Interview: Seth Jeffery
Portugal based British self-produced worshiper Seth Jeffery has just released his latest self-published album 'Between the Sea and the Shore'. Louder Than The Music spoke to him about his album and how he hopes people will find the promised land through his music.
For those who haven’t heard you before, can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got involved in making music?
I grew up in a Christian home, started playing piano at about 7, and I’ve been writing music for almost as long as that. My parents were always a great 'moral support' in every meaning of the term. My musical and spiritual influences were wide-ranging from the start: singing in an Anglican choir as a boy while listening to classic Michael W Smith, Elton John and Irish folk music, then picking up Symphonic Metal and Downtempo in University while studying music for film. Later I joined and travelled with the very skilled Hillsong London team, then moved to a Spirit-filled Partners In Harvest church to learn about prophecy and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit in worship, where the Lord eventually catapulted me, my wife and two girls to move to Portugal and serve the Church here.
Tell us about your new album ‘Between the Sea and the Shore’ and what the inspiration behind it was?
There are times in our life when we get the feeling of being pulled into an uncertain adventure. It is a kind of pregnancy, like stepping into the wilderness with Egypt behind you and the Promised Land somewhere ahead. My wife and I felt this strongly in 2017 when we wrote Cloud by Day, and then I wrote the title track Between the Sea and the Shore. In that very personal in-between season, all you can do is follow the Lord's guidance daily.
Which is your favorite track on the album and why?
“Living Room”. It came straight from my heart in a single evening as I was doing exactly what the song describes. To be alone with the Lord and with my piano, unfolding poetic concepts to express deep truths is my favourite place to be. But more than that it is the place I need to keep coming back to in order to refresh and reorient my spirit.
What message would you like people to take from your music?
That if you’re going through an in-between season where you can’t yet see the light of arrival, press on, keep drawing from the river of God’s presence, keep your eyes on His fire and cloud. You will see the promised land.
How would you describe your style of music and what are your influences?
While I’ve listened to a lot of styles and found it hard to stick with just one, my music is usually piano-driven and orchestral with a little 80s-90s influence that’s hard for me to let go of. I admire writers like Jason Upton and Will Reagan because they really put their heart out with their music before God, and I also love soaking music like the Riveras and classical impressionist piano like Claude Debussy.
If you could work with any songwriter, who would it be and why?
Probably someone like Leeland. It’s not even so much about the potential song to write - talented though he is - but the simple fellowship. If there’s someone full of love and desire for God, someone that you can just say “Hang up the work for a sec, let’s just jump on our instruments and worship Jesus because He’s worthy”, then that’s who I’d work with.
How would you define success in your career as an artist?
To be content knowing that you gave all you could with whatever the Lord gave you, and that you gave it in service of Him and of others.
What is your favourite album of all time?
Everyone’s supposed to have one, but I honestly have never had a favourite album for long. I get tired if I repeat anything too much!
You’re stuck on an island, it’s hot, you only have enough battery life left to listen to one song on your phone. What track is it?
Given those rules, “5 hours of Soaking In His Presence” by William Augusto! The truth is, his albums are excellent for spending time intimately with the Lord, which would probably be the most practical thing in that circumstance!
What does the next year hold for you?
Honestly, if the Lord tells me, then I’ll let you know!
