By Amy Sondova “Beating My Heart” the first single from Jon McLaughlin’s sophomore album OK, Now (Island/Def Jam) has been making waves on the radio (both figuratively and literally) for weeks.  Produced by Jon Fields (Switchfoot, Jonas Brothers), the album has a soulful, bluesy pop-rock inspired by the likes of Billy Joel, Elton John, and perhaps even John Mayer (though Jon is resistant to compare himself to his peers). Jon was kind enough to “Take 5 + 2” with Backseat Writer on the precipice of his album release, which was this Tuesday, Oct. 7.

You’re a Christian who’s also a musician, but you find the whole division between secular and Christian music a bit nonsensical.  Why do you think it’s not always beneficial to listeners to throw music into these categories?

I think the categories prevent people from listening to good music.  There’s a lot of good music out there and there’s some bad music, too (I have written my share) - the problem is that when I get put into a category of “Christian” music or “secular” music, or whatever, my music takes on all the stereotypes that that genre brings with it.  So whatever a particular person feels about “Christian” music, good or bad, they’re going to put some of that on my music before even hearing it.  And there are people out there who won’t listen to “Christian” music simply because it’s in that genre, and there are those who won’t listen to “secular” music for the same reason.

So, you’re that cute singer who belts out “So Close” in the movie Enchanted. Being a fan of Disney ballads, what was it like to perform one written by Academy Award winnining composer Alan Menken, who wrote songs for The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and Beauty and the Beast? (Psst!  Tell us a little bit about being on the set with Patrick Dempsey, Amy Adams, and the rest of the cast!)

I can’t even tell you what an honor it is to be associated with names like Disney, Alan Menken, Steven Schwartz… it’s ridiculous!  Being on the set of the movie was really fun - I felt a bit out of my league working with Patrick Dempsey, Amy Adams, James Marsden, and Idina Menzel.  They were all the nicest people and it was cool to get a glimpse of what their lives are like working late nights on the set and putting in such long hours.

After your appearance in Enchanted, sales of your first album on Island/Def Jam soared, causing many people to cling to your heart-wrenching song, “Beautiful Disaster.”  What inspired the writing of this song?

The great thing about “Beautiful Disaster” is that it’s relatable.  That’s also the unfortunate thing about the song.  Everyone has a weird, warped image of themselves on some level and this song doesn’t really offer a solution to the problem (although I wish it did) but it at least lets people know that everyone’s in the same boat.

Similarly, on your new album (which is amazing) you composed the lyrically-driven song “4 Years” which encourages kids to just be themselves.  Why did you write this song?

“4 Years” is a song I’ve been wanting to write for a long time.  Ever since I graduated from high school.  I just wanted to write a song that would remind high school kids that high school is not the rest of your life…and that every decision in high school is NOT life or death.  When you’re 15 it’s hard to see past graduation day and part of you feels like the world you’re in while you’re in high school will be for the rest of your life - but it’s not true….it’s just 4 years.

Ok, Now’s first song “Beating My Heart” was actually written “on the spot.”  Can you regale me with the story?

Well, it had been over a year since I finished Indiana and I was experiencing a little writer’s block but it was beyond time for me to start writing songs for the new record.  So I was wracking my brain but nothing was coming.  So one day, the band and I were at a sound check and Chad, my drummer, asked me to play some of the new material I had been working on.  I didn’t have anything written but I didn’t want to admit to the band that I was having writer’s block so I said I had this new song, it’s not quite finished, but here it is…and that’s what came out.

I’m gonna make this a “Take 5″ +2 because I have to ask a Billy Joel question because you’re such a big admirer of his work.  If you were asked to perform a song on a Billy Joel tribute album, what song would you pick and why?

I would do ANY Billy Joel song because they’re all awesome…but if I had to pick one I would probably pick “New York State of Mind” - I just love that song.  Everything about it.

Since you’re “the movie song guy,” which song from Ok, Now is predicted to be the next “movie song”?  I’m thinking “We All Need Saving,” but what’s your take?

