Tony Cummings spoke to Sam De Jong and Omega Levine of worship aggregation the PARACHUTE BAND
Continued from page 1
Tony: There's a very popular template for rock orientated worship with most of it resembling Delirious?. Isn't it difficult to bring something which is fresh to the form?
Sam: Delirious? are our heroes. We grew up with Delirious? and love them. We actually had the surreal privilege of playing with Martin Smith for his band this year with some solo things he has done. Just learning off someone like that is ridiculous, we've loved it! But worship is not anything to do with a musical genre; it's a heart response to God. We find it weird when people say worship music is rock/pop/Coldplay style bands. So we purposefully try to do something different.
Tony: But isn't it strange that effectively you are professional worshippers?
Sam: We are all called to be worshippers and are given gifts and tools by God. The way we see it, we are all called to be worshippers and we do it through our gifting, which is music. Just like you do with interviewing.
Tony: Do you believe that, as worship leaders, you are a role model for a whole generation?
Omega: Yeah, it's definitely a privilege and also very challenging. I believe it's a lifestyle, and you have to have that relationship with God daily.
Tony: How does that function on the road?
Omega: We have devotional time with the band. The other day we had a communion time, so we sit down and share the Gospel with each other. We also make a point of serving in our churches when we are at home and keep in touch with our Pastors too, because we are all from different churches.
Tony: How much time do you currently spend in the US?
Sam: This year we have already spent about four to five months there. It's unusual because there are so many bands, they are used to it and you are not very special. It's different here, or in Europe. But saying that; they are an amazing culture and are so uplifting. They love worshipping and see the glass as half full most of the time!
Tony: Do you have a strategy per year, does it involve forward planning?
Omega: Yes this year has pretty much been seven or eight months on the road, it's been pretty crazy, and each year is more and more. The plan this year was just to spend as much time in the US as possible and do all the festivals in the build up to our new album out in February next year.
Tony: Tell me a bit about 'Love Without Measure'.
Omega: It's the first one we have produced ourselves, so we are really proud of it. There's a song called "Peace On Earth" based on Isaiah 60. The whole concept of the Lord coming to Earth in dark and troubled times. In this day and age there is so much going on that is not peaceful such as natural disasters. The chorus says "More of Jesus in my life, more of Jesus so I shine on your peace on Earth" and we love seeing people just scream that. It's sort of prophesising into the future saying that it will get better, through Jesus."
I love it, it is awesome