RELEVANT - Issue 97 - January/February 2019

97 ARIZONA | LAUREN WINNER | LEVI LUSKO DR. ERIC MASON | YOUNG THE GIANT | BLAKE MYCOSKIE KHALID | DEREK MINOR | ANNIE F. DOWNS F A I T H , C U LT U R E & I N T E N T I O N A L L I V I N G

Tori Kelly It took making it as a pop superstar for Tori Kelly to realize that her true calling was something else altogether.

JAN-FEB 2019 // $6.95 US

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CONTENTS

T H E M A G A Z I N E O N FA I T H , C U LT U R E & INTENTIONAL LIVING

JAN/FEB 2019 // ISSUE 97

January/February 2019, Issue 97 New year, new issue.

Publisher & CEO | CAMERON STRANG Brand Director | JESSE CAREY Senior Editor | TYLER HUCKABEE Senior Writer | TYLER DASWICK Copy Editor | KATHY PIERRE Contributing Writers: Sarah Renny, Jessica Stevens

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Creative Director | JOHN DAVID HARRIS

Features

Designer | JORDAN WILLCOX Director of Web Development | DANIEL MARIN Audio Editor | CHANDLER STRANG Video Editor | CLARKE FLIPPO

Tori Kelly

Contributing Photographers: Myriam Santos, Fabian Guerrero, Eric Brown, Wesley Yen, RoLexx,

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Zackery Michael, RCA Records Sales and Partnerships Director | HEATHER COOK

The white-hot singer has achieved the sort of soaring mainstream success most artists only dream of. So why is she risking everything to release a gospel album? In this raw conversation, Tori Kelly explains why she returned to the genre where she first stretched her wings, and what she found along the way.

Account Manager | FELICHIA WRIGHT Traffic Manager | CAROLINE COLE Marketing Director | AME LYNN FUHLBRUCK Operations Manager | JESSICA COLLINS Operations Coordinator | GABRIELLE HICKEY

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ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: www.RELEVANTmagazine.com/advertise

2 8 // WINTER GE AR GUIDE

Levi Lusko

As things heat up, we bring together all the gear you need to thrive this season.

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4 0 // GENER ATION CHANGE Millennials have some things to learn from their savvy, conscious successors.

Want to have your best year yet? It starts with being the best possible version of yourself, and Levi Lusko’s got a plan to help you figure out how.

4 6 // YOUNG THE GIANT

6 4 // DEREK MINOR

The indie-rock icons are determined to be themselves—whoever that is.

The pastor, artist and activist gets candid about authenticity.

5 4 // TOO LATE TO APOLOGIZE?

6 6 // CONSPIRACY THEORIES

What does forgiveness mean in the digital era, where your past is just a click away?

Flat earth. Deep state. Why are millennial Christians so susceptible to conspiracies?

6 0 // SAVING SUNDAY

7 2 // ARIZONA

Lauren Winner says it’s time the Church owned up to its unseemly history.

Finance Director | MICHAEL BOWLES

This indie act’s key to success is staying true to where they’re from (not Arizona).

RELEVANT MEDIA GROUP 55 W. Church St., Suite 211, Orlando, FL 32801 RELEVANTmediagroup.com TO SUBSCRIBE RELEVANTmagazine.com/subscribe Rates: 1 year (6 issues) U.S. $26.99, Canada $36.99, International $45.99 SUBSCRIBER SERVICES WEB: RELEVANTmagazine.com/subservices Phone: 866-402-4746 EMAIL: support@relevantmagazine.com BULK DISCOUNTS: 866-402-4746 RETAIL DISTRIBUTION Michael Vitetta, Curtis Circulation Company mvitetta@curtiscirc.com

1 0 // FIRS T WORD

7 6 // RELE VANT SELECT S Our curation of the best in music, books and

1 2 // CURRENT In this issue, we talk about the ethics of self-driving cars, the new mission of TOMS

film. Come for the names, stay to learn how Anderson .Paak is saving hip-hop.

Issue #97 January/February 2019 (ISSN: 1543-317X). RELEVANT is published 6 times a year in January, March, May, July, September and November for $26.99 per year by RELEVANT Media Group, Inc., 55 W. Church St., Suite 211, Orlando, FL 32801. Periodicals postage

Shoes, a guide to having your best year yet,

8 4 // L AS T WORD

Michael B. Jordan, Kristen Bell, Dr. Eric

Annie F. Downs on the long process of

Send address changes to RELEVANT Magazine, P.O. Box 531147,

Mason and much, much more.

learning to truly understand your uniqueness.

Orlando, FL 32853.

JAN-FEB

paid at Orlando, FL, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER:

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FIRST WORD a letter from the publisher

The obituary talked about two things: His strong faith in God (it turns out he designed many of the more notable mid-century

YEAR, WE ARE ALSO MINDFUL

churches in our area), and that in

THAT GOD HAS

his early 20s he had a stroke that

US WHERE WE

left one arm paralyzed.

ARE FOR A

Still, he became an architect, and though he was never able to

New Year, New Architect

WHAT IF THIS

REASON, AND

use computers or the normal tools

IT’S NOT

of the trade, he was known for

JUST THE NEXT

doing every drawing by hand with perfect precision.

When asked how, he said he “could feel God pushing the pencil.” He created every building as an act of worship to the Lord.

THING THAT WILL FINALLY, REALLY MAKE US FULFILLED?

Decades later, my life is being impacted by his work. Every wall, every angle, was intentional and

I

t’s our first issue of the new year, so you’re

done because God was pushing the

going to see a lot of hints of “new” in this issue.

architect’s pencil.

Tori Kelly going in a new, unexpected direction

Sometimes the temptation in

with her sophomore album. Levi Lusko talking

life, especially in a new year, is to

about a new way to see self-improvement as a spiritual

throw out the old and pursue the

discipline. There’s even a curated guide on page 22 of new

shiny new, next thing.

stuff to watch, listen to, read and do to have your best year ever in 2019.

I like new. Something I’m well aware of about myself is

But what if this year, we are also mindful that God has us where we are for a reason, and it’s not just

I hate maintaining where things are. I want to always be

the next thing that will finally,

pursuing where we’re going, what’s next.

really make us fulfilled? God wants

But over the years, I’ve also learned that while that can be a good thing (Hey, the world was changed by people asking “What if ...?”), it can also be a distraction.

When we’re always pursuing the next thing around the

to use the difficult things, too.

This new year, let’s embrace today, not just tomorrow. The journey, even the hard parts, is

corner, we can lose track of what’s really happening today.

good because the Lord can use all

It can hold us back from being truly present, truly healthy,

of it, even the stuff that’s not in

truly content. We can miss what God might be trying to do

our ideal plan.

in our lives if we’re always looking for something else to happen.

Last year I moved into a unique mid-century home that

It’s easy to just move on to the new. But this year, I want to be mindful in the present. In the big

sat empty for fifteen years. It was in terrible shape. But if

things and small, to ask God to

you could see past all the ugly wallpaper and odd smells,

push the pencil. I want Him to be

you could see it also could be something really special. So,

the architect, not me.

this past year I’ve been living in a construction site as we did a complete renovation. It’s been a lot more work and cost than I expected, but there was something about this funky old home I wanted to preserve. It was worth saving.

I did a little research and found the original blueprints

and looked up the architect. I found his obituary from

C A MER ON S T R A NG

when he passed away in 2009.

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Publisher & CEO

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CURRENT A B I M O N T H LY L O O K A T F A I T H , L I F E A N D C U LT U R E

Blake Mycoskie’s New Mission for TOMS: Universal Background Checks The buy-one-give-one company has given away 86 million pairs of shoes. Now its founder is turning attention to reducing gun deaths.

B

“She said, you know, ‘Someone has to do something about it,’” he recounts. “And I was sitting in the back of an Uber just on my laptop, and I just had this—I would say now—kind of a divine inspiration. It was just so clear to me that that someone was me.”

To start, Mycoskie made a $5 million donation to gun control groups, but he didn’t stop there. TOMS has also launched a

ACK IN 2006, Blake Mycoskie

says. “And here’s an opportunity.

“NO MATTER WHAT YOUR

was struck with a business

If I could convince everyone to

idea that made no sense: For

join me, we could align our whole

POLITICAL BELIEFS, WE

every pair of shoes he sold,

audience on something that,

he wanted to give a pair to

frankly, 90 percent of Americans

someone who needed them.

TOMS became a sensation. All told, Mycoskie’s company has given away 86

BELIEVE THIS IS A HUMAN ISSUE.”

are for: universal background checks.”

Mycoskie got the idea from his

million pairs of shoes. And now, he is setting

wife, who called him in the immediate

new initiative on their website that makes

his sights on a new issue: gun violence.

aftermath of November’s mass shooting in

it easy to send a physical postcard to your

Thousand Oaks, California—just minutes

government representatives in support of

from their home.

universal background checks.

“The whole reason I built this company was to make the world a better place,” he

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CURRENT

MISC. ”This is the Bad Place!”

Kristen Bell Thinks Disney Is Sending the Wrong Messages to Kids

An investigative team known as BASE has uncovered information suggesting the Ark of the Covenant might be hidden at a secret Ethiopian

ACTRESS KRISTEN BELL, the voice of

church, guarded by

Anna in Disney’s Frozen, said fellow

an order of monks.

Disney character Snow White might not being sending the best message to children, especially when it comes to the idea of consent. In an interview with People, she noted that the classic movie hinges on a man kissing a poisoned woman in a coma. (Yeah, we know, pretty creepy in hindsight.) She told her two young children: “Don’t you think it’s weird the prince kisses Snow White without her permission? You cannot kiss someone if

Kanye West remains

they’re sleeping!”

a tough guy to

Responding to a backlash from Disney

figure out, but at least one thing

loyalists on Twitter (evidently, people are

about him is pretty

super invested in a 90-year-old cartoon),

straightforward:

Bell explained, “I’m a mom who wants

his favorite app.

my girls to possess critical thinking and

According to a

ask a ton of questions. So that’s what we do

December tweet, it’s

when we read books.”

YouVersion, the Bible app.

Welp, Five of the Museum of the Bible’s Dead Sea Scrolls Were Fake

JAN-FEB

WASHINGTON, D.C.’S Museum of

the Bible is an impressive place, but it recently discovered some of its most priceless displays were fakes. The museum hired a German company to analyze its collection of Dead Sea Scrolls— some of the earliest written forms of Scripture ever discovered. What they found wasn’t great: Five of its 16 scroll pieces were fakes. In

a statement, the museum said, “Though we had hoped the testing would render different results, this is an opportunity to educate the public on the importance of verifying the authenticity of rare biblical artifacts, the elaborate testing process undertaken and our commitment to transparency.”

The fake scrolls have since been removed from the exhibits.

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In Chick-fil-A news: The fast food chain announced it will be testing a mac and cheese side dish in certain locations.

If it’s popular, the cheesy goodness will go nationwide.

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THE HOT LIST The Definitive Cultural Power Rankings

Now you will always be ghost ridin’ the whip.

R EA L P RO G R E S S ...

[Hottest]

Despite the midterms, it’s exciting that the U.S. now has a record 112 women in Congress.

N E T F L I X M OV I E S [Hotter]

Roma and Buster Scruggs have given the platform new clout.

The Ethical Dilemma of Self-Driving Cars Can we expect machines to make literal

GEN Z EPS [Hot]

life-altering decisions?

Vince Staples and Billie Eilish brought fire this fall.

he technology for fully

T

MIT developed a study called “The Moral

is already here, but there’s

Machine Experiment.” People from an

something preventing you

array of cultures were asked to choose

from being able to read a

whose safety should be prioritized in

book on your morning commute.

R E B O OTS A N D

To answer that question, researchers at

autonomous self-driving cars

One of the challenges facing the creators

various imminent collision scenarios.

Strollers, girls, boys and pregnant

R EV I VA LS

of artificial intelligence softwares is the

women ranked at the top of the list, but a

[Cold]

prospect of the machines having to make

“male doctor” ranked higher than a “female

ethical decisions. For example, if another

doctor,” and homeless individuals ranked

car pulls out in front of your autonomous

lower than most other people (dogs ranked

really are out of ideas.

one, your car must decide whether or not to

higher than cats). These are troubling

veer off into a group of pedestrians to avoid

questions and ethical dilemmas, but ones

RETURN LINES

a collision. Does the passenger’s life take

that must be addressed for the self-driving

[Colder]

priority over another driver’s?

car revolution to commence.

New Breaking Bad, Walking Dead and Shrek movies? I guess they

Don’t tell dad, but yikes, did he really think we were a size XXL?? Line up a podcast to listen to while you wait in line with that receipt. ... B U T A LO N G WAY TO G O [Coldest]

The U.S. still ranks 104th

Witches Now Outnumber Presbyterians in America

CHRISTIANITY MAY BE ON THE DECLINE among millennials,

but another spiritual practice has seen a massive rise: witchcraft. The number of self-described Wiccans has exploded from 8,000 in 1990 to more than 340,000 in 2018, and it continues to rise. Wicca is “a modern religion, based on ancient witchcraft traditions,” according to their official site.

Pew found the number of Americans who identify as Pagans or Wiccans is about 1.5 million; more than Presbyterians.

out of 190 countries in female representation in government.

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Joshua Harris Is Kissing ‘I Kissed Dating Goodbye’ Goodbye IF YOU GREW UP GOING TO YOUTH GROUP, there’s a good

Turns Out Working Too Many Hours Is Really Bad for You Maybe that sounds obvious, but the consequences of overextension are worse than you think.

chance that you encountered the book I Kissed Dating Goodbye by Josh Harris, which sold more than a million copies.