I think you’re right.  There’s just something about “We All Need Saving” that feels like film.  It just feels like it should be synced up to that one scene in that one movie.

Print copy of Take 5.

By Alyssa Bjornstad Brenton Brown’s new record, Because of Your Love, (Survivor) is nothing short of spirit-filled.

In many parts of the country, summer has turned to fall…an opportunity to cozy up with a cup of tea and this fantastic new album. Brenton, thanks for answering these questions and providing listeners with a glimpse of your heart!

Who/What has most influenced your musical roots (past and/or present)?

I’m a big fan of song and will shamelessly enjoy a song in whatever genre I happen to find it. When I was very young (age 7 or 8, I think), the first question I would ask a girl I took a shine to would be, “So what’s your favorite song right now?” If her answer was anything like, “I just listen to whatever’s on the radio,” she was out of the running! That being said, my favorite songs right now include “The Brotherhood of Men” by The Innocence Mission and “White Winter Hymnal” by the Fleet Foxes.

You were a Rhodes Scholar! How has education transformed you?

Well I guess the most profound way that education has shaped me has been in the way I think. Not necessarily what I think about a particular subject, though studying politics and philosophy and theology did change that. But more how I think things through—how I order my thoughts, how I shape an argument, how I construct an opinion. The one thing that studying politics in South Africa taught me was that it was okay to put my emotions to one side while I sifted through the facts. If emotions drive research too hard they can blind you to the truths staring you in the face. I think on any subject it’s useful to suspend judgment before finishing the research. But of course this doesn’t come naturally, and most people will be researching a topic to substantiate their opinion. All of us do this, no matter how hard we try not to. Emotion can make us interested and persistent. But unless it’s checked it can also make us irresponsible with the facts.

You’ve relocated to Malibu—what spurred the move?

A worship team from Malibu visited Cape Town a year before I left South Africa for England. During their brief ministry trip I came to be fast friends with quite a few people from the team. I stopped in California on my way to Oxford and then spent the next 10 years thinking about it! After Jude and I became ill with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, spending time in Malibu, surrounded by friends and good weather, felt like a wise decision. We love it.

Both you and your wife struggle with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. How has this disease changed your perspective as a Christ-follower, songwriter, musician, and leader?

Enduring an illness where healing is prayed for but not immediately (or even ever) received can be a surprisingly good faith-builder. It’s a strange thing, but God promises that he is near to those who are brokenhearted. And we have found that to be true. The first two things we found the illness did were incapacitating us (we couldn’t do what we were used to doing) and then isolating us (being around people tired us and still tires us). It broke us and challenged who we imagined we were.

Suddenly we weren’t the people who could suck it up and handle all the challenging situations we were facing. I quickly went from being a pastor to being the guy who couldn’t make it through a whole service because it was too taxing for me. I went from being the guy who led worship to being the guy who had to sit down or walk out during the worship because it was too loud or too intense or mostly just too long for me. It was as if the ways or traditions that the community I was a part of and had enjoyed so much were suddenly exclusive. My body couldn’t handle them. And although I knew better, there were moments when I wondered if it was even possible to be a Christian like this. And so for a long time we attempted to do church in the way we were accustomed, each time leaving church depressed and out of sorts because we invariably couldn’t last. It was at least a year before we found our way to Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB) family service. It was very different from what we were used to. The kids remained in the service for worship and the entire thing was geared toward people with short attention spans…we were home! Of course, despite appearances, this is as valid a version of communal worship as anything we had been to before - or indeed, anything that garners the attention of the adult world.

God is as present in these slightly more clumsy versions of community as He is in any seamless, well-produced contemporary or ancient service. In fact, these services have become a metaphor for our entire (spiritual) lives! Our lives have a slightly, disjointed, at times awkward, almost-always clumsy slant to them, but in the midst of it all our Father is present, revealing himself to us, comforting and strengthening us, and even at times using us! The late Mike Yaconelli wrote Messy Spirituality of which I’m very fond. This is where we live! Life is messy, but God is not deterred! He is near to the brokenhearted.

