The veteran singer talks about her new album, possible collaborations, as well as how the industry has changed since her debut almost three decades ago
Canadian contemporary singer Carolyn Arends has a long, storied history in Christian music. She’s released 14 albums—including two new projects, Recognition and In the Morning). She’s also authored three critically acclaimed books.
Among her accolades, 15 of Carolyn’s songs have reached top 10 radio on Canadian pop and U.S. Christian charts. She has earned two Dove Awards, three Juno nominations. And she’s been recognized as the West Coast Music Awards' Songwriter of the Year.
Besides touring and speaking, Carolyn is a regular columnist for publications Christianity Today, Faith Today, and CT Women. I connected with Carolyn to talk about her new album Recognition, possible collaborations, as well as music’s influence on listeners.
Your debut album, I Can Hear You, is approaching its 30th Anniversary in a few years. Does it feel like yesterday?
Isn’t it strange how time works? It does feel like yesterday, and it also feels like a million years ago. Still, I can remember everything about making that first record so clearly. I couldn’t believe I was getting the chance to make it—especially with the caliber of musicians involved.
Once the debut album was out, there were all the firsts: hearing it on the radio for the first time, shooting my first video, going on my very first tour—opening for Rich Mullins. The whole time, I was aware of what a good gift I was being given. And, all these years later, I haven’t lost that sense of giddy gratitude.
Probably what I remember most from those days was the first time I was singing in a concert somewhere—the song was “Seize the Day”—and people started singing along. They already knew the words. I couldn’t believe that something I’d written in my bedroom was making its way out into the world and into people’s minds and hearts. In fact, they knew it “by heart.”
You’ve seen a lot of transition throughout the years in the music industry. What has been the hardest thing to navigate as a songwriter and artist?
There have been huge shifts in the industry. When I was starting out, it was possible to just focus on the music and let the record label worry about promoting it. These days, getting the word out about the music is much more up to artists themselves. That’s kind of cool, for a couple of reasons.
First, it means a lot more artists can put their work out into the world because they don’t have to wait for some “gatekeeper” to greenlight them. And second, it means there’s a much more direct connection between musicians and listeners, which is awesome.
But the hard part is that, for an artist, it can feel like you’re constantly having to “self-promote,” and that can get exhausting and mess with your head. It helps me to remember it’s not so much “self-promotion” as “work-promotion.” I do believe in this music, and I want to share it with people because I’ve learned that the Spirit can move through it. And it also helps to remember that way before I’m a singer or songwriter, I am, in the Apostle John’s words, “the disciple Jesus loves.” The music, as much as I love it, is what I do, but it’s not who I am. I suspect we all have to learn that in whatever work we are called to do.
One of your recent singles is with iconic Christian singer Amy Grant. Can you tell us about “Without Music” and any stories that came from working with Amy on this track?
“Without Music” is an ode to the music itself. Do you remember those videos of people singing on their balconies in Italy early in the COVID-19 pandemic? It’s amazing how music has the power to give us hope and courage, how it seems to rise in us no matter what we go through. Music is both a resource and a promise that God is still working to restore and redeem all things.
Anyway, Amy Grant is one of the artists who taught me to love music as I was growing up. So, while I was working on recording “Without Music,” I just kept hearing her voice on it. I finally reached out to her through a mutual friend to ask if there were any way she’d consider singing the song with me.
This was last year when she just had heart surgery. Her email back to me said, “Carolyn, your song is beautiful—and so true. I’d be honored to sing with you. Having said that, I haven’t sung since my surgery in early June. I might sound a little rusty, but I’m okay with that if you are.” Of course, I was okay with that. And of course, she didn’t sound rusty at all. She sounded like classic Amy. She’s the best.
Music continues to be an incredible way to communicate and minister to people. Why do you think that is?
A writer named Yip Harburg once said that, while words make you think, and music makes you feel, a song with both words and music makes you “feel a thought.” I think that’s so true. Music lights up both sides of our brains, engages our bodies, and coaxes our souls out of hiding. It can slip past our defenses and our rationality and help us get into the place where “deep calls to deep.”
I heard a theologian the other day say he thinks the relationship within the Trinity—the divine dance of love between the Father, Son, and Spirit—is the source of all music. So, music is not something we invent, it’s something we discover.
Who are some artists that you would love to write or record with?
So many. To name a few, I particularly appreciate what contemporary singer Andrew Peterson is doing these days. I would love to work with him at some point. I think contemporary artist Sara Groves is the bomb. And, you know, I’m game if Paul McCartney is looking for a duet partner.
When can we expect your latest full-length album, Recognition, to hit streaming? What else is next for you?
After a year of putting out singles one at a time, Recognition has finally released to all streaming platforms. I really hope people will check it out. We celebrated its release with a live-stream concert. I haven’t done too much live streaming, even in this COVID-19 year, because I tend to be so picky about the audio quality. But we miss touring so much that we just couldn’t stand it anymore. We recently did an online concert from my living room on Facebook in late November. It was so much fun, we've decided to do a Christmas live stream on Facebook and Youtube on December 12th. How can we be praying for you?
What a kind question. I currently have a couple of very dear friends battling cancer, so prayers for B. and for Rose would be deeply appreciated.
Kevin McNeese started NRT in 2002 and has worked in the industry since 1999 in one form or another. He has been a fan of Christian music since 1991.
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