Critics say the book’s harsh stance on relationships

THE PHRASE “WORKING

and physical health issues

YOURSELF TO DEATH” turns out

including depression, anxiety,

to be legitimate. Researchers

relationship problems and

from NYU Langone Health

even high blood pressure

recently examined data from

develop. Moral of the story:

the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Don’t be afraid to clock out and

and found that consistently

don’t forget about the idea of

working more than 40 hours

Sabbath.

a week can have some really

To avoid burnout, set clear

negative health consequences.

boundaries and find a hobby or

Once work starts cutting into

pastime that feels restful and

your ability to get the adequate

respiteful instead of another

amount of rest, a chain of other

outlet for your energy and

both negative psychological

stress.

damaged young Christians’ ideas of healthy expectations while preparing for marriage.

Today, Harris is apologizing.

Now a pastor, he told RELEVANT he remembers a church member telling him “your book was used against me like a weapon.” The moment led a to revelation: “My thinking has changed about this book.” It will be discontinued from print.

MISC.

JAN-FEB

It must be that time of year: The pope

Idris Elba became just the third

In a new poll, 43 percent of Americans

has been invited to North Korea by

non-white man to be named People

said #MeToo has gone “too far,” voicing

leader Kim Jong-un in the hopes

Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive, joining

concern over rushing to judgment and

Francis will highlight peace efforts on

Denzel Washington and Dwayne

spoiling careers (responses were split

the Korean peninsula.

Johnson.

along party lines).

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2019

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CURRENT

MISC.

[G L O B A L V I E W ]

Climate Change = A Vanishing New York City

New research into the future effects of climate change on New York City finds that they may not be that far into the future at all.

Instagram is now the most used app among teens (85 percent of the population), surpassing Snapchat (84 percent).

Remember back when people used Facebook?

Leading experts at the World Wildlife Fund released findings that humanity has wiped out 60 percent of the world’s animals since 1970. That’s birds, reptiles, mammals and fish.

A map of New York City in 2100 CURRENT COASTLINE

T

HE LATEST

be a little tough to wrap your

feet. This would have major

REPORTS

mind around, which is why

repercussions for the United

on climate

predictions for one single place

States’ Eastern Seaboard,

change

can be useful.

resulting in a New York City

continue

JAN-FEB

Take the case of New York

that looks like the map above.

to paint a

City. One major issue facing

bleak picture of where our

America’s largest city is the

scientists predicted that the

world is headed if political

fate of the Western Antarctic

ice sheet would fall between

leaders don’t take bold action

Ice Sheet, the collapse of

2200 and 3000. But new, more

and take it fast. Sometimes,

which would cause the world’s

aggressive studies suggest that

the scope of devastation can

oceans to rise by five or six

it could come as soon as 2100.

020

For decades, climate

New Google data indicates the most popular Halloween costumes this year were Spider-Man and characters from the video game Fortnite. Hey, on a night like Halloween, it could have been way worse.

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[G E T Y O U R 2 0 1 9 O N ]

A Curated Guide to Having Your Best Year Ever ou’re going to have two

Y

questions throughout 2019: “How do I work on myself?” and “What should I be listening to, watching or

reading?” We’re here to answer both. We’ve assigned a theme to each month of 2019 to help guide your focus throughout the year.

We give a few recommendations to help you engage with the theme and by doing so, become the best version of yourself. Here’s your road map to the Best Year Ever.

January RENEWAL

It’s a new year, so kick things off with some energy. UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT will give you a spark on television, but if you need a devotional, NEW MORNING MERCIES by Paul Tripp is like a cup of coffee poured by Jesus Himself. You should also head over to BRIGHTPEAK, who has tools to help get your financial life in good shape.

February LOVE (EVERYO NE ) BET T ER

The month of Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be all about doting over a S/O. Austin Channing Brown’s I’M STILL HERE teaches you about one woman’s journey to “loving blackness” while THE GOOD PLACE dares you to

JAN-FEB

think about what you can do more in service to others. In a tough spot?

Turn on BLUE by Joni Mitchell. It’s immortal.

April

March

MINGLING OF

S PIR ITUAL R E FR E S HM E NT

Coming out of winter feels like finding your second wind. Tapping into new things to be excited about is easier when you’re guided by Francis Chan’s CRAZY LOVE and the podcast THAT SOUNDS FUN WITH ANNIE F. DOWNS. It’s like a shortcut to seeing God everywhere.

And if you need a soundtrack to your month of refreshment, check out Jesus Culture’s LIVING WITH A FIRE. It’s full of big anthems and bold proclamations about God’s ability to renew all things—including your personal life and your own spiritual journey.

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C OM M ITM E NT

Ring in spring? Lock down your life by diving into Matt Chandler’s SOULS, but turn on NPR’s HOW I BUILT THIS

podcast to be inspired about other kinds of long-term endeavors. ATLANTA on FX will teach you a thing or two about devotion, too.

May ORGANIZATION

We’re almost halfway through the year, so hit reset on your situation and put some order back into your day.

Expert-driven podcasters like DAVE RAMSEY or TIM FERRISS will school

2019

you on practices that can structure your life, but if you want the discipline to back up all those ideas, better give David Platt’s RADICAL a close look.

June HUMI LI T Y

Serving others begins with checking your ego at the door. The Comedy Central classic NATHAN FOR YOU has huge thoughts about assigning purpose to a platform, and Andy Mineo’s 2013 debut, HEROES FOR SALE, enters the fight against pride head-on. For a more sobering read, Donna Tartt’s THE SECRET HISTORY chronicles the dark consequences of ambition unchecked. You’ll think about the ending for a long time.

July DI S C OVERY

The dog days of summer can run long and burdensome, so we like to keep things fresh by devoting a month to discovering something new. Inspire yourself with the always surprising and engaging podcast 99 PERCENT INVISIBLE, about the hidden elements of design in everyday life, or our own UNEDITED WITH CAMERON STRANG and keep your adventurous spirit alive with a rewind of THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY.

August J U S TICE

You have to believe you can make a difference, so crack open THE HATE U GIVE (follow it up with the movie) for some inspiration on causing change. THE WIRE is something bolder viewers should be watching every year, but if you haven’t caught up with season three of SERIAL, it’s as mandatory as the first.

September S CHOL AR S HIP

Since everyone’s going back to school, hit the books with TEAM OF RIVALS by Doris Kearns Goodwin.

Keep the history trend going with the humanizing podcast AMERICAN HISTORY TELLERS before watching Ken Burns’ docuseries THE VIETNAM WAR. Remember: History requires us to respond to it, so don’t stop your learning now.

October

November THANK S GIVING

Posturing yourself to give thanks is no easy task, so it was important to us that we find things in which people overcome challenge with attitudes of generosity. MANCHESTER BY THE SEA is a crushing but hopeful movie, and Lauren Daigle’s LOOK UP CHILD offers an uncommon look at how to worship in the midst of dark places. Need some spiritual direction? N.T. Wright’s EVIL AND THE JUSTICE OF GOD is honest and convicting about grace amid challenges.

C OU RAGE

Though October ends with facing other kinds of fears, our focus is on how self-perceptions and fear of judgment inhibit our ability to connect with others. Bo Burnham’s EIGHTH GRADE brings that anxiety to life on-screen, but then overcome your insecurity with BRAVING THE WILDERNESS by Brene Brown.

Nobody researches vulnerability better than her.

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December GE NE R O S IT Y

Want a heart toward others? Watch SHORT TERM 12, read THE HELP (but skip that movie) and listen to Chris Gethard’s BEAUTIFUL STORIES FROM ANONYMOUS PEOPLE podcast. The first is about a group home and the last hears deep stories from random callers. It’s proof everyone is going through something.

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

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CURRENT

MISC.

Even ice cream is political these days.

Ben & Jerry’s has released “Pecan Resist,” a chocolate ice cream flavor with fudge, walnuts, pecans and chocolate-covered almonds. Can social justice movements do this more often?

Michael B. Jordan’s Next Movie Will Tackle the Death Penalty One of Hollywood’s biggest stars portrays civil rights hero Bryan Stevenson.

The Centers for Disease Control and

CTOR MICHAEL B.

blockbuster turns in Black Panther

JORDAN has quickly

and the Creed franchise. Now, he

become one of

is turning his attention toward a

Jordan plays the defense attorney

Hollywood’s most

movie with a cause. Author, lawyer

and founder of the Equal Justice

recognizable faces,

and activist Bryan Stevenson’s Just

Initiative, who is on a mission to

whether you’re familiar with his

Mercy is a landmark meditation

revolutionize the justice system,

early work on stone-cold television

on the systemic racist injustices

one wrongful conviction at a time.

classics like The Wire and Friday

embedded in America’s industrial

The drama, which costars Jamie

Night Lights, his critically beloved

prison complex, and is particularly

Foxx and Brie Larson, is due to hit

indies like Fruitvale Station, or his

interested in the abolition of the

theaters next year.

A

Most Christians Don’t Drink (Even If They Think It’s OK to Do So)

death penalty.

In the coming film adaptation,

Prevention reported that one-third of Americans eat fast food every day. The younger you are, the more likely you are to hit up a drive-thru.

Guilty yet?

LUTH E R AN S

A NEW SURVEY from

LifeWay has found most Protestant Christians still abstain from alcohol despite modern attitudes moving in the other direction.

Fifty-nine percent of respondents said they never drink at all and

87 percent said they believed the Bible was against drunkenness (most agreed the Bible didn’t restrict drinking in general). The research also indicated the denominations most likely to drink, which can be seen to the right.

76% Hate crimes are on NON - D E NOMINATIONAL

43%

the rise in the United States, according to the FBI. Last year saw a 17 percent increase in reported

BAPTISTS

hate crimes, with

33%

a 37 percent surge among anti-Jewish incidents.

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[ T H E R E L E V A N T Q + A]

Wake Up With Dr. Eric Mason The alarm is ringing, and this pastor doesn’t want you to hit the snooze button.

ERIC MASON SEES

DR.

a difference between the Christianity of the Bible and the Christianity of

the world around him, especially regarding race issues. In his new book, Woke Church, the Philadelphia pastor talks about how the Church can address issues of race in a way that’s true to the restoration promised by the Gospel. He explained what this all means in an interview with RELEVANT. THE WORD ‘WOKE’ CAN ME AN DIFFERENT THINGS TO DIFFERENT PEOPLE. HOW DO YOU DEFINE IT HERE?

In Ephesians 5:14 the Bible says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Christ awakens us to reality, so when you look at the word woke, it’s a natural revelation where you know justice needs to be done. When somebody is murdered, you know a person needs to serve justice for that. You don’t have to be a Christian to understand, but what Christianity does is broaden the bandwidth of justice based on the character of God and the word of God. Wokeness points to the end of injustice.

WHAT KEEPS CHRISTIANS FROM THAT WOKENESS YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT ?

JAN-FEB

The way we are educated does a disservice to our ability to know where our problems come from as a Christian and human family. We learn history from a white Western perspective, and from a patriotic triumphalism perspective, so it’s not holistic. We have to know history is more than that.

of Jesus Christ is a sign that God looks at the issues and deals with them. He doesn’t ignore them and just run to the resurrection.

WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO ENGAGE IN A DELICATE ISSUE LIKE THIS AMID TODAY ’S POLITICAL CLIMATE?

HOW DO YOU ADDRESS THOSE WHO SAY WE DON’T NEED TO DISCUSS R ACISM IN THE CHURCH?

A lot of white Christians live in a privileged world where it’s easy to say racism doesn’t exist. But the black Church exists because the white Church refused to be their church. It’s tough when people won’t humble themselves and listen so we can be on the same page and see what God can do in this narrative. Biblical unity is not to be blind to the issues. The cross

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Like Paul leveraged his Roman citizenship in his day, we can leverage our human citizenship for eternal reality. Christians have always been in politics, so the question isn’t whether we engage or not, it’s: Are we working within politics just in a way where we agree with everyone in our camp, or are we actually accounting for the implications of our vote within our communities and relationships?

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The RELEVANT Winter Gear Guide T

HE BUSTLING HOLIDAY SEASON MAY HAVE

this post-holiday grind, but it still can be with

come to an end, but winter is still upon us,

the right gear. We’ve got everything from the

meaning we’re forced to face the facts: It’s

coziest socks to the best candle to keep your

cold outside. Winter might not seem as fun in

snow days enjoyable. Stay warm!

Krochet Kids Beanie These beanies are lifechanging. With each purchase, you’re encouraged to visit the profile and learn more about the woman who made your product by hand. $19-24 KROCHETKIDS.ORG

S’well Tumbler These eco-friendly tumblers were made to keep your drink warm through even the harshest winter. The triple-walled stainless steel won’t sweat, so you don’t have to either.

Bombas Socks Did you know socks are the most requested item at homeless shelters? With Bombas, your feet can be warm and so can someone else’s. One pair purchased equals one pair donated.

PRICES VARY

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THE UNPLANNED S U P E R S TA R D O M O F

Tori Kelly

BY J E S S E C A R E Y

W

hen Tori Kelly first

its follow-up meant trying to cre-

began working on

ate an album that would somehow

the follow-up to her

exceed its predecessor’s success

acclaimed debut al-

and acclaim.

bum,

Unbreakable

At first, she was nervous to bring

Smile, she had an unexpected idea:

the idea to include a gospel tune to

She would include a gospel song.

her team. “I didn’t know how they

For many artists, a sophomore

would react,” she remembers.

album is even more important

Even though Kelly has always

than a debut. A debut introduces

been open about her faith, she’s

you to the world, but its follow-up

not what most listeners would

shows if you have what it takes to

consider

stay long term.

Fresh off of a tour with another

a

“Christian

artist.”

