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We’re joined by legendary Hillsong keyboardist and sound designer Peter James. Peter has been playing piano/keys for the last 25+ years, and has been heavily involved with Hillsong Church as a volunteer on the weekends, as well as being employed by Hillsong United and Hillsong International Leadership College as a lecturer for the past 13 years. Additionally, he has played on 40+ Hillsong albums. In this episode, we get inside Peter James headspace on everything from Sound Design -> Writing Parts -> Arranging -> Synth Bass. We hear how he pushes himself to continually try something new, the relationship of keyboard parts to sounds, a trick for coming up with parts, and how to incorporate synth base into your band. We hear about the influence of Hillsong producer, Joel Houston, and the reference material he pushed out ahead of tracking, such as: M83, Passion Pit, & Radiohead, that influence modern worship music today. Go to Peter James Productions, check out his stuff at Multitracks (including his sounds for Oceans), don’t miss his Youtube Channel, and follow him on Facebook, and Twitter. Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher and support the show by rating us and leaving a comment. Have a question or thought? Leave a comment below or connect directly with us!

A Grammy-nominated, Dove Award-winning musician (formerly with Sonicflood and Paul Colman Trio), Grant Norsworthy is also the founder, owner, content developer and principal instructor for More Than Music Mentor, providing online and on-site training to equip church singers, instrumentalists and technicians for artistic excellence and authentic worship. In this captivating podcast episode, we talk about why Grant wants to use music to connect with people more than he wants to just play cool music that interests himself. He deconstructs the word “worship” for us, and reminds us of a larger definition for the idea (Romans 12:1-2, James 1:26-27 ). This larger meaning impacts our lives most directly offstage, but also informs our music in very significant ways – how we perform it, voice it, arrange it, and even how we prepare for it. Grant shares two overarching lessons from his time with Sonicflood: First, music is more powerful than I ever realized, and more capable than I ever realized, at helping people connect with God…. in a way that has eternal significance. Secondly, the act of singing songs to God in and of itself is not worship. To call us a worship band singing worship songs is actually to misuse the word worship. “To worship God” is a lot bigger than that. Also, Grant confirms what I thought was my idea ;-), that the sound engineer is the MOST IMPORTANT member of the band. Grant’s youtube channel is an incredible resource. For more Grant goodness follow him on Twitter @grantnorsworthy, Facebook /grantnorsworthy, visit MoreThanMusicMentor.com / GrantNorsworthy.com and check out the GrantNorsworthy/Blog. Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher and support the show by rating us and leaving a comment. Have a question? Leave a comment below or connect directly with us!

Christian Nuckels joins us to talk about his unlikely journey into ministry and songwriting, the process of songwriting, how production is part of that (but can also get in the way), and how collaboration can mature a song and invest others in it. Christian show us a more generous way of creating- a way that is very much informed by the Gospel of loving God and loving others. We also discuss his first SKA band, Six Foot Midget, his follow-on acoustic project, and his latest band, Grace Rising, and The Sozo Sessions – EP. Shout out to: Ben Mellot of Nothing But Noise studio Influences Christian mentioned include: Cake, Dave Matthews Band, Radiohead The Bends (High and Dry, Fake Plastic Trees) and OK Computer, as well as Dashboard Confesionnals – Chris Corrabba. A song is not birthed fully until it is birthed in the hearts of the congregation. Jennie Lee Riddle Don’t miss Christian’s Drummer’s episode with Brew. To find out more, visit Grace Rising Band and Sozo Children. If you’re interested in collaborating with Christian Nuckels on songwriting, you may contact him at iamnuckels at me dot com. Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher and support the show by rating us and leaving a comment. Have a question? Leave a comment below!

Dan Cuomo joins the show to share his thoughts, wisdom and experience playing rock drums, getting signed to a major label (40 Records) and touring Europe, and then deciding what’s next. Today you will find Dan playing modern worship drums in churches all over the DC/MD/VA area. I hold Dan up as an example of exactly the kind of drummer you should see in your local church. By Dan’s own admission, he isn’t a technical drummer – which is precisely the point: you don’t need a technically trained jazz fusion drummer with intricate grooves and insane chops to sound great. Rarely do I see a situation where I think a musician needs more skills / more chops for the band or song to sound better. Rather, I often think a musician needs to better understand the essentials of what needs to be played, and needs to understand their role with respect to keeping time and creating space. Dan is your encouragement that you don’t need better players, you just need to find folks willing to play less and listen more in order to serve the song. He must become greater; I must become less. John 3:30 For more of Dan Cuomo, find him on Facebook & Twitter, and pick up Steph Cuomo’s latest project on iTunes. Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher and support the show by rating us five stars and leaving a comment. Please leave your questions and comments below!