What do you hope listeners and worshipers take away from Because of Your Love?

I hope people enjoy the music and the sounds we used. And I hope that these prayers help shape the lives and prayers of God’s people in ways that make us more honest with Him and each other and more passionate for his Name.

“Adoration” left me in this place of awe before the face of God. What inspired the song?

That’s very encouraging to hear! A few years ago I read a book called Reversed Thunder by Eugene Peterson. He is one of my favorite Christian thinkers and pastors. I really am encouraged by what he writes. In this book is a chapter on worship in the book of Revelation. Eugene draws our attention to the conversations John has with the angel who is leading him through this vision of heaven. Repeatedly the angel has to instruct John, one of Jesus’s first disciples, to worship God and not bow at His feet. Isn’t it amazing that even John can get distracted by the sights and sounds of heaven and forget who it is we are called to worship? This song began as a simple melody and the phrase “worship God.” It was really just an encouragement to me. But I gradually realized that this was probably too simple a prayer to pray communally. So it evolved into a prayer that draws from Philippians 3: “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

I think as worshiping communities one of our greatest challenges will always be keeping our eyes on the prize. Sunday mornings and other weekly gatherings draw God’s people from so many different types of demanding careers and callings (some even within the church). All of these require our attention and at times can fool us into awarding them first place in our lives. As worshipers and lead worshipers, our service to the church and to the world is to call and remind one another to turn our eyes to the real action, to the most important and enduring and rewarding and inspiring center of all things: our God.

Because of Your Love is filled with a plethora of unique sounds—many most wouldn’t consider part of the worship genre. What was the process of selecting instruments to create this fusion of music and worship?

Hey. Thanks for noticing! It’s a risky business mixing art and prayer for large communities. While we try to write prayers that all of us can pray together, at the same time we’re exploring musical and artistic territory that is necessarily unique and at times widely unknown or recognized. When it works well, the art can inspire and bolster the praying. When it works badly, the art can distract people from the main action—prayer. Every time we go out and make one of these records we take this risk. Having said that, the sounds on this record hold a special place for me. I grew up listening to my parents’ sacred music - which just happened to be country gospel. Although I wasn’t a big fan growing up, the older I get the more I am drawn to the rugged and warm sounds of old-timey hill music. There’s a raw production sensibility that this music has which can require a lot from the listener, but can also be quite rewarding. Our decision to use fiddle, mandolin, banjo, dulcimer, and even lap steel along with the rock we play was an attempt to bring some of this warmth into the record. I hope it works! I guess we’ll see.

By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer of HeidiTown.com It’s no secret - I am a fan of the period movie.  Marie Antoinette was my favorite movie of 2006, and recently my husband pointed out that there are very few period movies I don’t like. I quickly reminded him of my illustrious opinions of Atonement, a period piece and Oscar nominated movie I intensely disliked.

I was able to see a last minute pre-screening of The Duchess, and I knew very little about the film or the true story of Georgiana Cavendish, the Duchess of Devonshire. Keira Knightley portrays the Duchess, who was married at age 17, to the Duke of Devonshire (Ralph Fiennes). The movie begins at Georgiana’s family estate where the audience becomes painfully aware the marriage has been arranged by Georgiana’s mother and the Duke’s handlers.

At first Georgiana is delighted, but this quickly turns to disappointment as it becomes apparent the two are not a good match. The Duke is single-mindedly set on having a boy and as the years pass the Duchess gives birth to girl after girl. Despite having gained the disdain of her husband, Georgiana becomes a popular socialite on the London scene. She becomes a fashion trendsetter and active campaigner for the Whig party, though women wouldn’t get the vote in England for another hundred years.

