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Speaker 1: Life Audio. Hey Josh, thanks for joining me. It's good to be here, yeah. Thanks for having me.
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Speaker 2: Josh Baldwin, dub nominated artist, known for such songs as Made For More, Evidence, Stand In Your Love.
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Speaker 1: I love all three of those. Has a new album.
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Speaker 2: You're welcome. Has a new album as well. Worth Everything is the new album. It releases October the 16th. Has about 10 tracks on there, I think. I want to talk to you about your career, Josh, but I wanted to chat about the new album first. You've described this new album as a project that reflects where you are right now, I guess, in your life.
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Speaker 1: What was happening in your life when you wrote these songs and what shaped them? Well, I mean, I think where I am is part of that is where I currently am. And then where I am is also just where I've kind of always been. I'm a worship leader. I started out as just a worship leader, just a worship leader. I mean, but, you know, a worship leader. And so I think I've always had albums where I just... a lot of the songs were like worship songs. Then a lot of them were more artist songs or singer songwriter kind of stuff, you know? And this album just felt a little more like all of them are like worship songs to me. All of them are, I've kind of like, yeah, it's where I've always been is, is worship later. But specifically these songs came out of a lot of, um, and just, uh, go like working with the Lord on like surrender, surrendering my whole life. every little part, not just, not just like, okay, I surrender to you, Lord. I like, I believe in you. I'm a believer. This is who I, but like, I felt like I've been in a season over the last couple of years where it's like, okay, you say that, but also let's deal with this little thing right here. And then let's deal with this. And then how about you as a father? And then how about you and your marriage? You know, it's just like each little thing, I started to dive in more and more with the Lord. And a lot of these songs kind of, I can hear like what I was going through in the moment and just even the worth everything. The main track was just me just saying, like, just telling the Lord, like, you're where all of this that I feel like we've been going through me and you Lord over the last few years, like it's worth it all because of you, you're worth it all. And then, you know, the, the bridge of that song was really kind of the hardest crime for the whole album was here I am with all I have and just make my life an altar to you. So that's where I currently am. And then, Where I've always been is just, I really just want to love writing songs for the church, and I just, I will always lead worship. I will always be a worship leader.
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Speaker 2: You say you like writing songs for the church. That has two meanings. You know, we could enjoy hearing your music, or we could sing your music.
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Speaker 1: Right. Which one of those are you talking about? I think, well, both, but this one is probably more geared. I'm probably geared more to, like, singing, like, you know, Sunday morning or just... joining together as a corporate body and actually singing. But that's the thing. I haven't walked that line. And talking about that earlier, just with there's been songs where I definitely are like, this is a corporate gathering. Let's all join together and sing. But then there's also songs in the album where this is for you. Maybe you just need to sit and hear this. And maybe it connects. My testimony will connect with you. And in that regard, it's for the church. And then I think I've even had songs where they feel like they straddle the line just themselves. I mean, I feel like Made for More is that. Half of Made for More, most of Made for More was really like me singing something over myself. And I kind of didn't think it would be like a song that you would sing in church on Sunday. And then the half of that, the back half, the bridge was just me singing. singing to the lord like hallelujah you're calling out my name yo so i feel like i walk the line on albums and sometimes in the middle of songs you know well let's talk about made for what i was going to ask you about yeah since you brought that up uh that was your first i think first number one stand in your yeah maybe deserved it but it didn't get there.
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Speaker 2: But um they all deserve it all that that's right But what was in your heart in the songwriting room when you wrote that?
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Speaker 1: Was it an idea? Was it a Bible verse? It was a verse. It was a verse. Actually, my friend Jessie, she came in that morning and we were... It's funny we're talking about writing songs for the church. We were actually at a songwriting camp called Church Camp. And it was literally to go, we're going to get away for a couple of days and write songs for our local church. And... She came in that morning and was like, guys, I've been reading in the message. And this morning I was reading, I think it was Romans 8. She's like, just the way the message said this, this verse was just like, I'd never heard it said this way. It was like, this love isn't a, I'm probably going to botch it here because it messes, I don't know exactly. But this love isn't a grave tending kind of love is what it said. And she was like, I just kept thinking all morning, like I wasn't made to be tending that grave. And I was like, that was how the whole song started. And it just, which I loved, you know, I love when you get a scripture like said in a different way that like provokes like, oh, I've never thought of it that way, like alive in Christ. And then, and so that kind of started the journey of that song. And then it morphed into the verses talking about just our identity in Him. And, you know, the more we learn about the Father, the more He reveals who we are. And yeah, that's how that song started. And it felt It felt special on that
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day, but like just in a, I love this song. This song, I can't wait to let my wife hear this song kind of way. And, you know, who knows? I didn't even know if I would be the one to carry that song, even though I was, I guess, technically the only like artist in the room. I just like, I don't know. I think it's Jesse started it. And then she actually, I think, sang on our, we did a little voice memo thing of it on our phones and it was, and it was Jesse singing it. And I thought this will be a sweet song for, a lady to sing or, you know, it'd be great. And then, and then I ended up singing the demo. And I remember when it finally hit me, and I've talked about this a lot over the last few years, but when I finally, I think, realized how special that song, how needed that song was, was when I heard my kids singing it. We were taking them to school one morning and they had heard the demo. They had heard it. They've heard all my songs like so many times before the rest of the world hears it, for better or worse. And I remember hearing them sing that verse and, I just thought, okay, this is a song that, I mean, I feel like I need, but I was like, I just, I heard like the younger generation, like singing, I know who I am because I know who you are. And I'm just like, in this world, in this day and age, when they're just getting bombarded on social media and at school, all the things and telling them like, this is who you should be. And this is who you are, or this is who you will never be. That's just what kept going through my mind was like, all right, this is special. This needs to get out. But yeah, it all started with a different translation of a scripture and said in a new way that just provoked some inspiration.
