have a dream that you kind of let go of once and so you don ’ t wanna be disappointed again . You don ’ t wanna try to start something again and it not take off . But it was very obvious that the Lord was directing us to do that . So yeah , we talked about it and prayed about it and we decided to start the band . In that period of time of the last few years , it ’ s just really taken off like crazy .
And being part of a family band ( you know I actually told someone the other day ) it ’ s awesome . There ’ s a challenge to it because of the family dynamic that I ’ m not a part of in a sense , as I am the only one in the band not family related . But I think it ’ s a really special and unique opportunity to be someone with a little bit of perspective on the outside , a little bit different taste and thought . So it ’ s been a cool blend .
I was just processing the other day how beautiful it is when a dream comes back to life , but it often times is not exactly like what we had originally thought it would be , but it ’ s so much better when the Lord takes our dreams and runs with them . They ’ ll probably look a little different than we thought they would , but they ’ ll be so much better … and so much more impactful . And that ’ s what We The Kingdom has been now . It ’ s just a really beautiful gift I get to be a part of and I love it .
[ WM ] What advice would you give to aspiring songwriters and artists ?
[ Andrew ] Yeah , so for all the aspiring writers , artists , and producers out there who are hoping to maybe take their art to the next level I would say it ’ s really important to enjoy the process . To find joy in in the actual journey of what you ’ re doing . Because if you ’ re always just aiming for this next thing , this next step , I think it gets very easy to burn out and lose purpose , and I think a sense of purpose is vital to life .
The Lord created us with a purpose in and with gifts to use for His kingdom , and so just because you might not be doing it on the level that you hoped , doesn ’ t mean that you ’ re not efficient and effective and can be impacting lives . So , appreciate every moment of the journey , and if you ’ re able to write a song , or produce a song , or whatever that one person is impacted by … then that ’ s a success , you know ?
I would also say give yourself space and learn about yourself , maybe learn about your shortcomings . It ’ s really important to evaluate and assess your work like , “ Hey , am I a great lyric writer ?” If not , you know maybe try to partner with someone who is stronger at lyrics , or , “ Am I good at melodies ?” If not , find someone who is great at melodies . If you ’ re a producer and you can program but you can ’ t play live instruments , maybe find people to partner with that play some live instruments .
Whatever it is , it ’ s really important just to be able to look at your work and see , “ Ok , where could I grow ? Who could I partner with to help me grow ?” And you know … just find joy in that whole process . Be inspiring , and make it fun , because it might take years . I mean it took me probably ten to twelve years to make music my full-time job . So , if I wouldn ’ t have found joy in the journey of that , that would ’ ve been a miserable twelve years … so love every moment of it !
March 2021
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