Michigan-based Inspiration Worship have just released full-length debut album 'Powerful' featuring songwriter, vocalist and cancer survivor Linda Doane. LTTM spoke with Linda to find out more about recording an album in the midst of turmoil.
For those who haven't heard of you before, can you tell us a bit about yourselves and how you got involved in making music?
Born and bred in Michigan, we have five daughters and have loved music our entire lives. Tom even went to school for voice and jazz piano. But, for me, it was more of a secret I held close to my heart because I... Read MoreMichigan-based Inspiration Worship have just released full-length debut album 'Powerful' featuring songwriter, vocalist and cancer survivor Linda Doane. LTTM spoke with Linda to find out more about recording an album in the midst of turmoil.
For those who haven't heard of you before, can you tell us a bit about yourselves and how you got involved in making music?
Born and bred in Michigan, we have five daughters and have loved music our entire lives. Tom even went to school for voice and jazz piano. But, for me, it was more of a secret I held close to my heart because I really didn’t have the confidence to pursue music. We had been involved in worship at our church but that burning desire to sing the songs God was putting on my heart was always there. It wasn’t until 2015, after my second battle with Stage IV Non-Hodgkins lymphoma, that we looked at each other and said, “What are we waiting for?” So, taking a step of faith, we locally recorded an EP called Whose and that marked the beginning of this journey.
Tell us about your album Powerful.
Powerful is our first full-length album. I reached out to the immensely talented Ian Eskelin and we started working together in December 2016. During the recording of this album, Ian’s family was hit with cancer, my anorexic daughter was asked to leave an eating disorder program for being too skinny, Tom’s dad died, and I was given a terminal diagNOsis in September of 2017 (I always say God put the NO in diagNOsis). Powerful is our testimony of faith. It would’ve been so easy to give up, but the dream, the desire, and the sheer determination to believe God above our circumstances was undeniable. We want anyone who hears the album to be excited about living a powerful life (Take Me), praying mountain moving prayers (Powerful Lie), striving for obedience (Roar), being real in weakness (I Can’t Fix You), letting go of bondage (Heaven Reigns), knowing His sacrifice (The Blood), celebrating the One who will come back in the clouds (Scepter and Crown) and so much more.
What is your favourite song on the album?
My favourite song on the album is Roar. Not only do I love the vibe of the song but it’s one of those songs that cuts right to the heart. I wrote it after reading Lk 12. We cannot, as a Body, makes excuses for sin. There is an enemy actively working to convince us that our sin (skeletons) is all we will ever be, but we serve a God who knows everything about us and chooses us still. It’s a hard message but a hopeful one at the same time.
If you could work with any songwriter, who would it be and why?
It would be amazing to write with Nichole Nordeman and Laura Story. I admire their ability to communicate truth with authenticity. I love Nichole Nordeman’s melodic sensibilities and the tone of her voice and I’m always amazed at what songs Laura Story has written that are recorded by other artists and the purity of her vocals.
How would you describe your style of music and what are your influences?
This is the hardest question for me. I don’t know how to describe my style of music. I can only hope that the message in my head and heart are conveyed through thoughtful lyrics with a little bit of pop and a little bit of surprise mixed in. But, between the initial idea and the song on the album, there are many people involved adding their expertise. I think I’ve always been drawn to singer-songwriters like Shania Twain, Nichole Nordeman, Laura Story, and more recently Steffany Gretzinger. Steffany’s song Cecie’s lullaby ministered to me in the most meaningful way when I was re-diagnosed with cancer in 2014.
How would you define success in your career?
It might be possible that my perspective is a bit different than others because I was literally told I had 2-12 months to live last year. So, being alive is success in every way. However, I have always had this intense desire to write and sing so I would like nothing more than to have songs I’ve written flooding the airwaves and reaching billions of ears and hearts. The devil is the prince of the power of the air, and I want to battle him there.
What is your favourite album of all time?
I don’t think I’ve had a favorite album since I grew out of my obsession with Duran Duran. I used to memorize entire albums and sing them from start to finish - like Come on Over by Shania Twain or The Immaculate Collection by Madonna. Obviously, I didn’t discover Christian music until later in my life. Lol. But, I do have a favourite voice of all time and that is Karen Carpenter.
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?
Favourite question ever. The song I’d listen to is Whose. It’s mellow so it would calm me down but, more importantly, the message of the song would remind me not to worship anything (including water, shelter, or rescue) more than the Lord.
What does the next year hold for Inspiration Worship?
I wish I knew. But I pray it’s a year of opportunity. We’d love to tour and be able to share the message of Powerful. We’ve already written 6 new songs and I’d love for other artists to be recording them. My dream scenario is to have multiple songs I’ve written (but not necessarily singing) on the chart at the same time. The best advice I was ever given was “don’t attach yourself to the outcome” so our plan is to continue praying and producing good content and letting God do the rest.
Michigan-based Inspiration Worship, featuring songwriter, vocalist and cancer survivor Linda Doane, have just released full-length debut album Powerful. The new, 12-song album, carries Linda’s mission to share the gospel and…
New Radiate Music artist and Michigan-based Inspiration Worship, featuring songwriter, vocalist and cancer survivor Linda Doane, globally releases its full-length debut Powerful Aug. 31 from Radiate Music. The new, 12-song album…
