Recording can be enjoyable, but the hard thing is that you don't get any direct or immediate feedback like you do when you play live. Getting to see people's excitement and see them engage in the show makes me excited to get back out and play.
Ben RectorI have learned that you're not perfect, and that sometimes the one you love can burn you. But it's just the fool that's looking backwards: a bitter heart turns the love we made to ashes.
Ben RectorSometimes things fall in your lap and sometimes you really carve them out. I've found that songs I really like can happen both ways. I've also been trying to learn when to step away and take a break and when to keep pushing through. For me it's a delicate balance of staying inspired and staying consistent, and I'm still trying to figure it out.
Ben RectorOther [artists'] music is really what you get most inspiration from, whether consciously or subconsciously. I like a lot of old music and a lot of soul music. I also really like a lot of new stuff.
Ben RectorIt's crazy to think of myself as a musician. It's ridiculous that I get to do it, and I don't necessarily mean music. Getting to do something you really enjoy as a job is an incredible privilege, I think. I still don't really feel like a musician outside of the actual music.
Ben RectorI really value the freedom I have as a Christian that's an artist but not necessarily a Christian artist. I think it can be hard to express certain things about faith when there are a pretty specific set of expectations around what you need to talk about and how you're talking about it.
Ben RectorMost people who work with me can tell you I'm a bit of a pessimist about business stuff. Not because I don't believe in what I'm doing, I just don't like feeling presumptuous. Like, 'This is what's going to happen!' Honestly, I don't know what will happen.
Ben RectorI would say that I'm happy getting to make a living playing music and seeing people enjoy music that I make. So far, things have grown consistently and quicker than I thought they would, so that could possibly continue. Even if it ended tomorrow, I'd be really grateful that I got to do it.
Ben Rector