Interview: Lou Fellingham - Phatfish
British worship band Phatfish are back with their brand new album 'Higher' and a UK tour to boot. LTTM caught up with the band's lead singer Lou Fellingham to get her thoughts on the album.
Tell us a little bit about your new album 'Higher' and what the inspiration behind it was?
This album is definitely one of my favourites yet. I love the way that we were all involved in the writing. Everyone had a part to play, everyone brought something to the table and it allows us all to have ownership right from the roots up. The album has a mixture of snappy pop sounding songs, to anthemic rock sounds, to intimate sounds with everything in between. This is, once again, a great reflection of what Phatfish has always been, but with fresh life in it.
Which is your favourite track on the album and why?
That's a tough one. For me, it's all about the moment. I like different songs, depending on the moment. I'm not very good at favourites!
You've included a version of an old Charles Wesley hymn on the album, what was the thinking behind that?
I guess, there is a lot of truth and depth to a lot of the old hymns, but melodically they don't work so well with a 'contemporary' band. Nath seems to have this knack of hearing a different melody and making it work! Not my gift at all. I love this new version because sometimes we can become very familiar with a song and the words don't really register any more. Hopefully this brings old truths to life again.
You're on tour around the UK at the moment, how is that going and which of the new songs are going down especially well with the crowds?
It's going great. We're playing all of the new songs and some of our more familiar ones. 'Higher' is obviously a favourite. 'Faith is rising' seems to do what it's supposed to (!), Resurrection Power hits people right between the eyeballs and 'In the beginning' is totally different and then we have a great moment mixing in some acoustic songs which give the set a bit of breathing space
What's your song writing process?
Well, like I said, this time as band, different people brought different ideas. Some were co-written right from the start, others were written solely by one band member. Me, personally...well, on this one I added my comments right near the end and somehow got a credit! However, on other songs I've been involved with I usually get a melody and some sort of lyric right from the start. I rarely just get a melody and I sometimes get a lyric. I'm often inspired by what's going on around me, what God is doing in people's/my life, during a worship time I might get an idea, or I can be walking down the street! I also sing quite a lot round the house. Occasionally this brings something worth other people listening to!
If you could work with any song writer, who would it be and why?
Other than my husband you mean? No idea. I still feel like a baby when it comes to songwriting. I dreamt about writing with Gary Sadler and had the chance to do that with 'Step into the light'. To be honest, I don't really know many song writers!
In your opinion, what makes the perfect worship song?
Where do I start?!...Is there such a thing as the 'perfect' worship song? I'm looking for songs that have strong melody, strong lyrics that connect with the melody, that a congregation respond to, that gives glory to God, that is right for the moment you've arrived to, that draws us closer to God, that God uses to bring revelation, that inspires us to have faith, persevere, rest, enjoy, love, hope, press on. That feeds me, that God can use to sustain throughout the week. That has God's breath....etc etc....
Who are your musical influences?
I grew up in a household where we listened to quite a lot of Keith Green and Amy Grant! Things have moved on a lot since then...I love Lauryn Hill's voice, Stevie Wonder's voice and groove, I love Shawn Colvin, Muse, Mew, Adele, Sufjan Stevens, Imogen Heap. Once again, I hate putting specifics....it limits me and I love to listen to all sorts of stuff depending on what mood I'm in!
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?
Terrible question for me...sorry....I know I sound extremely boring and I could lie, but I really have no idea right now!
What does the next year hold for Phatfish?
A lot of HARD WORK!!! Lots of gigs, lots of juggling, working with 'Care for the family', building local church, living general life, family and hopefully stuff that we have no idea about yet!
For tour dates and more information visit Phatfish.net
