Interview: Luke Wareham
Bristol based Worship leader Luke Wareham recently released the single 'Whisper', the title track from an upcoming 6-track EP. Louder Than The Music chatted with Luke to find out more about the single, the new EP, and what inspires him to make music.
For those who haven't heard of you before, can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got involved in making music?
Thanks for being so encouraging and interested about the new EP ‘WHISPER’ and recent single. I love leading worship and songwriting, so that people are drawn to Jesus and able to be changed through worshipping him. I work on the team at Woodlands Church in Bristol and lead worship at various Christian conferences and events around the UK. I did a year with Worship Central and have been leading worship for 14 years. I’ve got a passion for writing songs that lead people into the presence of God, that help people fix their eyes on Jesus and to experience afresh the healing power of the Holy Spirit. Rachel who I have collaborated with on the new EP with is a family friend and I lead worship with her. I actually went round her house for keyboard lessons but after hearing some of the songs I had written she encouraged me to get my songs produced for others to hear! Rachel is a great worship leader, has a heart for raising others up and has a lot of experience in the music industry.
Tell us about your new single 'Whisper' and what the inspiration behind it was?
I wrote ‘Whisper’ whilst reflecting on 1 Kings - God was in the silence as he whispered to Elijah. I believe that even when the enemy seems loud in our lives, even when we are filled with panic and doubt, a whisper from God changes everything. Our true freedom comes from Jesus breaking through into our lives and his perfect plan for us worked out because of the cross. God revealed himself in a whisper to Elijah because he was so close and he whispers in our life situations because he is so close - within whispering distance. He is already working it out.
You also have an EP coming out soon, what can people expect to hear on that?
I am really looking forward to releasing this new EP and sharing the 5 new songs with everyone. Working with my good friend Ollie Morris on the EP, a songwriter based in Bristol, has been a real highlight as the whole production has been done within our friendship.
‘Shadows’ a song on the EP I have co-written with Matt Caddick and Rachel Mason is a song that I have been leading at churches and various events for a while now, people seem to really connect with the song and worship through it. The song proclaims the victory of Jesus and that we can hold on to Jesus who never gives up on us. The hope of the cross takes away all fear as the light of Jesus shines through the darkness in our lives.
Another song on the EP ‘Faithful friend’ is a song I wrote during a 24/7 prayer week at our church. The song reflects on how we are made for a close friendship with God as we live in unity together for God’s kingdom. I felt God say that he does not just want us to know about him; he wants us to know him and to experience his friendship. God knows us better than we know ourselves, and he loves us more deeply than anyone else ever could. He is faithful, he is close, he will never leave us, and we are surrounded by his presence of kindness and goodness. His light gives us a new song in our heart. As we surrender to Jesus we get to know him better.
What message would you like people to take from your music?
My prayer is that these songs will help people to have a sense of wonder and God’s love, which will enable them to get through everyday life and to fix their eyes on Jesus. These songs have especially been written to help people receive from and respond to God. I also work as a youth worker in the most deprived and needy areas in Bristol and I wanted to write songs that will bring hope to a broken world, speaking prophetically the truth of Jesus into everyday life situations.
How would you describe your style of music and what are your influences?
I enjoy listening to different worship songs from various worship bands and worship leaders which have helped me to encounter Jesus and to worship wholeheartedly.
If you could work with any songwriter, who would it be and why?
I would love to co-write with Jeremy riddle, I love the beauty in his lyrics and his passion and heart for Jesus that comes through his songs.
How would you define success in your career as an artist?
Success for me is if people get a glimpse of Jesus through the songs I write and are able to fix their eyes on him. I love the quote from John Ortberg that says ‘I need to worship because without it I lose the sense of wonder and gratitude and plod through life with blinkers on’. I hope my songs help people in everyday life to worship Jesus.
What is your favourite album of all time?
Bethel, Have it all - I love the songs and production on this album.
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?
Do it again (Elevation worship) - I love this song and how it focuses on the promises of God.
What does the next year hold for you?
Looking ahead to 2020. The ‘Whisper’ EP will be released and we have already making plans and started writing songs for a second EP! We would love to share the songs with the wider church and are looking at doing a tour so do get in touch if you would like to host us! I’ll be leading worship in the local church and at various events and conferences during 2020.
