Interview: Vicky Beeching
Described as "one of today's most gifted female worship leaders", Vicky Beeching is back with a stunning new album, 'Eternity Invades', full of worship songs aimed at equipping the Church. LTTM spoke to the talented songwriter and musician to find out more about her new album, and to get her thoughts on songwriting and her plans for the future.
Can you tell us a little bit about your new album 'Eternity Invades' and what the inspiration behind it was?
I'm more excited about this new album than anything I've recorded so far! The songs have been growing in my heart for the past two years, so I've had time to write, and re-write them. My previous two albums recorded in the States got pushed into a more 'CCM' direction, whereas on this project I've been given freedom to just write corporate worship songs for the church, which has always been my one goal for my songwriting...to equip churches with fresh songs to sing. Sonically, it's much less "Nashville" sounding... it's more edgy, more emotive and energetic. It has a kind of 'live' feel to it, even though it's a studio recording.
Which is your favourite track on your new album and why?
It's hard to choose as I guess your songs all come to mean a lot to you when you labour over them in writing and recording! One of my favourites is "Deliverer" because there aren't many songs you can sing in church that deal honestly with our struggles, addictions and brokeness. This song gives us all the chance to ask God to break our chains and give us a new level of freedom. Another favourite song is Break Our Hearts, which is a song about social justice. It asks that God will break our hearts with the things that break his. I want to feel more of his pain and compassion for the world, as the more I share that pain, the more it will compel me to take action, in being His hands and feet!
What is your song writing process?
I think every songwriter's process reflects their personality. I'm a real introvert and a bit of a hermit! So when I write I like to have a day or two to just be on retreat, and to read and journal. That's when I write my best stuff. If I can't finish a song, or feel like I need another perspective or just get stumped, then I'll call someone and ask them to co-write with me. After the song is completed, then I get ruthless and re-write and edit until I'm really happy. I also get theological input too, to make sure it's all good and not heretical!!
In your opinion, what makes the perfect worship song?
I think the perfect worship song is one that expresses what everyone's heart has longed to say to God, but couldn't find the words for. A song that resonates with the depths of humanity and gives voice to the achings and searching of our souls. It's a song that is free from any wording or imagery that excludes people, and is in a melodic range that everyone can sing.
Which do you prefer, playing live or recording albums?
Both for different reasons... I love recording because it's so creative. You can keep trying different ideas until you find the one that you like best. And you can get things like real strings and orchestral instruments, which I rarely can get live. But I also love leading worship, as no two sets are the same, as God does different things each time.
If you could work with any song writer, who would it be and why?
Definitely Bono. His songs make the whole world sing at the top of their lungs. So I'd love to learn from him! I've enjoyed writing with some great folks lately - StuG from Delirious, Steve Fee from the band Fee, Leeland, Robin Mark, Matthew West... All of them were great. I'm looking forward to writing with Paul Baloche sometime this year - that will be great as I love the way he writes corporate songs.
What made you decide to move to the USA, having grown up in the UK, and how did you find it starting out in a new country?
I've always felt a 'calling' on my life to have involvement in the States. I never knew what that meant, just that when I was a teenager I would pray for the US a lot and couldn't get it out of my head. When I was 19 God told me I would live there someday. When I was 23 I got offered a record deal in Nashville, and really felt God say that was the open door He had prepared for me. So I packed a suitcase and left all that was safe and familiar behind! It was a very tough season when I first arrived as I felt pretty overwhelmed by being alone in a new country! But it made me lean on God in a whole new way and I've learned to trust him deeply through the adventures of the past years living Stateside. Now I split my time between the two countries, so I'm back in the UK as well as in the US which I enjoy.
You seem to have really embraced new technology in your use of your website, twitter and blog, being very open with your fans and accessible to them. How important do you think that is and do you find it helps you connect with them?
I love how accessible 'new technology' has made communication! I can tweet and blog from wherever I am on the planet and be totally reachable and in conversation with people everywhere. It makes me feel part of a global cyber-community, and I love how directly people can reach me and I can respond to them. I think people want to see the real-life experiences of the musicians and songwriters they listen to. The days of big labels standing in between listeners and artists, and running their websites, is over... people want direct, authentic communication with the people who are writing and singing music. So I'm delighted that Twitter and Blogging enables me to do that.
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?
Tricky choice! Maybe "Fly" by Jason Upton. Or any of the songs from Sigur Ros's "Takk" album. or "Needle and Thread" by Sleeping At Last. Or "Glitter in The Air" by Pink.
What does the next year hold for Vicky Beeching?
Well, first is the album launch on April 6th! Woohoo! I'll be at Spring Harvest in Minehead England for two weeks of their conference from April 8th - 20th. The rest of the year is a mixture of UK and American events. In England, I'll be touring for a week with Jim Wallis in June/July. In November I'll be at the Youthwork Conference in Eastbourne in November. In the States I'll be in a lot of places, including the Christian Musician's Summit in May, Worship Leader Magazine Conference in June and Youth Specialties in October. I'll also be starting to write my next album and thinking about that! I've also launched womeninworshipnetwork.com - a web community for girls and women with a heart for worship, or involved in leading worship. So I'll be developing that site and inputting into the members.
To give fans a taste of the album, LouderThanTheMusic is offering fans a free download of one of Vicky's favourite songs from the new album, 'Deliverer'. A special discount offer for purchasing the album is also available.
