Interview: KXC Worship
We caught up with Karen, Tom & Rich from KXC Worship to talk about their second release 'Flux'. Find out more about the group, what inspires their music, and which songwriter they respect the most.
Tell us a little bit about this new album of KXC?
Karen: This is the second EP to come from the worship team at KXC. We were really blessed to have the opportunity to work with the producer Gabriel Wilson in Portland Oregon. Gabriel is a guy we hugely respect having produced some of the Bethel albums and he co-wrote 'Forever (We Sing Hallelujah)'. This felt like a forward step in terms of our personal growth as a community of songwriters but also a step in growing and shaping the sound of our songs. We could not be more excited about this collection of songs and we hope they bless the wider church as well as our immediate family.
Which is your favourite track on the album and why?
Tom: I genuinely love every single song on this EP. There were lots of songs that sadly didn't make this EP, which is always a difficult part of the process but a healthy one all the same. There was a lot more co-writing on this EP which was an exciting and positive step for us and we are really happy with the songs that have made the EP as we feel they each carry their own individual story as well as a collective theme and narrative of our journey together. Gabriel has really brought each song to life in a way that moved and excited us. A particular favourite bit for me is the instrumental outro to Love Song. It is an incredible section of music which I know I'll enjoy for a long time to come!
Is there a reasons you are releasing these EP's in Chapter format?
Tom: The First EP (Chapter One: The Father's Love) really did signify a chapter in the life of our church, and it was really humbling to play a part in that being the case. A lot of the themes which the leaders of KXC (Pete Hughes) led us through are really reflected in the themes and lyrics of that EP. To choose from the beginning to call each EP a Chapter, was actually pretty insightful (it was Karen's idea, not mine!) and we'd love it if people at KXC felt like the following stage of the life in the church was reflected by these 6 songs.
If you could work with any songwriter, who would it be and why?
Rich: I'd love to write with John Mark McMillian - he is someone who is almost single handedly bringing metaphor back into the vocabulary of modern worship songs. I also love how he can write incredibly honest and personal songs that anyone can engage with. The best songwriters manage to evoke whole books worth of human experience with just a few words in a song. Josh Ritter does that better than almost anybody for me.
Tom: I know it's an obvious one, but it would be between Paul McCartney and Bono. Bono's lyrics are more imaginative and creative than I could ever hope for, so I'd definitely love to pick his brain on that!
Tom: Studio. I love the whole process of recording and the journey of never knowing which songs will work best or what shape they will take. However, there's also nothing better than leading worship and seeing people connect with God through that, and if songs that we've written have aided that, then it's even more of an incredible privilege.
How would you describe your style of music and what are your influences?
Tom: I hope that we are pushing the boundaries musically of what people expect from a worship recording, although ultimately we want to write songs that people can play in their local church and have melodies that people can join in with in worship. We only ever record songs that we've been playing at our church and have been working well within our worship times together, as this is where we serve as worship leaders and ultimately want to lead people closer to God and His presence in those moments. A lot of our songs have started as seeds of spontaneous worship moments from each of our own journeys which we have gone on to develop and grow. I have also found that as a collective of worship leaders we are each bringing a different voice and style to how we write and lead which has been amazing for each of us to learn from and take on board. Musically a few of my favourite artists are Bombay Bicycle Club, Phoenix, Sigur Ros, Beatles, U2, Radiohead and I occasionally listen to Coldplay :)
What is your favourite album of all time?
Tom: Tough decision. Probably is Joshua Tree, closely followed by Achtung Baby
Rich: Jeff Buckley 'Grace' / D'Angelo 'Voodoo'
You're stuck on an island, it's hot, you only have enough battery life left to listen to one song on your mp3 player. What track is it?
Tom: 'Help!' by The Beatles
What does the next year hold for KXC:
Tom: Just really excited to see what happens with the EP, and hoping to see people using the songs all over the place, like they did on Chapter One. We were so encouraged and blessed to see songs from our first EP go onto the Worship Central and New Wine albums as well as being played at their summer gatherings. Personally I'll be writing lots this year, doing more worship at events like New Wine and Pursuit and excited to see Karen at the New Wine summer gatherings, and Rich at David's Tent.
Find out more at kxc.org.uk/worship
