LOOP COMMUNITY
COWRITING AND CXMMXNS W / REUBEN MORGAN & BEN FIELDING | Matt McCoy
Reuben Morgan & Ben Fielding join Loop Community Founder Matt McCoy to talk about their latest project CXMMXNS and their cowriting process .
CXMMXNS [ Matt ] What is CXMMXNS ( pronounced Commons ) and why did you start it ? worship in a little church in Melbourne , it was such a gift to get new music and have songs that would help my service . So , we didn ’ t want to overwhelm people by putting out 12 songs but release them in small installments that you can plug into what you ’ re doing . I see the songs that we ’ re writing as being the best friend of the worship leader and help you do what you do .
[ Ben ] Collaboration is not always the easiest thing to get used to . The creative process is such a vulnerable thing and you ’ re bringing a part of yourself to the table . I have to continue to learn to be vulnerable . To have the boldness to throw out something , and not to be ruled by what ’ s “ cool ”. “ Cool ” can be a real enemy to creativity .
[ Ben ] It ’ s a collaboration . We see it well beyond Reuben and I . It ’ s an extension of what we ’ ve been doing for a long time . It ’ s a new space where we want to collaborate with friends and new songwriters and worship leaders .
[ Reuben ] The heart behind it is songs for the church . We started talking about it and writing a lot the last couple of years and trying to figure out where the best place to put those out was , and this made the most sense .
CHAPTER 1 [ Matt ] You just released the first project Chapter 1 . Tell us about it !
[ Ben ] We called it Chapter 1 and that ’ s how we see it . We don ’ t want to be bound by a theme or schedule but keep collaborating and out of those collaborations we ’ ll put out more songs . I think back to when we were leading
[ Reuben ] My church context the last couple of years has been congregations of under 200 people . You ’ re really aware of what you can and can ’ t do . How songs are written , the instrumentation , everything can limit what you can do . Even my own church , we need songs that are easy to play and sing . That ’ s what we ’ re trying to do .
THE COWRITING PROCESS [ Matt ] What is your cowriting process with other songwriters ?
[ Reuben ] It ’ s always a little bit different but usually organizing to have 2-4 writers in a room . We ’ ll talk for an hour and connect . Some of those times are the best and how I ’ ve gotten to know some of my best friends . Then usually there ’ s something that comes out of it , something on someone ’ s heart , a theme or a Scripture and then you go with that from there .
I think as writers when we get together , it ’ s great to trust your instinct . If something is moving you , offer it with open hands and have that spirit of if people don ’ t jump on board with it , believe that there will be something else . And , also become a good listener . I think if we ’ re good collaborators we can champion other ideas wherever they ’ re happening in the room for what is the moment of inspiration .
Click here to watch the full interview !
You can get the Master Tracks for Chapter 1 by CXMMXNS on LoopCommunity . com to lead the songs at your church !
Matt McCoy Matt is a worship leader , songwriter and Ableton Certified Trainer from Chicago , IL . He has been using Ableton and tracks in worship since 2002 . He ’ s passionate about creating new products and teaching worship leaders and artists how to use technology in live performance . www . LoopCommunity . com 38 January 2025 Subscribe for Free ...