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Speaker 2: Yeah, all that stuff that everybody tells us we should be falls short of what God wants us to be.
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Speaker 1: I love that idea.
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Speaker 2: You're known, Josh, for your reflective, worshipful style, acoustic-driven style. Is that how you would describe your music style? You have a lot of just songs that kind of, I don't know, are kind of anthems for worship. I have trouble describing it as a non-musical artist, but how would you describe your sound?
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Speaker 1: Oh, gosh. Yeah, I don't know. I feel like I could ask that. Well, I get asked that randomly by people who, well, if I'm in the airport or something and I'm with a bunch of guys and we just look like we're in a band, people always be like, are you in a band? And we're like, I mean, we're musicians. And like, what's the name of your band? Which is funny because I'm like, how many bands are there anymore? And then it feels weird because I'm like, well, we don't have a band name. It's just my name. And then I have to tell them my name. And then they don't know who I am. So then they're like, well, what kind of music? What is your sound? And I'm like, well, I'm a Christian artist. But it sounds like, and I'm like trying to describe what it sounds like. I'm like, I don't, kind of sounds like, you know, if... like a country artist and Tom Petty got together and got saved and want to write worship songs. I was like, that's kind of what it sounds like, maybe. I don't know. That's a great description. Have you used that before? Yeah, yeah. I mean, I always joke around that I just want to be the Tom Petty of worship. So I don't know how kosher that is.
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Speaker 2: Well, since you're thinking deeply right now, let me ask you another question. Because Christian music is simultaneously a ministry and it's a business. How do you navigate the tension between those two worlds? And how do you make sure your focus is right when you're writing music?
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Speaker 1: Oh, gosh, that's a great question. Have you asked that to anyone else? And can you tell me their answer? And let me tell you if that's.
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Speaker 2: Well, it's a tough question because I think, I mean, I'm a writer and I try to write for the Lord, but sometimes you just.
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Speaker 1: I think it's tough. You're a child of Adam, Josh. It's a tough line to walk. It is.
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Speaker 3: It is.
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Speaker 1: It is. And I'm a man. I'm trying to take care of my home. I'm trying to provide for my family. And I've chosen this as my career and the way to do it. And it is crazy to walk in that line of thinking that way and thinking like, I want to steward this well. I want to be wise. But then also, I don't want to be motivated by that per se, like in what I'm writing and I am this is like, I'm also a ministry and this is where I'm called to be and do. And I don't want to write songs to thinking like, oh, is the radio going to play this or is the, you know, or whatever. I'm always like trying to check my heart. Okay. Like, what is the heart of this song? What am I feeling right now? And making sure it is in the right place. And I feel like it is most of the time. I mean, there's, I definitely get, I'm definitely surround myself with people who keep me in check too, and make my wife definitely, and parents, and I think that's all, that's helpful. But I'm sure probably also in your career, you're seeing.
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Speaker 2: Jesus use your filthy rags to make something grand that you didn't expect, you know?
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Speaker 1: Yes.
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Speaker 2: That's kind of a cool thing as well, because Jesus can take anything that you have and turn it into whatever he wants it to be.
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Speaker 1: Oh, yeah. And I think that's, Yeah. That's just a good example of when that happens, I know, okay, it's not about me.
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Speaker 2: Like what you were saying about Made for More.
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Speaker 1: Right.
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Speaker 2: Totally. You thought it would be good, but you didn't think it was going to be that big.
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Speaker 1: No, I didn't think... I thought it was special. I thought it would help people. I didn't know that it would... I didn't know if it'd be on radio. I didn't know... I didn't think... I
fully didn't think churches would say. I thought... churches would be like, this song's too much I and me, me. Cause that's what I thought. I'm like, I wouldn't, I'm not gonna leave this song in church like this, but yeah. And so when that stuff like that happens, it's like, well, that's awesome. I'm glad that that didn't happen with a song that I thought was going to be amazing. You know, like the song's about the glory and power of Christ. So that's what song is about because it, yeah, he made you for more. I was going to ask you, you use Kickstarter early in your career. I thought that was fascinating. Yeah. Oh my gosh. Yeah. Where, how, how, How did that work out?
