Louder Than The Music

Irish worship band The Remission Flow are back with a new album crammed full of God-focused songs and lyrics perfect for the local church. As big admirers of this band with a heart for worship, LTTM chatted to them to find out where the inspiration comes from, and how they see their ministry progressing.

Tell us a little bit about your new album 'Rhythms of Grace' and what the inspiration behind it was?

Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG) recounts some of the most beautiful words spoken by our great King. Jesus tells us in our weariness to "get away with me and you'll recover your life, I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it. Learn the unforced Rhythms of Grace". Rhythms of Grace is a celebration of Christ's finished work and the realisation that in God we have the remedy for the many frustrations, trials and everyday ordinary struggles that we face as Christians. This record is a call to fix our eyes on Christ, to get away with Jesus and to learn how to live, love God and love others. We acknowledge our failings, challenges and difficulties but these songs inevitably look to the better, to the perfect example of Christ while resting in the knowledge that His mercy endures forever.

Which is your favourite track on the album and why?

I love 'before the dawn'. The track was a last minute addition to the album and was written and arranged during the actual tracking of the record. The song deals with relationship difficulties, isolation and loneliness. God spoke very clearly and reminded me that trials no matter how severe last only for a while, for a season before breakthrough and release comes. This song reminds us to hold tight to Him in time of hopelessness and that his mercies are new every day. Jesus is the healer of the broken hearted.

What sort of reception did you get from your previous album, 'The Light That Floods'?

To be honest, we have been overwhelmed by the response the last record received. I guess we never really expected such positive press and reviews. We never really thought about any of that. We just wanted to be obedient and get the songs down that God placed on our hearts. However, what really thrills us is knowing that God has used these tracks throughout the world to speak into the lives of many and that for some of these the Light that Floods has been the anthem of their salvation.

Would you say your sound has evolved from that album to your new one?

Absolutely, there is a patience, space and depth to our sound that was not present on the last record. Those first songs burst out of a youthful exuberance whereas 'The Rhythms of Grace' is borne out of an increased sensitivity to The spirit of God and a desire to honour Him through our sacrifice of praise. Many of these songs are much more congregational and have a simplicity of structure that allows the church to engage freely during times of Worship and Praise. We love the sound of the last record and it captured perfectly where we were at as a band but our understanding of this faith has grown and developed in the intervening two years. We hope that is reflected both lyrically and musically in these new songs.

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

Obligatory band answer here, "We don't sound like anyone ever, we are unique among musicians!" I'm sure we sound like a lot of other bands that love the Lord, maybe we don’t. I genuinely don’t know. At times I can hear overtures of the Killers but the tracks are so varied that at times I can hear Gospel, even a little bit of Willie Nelson country which in my opinion is a great thing. The seven of us listen to very little music to be honest. I have a real love of Bruce Springsteen, Johnny Cash and those classical heart on their sleeves, storytelling blue collar kind of artists. We like honest music. I hope listeners believe that the things we are singing about have come from the depths of our souls because they truly have.

In your opinion, what makes the perfect worship song?

Simplicity, a hook, integrity, honest lyrics, raw unrehearsed emotion, avoidance of cliche’s and most importantly a song that points everything, absolutely everything back to Jesus.

You've just signed with US artist management company Nightvision, what's the thinking behind that?

We have been pretty resistant to the idea of promotion or expanding our ministry for a couple of years now but we have realised that this ministry (and it is a ministry) is so much more than the seven of us. These songs, our testimonies, preaching, speaking even the craic that God has seared into our Irish hearts has been used for the Kingdom and His glory. We believe that we are to reach as many people as possible while there is still light in which to work. We have prayed that God would provide someone who would run this race with us. In Nightvision we have found people that understand our vision and who can support us in bringing the hope of Christ to a world that really is tearing apart at the seams.