"There's
something for everyone on Transform," says Grammy award-winning
recording artist Rebecca St. James of her latest album release.
This prolific 23-year-old singer/songwriter, who uses Christianity
as the inspiration for her music, has been providing soul-searching
lyrics set to a backdrop of catchy, accessible tunes since
the age of 16. With Transform, Rebecca has moved one ambitious
step further artistically, which will inevitably widen her
audience. Yet at the same time, she remains faithful to
her spiritual foundation and to her fans.
"I
definitely see this album as a big, musical leap for me;
you could call it a transformation. It's different than
anything I've done before," she says. Working for the first
time with producer Matt Bronlewee (Natalie Imbruglia, Jars
of Clay, Jennifer Paige), and Dann Huff (Lonestar), Rebecca
used a compelling combination of the London Symphony Orchestra,
accompanied by rock guitars and drums. "We've also done
pop vocals, melodies and there's even some dance oriented
tracks. I've never done that before. I'm really excited
about this fresh direction I'm taking."
Aptly titled Transform, named for Rebecca's desire for her
fans to become more involved in their spiritual journey,
Rebecca sees this album as a catalyst for those on the path
to finding faith. And sonically, Transform showcases Rebecca's
different vocal styles and evidences her eclectic musical
taste reminiscent of such musically diverse artists - from
Sheryl Crowe to Madonna.
"I
wanted to grow and move on this album and I feel that's
what I've done," she says. "And in my own life, I want to
challenge other people to be transformed. There's a verse
in II Corinthians 3:18 that really inspired me: 'And we,
who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are
being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing
glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.' Transformation
is a lifelong process, it happens every day, but I definitely
feel that I am in a season in my life where there is a lot
of changing going on."
Rebecca
hails from Australia where the family lived until she was
age 13. The eldest of seven children, Rebecca caught the
bug for performing when her father, a former tour promoter
of several Christian acts such as Stryper and Amy Grant,
put her on the road with Carman. Then in '91 her parents
packed up the kids and moved to the U.S. A tight-knit family,
when they fell on hard times, the clan drew closer together,
prayed together and took jobs cleaning houses, and whatever
they could to make ends meet. The family's perseverance
paid off when Rebecca signed to ForeFront Records in 1994.
Since then, she's released four highly acclaimed and successful
records (Rebecca St. James, God, Christmas and Pray).
Nowadays, her family accompanies Rebecca on her (almost
always filled to capacity) 200 concert dates a year. Some
brothers are onstage singing backup vocals and others are
running the light show or being the video technician and
photographer. Her mother and eight-year-old sister run the
merchandising stands and her father oversees the entire
event.
Like
many Christians who work in the arts, there are misconceptions
about her lifestyle. "I'm not this intense and passionate
person all the time. I can be the biggest kid and do the
silliest things. I suppose being in a family of so many
kids; I've always liked being one of the gang. I love being
outdoors and playing tennis. I'm not serious all the time.
I actually have a lot of fun, too," she says. "Being the
oldest of seven kids, I have always felt a sense of leadership
and responsibility, so it doesn't bother me being a big
sister to younger members of my generation. I welcome it."
Recalling
one of the high points of her career, she says, "It was
so unexpected for me to win the Grammy (for her fourth album
Pray). I mean, it's not every day you get nominated. It
was great sitting there with my family enjoying the night.
When they announced my name and album, it was a dream come
true," she says. "It was great to get up there in front
of Phil Collins and Sting and Santana and be able to say
why I do what I do."
With all of this family and industry support behind her,
Rebecca has recorded what she hopes will be a breakthrough
album. One of the standout tracks on Transform, "Our Time,"
clearly evokes thoughts of the 2000 presidential elections.
In an age of political and religious apathy, Rebecca intends
to push the envelope. "I want to encourage my generation
to stand up and make a difference, and we can make a difference
in many ways. Voting is one of the most powerful tools we
have to transform our world, and I would like to see more
of my generation taking this honor and responsibility seriously.
Even though I am an Australian citizen and cannot vote in
America, I still want to fuel the fire of action. If we
are ever going to see a transformation in our culture, we
must become involved in the world around us."
A
modern woman with a strong moral fiber, Rebecca doesn't
just give lip service to the causes she supports. "For The
Love Of God" was inspired by her mission trip to Romania
last year where she hit the streets of downtown, feeding
the poor and homeless.
She
may be a woman with a Bible, but she's not hitting you over
the head with it. Rebecca's messages and values aren't preachy.
They're down-to-earth advice for all people who don't need
to be part of the church-going public to understand, but
she definitely challenges people to seek truth and take
action.
For
example, the first radio single "Don't Worry," simply reminds
us of the futility of the endless anxiety we all experience.
"I still worry about stuff even if it's not even an issue
anymore," she laughs. "Don't Worry" is a reminder to us
all to keep the problems in our lives in perspective.
As her live-concert following continues to grow (she has
fans of all ages at her gigs), Rebecca hopes to continue
to influence teens in a positive way. "They're at an age
where they're so influenced and affected by what they listen
to and what they watch, I want to encourage them to make
the right decisions," she says. One subject she takes very
seriously is the media's attack on women. "The fashion industry
tells us we have to be as skinny as we can, and if we don't
measure up, then we're nothing. That kind of thing leads
to pain and hurt." Rebecca takes it so seriously in fact
that she has hosted several girls-only meetings called "Beauty
of the Heart," where the discussion centers around inner-beauty
as opposed to an outward ideal.
Rebecca's
career is definitely on a roll. In addition to her musical
commitments, she is also on the soundtrack of an upcoming
movie, "Left Behind," which stars actors Kirk Cameron and
his wife Chelsea Noble. Rebecca was also asked to make her
first cameo appearance in the film, another career highlight
she says. "Well, it was more like being an extra," she says
modestly. "But it was really cool. I've always been a real
dramatic person and really enjoyed that kind of work."
Through
her palatable lyrics of hope and her message of transforming,
Rebecca St. James gears up to take her new project, Transform,
into new arenas to provide encouragement and reassurance
to listeners. Her faithful fans will be delighted and her
new audience will be inspired.
Text
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