Interview: Phil Wickham
Popular US singer/songwriter Phil Wickham released his third studio album 'Heaven & Earth' in November, but the story of this talented musician began way before then, back in his boyhood in fact. LTTM spoke to Phil to find out a little more about his latest album and how it came to be.
Is it true you've been leading worship since you were 12?
I started playing guitar when I was 12 and by the time I was 13 I was leading worship for my Jr. High Youth Group.
You've just released your latest album 'Heaven & Earth'. Tell us a little bit about the album and what the inspiration behind it was?
There's is a bit of a story line flowing through the record. It starts with a song called "Eden" and ends with a song called "Heaven Song". I wanted to begin the record stating the innate desire that every human has for something more, something greater. The song "Eden" states that the desire is to be in the place we were created to be, which is being with God. In the middle of the record is the solution, which is Jesus and His work on the cross, and the end of the record is largely based on the hope we have in Jesus, and that we will see Him one day in His glorious city!
Which is your favorite track on the album and why?
It changes, but right now I'm really enjoying how the song "Cielo" is working live. The theme of Heaven in the song seems to be connecting with people in a special way.
What's your song writing process?
It's different from song to song, but more often than not it's a long and strenuous process. I can spend weeks or months trying to get a chorus to be exactly what I want it to be. I feel like I work really hard on writing the songs, and that makes it all the more satisfying when the songs connect with listeners.
The song 'Beautiful' from your 2007 album 'Cannons' seems to have really taken off in the UK lately, getting used heavily at the Soul Survivor youth festival and appearing on its live album. What is the story behind that song?
The first few verses of "Beautiful" were written at a summer camp that I was leading worship for. The Lord had been moving in a rad way that week. After the evening worship time with the students, my band and I stayed on the stage and began playing these four chords over and over. I started humming a melody, and then singing lyrics to the melody. Those lyrics became the first few lines of the song. I took my guitar back to the place we were staying that night and I finished there.
Which do you prefer: playing live or recording albums?
I love both, and I feel that one fuels the other. Just when I think I can't take another airport it's time to get into the studio for a few months. And after creating new songs at a studio day in and day out all I want to do is play them live and share them with the world.
When you're not performing or writing music, what else do you like to do with your time?
With how crazy the business that I'm in can be, when I'm home all i want to do are normal everyday things. Go to the grocery store. Water the plants. Sunday morning church. Reading at a coffee shop. Watching my favorite TV shows. EATING!!
What advice would you give to any aspiring singer/songwriters out there, looking at starting a music career?
Be loving, Be humble, Be sincere, and work really hard.
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?
"Only A Man" Jonny Lang
What does the next year hold for Phil Wickham?
Knowing Jesus, loving my wife, playing music and writing more songs.