The cinematography of The Duchess sets the tone of the story. The camera often pans slowly across elaborate scenes depicting the excesses of the day, and yet there is always a grayish hue to the otherwise lavish scenes. It is as if the director is giving us a glimpse into the reality of Georgiana’s position; in spite of the wealth and privilege her status provides she is married to a man who does not love her and who eventually takes a live-in mistress (Hayley Atwell, most recently in Brideshead Revisited).

Keira Knightley received accolades for her role in Atonement, but I thought she was better in this movie. Georgiana was a complex woman in a time when women were considered and treated as one-dimensional creatures. Knightley is able to portray the multi-faceted personality of the Duchess and make the character relatable to the modern-day woman.

Much has been made of the fact that Georgiana the Duchess of Devonshire’s story has similarities to that of Princess Diana (1961-1997). In fact, the two women are related. Diana, Princess of Wales, was a descendant of Georgiana’s brother, the 2nd Earl Spencer. Though some parallels do exist between the lives of these two woman, Keira Knightley has stated that the film has not intentionally tied the stories together. Even Amanda Foreman, the author of the book on which the movie is based has spoken out against the gossip trying to connect the movie to Diana. Still, it is impossible not to recognize similarities in the lives of the two women; each was unwittingly thrust into the public eye, each became an icon of fashion and eventually each became embroiled in very public marital troubles.

Although Keira Knightley performs well, this movie leaves much to be desired. Ralph Fiennes uptight portrayal of the Duke of Devonshire sums up my opinion of this movie - stuffy. It is an adaptation of a biography, not a novel, and therefore it is simply the rather straightforward story of a life and not a particularly significant life (from an historical perspective). Georgiana Cavendish was the flavor of her day, but in reality, she was just another socialite. It is an interesting portrait of how woman were viewed and treated in 18th Century England, but otherwise The Duchess did not really impress me. If you enjoy period pieces, I’d recommend waiting until it comes to DVD.

To read move of Heidi’s take on movies, DVD’s, restaurants and more, visit her online at HeidiTown.com.

By Amy Sondova If it wasn’t for their audience, This Beautiful Republic would cease to exist.  Of course, that could be said of all bands since it is the listeners who purchase the albums, attend concerts, and load up on fan gear.  However, connecting with their audience isn’t just business for the guys in This Beautiful Republic; it is necessary, especially for the band’s gregarious lead singer, Ben Olin.

Instead of spending his days sipping wheat grass juice or perfecting his hair style, Ben catches up with This Beautiful Republic’s fans through social networking: “I take the time to get to know people and actually care what they write on my MySpace or Facebook.  It’s part of what God has called us to do as a band.  People deserve it.  They support our music and support us and come to shows and tell others about us.  They keep us alive.  They deserve a comment back or a response to a message.”  So when This Beautiful Republic hit the studio to record their sophomore album, Perceptions (Forefront), encouraging their audience was a priority.

The band started recording just after completing a tour promoting Heart Support, an online community for young people wrestling with a variety of mental health and life issues.  Consumed by the stories students shared with them on the road, Ben says, “Being exposed to these kids struggling with self-worth, cutting, depression, and horrible situations was just overwhelming to me.  I was so fired up about Heart Support, and realized that there are all these kids that needed some sort of encouragement, so we wrote four or five songs just about that.”

One of the songs born out of this experience was “Surrender Saved My Life” a song that raises the white flag to God in the midst of troubling circumstances.  “We wrote the song about giving up, but giving up in a good way—ceasing to try to find your own solutions to the problem and just letting God come in and cleanse all that stuff out of you to make you the person He wants you to be,” explains Ben.  The song contains a particularly poignant line that says, “I’ve had enough buying ashes with my love,” which speaks to investing in things that don’t matter or satisfy the human heart.

Yet Perceptions is a definite departure from the band’s first album, Even Heroes Need a Parachute, though the songs are still built on melody and driven with tight lyrics.  “I think the songs are bigger, badder, and prettier all at the same time,” laughs Ben, who then adds, “Perceptions pushes the envelope more than Heroes.”