With Nikki Lerner as our guest, we immediately get to the heart of doing multicultural worship. Nikki helps us explore our motivations, ask better questions, and avoid common pitfalls. She gives us a way to think about multicultural worship that has nothing to do with meeting quotas. Instead, she asks us to be deliberate and base our actions in relationship and questioning. By framing the conversation as “third culture“, she challenges all churches to find their unique voice instead of copying something that has already been done. Her most recent studio project puts these ideas into practice, as do the live adaptations of the studio versions, as Nikki takes us behind the scenes on the her latest project “The Things We Never Say“. Nikki Lerner – Can We Start Over (Lyric Video) Nikki Lerner – Can We Start Over (Brooklyn Sessions) Nikki Lerner – Tell Me (Lyric Video) Nikki Lerner – Tell Me (Live – Living Room Sessions) Culture Coaches: Find one. Be one. Also mentioned in this episode: Sting – All This Time I am convinced that the music of @billlaurance is the soundtrack to my life. Live at Union Chapel is fantastic. Thank you — Nikki Lerner (@NikkiLerner) November 26, 2016 And the Snarky Puppy tune featured in this episode: Nikki’s studio projects produced by Kevin “131” Gutierrez (Raven, Deceased, While Heaven Wept, Believer) at Assembly Line Studios. Featured tune from Walpyrgus. For more Nikki goodness, follow her on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, listen to her music on Soundcloud, Spotify, iTunes, Youtube, and buy her book on Amazon. Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher and support the show by rating us and leaving a comment. Have a question? Leave a comment below!

Jon joins the show discussing a range of genres based around Jazz to include Gospel and Neo Soul. Along the way, he shares samples from some projects he has done. We wrap up with his thoughts on the kinds of music that belongs in church, the role the church plays in moving music forward, as well as his thoughts on playing outside of the church. Find Jon on Facebook. Let each one according to the gift that he has received, administer it unto the others, as a good steward of the diverse graces of God. I Peter 4:10 A few recent products from Jon on video: This episode is sponsored by Johnny Flash Productions, a creative agency based in the Washington D.C. area that was founded 16 years ago by John Falke. I can’t speak highly enough about the quality of his service. If you have the need, I think you’d really enjoy working with him and be pleased with the results. Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher and support the show by rating us five stars and leaving a comment. We love your questions and comments! If you like this episode, you may also like “Dave Tauler – Not Enough Bassoon Gigs“, “Justin Pinkney, ‘Translating CCM’”, and “William Brew IV | The Way It Is“.

William Brew joins us for an enlightening episode of drumming and discovery. Along the way we discuss his love of the CCM genre, what he really thinks of when he thinks of “space”, and how you get there overnight. If you aren’t allowed to have a drum kit in the house, Brew recommends Vater Double Sided Practice Pads. #noexcuses Reach out to Brew on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. If you’re interested in how Building Your Band can support a workshop in your area possibly including Brew, please contact us. This episode is sponsored by Johnny Flash Productions, a creative agency based in the Washington D.C. area that was founded 16 years ago by John Falke. I took a photoshop class from John a few years back and can’t speak highly enough about the quality of his service. If you have the need, I think you’d really enjoy working with him and be really pleased with the results. Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher and support the show by rating us and leaving a comment. Thanks!

Friend of the show, David Loftis, talks to us about about the challenges of producing three very different worship services each week: one old school featuring a choir, one new school with a band, and one somewhere in between with multiple (SAT / SATB) voices. If that isn’t enough, Dave is has a heart for growing the next generation of worship leaders and has strong focus on his student music ministries. In fact, he is partnering with us to host an entry level Building Your Band event for students in 5th to 9th grades in just a few weeks. You’ll be inspired when you hear more about the intentionality behind producing completely different worship services in order to serve the local community.  Dave also discusses where style preference typically comes from, and reminds us how important it is (e.g. in missionary work) to speak to the culture and not impose “our way” of doing things on the local population, which serves as a powerful reminder of how to apply style choices back home. In related news, I’m happy to report that Kishore from Episode 1 was offered and accepted a position as a full time worship pastor at a nearby church. Congratulations to Kishore! Dave also mentioned that he is looking for assistance, so if you are interested after listening to this episode, you should be sure to connect with him (Facebook | About.me). If you’re interested in how Building Your Band can support an event in your area, please contact us. This episode is sponsored by Johnny Flash Productions, a creative agency based in the Washington D.C. area that was founded 16 years ago by John Falke. I took a photoshop class from John himself a few years back and can’t speak highly enough about the quality of his service. If you have the need, I think you’d really enjoy working with him and be really pleased with the results. Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher and support the show by rating us and leaving a comment. Thanks!

