Formerly the lead singer of alt-rock band Anberlin, Stephen Christian knows what musical success looks like. He was part of smash hit songs such as "Feel Good Drag", "Impossible", and "The Unwinding Cable Car". Anberlin went on world tours in Europe, across North America, and more time and time again. The Anberlin members went separate ways in December 2014 on good terms, but Stephen Christian kept his foot in the door in the music industry. He has a side project titled Anchor & Braille as well as a solo project he's worked on. He is one of my favorite artists, both vocally and talent-wise, so it's a pleasure to introduce you to Stephen Christian.
Stephen, what got you into music and singing in the first place?
Stephen: Singing was in my blood from an early age, many Christmas's were spent around the fireplace singing with my family. I can still hear my dad's booming bass voice and my grandfather's southern gospel influence belting louder than everyone else combined. Over the years being in bands, starting bands, being around music was almost secondary to me, but it wasn't until the mid 90's that I started to song write/perform.
What would you say is the biggest challenge to putting together a new album?
Stephen: Finding the time to push the record, I have many other projects that I am helping others try and get off the ground as well as my day job and family. When I was in Anberlin all I thought about was Anberlin, which is a luxury. Now, life has me in so many directions that I can't even tour to push the record... which has it's positives and negatives.
What does life look like right now?
Stephen: It looks like sleeping in the same bed as my wife, waking up and reading books with my kids while listening to 'hammock'. Staring at the Sandia mountains and feeding my wife's horses. Then heading to the studio to work on whatever song is next on the agenda, creating creative ideas and components for Calvary Albuquerque, and then performing my duties as a Pastor (counseling, speaking, and mentoring).
What’s your favorite song you’ve composed? Your favorite artist outside of yourself?
Stephen: "I'd Like to Die" lyrically and "Cadence" musically. The best album is Quiet Life and my favorite artists are Nina Simone, Morrisey, and Jeff Buckley.
What do you miss most about Anberlin?
Stephen: Nothing, yet.
Who is someone that really impacted you?
Stephen: My father loved me and loves me unconditionally, I never felt like my dreams were so far out of reach. He is a visionary who installed a lust for tomorrow in my soul; I never questioned if he cared and his words always had a way of piercing my heart. If I love my kids half as much as he loved his, they would turn out just fine.
Describe your upcoming project Wildfires to us.
Stephen: I wrote these songs for other people in 2014-2015 while writing for Word Publishing. After a short while I realized that these compositions were the overflow of my heart; these words and songs were my life in audio form. I soon realized I had to be more than the composer, I had to be the artist as well and thus Wildfires was born.
Any tours on the way? And how can we support you in the upcoming months?
Stephen: You can support me by listening/purchasing Wildfires, praying for me, and following me on social media: @christianmusic. Reach out! I love to hear from friends and fans alike! As far as touring I can honestly say I hope so, but that is for fate and timing to decide, my wife is pregnant with our third child and I want to be a part of every moment for the first time in my life. Prior to this, I had missed first words, smiles, and steps. Never again.
Find Stephen Christian here. Be sure not to miss out on his new album, Wildfires! You can get it on iTunes as well as his albums with Anberlin.
