone. What track is it?
Another tough one, but I think I've settled on Freebird. 1) it's a loooong song 2) the guitar solo is beyond awesome, it feels like music is showering down all around you 3) I could sing it for any birds that were on the island!
What does the next year hold for you?
Going to keep producing till I get the EP fully completed. Also going to keep writing (and re-writing) because it's the foundation of new music. I've actually tried quitting writing several times before because of how much of a roller-coaster it can be. But every time I try to quit, sometime shortly after that, a melody comes to me in the middle of the night and I can't help but get up and record it into my phone. The next day with the melody still stuck in my head I inevitably start putting down some lyrics that are hopefully a good fit, and there I am, songwriting again!