There aren’t many artists who

pop superstar Sam Smith, there

have had a first album as big as

were expectations that her new

Kelly’s. Debuting at No. 2 on the

project should be another big, ra-

Billboard charts, it featured col-

dio-friendly blockbuster.

laborations from hitmakers like

However, when she told her

songwriter Max Martin (who has

team that it needed to include a

22 No. 1 songs to his name) and

gospel song, she says they were

pop superstar Ed Sheeran. It even

automatically on board, and even

garnered her a Grammy nomina-

had a suggestion: She should col-

tion for best new artist. Planning

laborate with gospel legend Kirk

Franklin. After all, not only has Franklin been

Kelly entered another high-profile

a gospel music powerhouse for more than two

singing competition: American Idol,

decades, he also has a knack for collaborations

then near the peak of its TV ratings

(like recently, Kanye West and Chance the Rap-

dominance. After beating out tens of

per) that bring church to mainstream audiences.

thousands of contestants, she made

“I grew up listening to him,” she says. “So,

it through to Hollywood week, only

hearing that name represents my whole child-

to be cut before being named to the

hood.” For her, the plan started coming together,

top 24.

and Franklin signed on.

Plans changed again.

But what Kelly planned to be a single song for

“I heard a quote somewhere that

a new album, Franklin—and maybe even God—

said, ‘Doubt is not the opposite of

had different plans for.

faith,’” Kelly says. “I just really like that just because you are doubting,

PLANS CHANGED

you’re still coming to God … You’re

Tori Kelly has always understood what it’s like

still

to change plans. As a 12-year-old, she gained

what’s going on, and that’s not the

recognition after winning the TV competition

opposite of your faith. That’s actual-

show America’s Most Talented Kids. Soon after,

ly the working out of your faith and

she was approached by Geffen Records and

learning to trust God.”

in

and

wondering

signed a recording contract. However, within

Still a teenager, Kelly had already

months, both parties ended the relationship, cit-

seen a major label deal disappear

ing creative differences. It was a difficult time

and had gotten voted off one of the

for the young singer.

biggest TV shows in the world. But

Kelly, then 14, changed course. Instead of trying to impress a label, she decided to make music

that didn’t cause her to doubt her calling for long.

for herself, posting YouTube videos of covers for

Kelly began playing small shows

the fun of it. The song choices were as diverse as

with music she’d written, and a

her influences and included everything from the

young talent manager began show-

classic spiritual “Go Tell It on the Mountain” to a

ing up, having seen her viral You-

Frank Ocean single.

Tube performances. It was Scooter

Emboldened by the response to the videos,

JAN-FEB

leaning

Braun, who today represents Justin

034

2019

Bieber,

Kanye

West,

Ariana

Grande and Carly Rae Jepsen, among others. As his roster shows, he has an eye for finding breakout talent.

It wasn’t long before Braun introduced her to executives at Capitol Records, and, despite her hesitations, she decided to change her plans from being a successful independent artist, to once again signing with a major label.

But

no

one

could

have

planned for what would happen later in her career.

THE GOSPEL TRUTH

When Kelly entered the studio with Franklin last year, the idea was to record one song for her new album. Franklin had written four songs that he wanted to play for Kelly, presumably so she could choose one for the record. But then, he told her something that changed that plan.

“He said God gave him these songs specifically for me,” Kelly remembers. And when she

035

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

heard them, she believed him.

of the gospel tracks, they needed something that

“I love being involved in every detail of a song,

was worshipful.

so it’s really rare that someone can play me a song

“We looked at all the songs we had, we were

that’s finished and I’ll just be totally fine with it,”

probably about six songs in at that point, and we

she says. “This was one of those times where ev-

realized we didn’t have a song that’s just straight-

ery single song he played me …” she pauses for a

up worship,” she says. “All the songs were either

moment. “Those four songs … I was like, ‘This is

talking about God or talking to God, but we didn’t have a song that was like straight-out-of-the-Scriptures

“It’s just been amazing to know there is a God who knows me and cares about every little thing that I’m going through.”

direct worship—kind of the song that you could teach to a congregation or to a church and they can all sing along with it.”

As Franklin sat at the piano, Kelly picked up a Bible and began flipping through the Psalms, eventually landing on Psalm 42.

“I want to say it started with the chorus—as the deer pants for the water so my soul thirsts for you, God—and that was really the anchor for the whole song,” Kelly remembers.

incredible.’ They feel like I wrote them.”

The result of the collaboration is the eight-

It wasn’t long before the songs sparked some

song album Hiding Place (including the worship-

ideas from Kelly herself, and she and Franklin

ful track, “Psalm 42”), which has been released

realized they weren’t just working on a song,

to crossover acclaim. It debuted at No. 1 on the

they were working on an album.

gospel charts and in the overall top 35.

Then, they decided that in addition to some

JAN-FEB

036

The album may be a detour on Kelly’s expected

2019

career path, but it’s a chance for her to be honest

she says. “Just because you believe in God

about the thing most important in her life: faith.

doesn’t mean your life is all rainbows. But it’s just been amazing to know that there is a God

A PROFOUND CHANGE

who knows me and cares about every little

Kelly grew up going to church, but early on,

thing I’m going through.

faith was more of a label and an excuse for her to hang out with friends at church than any-

“It’s something that I grew up with, but also as I’ve gotten older, I’ve made it more my own.”

thing really personal.

In Hiding Place, this idea—that faith isn’t al-

“I grew up in a Christian home, and always

ways easy—continually comes through in the

grew up knowing about this God and learning

music. It isn’t a collection of platitudes or corny

about this guy named Jesus,” she says. “I just

hooks. The album is about asking tough questions.

thought it was the best thing ever to go to church

“We tend to kind

and be with all my friends ... For me, church was

of be afraid to ask

just fun.”

questions or afraid

But as she grew older, she started to feel the

to even doubt God,”

need to dig deeper, and an experience at church

she says. “I’ve defi-

camp would soon change her life forever.

nitely been there,

“It wasn’t until around high school that I real-

but the more I read

ized this is something that needs to be my own;

the Psalms, there’s

I can’t just be going through the motions and do-

so much doubt. You

ing what my parents do—this is a real relation-

know David’s cry-

ship one-on-one with Jesus,” she reflects. “I went

ing out and being

to this camp through my church, and really had

like,

an encounter with God. He kind of just met me

you God? Why is this happening? When are you

right there and just revealed Himself in a pow-

going to come and help, and what is your plan

erful way.”

here?!’ I love that because it’s just so real. I think

‘Where

are

The experience profoundly changed her. But

we can all say that we’ve gone through that, and

just because she had an authentic experience

there are so many things in life that I wish I had

with God, it doesn’t mean things went as she

answers to, but I just don’t. That just makes me

planned.

lean into God more, saying, ‘I have no idea what’s

“Since then, it hasn’t been necessarily easy,”

HIDING PLACE

going on, so I have to trust You.’”

037

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

Kelly is still making plans, but now she’s

be me,” she says. “The lyrics are kind of some-

learned it’s OK to not know what’s coming next.

thing that pulls everything together. You know,

She’s still at a pivotal moment in her career,

that’s really the constant thread throughout ev-

where she—and her fans—are trying to deter-

erything. I’m always going to sing about stuff I

mine what kind of artist she is.

believe in.”

But she does know one thing her fans can expect: conviction.

“No matter what the genre is, it’s still going to

JAN-FEB

Now, more than ever, that conviction grounds her. As her fame grows, she says it’s more important than ever to live the faith she sings about.

038

2019

“That just makes me lean into God more, saying, ‘I have no idea what’s going on, so I have to trust You.’” “[Jesus] people

loved perfectly,

myself today, but to just think about You and other people.’ I think that’s really all I can do.”

and He served other

She learned that relying on Him is better than

people, and I think

making plans on her own. But that doesn’t mean

that’s what it’s re-

she isn’t working on what comes next. When

ally

asked about what comes next, she gets excited—

about,

trying

to put other people

at first.

first, especially in an

industry

“I’ve been writing a ton the last couple years,

that

and honestly I was already kind of writing for

puts you first as the

the next album and then this gospel album sort

person who is kind

of just made its way in,” she says. “There is a lot

of front and center

of music that is waiting to be heard.”

on stage,” she says.

She pauses, thinking about revealing more

“It’s easy for every-

of the plan, hinting at what’s coming next—but

one else to come

stops herself. “That’s all I’ll say for now.”

around that and put you on this pedestal. But for me, my challenge is to constantly try and not

She’s learned that at this point, sometimes, it’s better not to make too many plans.

be on that pedestal, and instead say, ‘No, it’s not about me; it’s not about me,’ and try to focus as much as I can on other people.

“It is hard. It’s a daily challenge, and it’s a daily prayer too, to wake up and just be like, ‘God, I need your help today. Help me to not think about

JESSE CAREY is the brand director at RELEVANT. You can find him on Twitter @jessecarey.

039

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

How Gen Z is poised to reboot the modern Church

BY T Y L E R D A S W I C K

T

he numbers don’t look good. Of

is, “Can we blame them for not

Generation Z—people born after

showing up?”

1996—34 percent identify as athe-

The trend we’re seeing with

ist, agnostic or nonreligious. It’s

Gen Z started with millennials.

the highest figure of any genera-

Only 30 percent of millennials say

tion ever.

attending church is important.

When naming key components

Among millennials who grew up

of their identity, only a fifth of Gen

in church, almost 60 percent have

Zers name religion, a low number

dropped out.

compared to profession and edu-

“We’re finding evidence that

cation (43 percent), hobbies (42

millennials have been out of

percent) and gender and sexu-

church longer than previous gen-

ality (37 percent). The data from

erations,” says Roxanne Stone,

the Barna Group report is clear:

editor-in-chief at Barna. “So by

Young people are drawing back

the time they had kids, [millenni-

from, if not running from, church

als] didn’t feel it was important to

as their predecessors know it.

go back [to church]. Gen Z hasn’t

But maybe that’s a good thing.

grown up with that foundational

Here are more numbers: Nine

church value.”

out of 10 people say the Amer-

The data indicates the Church

ican Church is too judgmental,

has a serious perception issue

and 85 percent described it as

with Gen Z, whether it comes

hypocritical.

from their parents, their peers

A third of people said the Amer-

or the institution itself. Taken at

ican Church is characterized by

their worst, the numbers depict

“moral failures” in leadership,

a church culture that’s not only

and a startling 70 percent found

running in opposition to many of

the Church “insensitive to others.”

the core values and beliefs cham-

The question here isn’t, “How

pioned by Jesus—compassion for

can we draw the next generation

the marginalized, service to the

back into church?” The question

poor, grace for everyone—but

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

M I N D T H E [G E N E R AT I O N] G A P There might be obvious generational differences between millennials and Gen Z, but it’s not all in your head. Raw data backs up the cultural changes we’re seeing in everyday life.

MILLENNIALS [B O R N 1 9 8 1 - 1 9 9 6]

also running against

“Gen Z is worried

the values of the up-

about their finances

CONTENTMENT

and-coming

genera-

and making sure they

tion that’s supposed

have a viable career

Percentage who said they were content with their lives.

to sustain it. At best,

option,”

the numbers show a

“Their highest goal for

church culture with

life is happiness, and

a presentation issue.

when we asked them

The values might be

what that looks like,

there, but the message

they pointed to pic-

isn’t being communi-

tures of people hold-

cated well.

ing stacks of money.

Data people 1996 and

shows born

are

that after

Stone

says.

They want to be financially independent.”

ambitious

The temptation is

open-minded.

to chalk this up to

While

millennials

materialism, but they

were motivated by a

want the resources to

“follow your dreams,

make an impact: 70

you can do anything”

percent of Gen Z be-

mentality,

Gen

PURPOSE

Percentage who said their life has purpose.

Z

lieves they should ori-

views things more vo-

ent their lives toward

cationally due to their

making a difference

upbringing amid the

in the world.

Great Recession. They

They demand the

value a future defined

same out of the brands,

by stability and free-

companies and orga-

dom instead of the

nizations they align

passion-driven, ideal-

with. Roughly two out

istic future pursued

of three members of

by millennials.

Gen Z believe for-prof-

SEX

Percentage who claimed to be sexually active as teenagers.

O R I E N TAT I O N

Percentage who identify as straight.

FA M I LY

Percentage who said family is important to their sense of self.

JAN-FEB

042

60% 67% 54% 90% 40% 2019

G E N E R AT I O N Z [B O R N 1 9 9 7 - 2 0 1 0]

47% 53% 41% 73%

it companies should take a stand

solutions to this ideological clash. In

on social issues, and 72 percent say

the immediate sense, churches can

brands should care about broader

adapt the way they communicate

issues like eco-friendliness and hu-

to young people. Of course, Gen Z

manitarianism.

is very tech-savvy, and while many

If that’s what young people want

churches engage with social media

out of their for-profit businesses, it

and technology in a practical, non-

follows that they would ask the same

try-hard way, the approach to Gen Z

of places like churches, which they

has to be less toward the thing they

know to be founded on attitudes of

have and more toward the thing

service, creation care and generosi-

they need: community.

ty. When churches don’t deliver on

A 2018 Cigna survey reported Gen

those fronts, well, that’s when we

Z is the loneliest generation, by far.

read that 66 percent of people find

While 46 percent of adults reported

not just churches, but churchgoers,

feeling alone, that number was 69

to be hypocritical. Young people dis-

percent among Gen Z. Those born

sociate with things (and people) that

after 1996 also reported higher lev-

don’t reflect their values.

els of feeling shy (69 percent) and

“Gen Z isn’t really hurt by the Church,” Stone says. “But they have

feeling like no one knows them well (68 percent).

a strong sense of tolerance. They’re

This is where the Church can

the most diverse generation in

meet Gen Z where they are. Just by

American history racially, sexually

being a physical space where they

and theologically. With that comes

can come together with people their

a higher regard for pluralism, tol-

age (and adults—research from Bar-

erance and equality, and they see

na shows Gen Z places high value on

the Church as [intolerant] in terms

mentorship and adult role models),

of LGBTQ rights, immigration, the

the Church can provide community

environment and women’s and gen-

in a way a smartphone can’t.

der equality.”

