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Here at Impact 89FM, our staff has the opportunity to interview a lot of bands, artists and other musicians. We're excited to be highlighting those conversations and exclusive live performances.
This is the basement on Impact eighty nine FM.
Speaker 2:And today, we have the Michigan State University gospel choir.
Speaker 3:If you want to be born again, say the word. If you want to be born again, say the word.
Speaker 2:Well, thank you for being here with us today. My name is Griffin. This is Lev.
Speaker 3:I'm Lev.
Speaker 2:Before we started this, interview, we we had such a great conversation just about you as a group and what lies beyond the choir. I just wanted to ask, like, I know you mentioned that the choir is the glue to an MSU gospel choir, but, what other layers do you guys have? And, like, what else lies beyond, the choir? And, yeah, like, what other aspects bring you together is what I'm trying to say.
Speaker 4:Well, we also do bible studies on Thursdays. And then when we get into, our concerts, we have praise dancers. We do wine. We can do, we have bring our band in. I think there's just a lot of different ways that people can connect.
Speaker 2:So and then I mentioned that, like, people had this idea that, like, oh, this is only a choir, but, like, you guys are a family. So, like, what other ways do you guys connect?
Speaker 5:Well, me and my tenors, we we go hoop. So every like, Wednesday, we go hoop. We go play basketball. Just and sometimes, like, after practice, we stay for hours just having conversations, getting to know each other. Mhmm.
Speaker 5:I and we were just talking about before the word intimacy. Mhmm. Like, we try to build intimate connections and real connections that can actually stand the test of time.
Speaker 4:Yeah. Amazing. And then we also do social events, like, aside from just rehearsals. We'll do, like, study nights, study tables, or just, like, game nights, you know, just to build those connections. Yeah.
Speaker 4:Yeah.
Speaker 6:Yeah. Sometimes we like to go out to eat after rehearsal or just stay after rehearsal longer than we should be there.
Speaker 4:But you know what?
Speaker 6:It's great. It's always a great time to, like, connect the fellowship with each one of every one of us. You know? Mhmm. Mhmm.
Speaker 1:So you guys are friends and your family, and you bond in the way that any other group of kids in college might, but why is it gospel and and this creation of music that's bringing you together?
Speaker 5:Well, everything is based in faith. You know? So we're a gospel choir, and the music, of course, is gospel, but there's also we're all trying to help each other on a journey. We're all going in the direction of trying to be more like Jesus, really. And so in our journey, we're we try to help each other whenever somebody falls, help each other up.
Speaker 5:Sometimes we don't feel like sometimes we may feel like a hypocrite. We may feel like this or that, but we're always there to remind each other that nobody's perfect. Nobody can be perfect. Yeah. But come as you are and try to get better.
Speaker 5:That's what we are all about.
Speaker 3:And I also think we, like, hold each other accountable. Like, while we're in the setting of choir practice and outside, like, when it comes to people who are going through trials and tribulations and, like, voicing that they're having hard things, we, like you said, like, uplift each other and, like, you know, hold each other accountable to the standard that we're supposed to be living by.
Speaker 4:Yeah. So yeah. Yeah.
Speaker 6:And I also feel like when I first joined the choir, fall twenty three, I believe, I came in wanting to have a community that not only worship God and love God, but also had that music that based us, and it kinda rooted us because I've been in church my whole life. I've been singing. So it's kind of a part of me, and I wanted to continue that in college without having to find something off of campus. More so, I wanted to find more connection on campus.
Speaker 4:Mhmm. Yeah. And I think that the friendship we're talking about earlier is what allows us to do these things. Like, I think that having all of these, you know, like, intimate or, like, moments that connect us allow us to come to one another and be like, hey. I noticed that you were in rehearsal, but you were quiet.
Speaker 4:Mhmm. Or, like, hey. I saw that you were at rehearsal. Like, what's going on? I think that allows us to, like, explore those connections
Speaker 3:Mhmm. More. We learn each other's patterns.