Because Ben first joined TBR while they had already started working on Heroes, he only had a chance to write on a couple songs, including the fan favorite “Going Under.”  Perceptions included a noted change in Ben’s vocals which vary from melodic to gruff to sometimes wailing.  “All five of us wrote the entire record, so it’s much more representative of us as a band,” shares Ben.  “I feel much more attached to the songs.  I know what they’re about.  I know what they’re supposed to communicate.  I know the goals of the songs.  When we got into the studio, I just wanted to make my part communicate what the songs communicate.”

Using “No Turning Back” as an example, Ben explains the bridge of the song is about frustration so naturally he screamed in frustration.  “The second verse in ‘No Turning Back’ is work that I’m really proud of,” says Ben. “I wrote it at a time when I was just frustrated with society in general.”  The song also contains American Revolutionist Patrick Henry’s famous line, “Give me liberty or give me death!”  “I’ve been trying to put that line into a song for a long time; it’s the perfect quote for the Christian community and being freed from sin and things that hold us down,” shares Ben.

Generally, Ben, who is the band’s chief lyricist crafts lyrics about his observations about others and avoids getting personal.  However, when writing “Say Goodnight,” he couldn’t help but think of the deaths of his grandparents and “Learning to Fall” was written at a time when everyone in the band was in “some sort of active rebellion with God.”  Ben further elaborates, “We just end up stumbling and our relationship with God suffers.  We get so far away from what we know to be true, we get shocked when we realize where we are.  This song reminds us that no matter where we are or how far we’ve gone, God is always willing to take us back.”

He pauses for a moment and thoughtfully adds, “I’m learning to fall, but I’m learning to fall in a way that lets my world crumble, that everything I’ve built would become nothing and God would become everything.”

Then there’s “A Point Between Extremes,” which dramatically addresses that slippery slope of the faith community.  Growing up in church, Ben acknowledges that he learned to become very legalistic: “I went to church and said and did the right things because they said that’s what you were supposed to do, but I didn’t fully understand why you were supposed to do them.  In college, I learned about the role of the Holy Spirit and why we study the Bible.  I learned a lot of why’s from the folks I was hanging out with.  During those years, I also learned that grace, love, and forgiveness are cornerstones of our faith.”

However, Ben warns that some go too far in the opposite direction.  “There aren’t many black and white issues, and it really comes down to the heart of the individual and how God is working in his or her life,” says Ben.  “There are certain biblical truths that are absolutely true and that’s beautiful.  We know that Jesus has come and died and risen again and we can be forgiven and saved.  But in the practice and exercise and working out of our faith, there are things that aren’t black and white, but people want them to be black and white.”

Discovering the true meaning of grace was freeing for Ben, who shares, “My mentality was that I if I didn’t do or say the right things then God wasn’t going to love me or forgive me.  If I wasn’t making the effort, then I wasn’t worthy.  Really, we’re not worthy of it period.  We can’t get to the point where we deserve it or earn it.  Grace truly is just grace and God just offers it.”

It’s this message of God’s grace that Ben and the rest of This Beautiful Republic strive to communicate through Perceptions.  Still, it’s only when talking about issues close to his heart that Ben is this serious.  In addition to being a savvy social networker, Ben is also admired for his wit. Exchanging banter at the close of the interview, Ben jokes about the the band’s next album, “I was thinking there should be more classical scores and things like that, where there’s really no vocals at all.”  Laughing about guest vocalist, he asks, “How funny would it be if we wrote a super hardcore record and had Billy Ray Cyrus sing on one song?”  Let’s leave that one for the fans to decide.

For more information on This Beautiful Republic, visit them online at www.thisbeautifulrepublic.com.  Be sure to befriend them on MySpace (myspace.com/thisbeautifulrepublic) and Facebook while you’re at it!

Print copy of article.