Trent Walker talks to us about stepping out in faith- leaving a perfectly good job as a church worship leader to take the show on the road with his wife, Siobhan, and their five kids. Obviously passionate about the mission of the Church, Trent challenges us in simple but direct ways with profound implications: to put away the music stands and play to a click and in order to better engage with the congregation in our times of worship. To learn more about Trent or book him for your church, visit Trent and Siobhan or go to Facebook. Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher

As the frontman and lead songwriter of Break The Fall, Gavin walks us through the process of creating their latest EP “The Wanderers“. From the preproduction writing, to choosing a producer, to packing up a van and driving eight hours to Nashville to record, it’s fantastic to hear the intentionality behind their creation. Break The Fall: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Reverb Nation | Youtube | iTunes | Amazon Produced by Lester Estelle II Website | Facebook | Twitter | Wikipedia Mixed and Mastered by Robert Venable: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Wikipedia Brandon‘s Cassette Preview/Teaser: // Song writers, musicians, band leaders, worship team members etc. . . Look at what instruments you have to work with on your team. Your guitar player doesn’t always have to play all the time, every song, start to finish. There doesn’t always have to be a lead guitar player noodling lead lines and melody riffs. Learn to tell them to lay out a section (Guitarists-learn to be ok with not playing and being told to lay out from time to time, it will make what you DO play sound more important.) Use every instrument on stage to build some diversity in your songs. And start finding new instruments to use to freshen things up. You have options; start experimenting on how to utilize your team members and not just one instrument. Also, dynamics still matter. Learn how soft and full you can really play and actually utilize it when the show/service/performance starts. Retention matters. Posted by Gavin Morris Kings Kaleidoscope (iTunes | Amazon) has Trombone in it! For King and Country (iTunes | Amazon) ha Horn Players! Who else should we know about who uses non-traditional instruments? Please post in the comments! Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher

Steven Krisopher shares what was behind his most recent project, With Abandon, (edit: released December 15th, 2015). With sixty minutes of music in ten songs, he talks about how his desire for this project was to let the songs breathe. Primarily a pianist, Steven wrote this project on the acoustic guitar and did a textbook rock keyboard/piano treatment, after programming the drums and bass himself. Lots of vocal tracks unite the songs, sung by him and four other vocalists (one of which we talk about in particular). He then mixed and mastered the album, and edited the official video. Keep up with him at his website: StevenKristopher.com, and follow him at Twitter and on Facebook. Check out his music on iTunes and Bandcamp – and “With Abandon” is out! Find this podcast on iTunes or Stitcher and subscribe. If you enjoyed this episode, please support this podcast with a rating and comment.

John B Stanley (Twitter, Reverb Nation, iTunes) challenges us to do better music in our services and gives us the behind-the-scenes story of his “Drum Spectacular”. Also check out his post on this in Modern Drummer. Along the way we discuss his influences, most especially Lee Ritenour (Wiki, iTunes, Amazon) with Omar Hakim (Wiki, iTunes), and Hans Zimmer (Wiki, iTunes, Amazon). Without further ado – scored and produced by John B Stanley: Find this podcast on iTunes or Stitcher. edit: “O Holy Night” has been released on iTunes!

Dave Tauler: Youtube | Facebook | Twitter In this podcast episode, Dave talks to us about how playing wind instruments informs the way he approaches singing and composition, and warns us about how solo instruments can conflict with vocals. He then gives us his formula for using these instruments in a band setting, describing not only where to play but where not to play. Along the way, we discuss the difference between Handel’s Messiah, Watermusic, and Fireworksmusic, as well as the difference between Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos and his St John Passion, and Dave gives a big shout out to the Bach Collegium Japan (Amazon | iTunes) version of the latter. If you’ve ever wondered about how to incorporate note-readers into the (chart or ear-based) worship setting, this podcast is for you, as Dave gives practical steps toward this and points us toward the free notation software MuseScore 2.0. Connect with Dave Tauler on Facebook, Youtube, and Twitter. Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes & Stitcher  

Taylor Carson While recording and editing the first 18 episodes of the podcast, I began to notice some of the content commented on some of the other content. I began to think how awesome it might be to hear these ideas back-to-back, remixed into a super-episode, which would demonstrate both the importance of the ideas, as well as some of the different ways they’re approached. When my amazing wife suggested I do a “kaleidoscope” edition, I poured through all 18 episodes, finding clips to put together, resulting in this fascinating overview of Season 1.  Special thanks to all my guests who shared their quality content. If you missed Season 1 of the Building Your Band podcast, this is a great way to catch up! It is also an invitation to go back and revisit specific episodes. I would love to hear your comments right in the Soundcloud stream or below in the comments section. For all the episodes past and future, subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher! Season 2 will be coming soon! Please contact me if you would like to be featured! “Almighty“- Produced, Mixed & Mastered by Peter Bulanow | http://meltingearth.com Featuring: Taylor Carson | http://taylorcarson.com Additional Vocals:  Eileen Graham | http://eileengrahammusic.com Cello: Michael Thomas | facebook.com/CelloMT Bass: Aron “Teo” Lee | facebook.com/teo.lee Special thanks to all the musicians for their collaboration, and to Dan Rebeiz (http://danieljackproductions.com) for his advice and mentorship.

