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10 Questions with ... Mike Farris
June 25, 2007
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NAME:Mike FarrisTITLE:MusicianLABEL:INO Records
Discography:
Salvation in Lights (June 26, 2007)1) Can you give a brief rundown of your musical career from your perspective? How did you find yourself with INO?
Leading into INO, I was praying as this new Christian that I would find my place, to fit in and communicate something with my music. No was really biting on it, and at some point, I decided that I either would make a living at it or not. My friends all kept telling me, "Just do what you do. What's easy for you to do? Do that." It was when I quit trying and trying that Jeff Moseley (from INO) came along and signed me.
2) Could you even imagine life without music? What would you be doing?
No, and I don't even want to think about it. [Smile]
3) How has your experience been so far within the Christian music industry? How has it been different from any other musical experiences?
I feel like we ought to get down on our hands and knees. As a disciple, not a savior, we should set the table. We hold the truth that can change lives. It can affect somebody who hears it for Jesus. And everyone here has been very respectful. There's some kind of reverent feel and respect. Everyone's been awesome.
4) Is there any kind of central theme or message within "Salvation in Lights"?
All the songs were birthed out of struggle. They speak about being free from bondage and looking for something better. God is going to deliver you; have faith. It's where grace meets struggle. It's about hope and love.
5) Which do you enjoy more, the process or the performance?
I love recording but I love performance. There's nothing like it, to make people feel something that could make them laugh or cry. And I love it now more than ever, because before, I couldn't dream of doing it without being high.
6) Does your motivation to create music feel different now as a believer?
Things fell apart and about ate me alive in music, but the music has always been with me. It has always come to me easy. But the situation before [I was a Christian] was not comfortable and now I know exactly where I'm supposed to be.
7) You're in the studio working on the album. Was there a moment that made your heart stop in a good way, a moment when you said 'Ah ha! Now we have a record'?
For "Oh Mary, Don't You Weep", we brought horns in. I had this vision in my mind, but it was real rough, to have horns come in. Hearing it, it was overwhelming. I thought to God, "I can't believe you're letting me be a part of this, to be a part of music. It's humbly more than I deserve." I'm amazed that I'm in the right place for the first time in my life. Then there's the song "The Lonely Road" that just feels like it's built for me.
8) Who and/or what inspires your writing?
Van Morrison, he packed the music with pictures and allowed the listeners to get something out of it. Dylan was an inspiration to me, and Thomas Dorsey.
9) If there's any record in history that you wish you could have worked on, which one would it be?
Buena Vista Social Club and Van Morrison's "His Band and the Street Choir"
10) Do you live in Nashville? Where are your roots?
I actually live in Manchester, TN. I have roots back to Syracuse, N.Y.
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