Senior editor Alyssa gave me the head’s up on this one, and it was just way too funny *not* to post! That’s the beauty of website/blogs–almost anything goes. If, like me, you think the vintage “Jesus is My Friend” video circling the Internet is as incredible as I do, then you’ll love David Crowder and his band’s take on the viral video. Proceed with caution because the song has the potential to stick in one’s head all day!

Here’s the original “Jesus is My Friend” video in all it’s glory…

According to DCB’s website, they were referencing the song during worship on Sunday morning. Unable to get the song of out their heads (it’s like that), so skipping out on the sermon (whoops! Don’t worry, they probably heard it at least three times in the other services!) they ran off to learn this soon-to-be church classic.

Fireproof
Stars:  Kirk Cameron and Erin Bethea
Rated PG
Sherwood Pictures/Provident Films
Opens in select (approximately 750) theaters September 26th

By Brittney Switala For a couple on a budget, a visit to the movies can be more expensive than it is worth. However dropping the kids off at the sitter, investing in a tub of buttery popcorn, and holding hands at the latest movie from the creators of Facing the Giants may be considered marriage therapy. And we all know how expensive therapy can be…

Fireproof is the story of a fire chief who is a hero to everyone in town, except his wife. Caleb Holt (played by Kirk Cameron- Growing Pains, the Left Behind trilogy) is a man’s man who is self-centered and addicted to the ideals of a perfect boat and the perfect woman. His wife Catherine (played by Erin Bethea who had a bit role in Facing the Giants) finds it hard to act civil around her husband and finds a shoulder to cry on from her girlfriends and a doctor with Southern charm at the hospital where she works. Divorce looks to be a natural next step until Caleb’s father sends him a leather journal. The book, written in his dad’s handwriting, challenges Caleb to commit to 40 days of wooing his wife before he consents to a divorce. Through a combination of the book, a change in Caleb’s attitude, and faith he finally understands what it means to really love his wife. But the question remains, “Is it too little too late for the marriage to be saved?”

Fireproof is an upgrade in a number of ways from previous Sherwood Pictures films. Sherwood Pictures is the theater ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church of Albany, Georgia. This is their third movie. Their first movie “Flywheel” went straight to DVD, while “Facing the Giants”, picked up by Provident films, was shown in 1000 theaters and grossed $10,000,000. “Fireproof” continues with the same Writer/Producer/Director team of brothers Alex and Steven Kendrick, but with $500,000 to work with. The additional financing apparently did not go into securing a “named” star in Kirk Cameron. Cameron did not accept payment for his involvement in the movie. According to www.fireproofthemovie.com Cameron requested that any fee that would have been paid to him be given to his non-profit organization Camp Firefly for seriously and terminally ill children and their families. The film’s biggest assets are the superb writing the Kendrick brothers team and Cameron’s top-notch acting. Kirk Cameron’s most recent acting ventures in the Left Behind films 2000-2005 (Cloud Ten Pictures) left many Christians feeling almost embarrassed by the films’ poor quality and wondering whether Kirk Cameron could really handle a serious dramatic role. This movie lays those worries aside. He convincingly portrays a wide range of emotions and handles challenging fire rescue scenes with ease.

There are many faces in this movie viewers will recognize from previous Sherwood pictures films. For example football player “Brock” (Eric Harmon) who did the death crawl in Facing the Giants has a supporting role in Fireproof as a fledgling firefighter. However some of the best acting in the movie is done by people we’ve never previously seen in a Sherwood film, including the actor who plays Caleb’s best friend, Kevin Bevel who has no previous acting experience. Erin Bethea, who plays Catherine Holt, had a small role in Facing the Giants as a sports reporter. Her acting and emotional expression seem to improve as the movie goes along, but overall she appears to overact, which points to her lack of experience. Such a large and demanding part would have been better suited for an actress equal to Kirk Cameron to bring this movie up to Hollywood standards.

