Louder Than The Music

He's just completed his fifth studio project 'Clear The Stage' with iconic producer and songwriter Ed Cash, now talented musician Jimmy Needham talks to LTTM about what inspires and influences his music.

Tell us a little bit about your new album 'Clear The Stage' and what the inspiration behind it was?

This is a record that deals with the heart. Many of these songs are asking the question: “What do you love more than Jesus?” I did a lot of soul searching as I was writing and wanted to make a record that forced myself and others to deal with the things in our life that have taken the place of Jesus.

Which is your favorite track on the album and why?

Lately I’ve really loved the song “In The Middle.” I wrote it for my wife to comfort her as we were both struggling through our 3rd miscarriage. It was a hard season but God saw us through it and we’ve come out the other side grateful and more trusting in God than ever. I love this song not just for what it says, but for the simplicity of it. Piano. Bass. Drums. Vocals. Love it.

What's your song writing process?

I am constantly recording lyric and melody ideas on my iPhone. Then, every so often I will sit down and prayerfully go through them to see which ideas are really resonating with me. I’ll pick one and chase it down for a couple hours and see what comes. Some songs take 5 minutes to write. Others take 5 years. Literally.
 
If you could work with any song writer, who would it be and why?

I describe myself as making “soul/pop” music. If I could co-write with anyone, I think it would either be Jon Foreman from Switchfoot or Nichole Nordeman. I respect both of them so much as lyricists and melody writers. They both have a way of saying the most profound truth in such an accessible way. Beautiful.

How would you describe your style of music and what are your influences?

I grew up listening to soul music as a kid: Stevie Wonder, Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Jackson 5, B.B. King, etc. I just love the passion of that musical style. Lyrically, I’ve really been impacted by guys like Keith Green, Derek Webb, Lecrae, Ross King, Lauryn Hill and Nichole Nordeman. Honest lyrics and soulful sounds.

How would you define success in your career as a singer?

There’s a line in one of my old songs that says, “Why are we so convinced a bigger audience is common sense to have? Maybe success is measured best by nothing less than our obedience.” I really believe that. When I end my career years from now, I hope that I can look back and know, whether it furthered my notoriety or not, that I did those things that most furthered the notoriety of Jesus.

In your opinion, what makes the perfect song?

One word: Honesty.