Speaker 4:It doesn't feel
Speaker 3:you as quiet as
Speaker 4:it is. Right. Like so
Speaker 1:Well, I'd love to hear about being on a college campus. Obviously, there's a culture that comes along with that. And it sounds like all of your goals as individuals maybe would have a hard time meshing with just what student life looks like to most of the people here. I'm curious about kind of finding your path and being a student and acknowledging that this is a time in your life when you're young and maybe you want to just, like, enjoy yourself and not take everything so seriously as, like, determining in what kind of person you are. You know, it's time of experimentation.
Speaker 1:Yeah. But, of course, also, you don't want to alienate yourself from your beliefs, but also your peers. Yeah.
Speaker 4:I think it's about a balance. I think that as a choir, we are, like, faith based. So I think that's what drew me to the choir because, I am, like, a pastor's granddaughter, so I've been in the church my whole life. But I think that having a balance between, like, knowing that this is my faith, this is what I believe, but also knowing that I'm a person. So, like, I love to sing, but I also love to dance.
Speaker 4:I love to read. I'm in the James Madison College, so I love policy. And so I think understanding that we're not just one thing, and we have, like, a whole bunch of different interests. Like, he plays chess. You know, like, we all have different things that make us who we are.
Speaker 4:And so I think it not just coming to choir and, like, oh, like, you know, singing, but, like, coming to the choir and, like, just being our own individual selves makes it makes it go.
Speaker 5:Yeah. Especially because when I first joined the choir, I I didn't like talking. So I would just sit there.
Speaker 4:Literally. He would
Speaker 5:be like, hi. Hello. And but It's
Speaker 3:not exaggerating either,
Speaker 5:is it? I'm so serious. And but just by having conversations and realizing that people are trying to be real, They're trying to be honest. I was like, okay. I can I can bring down the guard?
Speaker 5:And then it also allowed me to do that exploration that you were talking about.
Speaker 3:It allowed me
Speaker 5:to be like, okay. So with this person, I can be like this. With this person, I can be like that. And it just allowed me to figure out, okay. I actually like being able to talk to people, being able to laugh with people.
Speaker 5:It's really fun. And so just having that experience and having that safe place is really awesome.
Speaker 4:Yeah. Yeah.
Speaker 2:And I have a question that about something we mentioned earlier before this conversation as well. So I know we talked about, you know, the nineties and early two thousands, how a lot of the music, you know, R and B especially, had a lot of gospel influences. But you said, especially, you know, in the twenties now, it's kind of we've kind of lot we've kind of, like, lost that with our generation, especially with Gen Z. Yeah. And even beyond that, like, I know you mentioned that, like, you feel as though some people think, you know, it isn't as cool to incorporate these elements and sounds to their music or just even being part of this community.
Speaker 2:What are your thoughts on that? And, like, what are some, false interpretations that you wish you could, like clear up.
Speaker 3:Yeah. Yeah.
Speaker 4:I wish I could clear up that Christians don't have fun. I mean, we have
Speaker 1:we have a
Speaker 4:lot of fun. Like, I I feel like we are just fun people. So we like to go play game, but fun doesn't have to be like going out and drinking. Mhmm. Like, fun can be whatever you make it.
Speaker 4:Fun can be game nights. Like, we had a game night, and we literally were playing Michael Jackson experience. Like, just dancing, like, Thriller Nintendo. Like, we do things, and I think that we incorporate because our faith is so incorporated in who we are, we just, like, we just are. And I think that is the most important part going back to, like, the authenticity.
Speaker 4:I think that we've lost the aspect of being authentic in society too. So I think that if we could go back to that or, like, just start trying to, like, live honestly as who you are, I think the world would just, like, go round. Yeah.
Speaker 1:And not to sound like a old grandma, like, oh, music this these young people. But there is, I feel like, maybe more of an element of posturing. Not every single band, but contemporary music has a bit more of an emphasis on, like, this is how great I am. And there's nothing wrong
Speaker 4:with feeling that way.
Speaker 1:But I think, like, if a song incorporates questions and exploring doubts Yeah. There's just more to dive into. There's more depth.