Regardless of any perceived weaknesses in Fireproof as a theatrical piece, this Kendrick brothers story has the power to change marriages and ultimately change eternal destinies. The leather journal given to Caleb by his father called the “Love Dare” is a 40 day challenge of self sacrifice. As Caleb begins to read the book and eventually understands God’s ultimate sacrifice in sending his son Jesus to die on the cross Caleb becomes a new husband and a new man. Fireproof is a great starting point for couples to discuss two touchy subjects: selfishness and infidelity. It also reminds all of us that it is our nature to drift apart in marriage. It is only through a covenant with God that we are in it for life that our marriages can truly be “fireproof.” For a closer marriage I’d pay the theater $9.50 any day.

Print copy of review.

physical education

the music comes on…

it’s eminem.

i hate eminem…

but no one seems to care…

it’s not fair

that we have to run.

i’d like to win

but i look at the clock

and it’s only been 5, not 10.

i cringe again

at eminem

while he speaks of “losing yourself”

a place i think i’ve been.

my legs are sore,

my tendons torn,

the sweat runs down my face

but i can’t keep this pace.

i want to head for the door

but something keeps me;

that voice that is a teacher

calling from a bleacher

that i must suffer longer,

although everyone else is stronger.

as eminem dies

i die too.

on the floor

i’m soaked to the core

from the sweat

the liberation from doing more

as the thoughts run through my mind…

although angry and unkind…

what am i to do

if i’m not good enough for you?

by charlotte sublett

Community Christian Church made a series of videos called “I’m a Christ Follower” in 2006 to go along with a sermon series. The videos are a spoof on the “Mac vs. PC” commercials. This one seems fairly relevant to Backseat Writer’s readership.

So, what do you guys think?

By Amy Sondova If you’ve been around the singer/songwriter end of the indie music scene, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn’t heard of Tara Leigh Cobble.  The sassy singer is also an accomplished author and speaker, who grew up in Tennessee hunting and gutting.  Between working on her third book, playing shows and touring (including a recent trip to Seoul, South Korea), and exploring Manhattan, Tara Leigh was sweet enough to answer a few questions via e-mail for Backseat Writer.

Clearly you love New York City, how’d a Tennessee girl end up on the East Coast?

The basic answer is that God made it clear to me that He wanted me in NYC, so I went.  The details of the story were enough to fill a book, so I turned it into one (Crowded Skies: Letters to Manhattan).  It’s about knowing and discerning the voice of God in regard to life decisions.

Do you really know how to use a gun and gut ducks?  (Have you adapted to gutting pigeons being in the city?)

I do!  And unfortunately, I’m not allowed to have a gun in the City!  Sad.

Your faith seems to ooze out of your music and your writing—how did you and God meet?

I grew up in a home where Jesus was a daily thing—my parents lived out their relationship with Him in front of my eyes.  When I was four years old, my brother Jason and I were playing a board game, and he asked me if I wanted to meet Jesus.  I told him I did, so I prayed a short prayer asking Jesus to save me and be in my life.  It might seem like I was too young for that to be real, but He was faithful to answer me.

Some of the songs on your latest project, Playing Favorites, like “Walking on Sunshine” and “Holding Out For a Hero” are covers of classic, but where did your unique slant on “Hallelujah” come from?

I heard the song covered by so many people, but I’d never heard a girl cover it, so I set out to learn it.  When I was picking through it the first time, I realized that the chords and the feel worked perfectly with “Thy Word” so I knit them together.  The things that I cling to in both songs fit seamlessly in my mind.  It’s still one of my favorite songs to play live.

But what about songs I never heard before like “Everlasting Love” and “Please Forgive Me” and my personal favorite “I Wonder”?

“Everlasting Love” is one of those rare pop songs that has a message about love that isn’t far off from what God says.  It’s pure and hopeful, and it reminds me that God’s best is worth waiting for.  “Please Forgive Me” was a suggestion from Lee McDerment, who helped produce the record as well as sing and play on it.  He and I sat down at the piano one day and he worked out that slower, softer version—I loved it.  On that same day, he suggested that I do a piano version of “I Wonder.”  I hesitated because I’d already put two versions of the song on two other albums.  But on his first attempt at interpreting the song, he left me speechless, with tears in my eyes.  I knew I had to do it again.  Today, it is my favorite version of any song I’ve ever recorded.

