10 Questions with ... Tori Harper

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Her teen years barely in the rearview mirror, Tori Harper has spent much of this past year building on to the musically-inclined foundation she started as a young child. The daughter of veteran artist manager Dave Steunebrink (Paramore, Tenth Avenue North), Tori wasted little time the past 12-18 months, developing relationships at radio, particularly to promote her latest single "Joy," which hit Billboard Christian Airplay Top 20 status this past Spring. She released her debut EP, Seasons, earlier this May and is preparing a new single campaign mid-summer.

1. You're no stranger to the music industry; what was life like for you growing up in that world?

As a kid I loved music. Growing up with family in the industry, they knew that if I was going to enter into that world, it would have to be because I truly loved it for myself and not because I knew it as a norm. So, for many years, I didn't spend much time around industry people. When I got a little older and I started writing, I started to develop relationships within the industry for myself. So it was always inspiring to me whenever I had the opportunity to see what an artist's life was like behind the scenes and on the road. I think it also helped me get over the fear of singing in front of people because they were already friends!

2. With your father being an artist manager, can you recall any moments that you may have taken for granted at the time but were actually quite special and unique?

There have been many times when I had the unique opportunity to write with some amazing people. I remember one specific time when I was 13, I got an opportunity to write with....um, let's just say it was an incredible Christian female songwriter. We sat down to write and she started giving me direction. My 13 year-old mind could only process her initiative as "bossy." I look back now and wish I'd taken that moment more seriously! I can only imagine now what gems she was sharing with me. As I have continued in the music industry journey, I've definitely started to seize each moment as special. Everyone I meet has a unique gift God has given them and I continue to try glean from everyone I am privileged to meet.

3. At what point/age did you realize you had your own set of gifts as an artist/performer? Was it something that happened naturally or did your parents encourage you to take that route?

Like most kids in the church, I started doing church musicals when I was six. I was used to being on stage and thought it was fun. When I was 11, a woman in my church wanted to host a songwriting camp to help develop those gifts in children my age. I fell in love with writing and went back for the second round of the camp and I started writing songs every day with such excitement and passion.

Even though I began to write songs, as a vulnerable young girl, I wasn't sure I had the talent to sing what I had written. I remember having a serious conversation with a close friend asking her to give me her best "Simon Cowell." I needed that moment of knowing that I could do this before I took my career more seriously. Once the decision was made, my parents were very supportive, but also encouraged me to do what I want whether that was music or something else.

4. You're still pretty young, but have you experienced any setbacks or discouragements that's tested your pursuit of being an artist?

I'm always reminded of how hard it is to make it as a female artist in Christian music. Especially being in Nashville, where countless people come to this city with the dream to succeed in music. I have had to let the Lord define what "making it" means. Every time I worry, God always reminds me that He called me to music for a purpose and that my music can change people's perspectives on the Lord and help them see the hope that He brings. That's what makes it worth it to me-whether I am "successful" or not, I'm doing what the Lord has called me to do. There have been times I thought about becoming a counselor/ therapist, maybe an author or transition into theatre or dance. Whenever I look into doing something else, I just keep coming back to music.

5. In music and ministry, who has served as your biggest influences?

Some of my earlier influences are Brooke Fraser, Sara Groves, Chris Tomlin, and Steven Curtis Chapman. In fact, meeting Sara Groves was a big moment for me; someone like her, who had such an influence in my walk with God was one of the most encouraging moments of my life. Sara's song "You are the Sun" had a huge impact on me growing up. When I heard that song, it was a view of the Lord I had never seen before. More recently, I have been impacted by Bethel Music, The Upper Room, Jesus Culture, and my church The Belonging Co.

A lot of my most recent musical influences have been tied tightly with my ministry impacts. Alex and Henry Seely (pastors at The Belonging Co.) are an amazing pastoral team! Seeing a woman like Alex in ministry and speaking the truths alongside her musical husband shows how closely the two are tied together. Being my home church, I know that God has implanted those truths into my beliefs and brings inspiration to me musically and in ministry.

6. You write your own music; what does the songwriting process look like for you? Is it always the same or is the process different every time?

The process is always different for me. Some days I will be super inspired and totally on a roll, and some days I feel totally stuck! Sometimes It takes more effort and sometimes God will just give me a song. However, doing a co-write can be a very exciting and inspiring time. Taking my inspired moments at home to sit down with someone and sharing what the Lord has given me is always a more structured routine. It's always helpful having another person's insight and perspective. It can totally to break off those moments when I am feeling stuck or wordless. But the best part of a co-write is meeting new people and getting to know them. Brainstorming different ideas based on what the Lord has been talking to each of us about. In those moments of sharing what God is doing and bouncing back and forth our impressions and thoughts the song is created.

7.Who would you say is your "core" audience? Who are the people you have in mind most when you're writing music?

When I write, I am writing for the person who feels left behind. The people who feel lost, left out. That person who feels like no one cares about what they're doing. The people who feel like they have gone too far, like the Lord could never love them after what they'd done. I write to remind them that God sees them. He loves them. He chooses them always. Really, anyone who's feeling the pressure of life! We've all had rough seasons and we've all been on the mountain. I try to write about real life as I experience it.

8. You released your EP, Seasons, last week. If you had to choose one song from that project that best encompasses who Tori Harper is, what would it be?

I would choose the title track, Seasons. What I really hope people can take away from all of my music is that even through all the ups and downs of life God is faithful, constant and right beside you through every season. Seasons talks about how, even when God doesn't give you the answer you were hoping for, He will still use everything for good and I think that conveys what I wish people truly understood. That God doesn't let those hard things in life happen to be mean or because he is out there to get you. He loves you so much and his best doesn't' always look like our wants. As an artist I write out of my experiences in life and what God shows me. I am who I am because of the revelations God gives me.

9. In light of the release of "Joy" to late 2017, what has your experience been with radio promotion? What have you learned about yourself so far in the process?

I feel like I've made so many new friends all over the country. It doesn't matter if you're in California or Connecticut, everyone on the other side of the radio is looking for the same thing: hope and encouragement. Over and over again, I've heard the most amazing testimonies of what God is doing through Christian radio. I've loved traveling and I can see that a lot of hard work goes into promoting a song to radio. I'm very grateful for those who have been working so hard to get my song out there. I have learned how to push myself out of the box when it comes to connecting with new people and different cultures. The common denominator we have with the Lord means everyone we meet is family. I have truly come to see the radio promotion aspect as one of the best parts of my ministry.

10. If you had to break it down to the three most important things in your life at this moment, what would they be?

Definitely the most important thing in life to me is my walk with God. Getting away with the Lord to pray, seek his face, and hear his voice. Wherever I am, whether at home or on the road, I want to make sure I get away in my secret place. Soaking in his presence is powerful because I want to make sure I take his presence with me wherever I go.

Secondly, my family. Community is so important to me. God calls us to live in community, so we can share our joy with each other. It is so important to build each other up and encourage one another. We are called to carry each other's burdens. I think about Moses on the mountain when his arms got tired the Lord gave him a community of friends to hold them up. The enemy's plans are to get us alone and afraid. But we win the battle when two or more are gathered!

Thirdly, my ministry. It's so important to me to pour out everything the Lord has poured into me. I want to serve where I am called to serve, Love where I am called to love, and go wherever the Lord leads. I believe that everyone has something special in them that the Lord will use to help someone else. It may be that something you have walked through is what that random person on the street needs to hear today. One avenue of my ministry is my song being played, but what I do in my ordinary everyday life with the Lord is where my true ministry lies.