Speaker 3:Yeah. I wanna go back to what she said earlier, how people are kinda just trying to get that quick book or trying to, you know, get famous off of the music instead of really trying to make a connection with the listeners that are hit you know, hearing it. So religion and stuff was more meshed into, I guess, society back in the day versus now. It's like a divided line. So it makes it, like, kinda harder to seek out the music that, you know, you feel like it's on the same page, but isn't just hardcore choir, hardcore gospel.
Speaker 3:Yeah. So it's it's really weird, I think. She was
Speaker 5:talking about it earlier. Like, when when the cameras were off, it's like, there's only there's, like, a a loss of soul, a a loss of, you know, direction almost. And it's it is really weird. Everybody's trying to make the next hit make the next instead of expressing themselves through their music. Yeah.
Speaker 5:And actually trying to like, she was saying, connect.
Speaker 3:Mhmm.
Speaker 5:Like, I really like, ever since she said the word intimate, I'm really been thinking about it. It's like building a connection and intimacy between people, because, like, nowadays, a lot of people are on the phone doing whatever. And so there's just that lack of connection that a lot of people had. And music used to be a place where you could bridge and
Speaker 3:Yes.
Speaker 5:Have that connection. But now it seems as if, like, everybody's listening to the same robotic voice or whatever whatever whatever. And so I just feel like if they got back to the soul of things Mhmm. And try to incorporate who they are and express it in a way that is connecting.
Speaker 6:The bigger meaning. Yes. Yes. Because it's it's kinda like the, like, TikTok trends, like the TikTok music. You hear it so much.
Speaker 6:You only hear a certain part of it. So when a full song plays, you're like, oh, this is what this song is, or this is this song. I never knew what this was.
Speaker 1:There are some audios where you go and listen to the full song, and you're like That's what I did.
Speaker 6:Crazy now. It's like now, like, I feel like mainstream media and how this works is, like, they just want producers and all the people who work within their songs and their music and stuff.
Speaker 3:They just
Speaker 6:want you to just drop.
Speaker 4:Just
Speaker 6:keep dropping it. Right. Drop music that will get you money, bring trends, and then keep doing keep doing this. And Mhmm. I know I feel like a lot of artists do not want that.
Speaker 6:They want to be able to express themselves, but there's no way that they can because they are tied to this contract, which allows the producers and all these other directors to tell them what they can and
Speaker 4:cannot do. Yes. Yeah. Like, there is some rapper like Kendrick Lamar. Like, if you listen to his album the latest album or, like, mister morale, he it's like it's connecting with you because he took time on that.
Speaker 4:Like, he invested himself into the album, and I think that that is what we've been missing. We're just getting, like, these fifteen second clips or songs. But, like, if you notice, like, most of his songs didn't get to TikTok because they were, like, serious songs or, like, songs that you would connect with on a personal level. And I think that aspect, that, like, intimate aspect of music or, like, the spiritual aspect of music is, like, what we've been missing.
Speaker 2:Speaking of Kendrick Lamar, can any song be a gospel song? I mean, what elements about, you know, gospel make it let's make it gospel?
Speaker 4:I think that not every song can be a gospel song, but I think every song can push a message. Yes. And so I think that, certain songs, like, may not say the word Jesus, but they are giving you, like, what Jesus would say. Mhmm. And so, like, there's a song oh my gosh.
Speaker 4:I forgot what it's called. It's by Aaron Allen Kane, and it's not Christian. It's not gospel, but it's saying, like, if I count all my blessings, like, if I do all the things, it's like, it is basically, like, giving honor back to God. Like, the I I would have nothing without him type of thing. And so it's not classified as Christian.
Speaker 4:It's not gospel. But the message and the spirituality, the intimacy of the song is what changes it, I think.
Speaker 6:Mhmm. Yeah.
Speaker 5:I mean, I'm not the ambassador of gospel music.
Speaker 4:That's right.
Speaker 5:I can't be like, oh, if you sing like this. Yeah. But there is an element like she was saying. It's the it's the thankfulness, the the spirituality aspect of, like, wow. I could if I was if I was by myself, if I was alone, I wouldn't be here.
