-
10 Questions with ... Moriah Peters
March 26, 2012
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. -
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
LABEL:
- Reunion Records
DISCOGRAPHY:
- I Choose Jesus
1) Tell us a little bit about your musical journey and how you connected with Reunion Records.
Do you remember the group Sierra? Well, I met one of those ladies, Wendy, in L.A. She and her husband produced some of my songs and handed them out to labels. I was back in L.A. finishing my senior year of high school and getting ready for college. Wendy kept telling me, "Labels are not signing people," trying not to get my hopes up. But I wasn't worried about it and prayed specifically to God, "I have these plans set for college but if you want me to do music, please make it very clear and specific. A couple days later, I found out we had seven meetings with labels and all of them were interested. They were interested based on three songs. It was a total God thing. And I signed with Reunion.
2) Is there a singular theme or message to your new album I Choose Jesus?
Yes. The title song (which is also the first single) is from my own specific story and experience but I think it is also the theme that ties every song together: the decision to follow after Christ. Being the hands and feet of Jesus, being light, walking in grace and forgiveness, all of those are the result of an initial decision to choose to follow Jesus.
3) Tell us about the story behind your single "I Choose Jesus"?
I grew up in Southern California and attended public school with 5,000 other kids. In L.A. everything is very black and white. Those who are wishy-washy are not tolerated, and people are very outspoken about their beliefs and have very strong convictions. Whether faced by someone who is atheist, agnostic, naturalist or Christian, anyone without strong convictions can be blown over very quickly.
Professors have told me that what I believed was a fairy tale, and classmates ask me really hard questions that I don't get in a church. There seemed to be so many questions and not enough answers - to the point where I questioned the existence of God and every fact that I was raised with. I am thankful for that time. I think many people live without the opportunity to ask hard questions, to find the truth in God, his creation, in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. It strengthened my faith. This song is about making the decision to choose Jesus in those situations. A large majority of kids walk away from faith in college as they search from truth. Hopefully it will encourage my peers and classmates who are made to feel wrong when challenged by professors and others.
4) Do you have a favorite song on the album?
"Haven't Been Kissed." I wrote this song over and over about nine times to get lyrics where they needed to be. I think it's important message but difficult topic. It is about joy in relationships without the physical side of things. I have known girls in bible study that are getting involved in drugs or alcohol due to the stress of relationships. I never dated in high school. My boyfriend and I have a healthy relationship because we have Christ at the center. We are best friends and we have set certain boundaries. It has been the biggest blessing and reward, and I believe we are protected from things because we drew a line in the sand and we want to be wise in how we handle each other.
5) You planned on becoming an entertainment lawyer. Did you get very far in that process? When did things change?
I am currently a marketing student [at Grand Canyon University]. I actually got really far in that process to be an entertainment lawyer. I was one of 25 kids in the country that were accepted into weeklong law program at UCLA. We met with top attorneys and heard some of the best lectures. I went into college with the plan to be a psychology major to reach the end goal of law school. But after freshman orientation, I came to fork in the road: either school or music. During orientation, I was surrounded by all of these intelligent kids, and I found that I didn't want to get to the end of that road, living in flat in L.A. and think what could have happened. I believe that was a question from God, and it scared me stiff. So I changed to focus on music.
6) Who inspires you personally, spiritually and/or professionally?
My dad is my everything. He has loved me so well and I have walked in that confidence he has given me. He has shaped me to be who I am. He is my advisor, counselor and a wise man that has gone through a lot.. He grew up in poor circumstances but he rose about that and went to UCLA, became a lawyer and is now a judge.
7) Have you have any inspiring or humorous stories come from your time with radio folks?
I have been to over 50 stations. I remember going to one station that was a house on a farm. There were ducks and chickens and cows. It was a cool change of scenery after nice fancy buildings.
8) Fill in the blank: I can't start my day without:
Shower: I'm such a hard sleeper that I can't wake up
Prayer: I need to give the day to God
Food: I eat everything and anything that is edible. Food gives me motivation for the day.
9) What song do you wish you had written?
"Superwoman" by Stevie Wonder. That is my favorite album of all time, and I think that is a brilliant song. Lyrically, it's kind of a sad story but musically it's beautiful.
10) Do you have much time to check out other artists' music? What are you listening to right now?
Stevie Wonder (my all time favorite, since I was little), For King & Country, Brooke Fraser
-
-