Michael Olson Interview

Who Is Michael Olson?
A talented multi-instrumentalist and songwriter, Rocketown recording artist Michael Olson unveiled February an album of hope and healing last year. Born from living in the midst of lifes ambiguities, Where Fear and Faith Collide examines how difficult surprises can be made rich in Gods constancy. Olson’s insightful lyrics melt seamlessly into modern, intelligent pop tracks in the vein of Steven Curtis Chapman, John Mayer and Matthew West.

Key:
L> Leah
M> Michael

L>I have to tell you that I choose to interview you because of the title of your CD.

M> Wow! That’s a lot of pressure on me. HA HA

L> Well, it’s a good thing. It had a lot of impact.  When Faith and Fear Collide.

M> What does that evoke in you?

L> I thought..I have been there. I really connect with that.

M> You’re like the poster child for success.

L> Ha Ha ...Of what an album title should do?

M> Well, not just that, but of what this whole record should do. That people would listen to the record and find little hooks that they could hang their thoughts on and grow in that way, and be encouraged.

L> Well I think it does that. I really loved the sound overall of the album. I’m a big fan of Steven Curtis Chapman, and I thought I heard some things in there that were sort of like him, but then again, your own.

M> I met Steven Curtis the other day, and we just kind of looked at each other for a good five minutes, and were like, wait a minute. I mean, he’s a good six inches shorter than I am, but we have the same haircut and stuff. It was pretty weird that we look so much alike. I’m glad you like the record.

L> I really do. Don’t ask me to pick a favorite song though.

M> What’s your favorite song?

L> HA HA I enjoyed the writing on the record. I liked what the project was about. Ya know, it was about SOMETHING.

M> Yeah, that’s a rarity these days.

L> I hear a lot of stuff, that I’m like, okay that’s a cool guitar thing and that’s a cool vocal, but what did they just say?

M> I know a lot of great singer/songwriters. I love people like that. They have something to say, and I strive to do that too.

L> What song sticks out to you on the record?

M> The first song is what I think is going to be my second single. It’s called “First Love.” It’s just and immensely emotional process of writing that took place over the course of four years. I wrote the chorus to that song spontaneously in a corporate worship service that I was leading, and it was such a pure thing, that I didn’t want to mess it up by just throwing some lyrics at it. So, I just decided to wait and sit on it. A guy name Jason Ingram who produced half of my record was helping me pull together the last few songs for the record. So, I played him this chorus that I had for years, and he said, “You’re not going to believe this, but I have these lyrics that I wrote for Michael W. Smith’s “Stand” record that didn’t make it, and it’s perfect.” He played me the verses, and we were amazed. We wrote a two line bridge and we realized that we had hit on something very pure and very necessary for the church to hear. So I’m excited for that to get to radio.

The second song that is an impact song for me is the song I sing with Sara Groves called, “Tell Me Again.” It’s just another emotional roller coaster. Just coming to the realization of who we are right now is the culmination of what God has done through history from Adam to now. The same God that breathed dreams into Abraham and restored David is the same God that gives us dreams. I think we read about Bible characters sometimes and there’s a disconnect. We don’t think of them as real people. They had real emotions and there was a real God speaking to them, just as real as God is to us.

L> Well, since you’re talking about the songwriting thing, I like to ask how each songwriter approaches the process.

M> I don’t know how it works. I don’t know how many interviews you’ve done, but if anyone has told you they have a process, they’re lying to you. It’s different every time for me. There’s one thing that’s consistent, and that’s that ideas come from truth. A lot of times for the Word. Scriptures just shoot out at me and evoke emotion, but as far as some four step program or something..it’s a lot more messy than that. It’s frustrating, sometimes it takes 20 minutes, sometimes it takes years.

L> Are you a singer first or a songwriter first?

M> I’m a singer first. I would hope that I would be growing in the discipline of songwriting and I would hope that people get substance from the lyric that I write.

L> It’s there.

M> Thanks, again you’re the poster child.

L> This is your sophomore record. The first release was actually a re-release of your independent record. What’s the difference between this one and the last one?

M> Well, my publicist April said, the first record was like me writing about things that were true. The second record has to do with things that I KNOW to be true because I’ve walked through them in my personal experiences. So, I’m not just on a soap box telling you what you should do, I’m speaking from experience. I feel like I can look you straight in the eye and tell you I feel like I have been broken like David was broken, and I have been given dreams like Abraham was given dreams, because I have seen the fulfillment of those things. Especially over the past year and a half.

L> How did you know this was the direction God meant for your life?

M>Uh, I don’t know what my deal is, but I’ve known for a long time. I’ve always known that music was a big deal for me. I believe God gives people gifts and He doesn’t want them to sit dormant. I think He wants those gifts used, but I don’t think we necessarily get to pick how those are used. I think sometimes we want to, and that’s when it gets messy. God did stuff with me as a kid. I mean, I loved records. I loved good songs. Music resonated with me very early on as a child, and then I went through this process of growing up and going to college. I gave my dreams to the Lord and giving up and then went on staff at a local church and serving there. Then without me really doing anything I ended up doing this. In fact I can say that the best things that have happened to me in my life I’ve had nothing to do with. The things I’ve tried to make happen myself have been extremely messy.

L>Who have your musical influences been?

M> I was definitely a big CCM music junkie growing up. I mean major. I should be playing drums for Michael W. Smith right now, because I know his music better than he does.  Steven Curtis Chapman, and then the older I got and when I got into high school I started loving The Police and Sting.  Man, I love Sting.  Also James Taylor - singer/songwriters like that.  And I also love musician’s music - like Bruce Hornsby as well as a lot of piano-infused rock.  I’m definitely into the Keane, Coldplay rock - I think those guys are phenomenal and what they are doing sonically is really great.

L>What do you think that your message is - I mean I know it changes and evolves as time goes on - but what do you think it is right now?

M>I hope people would listen to this record and find that in life we go to difficulties - doesn’t matter if you know the Lord or not - it’s gonna be difficult.  I think we tend to shy away from confessing that, specifically Christians.  We like the idea of being shiny and happy.  I would hope that people would listen to the record and say “I’ve got some issues that I’m dealing with right now - but I want to know and feel that when this is all over that I’m going to grow in character and in God.” Also - that’s it’s ok to ask questions.

L>Well thanks for taking the time to talk with me.  It was really great getting to meet you.

M>Thanks you too!

You can find out more information on Michael Olson at http://www.michaelolsonmusic.com or visit his MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/michaelolson.

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