Flynn Adam

Flynn Adam is no stranger to the music world. As one of the founding members of the L.A. Symphony crew as well as carving out a successful solo career with tons of production credit to his name as well, Adam has worked with some of the biggest names in both the Christian and mainstream markets like The Black-Eyed Peas, Will I Am, and others.

That crossover appeal and experience allows Adam a unique perspective on the world of music and is one that Soul-Audio asked him to comment on for us as a guest editor of sorts. Here’s what he had to say.

Why music?

God, faith, music and culture, can this really make sense? I go back to my younger days of being an impressionable junior high student and I remember that I looked up to entertainers of all types, musicians, actors, basketball players, professional skaters, etc. I truly feel our culture has set it up this way to the point where it’s difficult for our young minds to even give merit to teachers, family members, church leaders, and the like because they’re just not as cool. They just don’t know what time it is.

I remember growing up listening to some of the hip-hop legends like Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, and Public Enemy and thinking to myself, “Man, what makes these guys tick? What are they all about?” Here I was, a white kid in the Midwest, raised in a Christian home, and I was interested in what the Nation of Islam had to say; that’s when I came to a point where it clicked in my head. As opposed to the great hip-hop at that time the Christian music scene was bringing pretty much nothing but rubbish in the arena of modern music and I truly remember the day when I said, “It shouldn’t be this way.”

I think for the most part the Church realizes the importance and power of music and artistic expression; I just don’t think they’ve been able to see it for more than a tool of propaganda though. Therein exists the frustration from an artist’s perspective. If someone is feeling called to be a doctor, is he/she only expected to treat other Christians because he/she is a Christian? If someone is felt lead to become an architect does that mean he/she is only to design churches?

I find nothing wrong with an artist that is totally fine with making music for the sole purpose of being used as a tool of edification for the church ‘body.’ I applaud those who can genuinely create sincere and heartfelt music with the sole intent of worshiping God. My frustration is in this expected template that has been created in which we artists (who are Christians) seem to be measured by. It’s been an ongoing joke for us over the years, “the JPM’s,” how many Jesus’ per minutes is it?

Over the last year I have been writing and recording new solo material that I’m very amped on. Since I’ve been making this new body of music it has attracted various labels, some Christian and some not, based on the sound more than anything else. Here’s how I know the CCM label is talking, “Hey man, I’m loving what you are doing here. I love that you’re being genuine in your faith and not corny and I love where you’re going musically. Here’s the thing, man, if you can just make these a little more ‘vertical,’ I really think we can do something with this stuff.”

This particular song the individual was referring to is called “Dishes.” It’s a song about doing the dishes for someone I love, period. I seriously joked back and asked, “What am I supposed to do? Change it to ‘I do the dishes ‘cuz Jesus I love you?” Coooooorrrrrrrrrnnnnnyyy.

I’m not mad at the guy; I know that at the end of the day no matter how much he likes and appreciates what I’m doing he has a boss that is going to expect ‘vertical’ music from the artists. It’s a business. No matter how genuine my faith may be on a personal level, if I’m not making something that applies to that particular market I just have to keep stepping.

Why music? Why do I make music? I make music because I love it. I make music because that’s what I feel I’m created to do. I make music because I know what type of influence genuine, honest, creative material can make on an individual and in our culture. It is my hope and experience over the years that when I stay the course and do what it is that I feel I’m designed to do, the merit speaks for itself. And I genuinely believe that the life speaks for itself as well.

I’m not sure I’ve said anything but hopefully it makes some sense.

Boom.

-Flynn Adam

• www.flynn-adam.com
• www.myspace.com/flynnadam

Does it Resonate with you?

Name (required)

Email (will not be published) (required)

URL