Jay Smith | Convergence Subscribe on iTunes Guitarist Jay Smith spends 45 minutes with us pretty much not talking about guitars at all. Instead we discuss worship, art, venue, and the role of music in the church. If you like discussions that go deep, you won’t want to miss this one. To connect with Jay in DC, visit our convergence.org Calvin and Hobbes “Eminent”; composed, arranged and produced by Jay Smith If you enjoyed this episode, check out guitarist, Dan Rebeiz, and small church worship leader, Jayson D. Bradley.

Laura Blankenship Laura shares the secrets and struggles of her journey as a Worship Leader and songwriter as a wife and mother of two young children. In particular, she addresses the maturity and people skills required to be successful in leadership. You’ll hear how she programs her musicians for three services with respect to their individual availability.  Finally, she talks about the impact that Mark Batterson‘s book The Circle Maker has had on her life and ministry (and songwriting). Subscribe on iTunes Visit her blog at: laurablankenshipmusic.com and follow her on twitter. Psalm 40:3

Jayson D Bradley Jayson talks to us about his passion for leading worship in a small church, the pitfalls and dangers of turning worship into a formula, and why the church needs more laments. For more of his thoughtful musings read “A Worship Leader Questions Modern Worship“, and visit jaysondbradley.com Subscribe on iTunes

Terri Plant Vocalist Terri Plant talks to us about cross-cultural singing in both English and Arabic, and how music has both moved into (been a gift) and out of (been a hindrance to) her life in service to God. Subscribe on iTunes Terri sings “En Tal El Layl” “If the night should prolong” Words: Wafaa Adel Music: Amgad Saad Zakri If the darkness of night is prolonged even so the dawn will arise and my Lord comes to me in His peace and says, “I am here” (x2) I make music on my flute and my lute my troubles and wounds don’t remain My Lord sweetens my existence and my heart is comforted at last (x2) Perhaps we pass through trials maybe tribulations war with me But my victorious God lifts me up even in my extreme difficulties (x2) I make music on my flute and my lute my troubles and wounds don’t remain My Lord sweetens my existence and my heart is comforted at last (x2) Instrumental Break Certainly there lie thorns in my path as this wilderness journey is tough But the glory of my home to come is so much better than here! (x2) I make music on my flute and my lute my troubles and wounds don’t remain My Lord sweetens my existence and my heart is comforted at last (x2) Bridge If the darkness of night is prolonged even so the dawn will arise Iconic Artists Mentioned: Umm Kulthum (Amazon, iTunes) Abdel Halim Hafez (Amazon, iTunes) If you wish to connect with Terri or have a question of her or any of our guests, please use our contact page.

John Chordy Teagle Keyboardist John “Chordy” Teagle talks to us about growing up with a love for playing keys, the impact of learning theory in his playing, his wish for the direction of popular music, and some parting thoughts on genres. Chordy’s Influences: James Poiser (Website) Corey Henry (Amazon, iTunes) Snarky Puppy (Amazon, iTunes) Vince Guraldi (Amazon, iTunes) Johnny Costa (Amazon, iTunes) Bill Evans (Amazon, iTunes) Oscar Peterson (Amazon, iTunes) Chick Corea (Amazon, iTunes) McCoy Tiner (Amazon, iTunes) Connect with Chordy on Facebook, or via The Monster Band Website, Facebook Subscribe on iTunes

Brandon Peoples Brandon (keyboardist for Break The Fall) talks to us about his thoughts as a “Back Pew Baptist“, sitting in the rear of a church, helping with the tech program, watching, and thinking about why we’re doing a lot of the things we do in church. This podcast all started with a thoughtful tweet (and my followup blog post / analysis called ‘Throw-away songs’): Why does a third of the church leave during the last worship song? Do we have better places to be than before God? — Brandon Peoples (@BrrrPeoples) October 5, 2014 Connect with Brandon on Twitter & Facebook. Check out his Church (especially if you’re in Rayville, Missouri), his amazing band Break The Fall (Amazon, iTunes), and if you ever wanted to master Propellerheard Reason, check out his extensive Reason Tutorials. God’s Great Dance Floor by Chris Tomlin (Amazon | iTunes). Pete recommends: Value-Focused Thinking: A Path to Creative Decisionmaking If you have something you’d like to share with the church on the Building Your Band Podcast, please contact me. Subscribe on iTunes