Having spent a bit of time being part of the local underground music scene, I must confess I have developed a bit of a bad habit.
The habit was challenged to its core last year, and I am pleased to say some pleasant changes have occurred as a result.
The roots of it stretch back to my early to mid teens, but for about seven years I have performed in bands and as a solo singer - songwriter, and have been a keen gig watcher in both Wollongong and Sydney.
I am a keen supporter of underground or independent music and artists, and as a teen, I grew up during the 1990's Seattle grunge / alternative music era and spent a lot of time listening to Triple J radio station.
I had developed a dislike and a critical attitude towards commercial focused music and commercial radio stations, as well as commercial music video programs.
And as a songwriter, I had been a little conscious of making sure my music doesn't sound too commercial, which is a little silly because by doing so you run the risk of making music inaccessible.
OLD HABITS DIE HARD
Last year my pastor challenged me to write some chunky rocker worship songs, "Songs about revolution and being apart of a revolution … anthems,” he said.
Initially my old "prejudices” came out and began to wage an inner war because I had also been critical of modern contemporary worship music.
I am not anti – modern contemporary worship music as some brilliant songs have been written.
"Lead Me to The Cross” written by Kiwi singer – songwriter Brooke Fraser, which appears on a Hillsong United album, is just genius.
Songs written by the likes of Paul Baloche, Brenton Brown, Irishmen Robin Marks, and the stuff from the Christian City Church are just as good.
My main criticism of some of it can sound the same and be a bit bland.
Some of the lyrical content can be quite weak and fluffy, and perhaps not genuine enough to encourage church congregations to sing.
I can't say that I feel completely honest singing, "All want is more of you,” or "Everyday I live for you,” or something along those lines in full voice to God knowing that at some stage during the week I haven't felt like that or lived like that.
Oddly enough I prefer a lot of the old hymns over modern contemporary music because the lyrical content is much more deeper, profound and honest.
Commercialism has also crept into worship making it in to more of an industry and business rather than it being a ministry.
There are two types of commercialism. One is commercialism as in accessibility and then there is commercialism as in industry and making money.
In music, or in the arts, to make music more accessible for a band or an artist means to create music more people will listen to with out necessarily neglecting your own style or sound.
And then there is commercialism where the music is just about making money and selling records.
Of course, record companies want to make money, and both secular and Christian record companies do market certain songs and artists to make money.
These days such is the demand record companies place on bands and artists to write a hit song for the radio, many feel its easier to go independent because the pressure isn't too strong produce a song they feel doesn't rob them of an artistic licence.
A NEW PERSPECTIVE
I took the challenge on from my pastor because I believe the modern contemporary worship music movement could be doing it a lot better than it currently does.
At present most modern contemporary worship music seems to reflect the music heard on a commercial radio stations. Some of it is good and some of it is not so good.
I understand the need to make music more accessible and by writing music that sounds like stuff heard on the radio means it will sound more attractive to non – Christians.
But I would argue that some of it is still inaccessible.
I would argue modern contemporary worship and popular Christian music does not push the boundaries enough and that not all genres of music are explored. Not all teenagers listen to emo, punk, indie or garage rock, some listen to metal and rap. Some even listen to jazz and country, and old crooners.
Not all twenty something's listen to U2 or Green Day, in fact a large percentage of twenty something's if they are not listening to commercial radio stations, are listening to underground and independent music.
I would argue a lot of current worship music reflects the music tastes of Generation – Xer's and Baby Boomers.
I would argue that there are a number of Christian musicians like myself with similar feelings who know this and are not doing something to change it, and if you are not, well your church needs you and your pastor is looking for you.
LOOSEN UP, ITS ONLY ROCK AND ROLL
I am no musical academic. I learned to play the guitar so I could write songs like a story teller like Bob Dylan.
I had about 6 months worth of lessons before I taught myself other techniques.
My own personal style is alternative rock fused with folk, soul, gospel and blues.
I haven't been writing chunky hard rockers or punk rock songs for over five years or so, so it has taken some discipline to be able to do that as well do my own thing.
What I have taken on board as I have begun to write worship music is the reality that God has given me a gift to be able to write songs.
I can write songs from a mix of musical genres, mostly rock genres and sub – genres, and so as part of the responsibility of having that gift, I know I have to explore writing songs for the building up of God's Kingdom.
And exploring other styles is not a bad thing, one can learn a lot by doing so.
While I am writing worship songs, I try to seperate them from my regular works, so it doesn't matter if its my usual style or not. The main thing is I look to do it well.
There is nothing wrong with writing songs that is accessible, you don't lose your artistic licence by doing that, by doing that all you are doing is seeing to it your gift is serving God, and its his people who enjoy the benefits of it.
And the reality is the songs are not about me, they're not for me.
So I have just decided to loosen up, to get inspired, and write with in my strengths and explore my weaknesses and have fun with it.
After all that is what rock and roll is all about.