“Journey” Album Creative Project

A wee intro

Hi, I simply want to start by saying thanks so much for clicking and reading this collection of thoughts. If you’re reading you probably care enough about me to have already invested in me in some shape or form, already having played a role in my story with Jesus, and for this I’m immensely grateful. I very much am who I am because of the committed community and loving God, all who have never given up on me. If you take anything from these few paragraphs, I hope hearing a bit of my journey so far and the dream of what I sense God opening up for me in the future brings you deep excitement and awaken's real worship towards our good God.

Vision

In the summer of 2019, off the back of some significant prophetic words, conversations, and sensing from God I embarked on a journey of exploring what, “worship and music-making with and for God” could look like. During my time at Worship Central Academy, interning at Central Church Edinburgh and time studying music at University there has been a growing sense of my love and gifting for making spaces for people to encounter Jesus. This manifests itself in leading people in worship to Him in all sorts of congregational gatherings, listening and holding space for the Father’s loving voice amongst ordinary life as well as writing songs and materials that may facilitate encounter with Holy Spirit. It is the continuation of this journey that this project falls under.

Within the aspect of artistry, I have had the particular privilege and joy of writing, recording, and sharing songs that, by God’s grace, may bless His people in congregational settings. However it is also true that a musical passion of mine is also more creatively told testimonies of Gods goodness and His peoples journeys with and love for Him.

At the turn of New Year, through time with Jesus, prophetic words from trusted people and conversations within my community I felt Holy Spirits affirmation in stepping more intentionally into this passion of mine and to pursue releasing a short album of some of these songs I have been sitting on for a while through a hybrid practise of home / studio producing. Really leaning into songwriting that invite's listeners into the goodness of God through more creative and nuanced lyrics, musicality and production.

It was an immensely exciting and releasing Word from Jesus, though it also feels fairly vulnerable and a step into the unknown.

Amongst this time I also felt Holy Spirit remind me of the passage in acts 13 where Paul and Barnabas were prayed for and commissioned by their community to, “do the work the Lord had called them to”. I took this to my prayer support group and asked for this, however it felt larger than a one-time event hence this text!

My invitation

A core conviction of mine is that followers of Jesus live most fully alive in community within the triune loving God. Flowing from this as I journey artistry it feels a non-negotiable for me to do this genuinely with others. This has looked like partnering with Finlay Mowat, whom I have worshipped and worked alongside before and is joining in the producing journey. Ensuring I have a small support group of trusted people committed to praying, help sense Holy Spirits voice amongst decisions as well as give accountability to timeline and finances. And finally my invitation to you, the reader. I would love if you would consider committing to one/some/all of these four invitations.

- Please pray for me! An artist whom I admire described their practise of worship songwriting as being like a, “creative missionary”, where you are entering into an unknown field seeking to share Jesus. The enemy simply does not like this, and I am not naïve nor prideful to ignore the reality of push back from him in this way. Please pray in opposition to this, for a sense of Jesus continued voice of affirmation, for things to run smoothly and for Holy Spirit to come and be at work with me and blessing the work we do and make together. Simply none of this has any worth unless God is at the heart of it!

- Please encourage me! Songwriting is a vulnerable thing and there are moments where discouragement can feel real! I know I need others to be the voice of Jesus and be the family of God around me always and I’d love for you to be that for me.

- Please consider financially resourcing this project! Mako Fujimura, a fantastic artist/theologian describes how all good art is holistically costly including resources! My heart in this invitation is that I’d be released to do a good job in making good art with good materials, as well as the art I’ve made hold the legacy of being supported by my wide Church family. Below I’ve listed some areas for releasing this project and helping launch this new journey of making. In all of this I’m fully holding this open handily trusting you to discern God’s leading and in partnership with my support group seek to steward His provision well.

- Please pray for discernment over this as a longer-term journey and what that might look like. While embarking on this summer project I’m also aware I’ll be discerning whether it feels like God is breathing on this to be a longer-term journey. Possibly looking like a “ministry role” concerned with encouraging creativity within the local church and continuing to bless the Church with my own continued art. Practically this could look like setting up a Stewardship account with the invitation for those feeling led to journey that with me with monthly contributions. If this idea excites you, please do get in touch!

My commitment

My commitment amongst this journey of this project and future projects is to seek to honour Jesus with my gifting, artistry and making.

This looks like depth, courage, and passion with Jesus in solitude and community. Prayerfully writing, producing, and seeking His leading in creativity. As well as receiving encouragement and corrections, prayerful support, accountability with finances and time usage, and creative input from others.

Resourcing

Below is a list of areas of required resourcing for this project alongside a short description of their inclusion. I’ve ordered the list in terms of need at highest of each category.

Production costs.

- Production Costs £655, this is the total sum for absolute must contributions towards artists and friends helping make this project happen. Including production, mastering and artwork design.

- Studio time £320, for final touches and polishing having access to a controlled environment to record will help tighten up the sound significantly.

New equipment costs.

- A used Shure KSM32 (around) £350, I’ve been grateful to be able to borrow one of these and have used for all my recording so far, however this lend is coming to an end and so having my own would be very helpful and also would launch and support long term creativity.

- Mac mini (plus keyboard/trackpad) £1,439.00, my trusty laptop is now unable to run my beefier logic music files. This upgrade would make a significant difference.

- Plug In budget £350, there are a number of plug ins I’ve been using with Fin to get quality sound, to have access on my own computer for these would be excellent.

- Used M Audio Weighted midi keyboard (around) £280, a lot of my work has become more piano/synth based and so having a higher quality keyboard to help realise this would be excellent.

Total – £3,394

Timeline

- 10th of May – University finished, album work main focus.

- 1st July - Home produce phase end and studio polishing starting.

- 1st August - Tracks complete sent to mastering.

- 15th August - Mastering complete.

- 15th September - Single released.

- 1st October - Full Album Release.

Thank you

I simply want to finish by saying thank you again for having journeyed with me and considering journeying with me going forward.

My prayer simply in all of this is that Jesus may take the seed of my life, plant it and grow me into a beautiful steadfast tree producing fruit that lasts.

If you’d like to chat more about any of this please do get in contact!