Louder Than The Music

Canadian worship leader Ben Cantelon, now based in London and a key part of the Worship Central team, releases his latest album 'Everything In Colour' in May. LTTM chatted to the singer about everything from songwriting to Justin Bieber!

You've recently been working on a new album, can you tell us a little bit about that and what the inspiration behind it was?

I've been working on this album for a while now. I started recording the first half in July last year and the second half in December. It was great to record the album in sections as it gave me a bit more time to work on songs and to develop the overall theme. I remember in late September of last year when we had a couple days of really hot weather and I was up a bit early doing my devotions. The sun was rising and as I looked out into the garden I could see the light shining through and the colours of the trees, leaves, the sky and everything came to life. Later that day I got the idea for the song Everything In Colour. I guess that sums up the album for me, these songs full of life and are a response to who God is and all that He has done for us. It's a simple reminder, but I think sometimes we can forget that promise within the business of life or hardships we might be going through. We need to remember that God is for us and with us and that we have a future that is alive in Him!
 
Which is your favourite track on the album and why?

That is a tough one... but I am loving Guardian at the moment. I like the theme that our God is our protector and He is our Guardian. The chorus says "You go before me, you're there beside me, and if I wonder, love will find me, goodness and mercy will always follow, you go before me, my Guardian" For me that has been my life song.

You've been working with some big names, what did they bring to the album?

I was so blessed to work with such amazing people on this project. If you would have told me 5 years ago I would be working with these people, I would have never believed you! Jason Ingram produced the album which was a dream come true. He is a gifted producer and songwriter and to work with him was a real privilege. On the songwriting front, I was again so privileged to work with such gifted writers - Jason Ingram, Mia Fieldes, Tim Hughes, Matt Redman, Stu G and others. Co-writing has become a real passion of mine. It takes the attention off the individual and it models the importance of community and that we are not in it to gain status or fame. I learnt so much from all these great and amazing people. All of them brought something unique and special to each of the songs they contributed to.

What's your song writing process?

It really varies but the two main ways I will write is by either having a melody idea to start or I have a theme that I want to write about. The first way is when I will be playing my guitar and just start singing and worshipping and as I do that, I will sometimes stumble across and idea that might work for a song. The second way is by writing down loads of different themes that could work for a song. I think the title of a song is really important as it really is the heart of the song, so if I have a strong title, that is where I will start. That is how I wrote Saviour Of The World, I had that title and worked on it for about a 6 months before it w complete.
 
If you could work with any song writer, who would it be and why?

Justin Bieber - Because he is Canadian and we would have that in common
 
Aside from recording your own albums, you're also part of the Worship Central team in London - what does your role there involve?

I work with an amazing team at Worship Central and we have a heart to raise up worship leaders around the world who are trained, equipped and empowered to lead God centred and God focused worship in their local church communities. We just released a free, 7 week course that is designed to help train worship teams to become better equipped pracitcally and spiritually. I would encourage anyone out there who is a worship leader or worship pastor to check it out!