MORE THAN A SONG by Josh Kpozehouen, Daniella Marchio, Isaac Fisher

MORE THAN

A SONG

Words: Tyler Douglass

I’ve had the incredible honour over the past few years to watch Isaac, Dani, Tahisha and Josh grow up in our youth ministry, using their gifts and talents to glorify God!

They are all freakishly talented when it comes to songwriting, singing and music in general, but what I’ve loved most is how their relationship with God has grown, and this has been so evident in the songs they have written and the way they lead their peers in worship.

In Psalm 145 the Psalmist speaks of one generation declaring His works to the next and I’m seeing this in front of my own eyes with these four young people and I think you’ll see it too! The future is in very good hands.

rapid fire with

JOSH KPOZEHOUEN

What is your current go-to song? There’s too many to name, I have multiple go-to’s haha

What brings you joy? Seeing people thrive and genuinely impacted.

Do you write the lyrics or the melody first? In most cases I would start with a melody, but sometimes a specific lyric may be what inspires a song.

Where do you like to write? I literally write wherever.

What’s your earliest childhood memory of music? My earliest childhood memory would be when I was a toddler, using chop sticks and hitting my toys to drum along to United songs.

What made you want to become a musician/singer/ songwriter? I guess the two biggest motivating factors, would be firstly my love for music as anytime I would create, it felt natural like I was born for this. The second factor would be my desire to create music that would move and touch people the way it did for me.

What’s your favourite lyric that you’ve written? I don’t have a favourite lyric just yet! But I would say any lyric that expresses a concept in a simple, yet beautiful way would definitely be the best.

What does authenticity look like in your music? Does your music come from personal experiences? Authenticity I think describes the rawness of a writer, and that comes with weakness, flaws, imperfections and realness. So, with that being said authenticity in my music looks like just being genuine with your message and intentions and often that is achieved best by writing from personal things I have experienced.

How do you deal with comparison? Comparison can be really unhealthy, I guess my method is just to remember that we are all different and unique and to keep the main thing the main thing.

Who is an artist that inspires you? Why? There are so many artists but recently it would have to be Jon Bellion, his production and writing goes straight to the heart.

Do you ever feel that your music is finished? Is art ever complete? I don’t think music is ever finished. While it is essential to finish songs, I do feel like music in its entirety is a lifelong quest of discovery, expression, questions, emotion and surrender all the way to the end.

What about music makes you feel passionate? It really interests me that the seemingly small details, can be what impacts a listener, whether it’s a plug-in or a short melody, it can move someone in a profound way, and that’s amazing.

What’s a creative medium that you’ve never tried, but that you would like to? Photography

Whats one piece of advice you’d want to share with the world? Keep chasing the outrageous dreams, even when you feel like giving up.

rapid fire with

TAHISHA TARLLAH VAKAYADRA HUNT

What is your current go-to song? My current go to song is “Wilderlove” by John Mark McMillan. The images he paints arrests me all the time. I should also add, if I know I need some direct Word of God infused into my spirit when “life” happens, I do have specific worship songs that I will go to. Example, when I snapped my ACL, during an important season of my life, I hit rock bottom and my go-to songs on a daily basis were “Lettered Love” by HW and “Prince of Peace” by HU.

What brings you joy? On a scale of getting my favourite dessert (hot fudge brownies and ice cream :) to…. Jesus!? ‘Joy’ is an interesting concept. I know it’s a choice when I’m eating my favourite dessert and still feeling anxious…So at the risk of sounding religious, but truth (if you can handle it ;), joy to me is the assurance that I’m right where Jesus wants me to be at any point in time. Truly. Because sometimes life throws curve balls and my brain can’t compute…my anxious thoughts settle when Jesus tells me it’s all G.o.o.d. :)

Where do you like to write? No fixed place (thank God for mobile gadgets) but when I’m intentional about making time, it’s often usually secluded. My heart is to draw lyrics and melodies from the throne room of God. Wherever that happens is of no consequence.

What about music impacts you? Melody. I feel a certain sense of disappointment if the melody of a song doesn’t do justice to the power of the lyrics and I have felt the loss of a melody if I feel (in my opinion) it had greater potential to tell a different story to what’s lyrically translated. Sia’s “Underneath the Mistletoe”, love the melody.

What’s your earliest childhood memory of music? My mum singing this one song over me whenever I was sick or upset, for as far back as I can remember, to ‘lull’ me to sleep. Apparently she would do this from when I was a baby. I pretty much grew up with music. My maternal grandfather wrote songs and was quite the musician/composer in his days back in Fiji. My earliest memories of ‘home’ is music. I grew up with lots of ideas and interests about the direction of my life artistically. One day my perspective changed to I am called to worship. Music is a natural outcome.