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Speaker 2: And what gave you that idea?
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Speaker 1: And were you surprised at the success it had? Oh, yeah. Well, it worked out great. Here I am. But the reason I did that is because I was broke. I had no money to pay for anything. And no label. I was even married. No, I'd just gotten married. Yes. And that was my second album. And the first album was, I mean, it didn't need Kickstarter because it didn't cost me much of a thing. And it sounds like it didn't cost much. But the second one, this one was like the first one where I thought, man, these are some good songs. I really need to like go for this and spend money on it. And so, yeah, that was Kickstarter. It just started to be a thing, I think. And especially like in the world of in the music world and making albums. And I had, I had a friend, John Martin McMillan, one of my, one of my close friends and a artist from years ago that some people might know he wrote how he loves. And we grew up together in Charlotte and he had just done Kickstarter. And I remember him encouraging me to do it. And, um, and so, yeah, I did. And, and we just barely got enough money to make a house. I can't remember how much it was for. I want to say, $ 13, 000.
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Speaker 2: It was over $ 10, 000.
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Speaker 1: I guess it helped you make the CDs. It helped me finish mixing and mastering the album and paying the band and print the CDs. That was 2013. This is back at CD time that you were making. This is CD time, yeah. I still have CDs. It's funny. We go out on tour and sell them and I'm shocked that people still get them.
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Speaker 2: I think they're more of a collector's item. It's like something to sign, something you get at the merch table. Yeah, I've done that before. You have a tour coming up. Let's talk briefly about that.
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Speaker 3: Yeah.
00:14:07
Speaker 1: And joshbaldwin.com, I guess that's what people tell people. It's the website, joshbaldwin.com. Yeah. Like 15 cities or so, 16, 17, I forget how many cities you're in. I think it's 15 or 16 or 17. I forget. Yeah, I don't. I know, I do too. I hit you up there. Oh, no, you're fine. It's, yeah, October, part of November.
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Speaker 3: Yeah.
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Speaker 2: And before we close here, I do want to talk about something that those who are watching on video are seeing in the background.
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Speaker 1: You've got six guitars behind you, another one behind your chair. Oh, my goodness. We're up to 10 or 15 now. What's the story behind that? I've got one right here. Hours and hours. So it's funny. I started with none. I have a Taylor over here that's like a 20-year-old. 714 Taylor that was given to me by kind of one of my heroes, Don Potter. He's a country musician, helped start the Judds and work with Chuck Mangione, but he's an old friend of mine. He actually gave me that guitar, and that kind of kick-started all of it. And then I have an old Yamaha, 1970 Yamaha that was my dad's that he gave me. I found a 12-string 76 Martin back there, and then a Martin here that I play a lot, OM-21. I got an HD-28 over here that I've been playing for three years.
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Speaker 2: So when you tour, though, Josh, how many guitars do you have? Is it like a football team where you have a mainstream in the back?
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Speaker 1: Yeah, we have like the starters. I mostly play acoustic. I have an old Rickenbacker Electric that I take out and play a lot, you know, because I want to be Tom Petty, so. Um, and then, uh, you know, what's funny, I bought, I'll take, I take like two or three of the acoustics and then I usually take my, my Rickenbacker and I have a Tele that I take. But I, um, I bought a guitar case this past summer, a bit like one of those big tour guitar cases you can roll on the trailer and put all your guitars in. So I put, I bought it for my guitars and my, and my bass player and my guitar, my electric, his guitars. Um, And I actually bought it from We The Kingdom. Scott Cash from We The Kingdom. He was selling it. And so it was great. I bought it. Well, I took it out on the weekend, a weekend run this past summer for some festivals. We were like, we're loading the thing up. I hadn't opened it yet because I had just grabbed it from his shed and rolled it. And we opened the guitars up and there's like three awesome guitars in there. Like a Collings Electric... 1982 335 Gibson and then a Les Paul. And I was like, Oh my goodness, Scott just left his guitars. And so I was literally going out. So we couldn't, I, you know, it was midnight or alone on the bus. I was like, I guess they're just coming with us. So his guitars. So half of these guitars over here, aren't mine. They're Scott cashes that he hasn't gotten them back. And he, I text him and I was like, dude, he's not good. They're not going out. They're not traveling this year. So he's not doing anything. He's like, dude, You're going out on tour. Take them with you. So I'm going to play his 335 out on tour, too. But that'll be good. That'll be good. People can see what it sounds like. Yeah, that'll be awesome. Josh, good talking to you. Thanks. Thanks so much for having me. Yeah, such a treat.
00:17:35
Speaker 3: If you like today's episode, please subscribe and leave a five star review. That's how we help more people just like you find the show. A big thanks to the team at Life Audio for their partnership with us on the podcast. If you go to lifeaudio.com, you will find dozens of other faith-centered podcasts in their network.
00:17:53
Speaker 1: See you next time.