But in the long term, it’s clear

There are short- and long-term

those inherent-seeming value dif-

34% 043

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

ferences need to be ad-

ly active, the same figure

age drinking among high

trusted source of infor-

dressed, and the people

among Gen Zers is just

schoolers when compared

mation. You could accuse

to instigate that change,

41 percent, according to

to peak years. Marijuana

them of living in a bubble,

ironically, might be those

Business Insider.

use among teenagers is on

but it’s worth wondering

Furthermore, The Wall

a five-year decline as well,

how

beyond

Street Journal ran a sur-

according to the National

affects their thinking if

those who identify as re-

vey that reported a 60

Institute on Drug Abuse.

they’re smart enough to

ligious, Gen Z carries core

percent decrease in under-

in Gen Z themselves.

As

a

whole,

Z

smokes

less,

the

bubble

know where and when to

drinks less and has less sex

values that po-

than just about any gener-

Could these numbers be

sition them well

ation before them. Cynics

all talk and no action in

to take action

might point out these num-

terms of Gen Z actually go-

for the things

bers could be a product of

ing out into the world and

a more lonely and isolated

doing something? Doesn’t

generation—these “rebel-

seem likely. The Atlantic

lious” behaviors tend to be

reports 26 percent of 16- to

social, after all—and while

19-year-olds already vol-

plenty of reporting does

unteer on a regular basis.

Gen

Z

isn’t

here to mooch, party or scroll through

Ins-

tagram.

They

want to make a difference.

The numbers to support these statements, as opposed to the data about emptying pews, would ly

actual-

make

your

grandmother proud.

54

While

percent

teenagers 1991 being

of in

reported sexual-

“CHURCHES ARE GOING TO HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO REACH A GENERATION THAT’S THINKING ABOUT ISSUES DIFFERENTLY.”

convictions and

they care about.

JAN-FEB

Gen

much

support those feelings of isolation

among

look outside of it.

For a more specific case

young

study, the aftermath of the

people, it’s a fallacy to as-

Stoneman Douglas school

sume those feelings would

shooting indicates Gen Z

inhibit Gen Z from creat-

can not only be a leading

ing change in their world.

voice in activism but can

Young people are savvy

back up their talk.

with social media and the

TargetSmart, a political

internet, but they’re also

data firm, released num-

savvy to its influence on

bers in July that showed

their lives. One hopeful

voters aged 18-29 saw mas-

indicator: 49 percent of

sive registration increases

women in Gen Z, one of

in key swing states. Reg-

the most represented de-

istration rose 8 percent

mographics on Instagram,

in Florida, 11 percent in

say they don’t see social

New York, 17 percent in

media influencers as a

Pennsylvania and 8 per-

044

2019

transparent, compassion-

terms of activism.”

Today,

that

means

a

ate

and

ac-

critical juncture for the

tive

in

the

cross-generational Church,

surrounding

one that’s looking to bring

communi-

back millennials—who left

ty.

Best-case

at higher rates than any

scenario, the

previous age group—and

Gen Z Church

foster an environment that

looks

like

appeals to young people

an active re-

with no experience in the

sponse—a

Church tradition.

pushback,

So if the Church wants

really—to

to be transformed, change

the critiques

will come out of its abil-

churches face

ity to redeem itself. If it

cent in Arizona. Gen Z isn’t

interest in activism are be-

backing a party; they’re

coming super important,”

“Churches are going to

term, it will be relying on

backing policy. Injustice,

Stone says. “They’re put-

have to figure out how to

a slim portion of religious

as they see it, galvanizes

ting a face to important is-

reach a generation that’s

Gen Zers to revive things

them to act.

sues, and Gen Z is going to

thinking

once they age.

connect with them in those

differently,”

the

passion areas. There’s true

“Gen Z is growing up with

have lost their founda-

Church, the first step in

value in Gen Z growing

friends who are gay and

tions, but as they stand

involving them with the

up in society instead of

have been out for longer,

now with the way young

Church might be to meet

church. They can step into

they have more ethnically

adults

them in spaces apart from

that space and make it less

diverse friends, and girls

them, that might be the

the Church itself. This isn’t

racist and more inclusive.”

are growing up hearing

first step in changing for

an “if you build it, they will

Speculate for a moment

they can be whoever they

the better.

come” situation. It’s closer

what might happen if the

want to be. Gen Z will be

to “they’re building it al-

religious members of Gen

turned off by a homoge-

ready, so join in.”

Z grow up and stay in the

neous church. We should

“Organizations that are

Church. A projection of all

expect them to maintain

school-based, out in the

this data points to church-

their values by the time

community and taking an

es that are more diverse,

they age up, especially in

So if Gen Z is already acting

apart

from

right now.

045

doesn’t change in the short

about Stone

issues says.

Many

churches

are

may

perceiving

T YLER DASWICK is the senior writer at RELEVANT. Follow him on Twitter @TylerDaswick.

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

Y O U N T H E G I A N JAN-FEB

046

2019

BY S A R A H R E N N Y

“O

ur bodies don’t work the same way,” Sameer Gadhia says, laughing at his own joke. He’s

talking about touring with his band, Young the Giant, who’ve developed one of the most enthusiastic followings in indie-rock over the course of nearly a decade of making

G

some of the most addictive music in the game. They did it the oldfashioned way: great songs and a killer live performance, and Gadhia says it’s taking a toll as they are getting older.

“We get used to living at home and stuff, or trying to have an adult life, and it does become harder to be on the road,” he admits. “But then, at a certain point, it doesn’t really matter. We play the show at the end of the night, and then it all resets again. And then you do the same thing the next day. Playing the show always makes it worth it.”

It’s worth pointing out that Gadhia is only 29. There’s no sign

T

of any sort of world weariness or veteran saltiness in his tone, despite any occasional post-concert soreness or fatigue.

His band’s latest release, Mirror Master, is self-assured but far from grim. This isn’t exactly Tom Waits we’re talking about.

But Gadhia is an honest guy, and his band is honest, too. It’s a word that gets thrown around a lot in music: honesty. But for all its popularity, it remains a little nebulous. Just how can music be honest? What’s the difference between art that’s honest and art that isn’t?

Young the Giant have spent L-R Jacob Tilley, Francois Comtois, Sameer Gadhia, Payam Doostzadeh & Eric Cannata

047

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

their career trying to navigate that

their California hometown, landing

band that is keenly aware of the

question, and while it may have

coveted opening gigs for Minus the

complexities of the current moment

aged them a little prematurely, it’s

Bear and Steel Train.

and is determined to say something

made for some awfully fascinating music along the way.

After that came the first album, the accolades, the late-night spots, landing gigs like a performance

much in culture around us is not.

“Even with Home of the Strange,”

Honest Success

on MTV: Unplugged and singles on

Gadhia says, referencing the band’s

Young the Giant formed in Irvine,

the Billboard Hot 100. But to hear

2016 effort which focused on

California. After noodling around

Gadhia tell it, it’s also where the real

Gadhia’s personal identity as the

on guitars in various garages for

struggle begins.

child of immigrants, “that was a

several years and toying with

How do you find what makes

“MORE THAN ANYTHING, WE JUST WANTED TO SHARE OURSELVES THROUGH THE MUSIC.”

record that we did before Trump

you authentic

was even in office—before we really

when your entire

started seeing the follies of what was

career is pushing

going on in America. In the wake

you toward

of all of that, there is this obvious

bigger, flashier

notion of trying to describe the

performances?

experience and that can be difficult

“Having that honesty became

to do in a unique way.”

This is the point Gadhia sticks on.

our driving factor,”

You’ve got to be honest before what

Gadhia says. “More

you say can be truly valuable. You

than anything,

have to say something that provides

we just wanted to

a clearer perspective for you having

share ourselves

said it because nobody else could

through the music,

have said it just that way.

to try and get other

“More than anything, it was kind

people to share

of that honesty that led us home,”

with each other

Gadhia says. “The band said if we

about who they

were going to say something, and

are, what they are,

it came from what we were really

and have control

feeling, then it would be a unique

of that image that

message. It would be a holistic

different lineups and one name

they put out into the world. That,

message that could be applied to

change (they started out as “The

and trying to write really good

the self.”

Jakes”), the band caught some

songs.”

traction with songs popping up

On their latest album, Young the

Their Aim Is True

on LA. radio and The Real World.

Giant made sure to deliver on the

For musicians, honesty is often

But things really broke through at

latter: The record feels burdened

reduced to a matter of lyrics. Is what

South by Southwest, where Gadhia

with real purpose.

started turning heads well outside of

JAN-FEB

coherent, despite the fact that so

Mirror Master is the work of a

048

you’re saying true, or is it not true?

But Young the Giant’s quest takes the

2019

MIRROR MASTER [ELEKTRA]

We were

philosophy that people are in

like, ‘Let’s

search of something honest

band deeper than just the words

just plug that in and see what

and true,” he says. “[It’s] not

on a page, all the way to the

happens.’ It brought in this whole

necessarily what’s been listened

actual sounds. It’s not enough to

other aesthetic.”

to, but what they want to listen to

just speak the truth. It has to feel true too.

“It can be easy to get caught up in what’s popular, what’s

It was a decision to take

in the future.”

something that felt real, that felt honest, and bring it into their art.

Worth the Risk

“It did feel natural,” he says.

“It’s amazing, because I think,

being played on the radio, but I

“We’re going to incorporate these

especially in this day and age a

think for this record it was like,

instruments because this is what

lot of people tend to think that

‘We want to sound like Young

we’re listening to.”

people should cater to the lowest

the Giant,’” he says. “And I think

This might sound like winging

common denominator,” Gadhia

Young the Giant is discovery. It

it and, in many ways, it is. But

is just like gravitating toward

Young the Giant is a band that

things. Writing music in an

considers “winging it” part of

perils of honesty. You can be

inspirational way, like, just

what they do.

misunderstood, misconstrued

trying to pick up random things

It feels more natural to them

says. “We don’t think that.”

This is another one of the

and maybe even see what you

around—not consciously, just

to follow their gut instincts than

say manipulated into a message

absentmindedly. Kind of seeing

to overthink their direction. And

you never intended. That’s a real

what happens with it.”

they believe it makes for music

risk, but it’s another part of what

that feels more authentic.

makes Young the Giant work as

As an example, Gadhia recounts the story of recording

“For better or for worse, I think

an exercise in honesty: It’s a risk

“Superposition,” the first single

that that’s been a great thing for

off Mirror Master. You can hear a

us,” he says. “This whole record

charango—a stringed instrument

is about that idea of this image.

fans,” Gadhia says. “We know

popular in South America—on

This feeling that you have to

that they understand nuance.

the track. It’s a savvy production

be something you’re not, or be

They understand making a

decision, adding just a slightly

perceived in a way that is not

message that isn’t just a party

unique lilt to the song’s building,

authentically you.”

atmosphere. It’s been what our

anthemic vibe. But in Gadhia’s

But Young the Giant wants to

they’re willing to take.

“We obviously put trust in our

fan base is about: trying to search

recounting, it wasn’t a production

be about something better than

for something, just find some

decision at all.

that. They want you to be you.

meaning from something. And

At the end of the day, that is

I think that message has most

in a matter of like, 15 minutes, or

every person’s responsibility, and

definitely hit home.”

30 minutes,” Gadhia says. “And

that’s every person’s right, and

it was just a little charango that

the band’s popularity is proof to

[guitarist Eric Cannata’s] brother-

Gadhia that their way is working.

“We actually wrote that song

in-law had given him when he was traveling in South America.

“It’s very exciting because it affirms our beliefs in a

049

SAR AH RENN Y is a music writer and critic who lives and works in Seattle.

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

JAN-FEB

050

2019

T H E L AW S OF LEVI New year, new you. Here are pastor Levi Lusko’s keys on how to be your best self in 2019.

“S

elf-help” tends to get

advice from people with questionable

It’s handed to us in a thousand

a bad rap. For many,

motives. But just because the genre is

metaphors all across the pages of

the topic recalls

in a bad place, doesn’t mean it has to

Scripture. Athletic competition and

vaguely New Age-y

stay that way. Lusko is reclaiming the

soldiers in military warfare are the

“speak your destiny” Oprah talks and

idea of self-improvement but looking

two most common analogies that Paul

platitude-heavy books that promise to

at it through a biblical lens—one that

likes to employ to talk about what it

unlock your hidden potential.

isn’t focused on how you can change

means to be a Jesus-follower.

Author and Fresh Life Church

yourself but on how the Bible teaches

So if we’re running a race and we’re

pastor Levi Lusko understands that

us profound truths about how God

fighting a good fight, that means even

skepticism. When he posted a few

changes us. To hear Lusko tell it, the

as we try to better ourselves by God’s

pages from his book I Declare War:

war on the self is a winnable one—as

grace, we’re going to have to fight. But

Four Keys to Winning the Battle with

long as you know who’s really sending

it shows it’s not going to be easy. It’s

Yourself to his nearly 50,000 Twitter

you into battle and what the real

not going to be over quickly.

followers, one reaction stood out. “One

objective is once you’re there.

statement—a thousand verses support

With a new year upon us, many

Someone I have long respected is [theologian] Warren Wiersbe, and I

what the statement was saying—and

people are looking for fresh starts,

remember reading that he said, “The

the first comment was, ‘Where’s the

useful tips and healthy practices to

Christian life is not a playground. It’s

Gospel in all of this?’” he remembers.

work into their 2019 routines. Here are

a battleground.” The moment you

Lusko’s thoughts on new ways to go

underestimate your enemy, he’s going

about that and actually help yourself.

to take you out. He’s a roaring lion, and

“There’s a whole lot of moral teaching in the Bible that shows what it looks like when the Gospel has taken root in your heart.”

Lusko realized that while the notion of “self-help” is a positive one,

we can’t play with kid gloves on. We WHY DO YOU USE THE METAPHOR OF

have to be willing to go to blows, and

“WAR” WHEN TALKING ABOUT SELF-

that’s true in every area.

IMPROVEMENT?

