Interview: Anthea Sweeney
Trinidad and Tobago raised Anthea Sweeney, a passionate new voice in contemporary Christian music, talks to Louder Than The Music about her new album 'Promises' and what inspires her music.
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?
Music has been a part of my life from a very young age. We had a piano at home and growing up in Trinidad, music and arts are strongly woven into the culture, so I benefited from a formal music education. I began classical piano at a young age and continued throughout high school. So between ages 7 and 19, I was constantly preparing for and taking music theory, piano or voice exams. Raised Catholic, I sang in church regularly. Trinidad also regularly hosts national Music festivals and Arts festivals in which schools participate, so I was always performing, whether solos, duets, trios or choir, and I absolutely loved that. I continued to sing in college anywhere they'd let me: Chorus, Chamber Singers, Madrigal Singers. I would even perform at wedding ceremonies on occasion.
Tell us about your new album 'Promises' and what the inspiration behind it was?
I began writing songs at 13. At first they were secular songs. Then at 16, I began writing songs of faith. I believe at that time, I was experiencing a personal spiritual awakening. So, the "Promises" album actually reveals a number of songs I've been writing since my youth. These songs you hear span the mid-80's through 2022. Even though everything was just recorded in 2025, I had been walking around with the songs written in a tattered journal for decades. Then one night in February 2022, I had a dream that literally shot me out of bed and had me running to the piano at 3:00 a.m. in the morning to capture it. I dreamt I was teaching a new song to music ministers. That was "Chief Musician's Anthem." It came all at once: words and music. I was afraid if I went back to sleep I would forget it. My husband thought I had lost my mind.
Which is your favorite track on the album and why?
"Chief" for all the reasons above. Many years had passed. I thought I had stopped hearing the music. But God said, "I'm not done with you." My sister, Shelley, came over to visit and we sat together at the piano and I played it. The ending perplexed me, but she started singing along and that's how it all became clear. I'm tearing up just thinking about it. That song coming to me in my 50's is one of the reasons I named the album "Promises."
What message would you like people to take from your music?
God is not some distant, uncaring sovereign. He loves you and wants a personal relationship with you. He is with you always.
How would you describe your style of music and what are your influences?
While the genre is decidedly contemporary christian, it's really too early to claim a style. One can only have a sense of that in retrospect, and I don't believe I'm anywhere near finished. I can only say it is heartfelt. Growing up, I was in awe of all the great performers who played piano and sang simultaneously: Nina Simone, Roberta Flack, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie. I spent a lot of time in my youth trying to emulate those performers, specifically because I admired that ability and I am very confident there are strains in my music that come from them. Similarly, the first time I heard "He is Exalted" by Twila Paris, and "Love in Every Language" by Sandi Patty, I HAD to know who sang those songs. The power of music to move the heart is a universal law.
If you could work with any songwriter, who would it be and why?
Chris Tomlin. His music just speaks to me in the same way that Twila Paris's and Sandi Patty's did all those years ago.
How would you define success in your career as an artist?
If as a result of my music, more people turn to God, believe in His promises and are empowered by His love to help others, then I've done my duty.
What is your favorite album of all time?
That's a really tough call. But I'll have to go with India Arie, "Testimony 1: Life and Relationship."
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?
Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror." All day.
What does the next year hold for you?
"Promises" was just my first volume. I still have more music to record, including some choral work. So I guess I'll be at my piano.