Speaker 3:Like,
Speaker 5:that type of and it's like saying you're not alone. You're always there's always somebody there that's there to protect you, that's there to comfort you even when you're in your darkest valley, your lowest low.
Speaker 1:I'm interested in talking about what someone who is not really exploring their faith right now. Like, that's just not a part of their life that they're interested in exploring. What can they find in gospel music? Like, what is there for them in just appreciating or even partaking in a choir like this?
Speaker 2:Joy. Yes.
Speaker 4:Yeah. Honesty. Great way. Yeah. I think they can find honesty.
Speaker 4:Like, I think that when you listen to gospel music, you are it's making you reflect back on, like, on your life Mhmm. And, like, what you've been through, what you've done, how you act. And so I think that plus joy is, like, a good combo. I don't know.
Speaker 3:I don't oh, go ahead.
Speaker 6:I was gonna say hope as well because a lot of the messages push for you to be better and do better and to always try again because tomorrow is always gonna come. And tomorrow Mhmm. Even though it's never promised, but you always have that next day to do better or be a better person that you can be because that's what the a lot of the messages push that. They want you to feel grateful, feel feel loved, and feel
Speaker 4:I don't know.
Speaker 6:They just want you to they want you to invoke some type of emotion that could push you to be better. Okay.
Speaker 3:Okay. That's kinda I was thinking about that. Yeah. I don't have, like, a key buzzword, but, like, listening to music or, like, coming in and being part of a choir, you can find that interpersonal relationship. Because a a lot of people think that, like, being a Christian is, like, by the book, like, religion when reality is relationship.
Speaker 3:So there's Yeah. A big difference in, like, what you should expect coming into certain environments and settings. Well, really, god just wants you to just talk to him and be one on one with him. It's not necessarily like you know, certain churches have, like, certain dress codes and, like, yes, modesty is a thing, but there is no in the book way of what modesty is. So it's just kinda like it's interpersonal rather than religion.
Speaker 3:That makes sense.
Speaker 4:Yeah. Yeah. Over religion for sure.
Speaker 1:Which I kinda wanna pull on what you were talking about with this this key theme of growth. Yeah. And that goes beyond just the words, but from my understanding, gospel also has played a role in innovating music in sometimes. Like, a a name that I've heard thrown out there is pastor TL Barrett who, like, found new styles and explored them and ended up introducing them into the mainstream and music that ended up not being gospel in the end. But innovation is also a part of the heritage of this music that maybe some people see as, like, really traditional.
Speaker 1:Yeah. Do you have anything to add about kind of the origins of gospel or or what it brings to the table that maybe isn't given enough credit?
Speaker 4:I think that because Christianity was so, so, I don't know, enriched, so put into, like, black culture, I think that in black culture started founded a lot of other genres like jazz, like rock, like country, like all these other genres. I think that because of the foundation of Christianity and gospel music, it's you'll see the different aspects throughout all the other genres. That was the question.
Speaker 2:Well, what are some of the biggest challenges that you guys have faced while being together as a choir?
Speaker 6:I feel sometimes it's getting to know each other because it is kinda hard. You come to college and you wanna meet new people, you wanna find new people, and branch out and explore your options of these different people because there's so many types of folks out here. Yes. But getting to getting to build a community is kind of hard because you have a lot of personalities, a lot of big personalities. And wanting to mesh and try to figure out how you fit in between all of this is, I feel like that's the issue.
Speaker 6:But with us, we all kinda somehow slipped our way into, like Yeah. Into, like, we just well open ourselves into each other. We kinda, like, tie into each other. So we all balance each other out. That's how I feel.
Speaker 6:Like, somebody might be really big and boisterous, and somebody else might be a little more down to earth, a little more shy, laid back, but somehow they have a balance.
Speaker 5:Mhmm. I mean, people have different senses of humor. Yeah. Different ways of communication and different tolerances for intimacy. Like, some people don't like to be touched.
Speaker 5:I don't like being touched sometimes. That's just how it is.
Speaker 3:I'm a big hugger. That's right. Yeah. So Yeah. People right there.