I want to be gracious. I don’t want

it’s largely been overrun by treacly

to be huffy. I don’t want to be hurt. I

051

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

Levi Lusko and his family

want to be vulnerable and confident

INCORPORATE? WHERE DID YOU

control of your thought life, I can

in the authority that God’s given

LEARN THEM FROM?

take control of your whole life. And

me, but at the same time be gentle

I think the enemy knows this, and

and be someone people want to be

It’s funny, I wish I could say, “Oh

that’s why he’s got us living lives of

around. That took a fight.

yeah, bro. It was St. Francis of

worry and anxiety and stress and

Assisi”—but actually it was my

comparison.

WHAT ABOUT WHEN THE ENEMY IS

boxing coach. I was out of breath

The more we can take control

YOURSELF—YOUR OWN SELF-DOUBT,

between rounds. I’m doing a two-

of our thoughts, we’re putting our

FEARS, BAGGAGE, ETC.?

minute round with a 30-second rest,

hand on the rutter, because out of

and in that 30-second rest, usually

the thought springs forth action.

They have this saying in the

my lungs are screaming, and he

That’s why Colossians says set your

military: “Two is one and one is

always goes, “Stop, Levi. Breathe

mind on things above. That’s a

none.” What they mean by that is

deeply.” I noticed that the less I felt

choice. That means choose what you

equipment and preparation: If they

like I needed to do it, the more I

think about. And again, Jesus said

have two, they count that as one,

actually did.

love God with all your heart, all your

and if they count one, that is zero

I started to incorporate these

because they assume something is

ideas into my life. When I actually

going to go wrong.

take the time to literally get down

your mind and love God in that

My plan is to seek God, but then

soul but also all your mind.

What does it look like to control

on my knees, I think the posture of

way? I think, and this is my theory,

I have to have a backup plan. If my

humility can become a ritual. It also

that it’s positive thinking—I think

goat gets got, my backup plan in that

can put you in that position that is

that’s part of it. It’s funny because

moment is a deep breath.

going to help you have the mental

people I know who sneer at the

state you want.

idea of positive thinking tend to be

Most of us go without a deep breath most days. We sit hunched

If you stand with your hands

the most negative. And yet when I

over our laptops and phones, and

on your hips or up in the air, that

look at Scripture, and I hear about

we’re breathing shallow. If you’re

has been found to cause your body

a God who anointed my head with

not breathing deep enough for your

to secrete confidence-building

oil and set the table before me in

belly to extend a little bit, you’re not

hormones. It’s no wonder that in the

the presence of my enemies, and

getting enough oxygen for critical

Psalms, we’re told to raise our arms,

He goes before me with thoughts of

thinking, and your body will always

shout and clap our hands.

goodness and not of evil, that sounds

prioritize life-saving functions ahead of handling emotions properly.

So, in those moments where you

All through the Psalms, the

pretty dang positive! Revelation

worship that God wants is full of

ends with a banquet that lasts 10,000

body posture that is going to cause

years. That’s pretty dang positive too.

might want to fly off the handle

you to be in a state of mind that you

and tweet something you’ll regret

want to be.

If you examine every thought that goes through your head and run it

or hurt someone, if you instead

through that Philippians 4:8 filter—

choose a backup plan … you can find

WHAT ROLE DO YOUR OWN

if it’s not good, if it’s not helpful, if

yourself avoiding those situations.

THOUGHTS PLAY IN THIS?

it’s not kind—you take it captive. I

ARE THERE ANY SPIRITUAL

The Bible said as a man thinks in

PRACTICES YOU’VE STARTED TO

his heart, so he is. So if I can take

think you’re going to find your life a

JAN-FEB

052

bit better.

2019

FOR SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO TAKE THE FIRST STEP TOWARD THIS KIND OF BIBLICAL SELF-BETTERMENT, WHAT DO YOU SUGGEST?

You can’t win a battle you won’t admit you’re in. When you come to that decision of, “I’m actually going to do this,” something changes inside of you, and it shifts how you think about it and how you speak about it.

What I encourage people to do is to get before God and show Him—because nothing sanitizes like light. I also encourage you to show YOU ALSO TALK A LOT ABOUT THE

another form of abuse would be just

it to someone who loves you and

POWER OF WORDS. WHY DO YOU

neglecting a powerful area God gave

can be a little bit of accountability

THINK UNDERSTANDING THIS IS SO

us, and that is the words we speak

to you.

IMPORTANT?

can cause life or death.

I think there’s this incredible

The way I speak [of a situation]

power that enables a switch to flip

That’s a topic that I think has been

changes my mentality. I think the

inside of you when you’ve dragged

abused. Any time there’s an abuse

same is true with marriage and kids

that into the light and say, “No, I’m

there’s always another side of it, and

and everything. You can talk about

going to oppose this with all of my

that is neglect.

your crappy car or you can say,

might.”

When it comes to a subject like

“Thank you God that I have a car.”

Why is it that God spoke of Joshua

the positive confession movement

“I hate my job,” or “Thank you, Jesus

and Caleb as having a different

where we would say, “Oh, my Prius

that I have a job.”

spirit in them? I think it’s because

just turned into a Ferrari!” Well,

I think the No. 1 thing that

they wholeheartedly followed the

when I walk out to that car, I don’t

we should put into our words

Lord, and I think so many of us run

think it’s going to be a Ferrari. That

is gratitude, and we will watch

around doing so many things that

kind of power of positive confession,

mountains move both inside our

we forget to do that one thing that’s

that’s one form of abuse, but

hearts and in our lives as well.

needed.

053

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

Too Late to Apologize?

Y

BY T Y L E R H U C K A B E E

Ugly tweets.

Bigoted behavior.

Inexcusable conduct.

What does forgiveness look like in the modern era?

ou could have mis-

pleted, and Louis C.K.’s story

taken the celebra-

has become a common one.

tory vibe at New

Apologies are frequent, and

York City’s iconic

easy enough to deliver, but

Comedy Cellar for a royal

what about what comes after

homecoming and in a way,

the apology?

it was, but for a deeply dis-

We, all of us, live in public

graced king. On Aug. 26, nine

now—with our distant pasts

months after Louis C.K. pub-

just a click away via social me-

licly apologized for mastur-

dia. This means old mistakes

bating in front of numerous

are being brought to light

unwilling women, the fallen

with

writer/actor/multi-hyphenate

and Louis C.K. is far from the

toast of the American comedy

only person apologizing for

circuit delivered a 15-min-

what he’s done. Aziz Ansari,

ute stand-up set to a raucous

James Franco and James Gunn

standing ovation.

have all had to reckon with a

What plays well in the dingy

variety of allegations, while

halls of a Manhattan comedy

men in positions of political

club doesn’t necessarily work

power like President Donald

the next morning, and Louis

Trump and Supreme Court

C.K. was widely criticized for

Justice Brett Kavanaugh will

a comeback attempt, less than

be spending their respective

a year after he became one of

careers trying to stay ahead of

the most prominent faces of

the allegations against them,

American men’s sexual mis-

like President Bill Clinton and

conduct reckoning.

Supreme Court Justice Clar-

But a reckoning begun does

ence Thomas before them.

not mean a reckoning com-

increasing

frequency,

But in an age of increasing

LOU I S C . K .

After years of fending off rumors about sexual misconduct, widely beloved stand-up comic, actor and filmmaker Louis C.K. confirmed that the allegations made against him by three women in The New York Times were true.

055

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

accountability, the pleas

been hurt are not going

argued

Weinstein

thing didn’t sound quite

for forgiveness and re-

to be impressed with

deserved forgiveness was

as bad as that thing. Can’t

demption loom large too,

you. They might not for-

Weinstein himself (in a

these people be forgiven?

which

ques-

give you. In fact, it might

statement to The Times,

tions about what justice,

actually make your life

he blamed his behavior

mused

restitution

more complicated.”

on coming of age in the

actor

Bryan

Cranston whether

prompts and

second

chances ought to look

that

“It would take time,” Breaking

Bad

‘60s and ‘70s, saying “that

when

asked

like as well. An increas-

SORRY FOR WHAT?

was the culture then”)

Kevin

Spacey—accused

ing

prioritiza-

There can be no honest

and virtually no one lis-

of making inappropriate

tion of oppressed voices,

cultural

conversation about for-

tened to him. The allega-

sexual advances against

who’ve

giveness

tions were too ugly, the

his underage costar—de-

gained

ground

until

there’s

in their fight to be treat-

been an honest one about

evidence

damning

served another chance.

ed equally, are bringing

wrongdoing. The #MeToo

and the remorse too obvi-

“It would take a society

along with them a new

movement was brought

ously hollow to warrant

to forgive them, and it

question: What does for-

to

lending his pleas any se-

would take tremendous

giveness look like in the

in 2017 by the multiple

rious traction.

contrition on their part.

national

attention

too

And a knowingness that they have a deep-

“Your apology needs to match the level of what

ly rooted psychological

and

emotional

problem, and it takes

you think you’ve gotten wrong, and you need to

years to mend that.”

really measure that.” -Josh Harris

chances

The bid for second has

been

even louder in the political world, where the

threat

of

up-

heaval is frequently digital era?

“You are going to upset

JAN-FEB

women who came forward

with

accusations

former

Holly-

But soon after, men

contained only through

with more positive social

herculean effort. Trump

cache

Weinstein

became the most recent

people,” says Josh Harris,

against

a pastor and author who

wood movie mogul Har-

were toppled by allega-

commander in chief to

knows a thing or two

vey Weinstein, with twin

tions, and you started

skirt

about apologizing (see

takedowns in The New

hearing rumblings about

a bevy of sexual mis-

page 18). “If your goal

Yorker and The New York

things going too far. Some

conduct allegations that

is just to make people

Times. The only person

of the allegations were

broke during the 2016

happy, people who have

in that case who really

from a long time ago. This

election

056

than

consequences

cycle.

for

White

2019

RO S E AN N E BA RR The actress and comedian’s eponymous sitcom was the

evangelical voters, 80 per-

of someone who has apol-

cent of whom voted for

ogized and said something

Trump, rationalized their

terrible, or has done some-

fired and the entire show

support in various ways,

thing terrible, in the public

without any involvement from

but the idea of forgiveness

space,” she says. “We can

was a big one.

forgive them, but what does

comeback story of 2018, until a racist tweet got her was canned, and later revived her whatsoever.

“We are all equally bad,

that forgiveness look like?

we are all sinners, we need

The only people that can

Christ’s forgiveness,” Lib-

truly answer that question

erty University President

with any sort of authority

Jerry Falwell Jr. told CNN

are the victims: the people

when pressed on his sup-

that accused them of what

port

despite

happened. But, as a society,

his multiple indiscretions.

we have ask the questions

“That’s

evangelicals

too. Like, what does it look

are so quick to forgive Don-

like to forgive a person of

ald Trump when he asks for

influence and power? And

forgiveness for things that

what do we do with the fact

happened 10, 15 years ago.”

that they have influence

and director of sexually

This, perhaps inadver-

and power, that they want

behavior in an explosive piece

tently, raises a key ques-

to come back into the pub-

tion: Who gets a do-over in

lic eye?”

modern society? And who

This is a common senti-

gets what they deserve?

ment among people who’ve

for

Trump

why

JAM E S FRA N C O Four of James Franco’s former students and one young woman who called him her mentor accused the actor inappropriate or exploitive in the Los Angeles Times.

been hurt by those in powFORGIVE ME?

er. An apology is made,

Nish Weiseth is an author

but it’s often just taken

and activist. She says that

for granted that a contrite

society needs to understand

spirit is enough to warrant

that there’s a difference be-

being brought back to the

tween individual forgive-

same position of authority.

ness, which happens be-

It’s an easy assumption but

tween two wronged parties,

not, perhaps, a safe one.

and communal forgiveness,

This was illustrated in

in which public restitution

March 2018 by Highpoint

caustic humor felt a line

is granted corporately.

Church in Memphis, Ten-

Ivanka Trump an unprintable

“ Let’s take an example

nessee, where pastor Andy

S AM ANT H A B EE Full Frontal with Samantha Bee has a reputation for

057

snarky clapbacks, but even devotees of Bee’s brand of was crossed when she branded obscenity. Bee apologized.

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

AZIZ ANS AR I Aziz Ansari had developed a reputation as a keen and witty navigator of modern relationships until a testimony on babe.net accused of him of aggressively pressuring a woman into sex while on a date.

Church at large.”

It’s like

stories these

that

demonstrate the difference

“Can we forgive both

be-

the person, while not for-

tween lip-service

giving the structure that

apologies

has caused the damage?”

of

incident”

eventually swayed by her

something more substan-

Weiseth

with a high school student

protests, and he resigned

tive, in which not only is

that’s

named

from his position.

the personal failing re-

we’re feeling right now.

Jules

Woodson

from two decades prior,

asks.

the

“I

tension

think that

pented of, but a broader

We should be able to for-

for

carelessly

analysis is conducted of

give the person and allow

tion of leadership.

turned the topic to my

what exactly went wrong

that person to be able to

accusa-

own story of moral change,

at a systemic level.

rehabilitate and figure out

tions, which he had pri-

as if getting my own life

“We have to evaluate

how to make things right,

vately

Savage

in order should help to

what restitution or what

while still not giving space

went on stage at Highpoint

make up for what she went

rehabilitation

for those oppressive struc-

and acknowledged what

through and continues to

looks like,” Weiseth says.

happened. Not unlike Lou-

go through,” Savage wrote

“How can we forgive a guy

In other words, the per-

is C.K. at the Comedy Cel-

in a statement. “Apologies

for the harm that he has

son who committed the

lar, he received a standing

are important, but more is

done, while simultaneous-

actual abuse is not neces-

ovation. “Forgiveness,” as

required. I know that step-

ly saying just because we

sarily the only one at fault.

it were, from the church.

ping down once, or even a

forgive him doesn’t mean

But not from Woodson.

second time, still doesn’t

he should continue to be

SORRY TO WHO?

