Josh Wilson is a Christian singer/songwriter, known for songs such as “I Refuse”, “That Was Then, This Is Now”, and more recently “Dream Small”. He has toured with some of the Christian genre’s most well-known artists, including Steven Curtis Chapman, Matthew West, and Casting Crowns. His recently released song “Revolutionary” is about revolutionary kindness, featuring the inspirational lyrics “Why does kindness seem revolutionary / When did we let hate get so ordinary / Let’s turn it around, flip the script / Judge slow, love quick.”
I see that you have toured with artists such as Casting Crowns and Matthew West. What was it like playing these shows? Do you have any unique memories that you’ll never forget?
I’m so thankful for all the touring opportunities I’ve had over the years. I really enjoyed touring with both Matthew West and Casting Crowns, but I think my favorite tour I’ve ever been on is with Steven Curtis Chapman. I’ve listened to his music since I was a kid, and on this particular tour, we all played on each other’s songs. The very first song of the night was “Great Adventure,” which is one of my favorites of SCC’s. I got to play the opening guitar riff, and on the first stop of the tour, I remember playing that part and looking over at Steven, thinking to myself “Is this really happening?” It never got old. I soaked in every moment I got to share the stage with Steven and his band.
What have you been doing recently? Are you working on any new music, are you getting to spend more time with family this year?
I’ve been doing both! My wife Becca and I have one child, Asher, who is four years old. Quarantine has allowed me to spend a lot more time with my family, since I typically am on the road between 80 and 100 days a year. We’ve had a lot of extra time together, so we’ve jumped on the trampoline, had pizza and movie nights, and on pretty days we’ve been having picnic lunches in the front yard. But I’ve also been recording new music. “Revolutionary” is just the first of a number of new songs I’ve been working on. I’ve been writing a lot, and I’ll be releasing new music soon, so stay tuned for that.
Why did you start creating music? What inspired you? What do you hope to accomplish with your music?
I started creating music because it allows me to express myself in a way that I’m unable to otherwise. I’m an introvert, and I’m not always the best with sharing my heart and feelings in the moment. Writing songs is a way that I can sort out what I feel and believe, taking the time to think through all aspects of any given topic. I take a lot of time with my lyrics, making sure they say exactly what I want them to say. Music also allows me to just be in the moment, and to lean into my feelings rather than just my thoughts. I often struggle with anxiety, which comes along with overthinking most experiences. When I’m playing music, I can just feel, I can just be.
Would you say that your music breaks boundaries in any way? What do you feel is unique about your style and songwriting?
I wouldn’t say my music breaks boundaries, but I hope it offers a unique perspective on a universal experience. I truly believe we all have a story to share, and I just happen to share mine through songs. I hope that my approach to both writing and performing resonates with folks in a way that no other artist does. I try to make my live show as interesting as I can by playing as many instruments on stage as possible and looping them all together. I don’t think that breaks any boundaries, but I hope it’s at least fun to watch.
I would like to ask about one of your older songs.. What inspired the song “Carry Me”?
I wrote “Carry Me” because of my experience with anxiety. I’ve struggled with social anxiety for most of my life, and during the season of this song, I was experiencing debilitating panic attacks. They came out of nowhere, and I couldn’t pinpoint their cause. I just knew they were happening multiple times a day (and night), and I thought I was going to have to quit music because of them. God has always been with me during my seasons of extreme anxiety, and he was and is faithful to continue to carry me. I still struggle with anxiety and depression, but I believe God’s promise that “I will never leave or forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).
You’ve stated that your recently released song “Revolutionary” is about kindness. Some lyrics in this song are “Judge slow, love quick”. In what areas would you say we could learn to love more and judge less? How can people show the sort of kindness you sing about?
I’d say I need to work on “judging slow” and “loving quick” in just about every area of my life. Certainly during an election year, I need to have grace and patience for people who don’t live, believe, or vote like me. My prayer is that I can find empathy and compassion for everyone I come in contact with, whether they look like me or not. I definitely fall short of revolutionary kindness, but I think if we want a perfect example of that, we need only look to Jesus. He is the ultimate example of compassion and love. That’s why the bridge asks the question, “What would Jesus do?” and provides the answer, “He would love first.” As a Christian, I am to be known by my love. Again, I fall short of this so often, but I will continue to follow Jesus, praying for the courage and compassion to live a life of love.