Na Band: Looked Upon, Interview pt 1

May. 19 2008

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“Looked Upon” the latest Nap Records release, this time by the Na Band (the guys that lead worship at our annual conference), drops at the Na Conference this May. To give you a behind the scenes look at the album our editor Ricky Alcantar interviews Jeremy White (the producer) and Devon Kauflin (lead vocalist and band leader) about the Na Band release Looked Upon.

This first half of the interview covers why the guys made the album, why it’s different, and why they’re excited about it. To get a taste of the album you can download the free track What A Savior. Or buy the whole album.

[Photo L to R: Jeremy, Devon ]
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"Lu" is meant to bring the gospel to bear in an artistically unique and creative way.

Ricky: How would you describe this album to someone in just a few words?

Devon: “Lu” is meant to bring the gospel to bear in an artistically unique and creative way.

Ricky: Why are you excited about this album?

Devon: My excitement is all about the opportunity to equip churches, worship leaders, and individuals with new songs to sing about who God is and what He has done for us, particularly at Calvary. I’m excited about it because the songs are theologically rich and they make me want to sing of our great Savior. What a privilege to be able to spend my time and energy magnifying the name of Jesus through music.

Ricky: What’s with the unconventional cover? How did that happen? [see the cover]

Jeremy: Matt Wahl did it. I love the cover, it’s really interesting and somehow works with the feel of the album. I mean, don’t weathered farmers come to mind when you hear the album? But I think it works to further one of our main ideas for the album. We did not want to simply put together a “comfortable” project but a project that challenges people.

Ricky: How is this album different?

Devon: This question begs another question: different from what? If we’re talking about Sovereign Grace Music, then this project is different because of the music—it’s somewhat unorthodox and organic, not to mention that I’m singing (which is unusual in and of itself).

If we’re talking about different from mainstream worship music, then it’s because of the feel and focus of the album. This album is much less about the “experience” of worship and much more about the truth behind our worship. Not to say that other worship albums don’t seek to communicate truth, but our main focus was drawing attention to the truth of the gospel.

Ricky: How has your relationship with your dad (Bob Kauflin) impacted your life, your worship leading, and your songwriting?

Devon: Wow. This is the hardest question--not because it’s hard to think of something to say, but because I don’t know where to begin and where to end. I guess the easy answer is that my relationship with him has impacted all of it. His perseverance, patience and love when I was running away from God were the most critical factors God used in bringing me to salvation. His discernment and humility have taught me everything that I know about worship leading and songwriting. I am so grateful for the hours and hours and hours that I have been able to spend asking him questions on why we do what we do and how we do it. I am more grateful though, that, apart from my wife, I call my dad my best friend. [Read Bob Kauflin’s comments on Devon and the album here.]

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Part two of Devon and Jeremy’s interview covers the production process of the album, songwriting, what happens when you record past midnight, and a mullet wig.

Buy the album.

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