“We as a church, of all

make things right for Jules.

in the place of power and

All of this is made more

places, should be getting

But addressing my own

influence?”

complicated by the fact

this right,” Woodson told

acts of abuse this way ac-

The Times in an emotional

knowledges

video and

the

disclosed,

interview. the

rest

Savage of

the

“When Jules cried out

and

when he’d been in a posiFollowing

JAN-FEB

that keep abusers safe.

leadership

“sexual

were

power structures in play

Savage faced accusations a

team

tance and forgiving the

justice,

I

actually

tures to continue.”

The key, according to

that abusers often have

impor-

Weiseth, is differentiating

a vast network of power-

tance of confronting abuse

between forgiving abusers

ful supporters to fall back

in our culture and in the

who show genuine repen-

on, while their victims are

the

058

2019

“Can we forgive a guy for the harm he’s done while simultaneously saying just because we forgive him doesn’t mean he should continue to be in a place of influence?” - Nish Weiseth required And

consequences.

while

God’s

grace

might be offered freely, there is still real hurt that more vulnerable and iso-

an apology.

would be made whole.”

needs to be addressed in

lated. Needling questions

Louis C.K. released a

“But I don’t know if

about why victims don’t

longer, less cautious state-

we’re at a place, societal-

meaningful

God’s promise of forgive-

ways.

Using

speak up sooner or why

ment after the allegations

ly, that we can allow for

ness as an excuse to ignore

they can’t remember spe-

against him. “These sto-

that,” she continues. “I’m

those consequences is an

cific details with more clar-

ries are true,” he wrote.

just not sure.”

abuse of grace. Learning to

ity fail to grasp the realities

“The hardest regret to live

of trauma and embolden

with is what you’ve done

FORGIVELESS

has been key for Harris’

abusers to maintain their

to hurt someone else. And

“I do think that one of the

own evolution.

claims of innocence, for

I can hardly wrap my head

most beautiful parts of the

“I think especially in

which the public’s bar is

around the scope of hurt I

Christian faith is that it ex-

the Church, we’ve been

far easier to clear.

brought on them.”

let go of that requirement

plains the cause of the evil

so focused on being right,

accused

And then less than a

that we see in the world,

looking

abusers frequently can get

year later came Louis C.K.’s

and it tells us that God is a

momentum.

away with offering neither

appearance at the Come-

God of justice, but then it

kinds of things, that the

a flat denial nor a sincere

dy Cellar. Is nine months

also gives us this amazing

weakness that comes with

attempt at repentance. As

enough time to warrant a

pathway

admitting

an example, Spacey re-

comeback?

and

This

is

why

of

redemption

reconciliation

strong, all

you’re

keeping those

wrong

with

seems counterproductive,”

leased a statement follow-

“Is there space for rec-

God,” Harris says. “I think

he says. “But I think it’s ac-

ing the allegations made

onciliation and restoration

where

have

tually the opposite. I think

against him in which he

within institutional power

gotten off track in differ-

that weakness and a sense

wrote: “If I did behave as

structures?” Weiseth says.

ent times is mixing those

of vulnerability and even

[the accuser] describes, I

“I don’t know. I want to

things together. Thinking

that sense of dying is a pic-

owe him the sincerest apol-

say yes, because I feel like,

that

forgiveness

ture of what the Christian

ogy for what would have

especially as a Christian,

should somehow sidestep

message has always been

been deeply inappropriate

we would hope that all

the consequences in the

about.”

drunken behavior.”

things would be restored

legal system, for example.”

This leaves open the

Christians

God’s

into wholeness, and that

This is the crux of the

Spacey’s

includes power structures

complication with forgive-

accuser is either lying or

and institutional influence

ness. At all times in history,

confused about what hap-

and all of that. So I would

there has been an under-

pened. It barely counts as

hope

standing that wrongdoing

possibility

that

that

those

things

059

T YLER HUCK A BEE is the senior editor at RELEVANT. You can find him on Twitter @tylerhuckabee.

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

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S

A

V

I

S

U

N

D

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BY T Y L E R H U C K A B E E

The history of Christianity has a very dark side. Can we make it right?

Y

IN

1860, a 57-year-old woman named

that convinced Brevard to take the

Keziah Goodwyn Hopkins Brevard

issue of her disobedient slaves to

took to her journal to joyfully make

God in prayer. “When we teach our

record of an answer to a prayer.

servants to serve God, they serve us,

“The Lord has been pleased to

of course,” Emilia had said, accord-

bless my supplication,” she wrote.

ing to Brevard’s recollections. “For

“For I always knew the work was

obedience to their earthly master

too great for my feeble powers to

is one branch of their duty to their

accomplish, and I have left it to Him

heavenly King.”

who does all difficult things for His creatures.”

Emilia’s words impacted Brevard deeply. “I never omit to pray that

The source of Brevard’s divine gratitude was the newfound obe-

God may give me good servants,” she later wrote.

dience of the enslaved people, of

This story, in which pious lan-

whom she owned about 200. She

guage and spiritual discipline are

was frequently irritated by their be-

twisted into a thing of almost un-

havior and kept record of her efforts

speakable wickedness, is far from

to be nicer to them. “Negroes are as

alone in even recent church history.

deceitful and lying as any people can

Prayer, like any other spiritual dis-

well be,” she wrote in another racist

cipline, is a gift. And like any gift, it

entry. “Lord give me better feelings

can be distorted. These distortions

towards them.”

can be immense, and leave an ugly

According to her journal entries, it was the influence of a friend and fellow slave owner named Emilia

061

legacy that no amount of hasty rug sweeping can cover up.

“When something is damaged in

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

the way that all things are because

into the history of the belief to which

would use the blood of Christian

of the Fall, sometimes the thing is

she’d just converted threw her into

babies in the preparation of Pass-

damaged in a way that appears to be

a tailspin. “I knew in some gener-

over meals. Host desecration was

arbitrary, and sometimes things are

al way that there was anti-Judaism

perhaps even more bizarre, involv-

damaged in a way that is about the

in the Church and that the Church

ing high-minded medieval debates

thing itself,” says bestselling author

had done violent things to Jews,” she

about the theology of Communion

Lauren Winner.

says. “I knew in a general way that

that could descend into church-sanc-

there had been a lot of violence in

tioned ethnic cleansing.

Winner is an associate professor of

“There began to be a pattern in the Middle Ages of Christians falsely charging a

“I think repentance and lament for Christians go hand-in-hand.”

Jew in their community or in their town with stealing a Eucharistic wafer and trying to destroy it,” Winner explains.

The story only gets more horrific from there: “The Eucharistic wafer magically or sacramentally resisted being destroyed, and then the false story would get told that Jews were stealing and trying to

Christian spirituality at Duke Divini-

the medieval era. But I knew nothing

destroy a consecrated Eucharistic

ty School, and she’s taken an interest

about the specifics.”

wafer,” she explains. “And that be-

in these sorts of damaged goods.

JAN-FEB

It’s true that a lot of the ugliest

came the discursive rationale for

In her most recent book, The Dan-

chapters in Christian history involve

Christians in that community to com-

gers of Christian Practice, Winner

specific and systemic instances of

mit horrible acts of violence. Some-

examines the tainted histories of

of racism and bigotry, but it’s often

times just killing the one Jew in ques-

baptism, the Eucharist and prayer

underestimated just how deep the

tion but sometimes killing the entire

(from which the above journal en-

toxic legacy of prejudice extends into

Jewish community, often burning

tries were excerpted) and grapples

Christianity.

down Jewish buildings, homes or the

with a question few are asking: What

“I knew about blood libel church-

is the appropriate way to repent of

es,” Winner says. “But I didn’t know

these things?

about host desecration.”

synagogue, and building chapels in their place.”

Acts like this were tragically com-

To define the terms, both blood li-

mon for more than 500 years, with

A LEGACY OF BLOOD

bel and host desecration involve sin-

the most recent documented accusa-

For Winner, the question has a per-

ister rumors European Christians in

tion taking place in 1836, in Romania.

sonal dimension. She was raised Jew-

the Middle Ages would spread about

When Winner began to explore

ish and became a Christian in the late

Jews to stoke racist animosity. Blood

the real history of Communion, she

’90s. To hear her tell it, her research

libel was the accusation that Jews

was rattled (“I think ‘devastated’

062

2019

is not too strong of a word”)

er Christians who find the sac-

In other words, lament has to

and anxious to know more. She

raments refreshing, Winner is

come with an attempt to be better.

became convinced that, “We have

concerned not enough is being

“If we can know which sins are

to find a way of talking about

done to repent of their respective

characteristic for our commu-

Eucharistic practice in a way that

histories.

nities, we can at least be on the

didn’t pretend that this history

be

lookout for them,” Winner says.

scrubbed out of any of our Chris-

“And we can at least then some-

tian communities until God is fin-

times avoid falling into them or

LAMENT

ished redeeming all of creation,”

embracing them. And if we’re on

“I’m really glad that Protestants

she says.

the lookout for them, we can per-

hadn’t happened.”

“I

don’t

think

sin

can

have recovered this category of

But, she says, the mistake would

haps more quickly notice when

Christian practice, but I felt like I

be to give in to cynicism and aban-

we have nonetheless fallen into

needed to sort of critique my own

don the work of redemption alto-

or embraced them and we can ask

gether. And she says the first step

God to allow us to enter into God’s

is simply recognizing that some-

work of repair.”

thing needs to be repented of.

Lauren Winner

Winner maintains that ancient

“I think lament is a very im-

Christian practices are good gifts,

portant part of any response to

but that sin has damaged them.

noting patterns of patriarchy, sex-

That doesn’t mean they should be

ism or noticing any other charac-

abandoned, but that we should be

teristic of sin,” she says. “I think

aware of our ability to damage

repentance and lament for Chris-

things—and own up to those ugly

tians go hand-in-hand. We hope to

truths, how they’ve reared their

repent of those things for which

heads in the past and how we’re

we have responsibility and agen-

determined to make things right.

cy, but lament is a needed part of

These are gifts worth fighting for.

our whole choreography, because

“There’s no perfect church on

lament is what we do when we

Earth,” she says. “And there’s no

come face-to-face with the recog-

escaping any of our characteristic

nition that some of the sinful be-

sins. However, I do think that we

havior is going to go on.”

can become attentive to the par-

Lament is a good start—a good

ticular deformations that we are

deal better than doing nothing at

inclined toward. That’s what I’m

all—but it’s just a start.

really interested in.”

“Lament without repentance is sort of rosy use of the category,”

a mistake,” Winner says. “But re-

Winner says.

pentance or an attempt to change

As some high church practices

things without lamenting the in-

like the Eucharist and baptism

evitable brokenness of a fallen

get more popular among young-

creation, I think is also a mistake.”

063

T YLER HUCK A BEE is RELEVANT’s senior editor. He’s on Twitter @tylerhuckabee.

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

DEREKMI The rapper thrives on the fringe, but that gives him more power to speak truth to the Church.

BY T Y L E R D A S W I C K

I

JAN-FEB

have always been in the

provocative–music to date, but, at the same time,

wilderness,” Derek Minor says,

he sees himself and many other Christian hip-hop

reflecting on his career. “I’m

artists at a crossroads.

going to stay there.”

As Minor sees it, he is in a

IDEAS AND DREAMS

battle on the fringe of hip-hop.

Ten years ago, when his career was first starting

Minor recently released a

out, Minor was selected to be a part of Reach

trilogy of EPs he calls Up and Away. Though each

Records’ original Unashamed Tour, where he and

have distinct themes, the references found on Your

his contemporaries at the faith/rap intersection were

Soul Must Fly, High Above and The Trap all have

playing to sold-out 7,000-seat venues without any

one thing in common: a blunt look at issues many

radio play to support their music.

Christians face, but are too afraid to talk about.

“That tour was just people with ideas and dreams,”

“My audience has always been the fringe church

he says. “It launched all of our careers: Andy

people,” he says. “I’ve talked about racism, drugs,

[Mineo], Lecrae, KB, it took Propaganda to another

alcoholism and all those different things. That’s not

level. That season gives me hope something like that

really the mainstream.”

could happen again. We [Christians in hip-hop] don’t

The reason he calls it “the wilderness” is because

fit in anywhere. We have everything in common

as he sees it, he is caught between two worlds:

with mainstream hip-hop, except the content doesn’t

the polished world of commercial, Christian

connect. We have to find out where we are within

industry music that avoids difficult topics and more

this space.”

mainstream hip-hop’s conflicted relationship with

It’s not a new conflict for Christian artists. So-

music about faith.

called “crossover” bands (from Jars of Clay to more

Ten years into his career, which has seen him

recent acts like NEEDTOBREATHE) have been trying

release six albums to critical acclaim and even

to navigate that in-between for years, but it’s different

serve as a producer on Lecrae’s Grammy-winning

for hip-hop. Hip-hop is young and at the forefront

Gravity, Minor is creating his best–and most

of social change, and most Christian music, Minor

064

2018

NOR emphasizes, is not young and not all

fringes of society like African

that concerned with social issues.

Americans and Hispanics,” he says.

“People won’t like me for saying

“They’re calling out the hypocrisy

this but Christian music has always

of the Church, and that makes a

been a retirement home,” Minor

rift between the white evangelical

says. “When you look at any other

male and everyone else. People feel

market, it’s about finding the

disenfranchised and there’s been

consumer when they’re 16 or 17,

a falling away of minorities from

but Christian music markets to a 40-

churches. We need to figure out how

50-year-old soccer mom.”

Christianity rebounds from that and

Minor doesn’t agree with industry

affirm we’re about Jesus.”

executives who try to replicate

Minor wants to create music for

the mainstream. To his thinking, if

a new kind of music fan–one that

someone likes Migos, they’re going

is comfortable in the wilderness of

to listen to Migos, not Christian rap.

their own. Those are the people that

“Do you put Christian rappers

Minor believes are really the future.

on mainstream playlists?” he asks.

