Interview: Heather Clark
Singer/songwriter Heather Clark recently released her new album 'Overcome' with Jesus Culture Music. We caught up with Heather to find out the story behind this intimate worship album, and to discover more about this talented artist.
For those who haven't heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got involved in making music?
I didn't grow up doing music. I was one of those fortunate people who had some kind of supernatural download. It was prophesied over me that I would be a worship leader. I grabbed hold of that word and lead worship for the first time from the piano two weeks later. Prior to that I didn't know where a C note was on the piano. From there I started writing and leading. I've always been a writer. Wrote over 800 poems before I was 18 years old.
Tell us a little bit about your new album 'Overcome' and what the inspiration behind it was?
The songs on Overcome are a "best of" collection that cover about 15 years. Some of the songs are quite new and others older. It was how Jesus Culture wanted to introduce me to their audience.
Which is your favourite track on the album and why?
'Kisses of His mouth' or 'Undivided Focus'. I'm drawn to intimate worship and I think they are both great songs.
What's your song writing process?
Often I am inspired during sermons and get ideas for songs while thinking of what song I'm going to sing at the end of the service. There are 3 on the album that were written that way. Worship music I write more from my head, thinking of what feels needed in the church and wanting to facilitate that need.
If you could work with any song writer, who would it be and why?
I'm assuming you mean Christian? There's a worship leader who has been around a lot longer than I have, Kevin Prosch. He would be my first pick.
In your opinion, what makes the perfect worship song?
Well songs are like people in a way. None of them are perfect. They have their own personality and purpose. So a perfect worship song would be one that accomplished what it was intended for. One that caused a connection the way it was meant to. There are some popular songs that make me shake my head, but they must be doing their job because people love them. They are causing a connection.
You're also a dancer, choreographer, painter and writer - can you tell us a bit more about that?
I owned my own dance school but just merged it with another so it's not officially mine any more, but I still teach there. I'm a contemporary modern dancer, choreographer and teacher. I also have my own modern dance company called collective productions. I love writing and have a book published with destiny image called 'Dance as the spirit moves'. I don't consider myself a great painter but I do enjoy that form of expression.
Fabrizio Paterlini's Forever Blue.
Fabrizio Paterlini is an Italian contemporary music composer and pianist. Paterlini is the owner of his own label, Fabrizio Paterlini Records.
What does the next year hold for Heather Clark?
I will increase my travel slightly and I want to just keep writing and writing. I love to write. I once went through a creative burst and wrote about 200 songs in 5 months. I write too fast to keep up with, so most of my stuff just sits and no one ever hears it.
Find out more at JesusCulture.com/Overcome