This is almost like a girl power album.  You have super powers, don’t you?

I can kick really high.  I can drive long distances without much sleep.  But I have yet to learn how to eradicate calories in ice cream.  If you figure that one out, let me know!

How did you survive producer (and Sparrow Recording Artist) Josh Wilson’s hot recording closet?  (Word on the street is that he makes people record vocals in the closet to make sure background noise is at a minimum).

True story!  It was burning up in there.  He tried to buy an air conditioner, but we recorded in January, and Home Depot didn’t have any in stock at that time.  I took frequent breaks to run outside and roll around in the snow.

You emerged on the indie scene eight years ago; why have you remained an indie artist for so long?

Fame doesn’t motivate me at all.  In fact, not only am I not interested in it, but I don’t want it.  At all.  And most labels are propelled by the mission of achieving a far-and-wide acceptance of their artists.  Since their vision usually conflicts so drastically with what God has put in my heart, it’s been an easy answer up to this point.

I heard that you have signed with a major recording label, is there any truth to this rumor?

Nope.  There have been talks, but at the end of the day, it always comes around to me staying independent.  There could be a time when that changes, if the right things fall in place and our visions line up.

You are one busy lady—singing, speaking, writing—how do you manage it all?

I’m still trying to figure that out!  God has always helped me fit the right things into my schedule.  Summers are slow for touring, so I spend my summers writing and working on talks.  Lately He’s been providing a lot more opportunities for me to speak, so I’m throwing myself into that more than into writing songs.  Just trying to follow His lead.

What are some of your favorite topics to write about?  (Basically, what’s your niche?)

Jesus shows up in everything.  He cares about every detail.  He speaks to me about work, rest, friends, charity, love, brokenness, nature, guys that I like—He covers all that ground in our conversations.  So when I write, I tell those stories.  I talk about the way He speaks to me, the way He works, the things He says.  I call my style “spiritual memoir,” but the main truth that lies underneath all my writing is this: intimacy with God is possible, it’s vital, and He has gone to great lengths to achieve that with you.  He wants to be involved in every part of your life.

I know you’re working on a book right now—what’s it about?

It’s kind of a secret.  The plan is for it to be the third in the “Letters” trilogy.  That’s all I’m prepared to publicly say right now.  Hah!  Sorry.

Perhaps one of my favorite Tara Leigh “things” is your Twitter updates, why do you Twitter?

Twitter serves many purposes to me—it’s a way to remind myself of things I need to remember, it keeps me updated on the lives of friends near and far, it serves as a journal, and it encourages me.  Also, I once twittered that my iPod was broken and a guy who follows my feed gave me a new one!  You can’t beat that!

If I was in Manhattan, where’s the best place to get a bagel?

H&H Bagel on the Upper West Side.  It’s the best in the City!  But if you want the best bagel in the entire world, you’ll have to go to Corner Bagel in Anderson, South Carolina.  It cannot be beat.

How do you feel about being labeled “the female Donald Miller”?

It’s an honor, of course!  The only drawback is that sometimes male readers think that means I don’t translate into dude-speak.  They think I’m “the Donald Miller for females,” but I try to be relevant to both sexes.

How can I apply to be your temporary merch girl?

Next time I’m playing a show near you, shoot me an email!  I’d love to have you behind my merch table!  Whee!!

Print copy of interview.

To learn more about Tara Leigh Cobble and her amazing work, visit her online at taraleighcobble.com.  Head on over to iTunes or Amazon.com to buy or download her latest album, Playing Favorites.  While you’re checking out TLC merch, you’ve got to order her books, Here’s to Hindsight: Letters to My Former Self and Crowded Skies: Letters to Manhattan.