“The Church has sent so many

“Every meeting we have with

mixed messages,” he says.

mainstream offices says the music

“Christianity has to find out how

is amazing. They don’t know how to

it intersects with today’s culture,

put us after Future.”

and until that happens, we’re in for some dire times. You have to create

WILDERNESS

your own tribe and be OK with your

These days, Minor is comfortable in

tribe. That’s the answer. How you do

the “wilderness,” because he now

that is the question.”

feels free to talk about ideas that make some Christian audiences uncomfortable. And, for Minor, that’s the whole point.

“America is becoming more liberal, including people on the

065

T YLER DASWICK is the senior writer at RELEVANT. Follow him on Twitter @TylerDaswick.

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

How far-out ideas have infiltrated the Church— especially for millennials.

BY J E S S I C A S T E V E N S

E

arlier this year, research website

YouGov

released

the findings of a survey compiled by data journal-

ist Hoang Nguyen. Researchers asked participants, “Do you believe that the world is round?” Most respondents (84 percent) said they’ve always believed the basic scientific fact, but surprisingly, five percent said, “I always thought the world is round, but more recently I am skeptical/have doubts.”

That may seem like a high number, but skepticism about the Earth’s shape jumps dramatically among millennials: seven percent of 25- to 34-year-olds have their doubts, and 10 percent of 25to 34-year-olds say they are not sure if it’s flat or round.

The research also had another interesting outlier: The more religious someone is, the more likely they are to believe the Earth is flat.

According to the research, 52 percent of flat-

far outside the main-

Earthers say they are “very religious” and 23

stream? And what hap-

percent are somewhat religious—a far greater

pens when conspiracy

number than non-religious flat-Earthers.

theories move from the

The flat-Earth movement has grown so

realm of the ridiculous

much in Christian circles that Answers in Gen-

to something much dark-

esis—a multimillion-dollar nonprofit that es-

er and more sinister?

pouses “young Earth creationism”—has a large page on their website dedicated to combating

I WANT TO BELIEVE

flat-Earthers.

“We have many biases in our mind to try and

The author of the piece, Dr. Danny Faulkner

make us understand the complex world that is

(who holds multiple degrees in astronomy and

our world, and one of those biases is confirma-

physics), offers this anecdote about a surprise

tion bias, which is where you just find informa-

discussion with colleagues about meeting a

tion that supports your viewpoint,” explains Dr.

seemingly well-educated young Christian who

Daniel Jolley, a scholar who studies the psychol-

believed the Earth is flat: “Within days of my

ogy of conspiracy theories.

conversation, I had two additional, yet inde-

Experts believe our tendency to fall into the

pendent, conversations with people having

trap of confirmation bias can lead some people

similar concerns about two other Christian

to slip into a rabbit hole of conspiracies. The

young people … With three conversations over

problem is especially prominent in the internet

less than a week, I wondered, ‘Is something go-

era, where people can find information that

ing on out there?’”

confirms whatever value they hold—and ignore

To answer his rhetorical question: Yes, some-

any information that does not.

thing is going on.

JAN-FEB

For example, if someone believes the main-

Conspiracy theories are now a major part

stream media only produces “fake news,” they

of culture, and many share a common prem-

can simply ignore it and seek information from

ise: A powerful group of elite individuals are

alternative sources.

withholding or distorting the truth. Many flat-

“With one quick search, you’ll be able to find

Earthers believe NASA was created to deceive

people who are similar to you, and there you

humanity about the true nature of reality, so

are, you’re stuck in that chamber,” he explains.

only the elites can know how the world re-

“With conspiracy theories being so powerful, so

ally works. Everyone else believes a lie. Flat-

influential, they can change our beliefs without

Earthers are out to expose the truth.

us realizing. We can be in this chamber and

Sure, believing the Earth is flat seems pretty

realize that this conspiracy theory we read on

ridiculous, but why are Christians so suscepti-

this blog or on Twitter has taken over our belief,

ble to believing it and other “theories” that go

and then we stay supporting that. Which shows

068

2019

the peril of conspiracy

cropped back up in modern conspiracy the-

theories really, and how

ory circles. Alex Jones, arguably pop culture’s

they’re potentially quite

most notorious conspiracy theorist, draws an

dangerous.”

audience of hundreds of millions to his site

The danger he’s talking

InfoWars, and has even met and interviewed

about is very real. Many

powerful political figures—including President

modern conspiracy theo-

Donald Trump. (In 2015, Trump told him, “Your

ries—from the flat-Earth

reputation is amazing” in an on-air interview.)

movement to people who think terrorist attacks

Jones professes to be a Christian and fre-

and mass shootings are actually “false flag”

quently talks about attacks on what he sees as

operations coordinated by the government

“Christian” values. However, Jones holds many

to sway political opinions—operate just a few

extreme and dangerous ideas.

steps away from a singular, larger idea: that a

For example, he believes billionaire George

secretive global elite, who some believe are the

Soros is the head of a “Jewish mafia” that ac-

“Illuminati,” are pulling the strings while also

tually worked alongside Hitler. Recently, Jones

pulling a veil over everyone else’s eyes.

was banned from major social media platforms

“If your central belief is that people are con-

after suggesting that the victims of mass shoot-

spiring and you don’t trust the information

ings were actors.

they’re giving to you, you then can endorse

Since then, many parents of children killed

multiple conspiracy theories,” Jolley explains.

in shootings have been harassed by conspiracy

Many of these conspiracies date back to ideas

theorists and Alex Jones fans.

found in a century-old book known as The Pro-

Following the “Unite the Right” white su-

tocols of the Elders of Zion. The book, which also

premacist rally in Charlottesville, Jones took to

contains strange-looking symbols, was said to

the radio to speculate that many of the people

be the meeting notes from a secret gathering

there were “leftist Jews” who incited violence to

of Jewish leaders and Freemasons, “The Elders

make the white supremacists look bad. He said,

of Zion,” who outlined their plan to conspire

“I mean, quite frankly, I’ve been to these events,

to slowly take over the world’s media, govern-

a lot of the KKK guys with their hats off look

ments and banks in an effort to destroy Chris-

like they’re from the cast of Seinfeld. Literally,

tianity. The book, however, is a hoax, and was

they’re just Jewish actors.”

written with the sole intention of turning peo-

But even if an internet user doesn’t know the

ple against Jews. It was used by Nazis and Ger-

more insidious origins of the conspiracy theory

man schoolteachers who taught it to students

they’ve begun to research, the results of buying

during the Holocaust.

into it can be devastating.

Despite being debunked as a fraud decades THE WORST CASE

ago, some of the ideas in The Protocols have

069

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

CONSPIRACY THEORY GREATEST HITS Not all conspiracy theories are dreamed up

On Dec. 4, 2016, a then-

Welch has since been

28-year-old man named

sentenced to four years

Edgar Welch drove sever-

in prison for endangering

al hours from his home in

the lives of the people in

North Carolina to a pizza

the restaurant that day. He

restaurant

Washing-

later apologized, writing

ton, D.C. and stormed in,

that he “came to D.C. with

has gained new traction online, where

armed with a loaded AR-

the intent of helping peo-

it’s rumored that Stanley Kubrick filmed

15 and several other fire-

ple I believed were in dire

the moon landing on a Hollywood set.

arms. Welch believed the

need of assistance, and to

restaurant was actually a

bring an end to a corrup-

front for a child sex-traf-

tion that I truly felt was

ficking ring run by pow-

harming innocent lives.”

equally. Here are some of the most popular:

4 FA K E M O O N L A N D I N G This one pre-dates the internet age but

3 QANON Believers think an anonymous 4chan

in

erful political figures. He

They were beliefs that

had come to save the chil-

formed

dren, and blow a conspira-

about conspiracy theories

while

learning

cy theory wide open.

on the internet.

user named “Q” is actually a government

Along with consuming

Welch’s case is extreme.

insider leaking information about what’s

InfoWars videos, Welch

Most people who encoun-

really going on behind the scenes.

frequently posted about

ter—or

politics, the Bible and his

lieve—conspiracy theories

Christian faith on social

don’t take up arms and

media. It was there

he

storm family restaurants.

first learned about “Piz-

But such actions are be-

D E E P S TAT E

zagate,” a conspiracy later

coming more common.

A broad theory with dozens of sub-

propagated by Jones, that,

This fall, Soros, who

theories spiraling out, all revolving

coupled with his faith and

supports the Democratic

passion to save children,

Party and is the subject

inspired

of many anti-Semitic con-

2

around the idea of a secret cabal of politicians who really run the country.

1 F L AT E A R T H The mother of all conspiracies says scientists and leaders have been

Welch

to

the

storm the restaurant.

even

fully

be-

spiracies, was among the

As he soon found out,

high-profile figures who

there were indeed chil-

had pipe bombs mailed to

dren in Comet Ping Pong

their homes.

pizzeria—eating

dinner

But it’s the more subtle

with their families and

behaviors of conspiracy

other

theorists

customers.

There

was no trafficking ring.

people

that like

concern

Jolley.

He

misleading the public pretty much since the time of Magellan.

JAN-FEB

070

2019

points to people who reject science (beyond just

can actually make you feel more in control and

flat-Earthers) and whose behaviors risk other

less anxious, less uncertain. You know what has

people’s well-being.

happened.”

“We typically find out that if someone believes

Jolley is right; it’s only natural to look for an-

... that the climate scientists affect their data for funding, they’re less likely to reduce their carbon footprint,” he says.

Notably, a 2015 Pew Research Center poll on the topic found that the group with the highest percentage of people to not believe that the Earth was getting warmer because of human activity was white evangelical Christians. Only 28 percent believed it.

Along with climate change deniers, Jolley also points to people who reject scientific data about vaccinations and refuse to vaccinate their children, leaving them in danger of contracting deadly If the earth is round, how come people on the South Pole

diseases.

don’t fall off, hm? Makes you think.

But Jolley says to truly understand why people believe these ideas in the first place, you have to understand

swers in a confusing world. But Christians should

human psychology. What his team has found is

forgo the temptation to look toward a conspiracy

that at the core of these behaviors and tendencies

theory to make them feel more secure or in con-

is something very simple: a need to feel like you’re

trol. After all, the Bible says, “Trust in the Lord ...

in control.

and lean not on your own understanding.”

“If you imagine, a big event happens—a plane

Conspiracies offer easy answers, and that can

goes missing or someone dies—people want to

be part of the problem.

explain why that’s happened, because it makes them feel uneasy and anxious, which are not good feelings,” he explains. “So we’re looking for answers, and a conspiracy theory finds a really good answer for what happened. That theory

JESSICA STEVENS is a freelance journalist who lives in Manhattan with her husband and newborn daughter.

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072

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2019

BY J E S S E C A R E Y

How the indie rockers embraced their roots to shape their future

O

N

A Arizona may be the most ironically named band in music. Despite the stateinspired moniker—chosen because the stylized version, A R I Z O N A, looked cool on T-shirts—the band’s three members, singer Zachary Charles and instrumentalists Nate Esquite and David Labuguen, proudly hail from New Jersey. And, in a way, their home state is the fourth member of the band.

“I think there’s something in the water,” Esquite says, only half-joking.

Esquite looks back at their early years performing in local basements as formative experiences that shaped the ethos of the band. “That was the thing; you didn’t go to parties, you didn’t go to shows in the city,” he says. “Your friend would be like, ‘Yo, my parents are out of town, whose band wants to play?’ … You all just get together and throw a huge party and play some music. It became very community focused, and I feel like that’s always been the Jersey scene.

“Even going back to Bruce Springsteen. His music was very

073

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

community focused.”

The name-drop isn’t incidental.

an all-American blonde, like white chick, curly

The legend of the Boss loomed

hair … for us, it was

over the band’s debut album

important to do today’s

Gallery (which earned a spot on

re-imagination of that, and

the Billboard Top 200), and this

feature someone who is

year’s Cold Nights // Summer Days.

a minority,” Esquite says.

The songs not only feature the

“For us, as a culturally

kind of massive launch-off points

diverse band, that’s really,

that Springsteen is known for but

really important to us.”

also the blue-collar, narrative-

After officially becoming

centric songwriting that’s made

a band back in 2015, they

him a rock icon. But these aren’t

started to tour relentlessly.

just any stories—they’re stories of

That’s when they had a

community and the power it has

sort of epiphany about

over people’s lives.

the kinds of songs they wanted to write. Instead of

THE GRIND

first-person confessional

The song “What She Wants,”

ballads, they wanted to

one of Arizona’s big summer

make music for—and

singles, tells the story of a girl

about—other people from

who “sings her favorite songs,

all backgrounds.

does her makeup in the bathroom

year or two on the road,

she don’t even know what love is

meeting people face

like / She been dancing in the dark

to face, not just seeing

throughout her life.”

numbers on Spotify or

With big ’80s-inspired synth,

streaming and things

it’s a fun song starring a person

like that,” Charles says,

you might meet in the basement

thinking of tours with the

of a house show in New Jersey.

indie-rock outfit Coin and

And in the video, they made a

playing large stages on the

very intentional choice. Though

summer festival circuit.

inspired by ’80s movies like

JAN-FEB

“We spent the last

/ She dances in the mirror … But

“And when you meet

Flashdance and Footloose,

these people face to face

featuring a lone dancer in an

that follow your work, you

abandoned warehouse working

realize how personal they

out her pain, the video stars a

make your music, and how

woman of color named Jessica

much they make it their

Castro.

own. And I think for us

L-R

“When you think of the lead

that was such a realization

Labuguen, Zachary

in those ’80s films, and think of

of like, there’s another side

074

Nate Esquite, David Charles

2019

“We produce the songs out, but we always make sure they get stripped back to the bare bones because if the song’s not saying something at its core, then it’s not doing its job.” to it. Because typically

shadow cast by the

want to make music that brings

often-pretentious,

all people together—no matter

and sometimes

what kind of music you like.

impenetrable world

“Accessibility is at the core

of New York City

of what we believe a good song

and its constantly

does,” Labuguen explains. “We

shifting scene that

produce the songs out, but

can define and

we always make sure they get

redefine what’s

stripped back to the bare bones

“cool.”

because if the song’s not saying

This isn’t music for critics and fickle tastemakers.

something at its core, then it’s not doing its job.”