Speaker 5:Exactly. So but we're able to, one, respect each other's boundaries and be like, okay. If this is how you wanna relate, that's fine. And then be able to cohabitate and truly, develop. Like you were saying, you we continue to develop in different ways in every aspect as a family, and it's wonderful to
Speaker 4:see. Yeah. I like that part. Like, a lot of us came into the choir as, freshmen. Like, me, Leila, we're sophomores now, but we, joined last year.
Speaker 4:And I think that we became close last year, but, like, we I didn't even know who I was last year. You know? And so I think I like the aspect of coming into this choir, finding your people, and then being able to grow with each other. I think while also growing your, faith, growing, like, your major, like, in finding things that interest you along the way, I think that is also, something that drew me to the choir and kept me here. Mhmm.
Speaker 4:And then me being
Speaker 3:a senior, I just joined last semester. And, like, being in this group, I should have joined years ago. I am so mad at myself. And, honestly, it's it's like a community, and I tell them I love them all the time. Like, they are literally my family.
Speaker 3:And because we meet, we meet, like, twice a week sometimes. They we used to meet, like, three times a day before. We had something we wasn't getting it right. But, yeah, how often we meet, it just makes it really feel like, okay. I'm gonna go see my family today versus, like, I'm going to class.
Speaker 3:Like, you know, you don't have
Speaker 4:that. So
Speaker 6:It's that excitement factor. Like, I get to see the people who I care about the most.
Speaker 4:Right? Because, like, at this age, I think we're past the point of, like, oh, family is family. Like, blood is blood. Like, no. Like, at this point, family is chosen.
Speaker 4:Yes. So I think that coming to college, you get to explore, you get to find your own people. And this choir has truly, like, allowed me to find my own family and, like, create that. So very grateful.
Speaker 3:And shape who I wanna be around in the future too. Yeah. You know?
Speaker 1:Well, to close off for the day, can you guys each just say one other element of yourself, one other, like, aspect of who you are, in addition to this? To kind of, like, paint a picture for us of all the different kinds of people that make up this choir, this family for you? Like, one word.
Speaker 4:Oh, one word? Yikes. I should go last.
Speaker 3:I wanna go last night.
Speaker 5:Okay. I will, I'm a I would say a nerd. Because so Okay. I'm one of contacts now, everything, blah blah blah. But I was a comic book guy, all of that, card games.
Speaker 5:That was all of my life. That's all I did. I played chess, like she said, that type of stuff. I, of course, played sports, whatever, but that's really who I am at my core. I can still keep up with the latest.
Speaker 5:Like, they they there's the ultimate universe restarted. They re refreshed it in the comics. Awesome. I'm so excited. Please.
Speaker 5:I hope to continue the continuity, but that's that's who I feel I am at my core.
Speaker 6:Mhmm. I would honestly, I don't know if I can stick to one word because my family all have been giving me two words, science and arts. I am very creative. I love to sing and dance and do a lot of stuff musically. I sometimes draw.
Speaker 6:And then the science part, I love science. I love STEM. Everything mine is chemistry and engineering and math, but I I really love that area so I can be able to bring the creativity into that science.
Speaker 3:Mhmm. Yeah. Yeah. You can. I just wanna let you know you guys have to be the president super soon.
Speaker 4:Oh, okay. I'm here.
Speaker 3:I'm here. I'm here. I'm here. I'm here. I'm here.
Speaker 4:I'm here. I'm here. I'm here. I'm here.
Speaker 3:I'm here. I'm here. I'm here.
Speaker 4:I'm here. I maker. Like, my major social relation and policy, so I get to explore, like, how policies affect people. And, like, I ultimately wanna become an attorney, so I can help other people with that type of, thing. I would say excitable.
Speaker 1:I'm sure that they will all agree. Like, I'm kinda like a golden retriever sometimes. Like, I'm I
Speaker 3:I kinda am just really loud out there and just bright eyed bushy tails. So, you know, love people.
Speaker 5:She said it, not me.
Speaker 3:Yeah. So, So, yeah, I would say excitable.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Once again, I'm Griffin. I'm Liv. And today, we are here with the gospel choir, and thank you for everything.
Speaker 3:Yeah. Thank you. Thank you.