As a full-time touring professional musician, Aaron Gillespie never imagined he'd still be on the road but having a role as a worship pastor somewhere. A little more than a year ago Gillespie accepted a job offer at a church and was prepared to move with his wife and then 2-year-old son. However, things changed when he received the call to play a gig with Platinum-selling band Paramore. What was initially a temporary gig remains ongoing.

"I didn't expect to have the privilege of playing with Paramore this long," Gillespie said. "It was supposed to be a quick thing, and it just sort of evolved. So I actually made this record while on the road with the band during my downtime."

The album, Grace Through The Wandering, is appropriately titled for someone who's following God's path, unsure of where it leads. While co-writing a few years ago with Paul Baloche, a worship leader whom Gillespie describes as a "hero," he had an epiphany about his role as a songwriter and worship leader.

"He said it's so important when you're leading worship because you're helping people with their vocabulary-with their communication-with God. I saw that as such a responsibility, a massive one. It's my prayer for me and for my family-my wife and 3-year-old child-that we will be willing to go to the dark places and do the work as opposed to staying inside of our community. Being in church is important, but I think it's more important to go out to people and meet them where they are and meet their needs there."

That's the approach Gillespie took on recording his new solo album as well. He wasn't going to wait to record when he was home and near the studio. He worked around his touring schedule and wrote and recorded the new album while on the road with Paramore.

With the help of producer Jon Howard, who tours with Paramore playing keys and providing background vocals, he recorded the album in 10 cities-from Paris to Tulsa. They carried gear and set up makeshift studios in hotel rooms.

"Literally, we have one track in Bologna, Italy and then one track in Paris. We did some guitars in Germany, some at home in Nashville. We kind of just had to record it all over." Only three tracks were recorded with his friend and producer Aaron Sprinkle in Nashville. One of the most practical recording tips came from Paramore's guitarist Justin York, who suggested they record vocals by holding a microphone under the hotel comforter to give it similar acoustics to a vocal booth. While the tracks may have been recorded all over (and under), the content comes squarely from Gillespie's core. "I kind of wanted to stretch my legs and express what was inside my head and my heart."

Aaron Gillespie and his Worship Album: In 2011, Aaron Gillespie released his solo venture, Anthem Song, on BEC Recordings to what he hoped will be a new generation of worshippers. On release day, Anthem Song, immediately charted on iTunes debuting at No. 17 on overall iTunes Albums chart, No. 2 on the Christian iTunes Albums chart and No. 1 on Canada's iTunes Christian Chart. This album also garnered rave reviews from the press with Alternative Press' 4-star review calling Anthem Song's "greatest quality is its unapologetic fearlessness," Christianity Today saying "Anthem Song is devoid of any preoccupation with 'self,' consistently pointing to God's goodness and glory," and AbsolutePunk calling it "a true worship record at its finest."

For more info on Aaron Gillespie visit the JFH Artists Database.

 

 

 

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