Since forming, Arizona has

This is music for

signed to a major label (Atlantic),

the people—for

seen their faces on the digital

community.

marquee outside of Madison

“We are a bunch of kids

Square Garden and played shows

when you think about

from New Jersey who grew up

all over the world. But if there’s

creation, you think

more or less on the downside of

one thing they don’t want to

about creating from

advantage,” Charles says. They

forget it’s where they came from

your experiences … For

grew up leaning on other people

and what that still means to them.

us, it was really cool to

instead of trying to climb a ladder

start writing stories.”

over them.

To hear Charles

“It’s never been competitive in

“Now that we’re lucky enough to be in a spotlight, where people are looking at us, I think when

describe it, using

the sense that people are trying to

they look at us, or when they

narrative-leaning

knock each down to get ahead of

listen to our music, or see our

writing wasn’t a

each other,” Esquite says. “We’re

videos, or see our shows or

creative decision but

all from the same place, and

whatever, we just want to say,

one of obligation. Not

we’re all trying to prove we’re

‘We are exactly the same as you

just to fans, but to the

better than New York” (again,

guys,’” Charles says. “Whoever

communities that made

only half-joking).

you are. Whoever you’re

them want to make music in the first place.

Now, after breaking onto

becoming, whatever you’re

the indie-pop radar, Arizona

coming from, it’s all good, man.

has made a decision: What will

Our songs are for that person.

A NEW JERSEY STATE

ultimately determine where they

That person just happens to be—

OF MIND

go is where they came from.

if we’re honest with ourselves—

There’s a populist spirit

almost everybody.”

that inhabits the art

FOR THAT PERSON

of a place like New

At the center of Arizona’s creative

Jersey, where music

process is an ideal that runs

is created in the long

counter to that current: They

075

JESSE CAREY is the brand director at RELEVANT. You can find him on Twitter @jessecarey.

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

R E L E VA N T SELECTS

FILM/TV MUSIC BOOKS

NEW RELEASES YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT

Khalid Who picked this kid to reinvent R&B? KHALID WAS RAISED a little bit of

everywhere, which might be why his music strikes such a universal chord.

It’s somewhere between Frank Ocean and alt-J, with a dose of early ’90s R&B. And it’s all tied together by Khalid’s unmistakable voice, which can slur from an almost Cartman-like growl to a soaring, angelic tenor as easily as you can change your mind.

If all this sounds a little hard to imagine, that’s because Khalid exists in a just slightly different realm of imagination than most artists. His songs aren’t quite R&B, but even “indie,” that all-encompassing umbrella, doesn’t feel quite right.

Khalid’s making something too pretty, accessible, creative and idiosyncratic to be thrown into any simplistic genre bucket. But his melodies are so finely tuned and imminently hummable that with one listen, you’ll wonder how a sound like this hasn’t been created before. Coming from Khalid, it sounds as natural as breathing.

SUNCITY [RCA RECORDS]

A journey through the most distant stars by way of a drive through South Texas.

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2018

Empress Of Like a summer pool party thrown in the dead of winter

H

ER NAME IS LORELY RODRIGUEZ, but this

Honduran-American’s decidedly aspirational moniker is about to be a household name by virtue of her hook-y pop vibes offset with just a

touch of weirdness. Think Grimes covering Bjork. The result is an inviting party attitude in which you’re never quite sure what’s going to happen next. Empress Of may not be entirely sure either, given how spontaneous everything sounds, but hey: The best parties have a few surprises.

US [XL RECORDINGS]

Pop music follows a standard format, which is why Empress Of’s tinkering is such a treat. She knows just how to zig when you think she’s going to zag.

WIDOWS

Come for Viola

INSIDER OUTSIDER

reality clear that what

STEVE MCQUEEN

Davis’ powerhouse

BRYAN LORITTS

should be and what

[REGENCY]

performance, stay

[ZONDERVAN]

for Steve McQueen

is are two different things, as he describes

A jaw-dropping, nail-

and Gillian Flynn’s

Maybe race shouldn’t

his journey as a black

biting experience with

subversive heist-thriller

be a divisive issue in

man in evangelicalism.

its eye on substantive

script that is among

the Church, but pastor

His observations are

entertainment.

2018’s absolute best.

Bryan Loritts makes the

humbling and vital.

Sarah Reeves A LOT OF PRAISE and worship music follows the scent of the Billboard Hot 100, mimicking whatever trend is working for the tween hitmaker set. But Sarah Reeves sounds more like she’s on the bleeding edge, looking not just at where pop music is, but also where it might go in the future. The truths she’s singing about in her

EASY NEVER NEEDED YOU [SPARROW RECORDS]

Sarah Reeves was mentored in the industry by Tiffany Arbuckle Lee of Plumb fame, and it shows in Reeves’ vocal

worship music are ancient, but the music is

confidence and welcome

anything but.

musical daring.

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RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

02/03

RECOMMENDS

How to Dress Well Impossible to categorize? Definitely.

Important to listen to? Assuredly.

TOM KRELL IS INTERESTED in

swoons between soothing R&B

the hard to define, whether

beats, shimmery pop anthems

that be sonically or lyrically.

and dancy electronica. How

In between recording albums,

to Dress Well is pushing back

he’s working on a Ph.D. in

against simplistic concepts of

philosophy at DePaul University,

what it means to stay in your

and you can tell, not just in

lane. It’d be irritating from most

the navel-gazey introspection

acts, but in Krell’s hands, it feels

of his lyrics but the expansive

more like its own lane—one

palette of the music itself, which

expansive enough for all of us.

THE GOSPEL COMES THE ANTEROOM [DOMINO RECORDS]

This album walks a line between beauty and creepiness, crafting walls of sound that threaten to overwhelm just before they turn soothing.

WITH A HOUSE KEY ROSARIA BUTTERFIELD [CROSSWAY]

What does evangelism mean for the modern world? By sharing the story of her own conversion, Butterfield lives the answer.

TOM KRELL (AKA HOW TO DRESS WELL) BARES HIS SOUL. EVENING MACHINE GREGORY ALAN ISAKOV [SUITCASE TOWN]

It’s hard to imagine someone not falling for Gregory Alan Isakov’s exquisite melodies, which sound as natural and breezy as a chuckle.

BEAUTIFUL BOY FELIX VAN GROENINGEN [PLAN B

JAN-FEB

GLASS

HONEY

M. NIGHT SHYAMALAN

ROBYN

[BLUMHOUSE]

[INTERSCOPE]

It took a few decades for Shyamalan

Robyn remains the unparalleled

to get his groove back, but it was well

navigator of both the club and the

worth the wait.

insecurities unearthed in it.

078

ENTERTAINMENT]

This wrenching true story is about a boy’s addiction battle and his dad’s refusal to let go against the impossible.

2018 2017

LOVE ME/LOVE ME

VIRGIL WANDER

MAGGIE ROGERS

LEIF ENGER

HEARD IT IN A PAST LIFE

[ATLANTIC MONTHLY PRESS]

[CAPTIOL RECORDS]

Enger probably wouldn’t call what he

Given her ubiquity, it’s easy to forget

does “Christian fiction,” but lovers of

Maggie Rogers hadn’t technically

fiction who happen to be Christian will

released a full album until now, but

most certainly fall in love with his work.

her patience—and ours—paid off.

NOT HONNE [ATLANTIC]

Honne is simultaneously forward-looking and mired in the past, mimicking the swooping sounds of old lounge lizards while giving them a fresh polish.

Anderson .Paak Yes Lawd!

EVERY GENERATION GETS at

teeth playing piano and drums

least one hip-hop savior. Our

in the church choir, but his chief

generation has at least a half

instrument right now is his mind,

dozen, and Anderson .Paak is one

which seems on fire with the pure

OXNARD

of them. Brandon Paak Anderson

delight of creativity. His flow is

[AFTERMATH]

is the rare triple-threat lyricist,

breezy, languid and summery—

producer and emcee for whom

evocative of Los Angeles. But

fresh, invigorating hip-hop seems

Anderson .Paak clearly has his

hip-hop, but they rarely

as easy as breathing. He cut his

eyes on global dominance.

feel this vital.

Love letters to L.A. are well-worn terrain for

FREE SOLO JIMMY CHIN [ NATIONAL

GEOGRAPHIC] This documentary on Alex Honnolld’s 3,000foot climb up El Capitan with no rope has as many thrills as anything you’ll see all year.

BITTER ORANGE CLAIRE FULLER [TIN HOUSE BOOKS]

This tightly wound psychological thriller calls to mind Wuthering Heights in its deft exploration of the way unchecked infatuation can transform into corrupting obsession.

079

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

03/03

SELECTS

Elle King ELLE KING WANTS TO be the bratty punk-

rock girl who kicks her boots up on the bar counter and sends would-be lotharios flying out the windows. And maybe she is. But her songwriting also betrays a tender, inquisitive soul who is aware of her own insecurities and deeply worried about fitting in even as she pretends to be past all that.

SPIRIT [RCA]

Rock ‘n’ roll doesn’t and has never needed a savior. It got one anyway.

LITTLE

Go read Wikipedia. This

CAPTAIN MARVEL

Studios to put a woman

EDWARD CAREY

is a creatively fancified,

ANNA BODEN, RYAN

superhero alone in the

[RIVERHEAD]

JAN-FEB

SHAKE THE

imaginative and

FLECK

entirely fictional take

[MARVEL STUDIOS]

spotlight, and given Boden and Fleck’s masterful

Ever wanted a real

on Tussauds’ origin. It’s

history of how Madame

very bad history. But it’s

It only took slightly more

is just the first of many.

Tussauds came to be?

wonderful storytelling.

than 10 years for Marvel

Further, faster, more.

080

direction, let’s hope this

2018

Crowder The worship music icon’s latest effort is as good as anything he’s ever done.

D

AVID CROWDER has always felt a little larger and more adventurous than his genre permitted;

like he wanted to push Christian music to places he didn’t feel quite allowed to go. But Crowder’s getting more bold as of late, incorporating a blues-y Southern twang into his prog-rock jams, meaning his new album sits at a curious intersection between Pink Floyd and Big Star. It absolutely works, mostly by virtue of

I KNOW A GHOST [SIXSTEPS]

Don’t let the spooky title fool you. This is a celebration of life

Crowder’s daring. Assists by everyone from

and a call to arms.

the Social Club Misfits to Mandisa don’t

The hooks are just a

hurt either,

welcome bonus.

JUSTICE

INTE R N AT I O N A L

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2018

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RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

LAST WORD A Thought Before We Go

rhyme or reason, lying on top of each other, seasons mixed and mingled, I feel sentimental for all the versions of Annie that are

You Are You on Purpose

represented in there and for the way they’ve all blended together to make me.

I want you to feel sentimental about you, too. I want you to draw some hearts around your own life too. I want you to look

Old journals are life stories with no accidents.

back on your life—in pictures or

I BELIEVE IN

journals or knick-knacks—and

A GOD WHO

see that you are you on purpose.

Yes, you’ve experienced some

BY A N N I E F. D O W N S

I

n my bedroom is a plastic

I have three beside me right

STILL DOES THE

tragedies. Yes, you’ve been

UNBELIEVABLE IN

treated in ways you didn’t

OUR LIVES AND

deserve by other people. Yes,

ON OUR PLANET

hurt exists amidst all the growth

tub full of journals from

now, the three that have lived

and joys and season change.

... I’VE SEEN

the last 20 years. I’m quite

with me throughout these last

Of course it does. I wouldn’t

IT IN MY LIFE.

the journaler during most

few seasons of my life. I usually

pretend otherwise.

I’VE SEEN HIM DO

seasons. I talk a lot, I write a lot,

finish one and then end up

and I tend to journal a lot. I don’t

putting it away pretty quickly,

I’m not asking you to remember

run out of words, for better or

but this hasn’t been the case

your life with rose-colored

KNOW HE COULD OR

for worse. But ever since I was

lately.

glasses. I’m just asking you to

WOULD DO.

a senior in high school, I have

I’m downplaying none of that.

Lately, I’m flipping back

remember your life is yours for

jotted down the stories God was

through them frequently,

a reason. For a purpose. And the

telling in my life, the way the

reminding myself of what I

same is true for me.

deck was being dealt for me.

knew then that maybe I can

They’re all there—the miracles,

still know today. And as I flip

in miracles. I believe in a God

the heartbreaks, the tragedies,

through, I thank the Annie from

who still does the unbelievable

the joys, the changing of seasons

the red floral journal for all the

in our lives and on our planet,

and the moving of time. The

ways she believed, and I thank

things we cannot understand.

faithfulness of God.

the Annie from the black and

I’ve seen it in my life. I’ve seen

gold journal for not giving up.

Him do what I did not know He

If we could all bring our tubs of journals to the same party,

WHAT I DID NOT

I’m also asking you to believe

I haven’t behaved perfectly

could or would do.

they would be different. No two

in my life and I’m not proud

would be the same. Different

of every word I’ve written in

through, even my current story,

covers, different spines. And

every journal. I feel like, as my

is serving a purpose that future

even if by some crazy chance

friend Bill Lokey says, “I’ve done

Annie will look back on when

we’d purchased and written

some things, in some of my life,

these three journals that are

in the same journal, the words

rather clumsily.” But when I look

sitting beside me end up in

inside would be different words.

down into the mess that’s now

the container with the rest of

based in Nashville,

20ish journals stacked with no

them.

Tennessee.

JAN-FEB

Everything I have been

084

A NNIE F. DOW NS is a bestselling author, podcaster and speaker (and cowgirl extraordinaire)

2019

03

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2018