What’s your favourite lyric that you’ve written? “Before my first breath, You knew me…”

What does authenticity look like in your music? Does your music come from personal experiences? Authenticity is another interesting concept to me. Authenticity, for me, comes from my personal revelation and experience with God. I feel responsible to constantly stay planted in Him as I navigate life, to continuously draw my reason and meaning from Him. I have been through enough in life to know the truth in what I’ve heard more seasoned worship leaders/song writers say i.e. that you cannot honestly take others somewhere you have never been. I still have a lot of life to experience and I want to keep my pages curious, open and ready for the writing. To write, create and lead from a place that’s real, for others and for me. The authenticity, most importantly, is Jesus and His truth revealed in each story.

How do you deal with comparison? I feel it’s limiting and unhealthy. I understand if people are trying to draw comparisons to understand someone’s style or method. However if comparisons are done to decide if one is better than another… it’s very human but hardly Christian. How do I deal with it? I remind myself, sometimes daily, that I have my own unique lane and my process, timing and ‘outcomes’ are unique to who I am and who God has called me to be. I remind myself that I am graced for this. I can’t imitate or emulate someone else, although very human, it has the promise of a greek tragedy ending.

What about music makes you feel passionate? The fruits/outcomes it produces in people’s lives. Producing beautiful music is one thing. Dealing in hope, healing, deliverance, restoration for the lost, sick, broken and hurting. That sets my heart on fire. The stories that are told.

What’s a creative medium that you’ve never tried, but that you would like to? Movies. I also enjoy script writing.

rapid fire with

DANIELLA MARCHIO

What is your current go-to song? How Deep is Your Love by PJ Morton and Yebba

What brings you joy? Going on an adventure with some great friends. Also love a warm tea and a good movie on a rainy day!

Do you write the lyrics or the melody first? This is a hard one because it always changes. Usually, I find a melody first but most of the time it is attached to a concept already. Lately I have been trying to mix it up and write lyrics first, but both are great for different reasons.

Where do you like to write? I usually write in my room at home. It’s where I feel most comfortable and the most myself.

What about music impacts you? Music has this crazy way of creating emotion and portraying ideas and truths like nothing else. I have had so many moments where music has put words to a feeling or has even given feeling to my words. It is such a beautiful thought to me that all throughout time, music has been something that connects people, cultures, time zones and centuries. It gives a window into the heart of a person or a culture and there are few things quite as special and sacred as that. The thing that impacts me most is what a friend once pointed out to me and has stuck with me since. When we write something placed on our heart in the purest form of worship, we echo the song of heaven. Knowing that we could be singing along with an angel’s song is the greatest gift ever and something we should never take advantage of.

What’s your earliest childhood memory of music? When I was little my dad went on a trip for work. He came back and gave my sister and I these tiny music boxes. They were the kind where you turn the handle to make a twinkly tune on little metal prongs. I held on to that music box for years. That was my first real experience of music that I remember.

What’s your favourite lyric that you’ve written? “Mercy’s open arms are up ahead” powerful. I love this image because it shows how Jesus is the embodiment of mercy, but He is in no way stingy when he finds his children in need.

How do you deal with comparison? I feel like comparison is something that will always circle around anyone’s mind, but I am learning that gifts, opportunities or appearances are all temporary. The thing that people will really remember you for is how you treat them and what you as a person bring into a room. Knowing that I am valued for who I am and not what I do is incredibly freeing when it comes to comparison. It is a beautiful thing to know that my personality and attitude is something that I can control. With that, I am able to better my craft because that freedom lets me grow as Daniella, into a better version of myself, not a lower version of someone who I am jealous of. The way I see it is, I want my gift to be the product of my personality, not my defining feature.

Do you ever feel that your music is finished? Is art ever complete? I always feel like that there is more to improve. The interesting thing about music is that it is unique to each person’s interpretation and context. I am still a bit new to songwriting, so I am still trying to find the balance where a song needs work or needs to be left alone. I do think that there is a point in the process to stand back and enjoy what you have created, but at the same time, as the person writing it, you will always see imperfection. Even once art is finished, I don’t see it as complete, but that its interpretation through time will only deepen and mould the art into what it needs to be in that moment.

What about music makes you feel passionate? This year, I have been focusing on the thought that I want to see my life like a gallery of God’s beautiful works. Like when you walk through an ornate hallway and everywhere you turn you can see intricate, intentional beauty. The thing about music and especially worship that makes me feel passionate is that we have a chance to make something in return for all the beauty we get to enjoy each day. Whether it is listening to, making or playing music, we get to glorify God through such a special gift. To me, it only makes sense that we would make something beautiful with it. With music being an art that has the ability to connect us so deeply with our creator and even our own sense of self, I am astounded that such a wonderful gift could be given to us as imperfect people to enjoy.