Interview: Glorious Encounter
Glorious Encounter have just released their new album 'Your Presence' and Louder Than The Music caught up with the group to find out more about who they are and the music they make.
For those who haven't heard of you before, tell us about Glorious Encounter and how you got involved in making music.
This is a worship project that originally started with my good friend Devon Glenn. He used to be the drummer for the Grammy nominated band Buckcherry and then after leaving the band and getting saved, wanted to do music again, but this time a worship album! He started writing with Johnny Zirkel who is an amazing musician and then they connected with me (Chris Deming) and we wrote and recorded this album!
Tell us a little bit about your new album 'Your Presence'?
Chris - This album was an absolute blast to record. We started writing songs together and had an instant connection. Devon did a fantastic job producing it, Johnny is great at the technical stuff, and I had so much fun bringing the worship leader touch. The power of God was so present throughout the making of this album and you can feel it in the music!
Which is your favorite track on the album and why?
Chris- Your Presence. This is a song that my wife and I wrote during a weekly worship time for the ministry school at our church. It was just amazing to see this song come to life and record this during a live studio session.
Devon- Amazed by you. I was going through a difficult season in ministry. Instead of giving up I pressed in and wrote a love song to the Holy Spirit. The song encouraged me and reminded me of how amazed I was by Gods presence and how in awe I am by His Love.
John- I’d have to say Glorious! It’s just a powerhouse when those guitars and strings kick in as the chorus starts!
What makes your album stand out from the other worship albums out at the moment?
Everyone has their unique flavor that they bring in worship and the blend of our team brought something really fresh and unique. I love the intimacy in our worship and how it is focused on bringing praise to God.
If you could work with any songwriter, who would it be and why?
Devon- Chris Tomlin because he has so much talent as a writer and singer.
Chris- Martin Smith, that guy is a legend! I love the creativity and power in his writing.
John- Ryan Tedder. In all the music he writes, whether spiritual or not, he brings power, passion, and a feeling that can only be described as supernatural.
How would you describe your style of music and what are your influences?
John- We all have different styles that came together to fit into one powerful worship project. The music that first led me to be a writer were bands like Linkin Park, however, moving into the worship realm I began to draw my influences from bands like Tenth Avenue North. I think what really helped is having Chris there to pull us back into worship. Since Devon and I both came from a secular, rock and roll background, every now and then we’d drift back into that music, and needed to realign ourselves with what our new purpose was. I feel like a few of our influences for this album have been stuff by Elevation Worship, Housefires, and United Pursuit Band.
How would you define success in your career as a worship group?
Devon- I feel like our name says it, that people would have Glorious Encounters with our loving Father! Success for us would be that people come to know and experience the powerful love of God and that unbelievers would come to know Jesus through our worship.
What is your favorite album of all time?
Chris- MUTEMATH - self titled
Devon- U2 - The Joshua Tree
John- I honestly have no idea, but listening to Bruce Springsteen with my dad as a kid is one of my favorite memories. So let’s go with Born to Run. Clearly I’m from New Jersey haha.
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?
Chris - I’m just imagining that this is a tropical island, so, Bob Marley - Is This Love
Devon - Good Good Father
John- Well now that I’m thinking about Bruce Springsteen, Born to Run!
What does the next year hold for Glorious Encounter?
We are currently writing more music, leading worship at our local church and going where God leads us. We also plan on releasing a single from our album in both Japanese and Spanish here soon!
