While he may be considered a "new" artist, singer-songwriter Chris August is anything but a rookie in the music industry. The self-taught pianist, guitarist, and producer previously toured as the keyboard player and opening act for pop sensation Ashlee Simpson before shifting his focus to his solo career. Chris, a native of Dallas, Texas, put his refined skill set to work when he co-produced his debut record No Far Away with acclaimed producer Ed Cash. While he is not one to shy away from writing about his faith, Chris isn't afraid to embrace relationships and heartache in his songwriting. Chris cites influences such as Stevie Wonder, John Mayer, and Gavin DeGraw who all contributed to the polished pop/rock sound that is sure to resonate with all who listen. 

 

Chris August has seen the upside, and the down in the past - and is better for it. Setting out to write and produce his sophomore record was a challenge he was energized and confident about, and dead set on what he wanted to say. Ironically, while recording, Chris experienced a true "down" moment when he was in a serious skateboarding accident. Returning to the studio with a renewed awareness and sensitivity, song after song began to have new meaning and importance.

 

On The Upside of Down, a 14-track album, Chris was set on writing and crafting songs that were purposeful, vulnerable and direct, not shying away from truth and not hiding meaning with metaphor. Chris explains the symbolism of his new album title, "Even in the down part of life, I’ve had such intimate moments with friends being at my house and lifting me in prayer – I’m really connecting with Christ on a new level. I couldn’t ask for anything else through all this!"

 

I had the great opportunity to interview Chris in-person at Creation Northeast about his current single "Center Of It." 

 

Please tell me the message behind the song "Center Of It."
 

You know it is funny, sometimes you write songs about a situation you are going through. Sometimes you get an idea in your head about something for a song. Or God randomly puts something on your heart to write about. With this song, I started writing the chorus almost a year ago, and I had finished just the chorus and none of the verses yet. I went to India and saw how God was in the middle of everything going on there. God started putting the rest of the song on my heart. It ended up being the last song I finished for the album. Then, I ended up having my skateboarding accident. At that point, the song took on another meaning for me.

 

Romans 5:8: "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

 

My life verse is Ephesians 5:1: "Therefore be imitators of God as dear children."

What's the take-away message for listeners?  
 

You’ll hear people say about how certain songs speak to them in certain moments. When I was getting out of the hospital and I was putting the finishing touches on the song, the lyrics, "You'll be there through it all, At the start, at the end, In the center of it" took on an even deeper meaning for me. It shows that even in the mistakes, and I made a mistake and hurt myself and ended up in the hospital, God didn’t say He’d leave me and come back when I’m good and behave better. God was there even in my sin and my pain. He guided me through my recovery and He’s still giving me strength. It has been speaking to me so much, and it’s funny because every time I hear this song it literally puts a smile on my face and reminds me of the Truth of this song. I’m hoping this song speaks to other people as well. Even in the midst of our sin, God died for us. You don’t have to have it all together.

 

 

It is interesting to me that someone who was signed to a mainstream record label and achieved what America considers successful, living in LA and playing sold-out venues, is truly reaching out and making it clear that he’s broken and giving his life to Jesus in his songs. We all need to be unashamed of our faith in Jesus and we all need to be bold in expressing our faith. You are doing friends and family members who aren’t believers a disservice to not fully share the Gospel. 

 

Scripture from beginning to end teaches the dreadful, present results of sin. Among these are the shame and embarrassment caused by adversity itself, if it necessarily implies sin. Attack by enemies, distressing adversity, and calamity cannot simply be viewed as happenings in a fallen world. This a great song about having faith that God's participates in the lives of His people. We need to have faith that God participates meaningfully in our lives as followers of Jesus. He’s with us and through the power of the Holy Spirit inside of us, He’s with us during our "battles" with sin. 

 

The Upside Of Down by Chris August is one of the most compelling and lyrically transparent albums of the year. Chris has vaulted himself amongst the industry’s top singer-songwriters with an album that rivals the latest by Bebo Norman, Brandon Heath and Jason Gray. As it turns out, we only scratched the surface of August’s soulful, inspiring and meaningful storytelling with his GMA Dove Award winning debut album. If you want to be challenged, moved, and get deeper with Chris August, don’t miss out on this practically perfect album. "Center Of It" is an infectious song and picks up right where Chris left off and takes it up a notch musically as this album is loaded with musical hooks. What stands out the most to me are the messages of these ultra-catchy songs such as the vertical and prayerful lyrics from this song: "when I rise, when I fall, You’ll be there through it all" right from Psalm 139. Amen!