Broken Hallelujah

Today I’m thrilled to share a new worship CD, Broken Hallelujah with you. My husband and I have known David {Daveed} and his wife Courtney since they were freshmen in the high school youth group we were working with. Now they are all grown up with kiddos. So fun! I asked David a few questions so you can get to know him a bit.

When did you begin playing and writing your own music?
I wrote my first song in 6th grade, and it was bad. Imagine a pre-teen songwriter trying to force a love song about a hypothetical situation. I met you at the carnival… (and then getting out the rhyming dictionary to find something that rhymes with carnival) …on a ride called the interval. And, even though that is about as bad as songwriting gets, i was hooked. I spent the next few years of my life, in my room alone with a guitar, writing song after song until I finally found one that worked.
Track 9 on this album is that one that worked one decade ago as a 17 year old. I think from then on, I began to understand what my calling as a song-writer would be.

What inspires you when it comes to playing, writing and singing?
Instruments. I have always been drawn to eclectic instruments that can create a precise mood. There is a way that a xylophone can create happiness that a piano can’t; strings set a different mood than an organ; and just a moment of banjo brings new life to a song with mostly acoustic guitar. On track 2 of this album, I was very excited to have some great brass players bring a whole new depth of warmth to the song.
Song-writing for me starts with a musical fascination and a lyrical moment. When some new musical idea is born and it coincides with a melody line or idea or bible verse; that is when it all happens for me.

Do you engage in other creative activities besides music and playing instruments?
Running around our house with Hot-Wheels, pretending to play Mario racing with my 4 year old. In the past few months, there has been little time for anything besides family, ministry, and music… It’s been a good few months. Also, I love enjoying and making good, creative food and drink.

What has surprised you most about making your first CD?
The value of collaboration. From the very beginning, I set out to create an album that involved the great musicians and artists that I know…and it shows. It was so freeing to let those who excel in their instruments give what they had to the album. And at the end of the day, I am so happy with the product because it felt like a team effort all the way through.

Anything else we should know about you?
This album is appropriately sub-titled “(songs for sunday mornings (or other times also))” because it is a collection of songs that I have written for church use and congregational singing; but my hope is that you enjoy it on other days of the week as well. The album aims to bring our thoughts and hearts toward God through biblically-centered lyrics and the enjoyment of music.  Also, my wife is amazingly creative and great with crafty-paper-stuff.

Thanks David! Now everyone, hop over for a listen…

check out his website
buy it on itunes