New British Christian Rock artist Rikki Doolan has just released his new single, a revamped modern version of the much-loved Christian Rock song by Godfrey Birtill 'Just One Touch From The King'. Louder Than The Music spoke to Rikki to find out why he decided to record this song, how a chance encounter with the church changed his rock n' roll lifestyle, and his plans for a new album later this year.
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?
Yes sure, I’m a pastor in... Read MoreNew British Christian Rock artist Rikki Doolan has just released his new single, a revamped modern version of the much-loved Christian Rock song by Godfrey Birtill 'Just One Touch From The King'. Louder Than The Music spoke to Rikki to find out why he decided to record this song, how a chance encounter with the church changed his rock n' roll lifestyle, and his plans for a new album later this year.
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?
Yes sure, I’m a pastor in a wonderful international ministry called Spirit Embassy, my branch being based in London. I was saved by the Lord Jesus Christ in my hometown of Middlesbrough in 2012. From 2007 onwards I would sing in nightclubs, pubs, and even on the streets. Along with that I lived a real rock and roll lifestyle with regular mass sessions of alcohol, and endless cocktails of drugs. One morning after a heavy all night of partying I walked down a road feeling very worse for wear and I heard the most magnificent music coming out of a church building. It was worship music, and it gripped me, there was something in the sound of that music that was far greater than entertainment, far greater than manipulating your senses. I went in to the building that day and found out that that something I was hearing was the worship of Jesus Christ. I was hooked, I received Christ three weeks later, joined the worship team two weeks after that, my life made a 360 turnaround for the better since that day, and I’ve been glorifying Jesus Christ since hallelujah!
Tell us about your new single 'Just One Touch From The King' and why you decided to record this version of it?
The current times and state of affairs are really what created the atmosphere for it to be re-worked and released. It is a stark reminder in these perilous times that Jesus is really the answer to the worlds problems. We are witnessing a unparalleled assault on our founding Christian values in Britain and the west, and it was the right time to remind people that Jesus Christ is the foundation of our lands, our culture and who we are as a people. People are lost and looking for answers, Jesus is the answer to their questions.
We understand you have plans to release an album later this year, what more can you tell us about that?
Yes, my debut album will be released in June on the week of my birthday. It’s titled ‘God Of Colours’ and it will contain a mixture of what I call rock n roll gospel! It is named God of colours because God could have created the world in black and white if he wanted to, but because of his deep and unending love for us He gave us colours. Boy what a Jesus!
What message would you like people to take from your music?
That Jesus Christ is Lord and King of Kings. That there is a solution to the emptiness in the world. He is God, and He is greater than what the world can fathom.
How would you describe your style of music and what are your influences?
Rock n roll gospel I call it. There are many influences, but mainly I was influenced in my early musical development by Oasis, Bob Dylan, The Beatles. After coming to Christ I would say Chris Tomlin, Hillsong, Jesus Culture really gripped my ears the most... so I would say somewhere in my music is a combination of all these influences, that’s why I call it Rock n Roll Gospel.
If you could work with any songwriter, who would it be and why?
There are many I would love to work with. Chris Tomlin and Martin Smith are up there at the top of the list.
How would you define success in your career as an artist?
That God would be satisfied with the glory He has received through my work.
What is your favorite album of all time?
God Of Colours
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?
Just One Touch From The King
What does the rest of this year hold for you?
Releasing a video for my song Unchained (Na,Na,Na) in May, then album release in late June, will be another single release and video and a surprise colab towards end of year. I’m also looking forward to events running again so can get out there and lift up the name of Jesus with some of you wonderful people!
Rikki Doolan fondly known as ‘The Rock Pastor’ has had what you can call a welcome busy year to date. He has a released a number of singles with videos, appeared on tv and radio on platforms as far reaching as BBC, Talk TV…
