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Talk about your musical experience before you became a well-known worship leader.

Jared Anderson:Songwriting was a hobby in high school and college. My fascination was to see how many [writing] rules I could break and how to deliver the unexpected. I used to try the songs out on my friends. In college, a couple friends urged me to play on campus, and I enjoyed the experience. With more than enough material, I figured I could make a CD. My first project cost $1,500, simply called You, The Piano, and Me. The second was better, adding drums, bass, strings, and horns for a whopping $6,000, which I borrowed from my folks. That was the beginning of a dream.

How'd you end up as a worship leader with New Life Church?

AndersonI've attended New Life since I was nine. I played keyboards in the youth band. It seemed normal for me to be there, which is why I didn't want to be there. But worship pastor Ross Parsley asked me to do a 1-year apprenticeship after college. That was five years ago.

It's tricky to write worship music that's both original and accessible, isn't it?

Anderson Realizing that not every song has to be a congregational anthem kinda takes the pressure off. I'm hesitant to encourage people to try too hard to write worship songs. Putting words in other people's mouths is not something to be done flippantly. First I write what I feel I must communicate. Then I go to my friends and say, "Hey, does this strike you as a worship song?"

Your major solo debut Where to Begin is a blend of worshipful stuff and some really creative pop arrangements.

Anderson I would have been satisfied making a record with all worship songs, but [producer] Pete Kipley would not let me settle. He pushed me to dig deeper and focus more on the art, not just the function of the art. He would say, "Let's make the kind of record we would want to listen to." So that became the goal instead of just trying to resource the church with songs. I'm glad he pushed me. I listen to record and feel like the spouse in a marriage who totally got the better end of the deal. It's more than I deserve.

From a market perspective, I'm serving up something a little different from what you'd expect—which in a couple years will turn out to be a great decision or a really dumb one.

What inspires you most in your songwriting?

Anderson Writing a song is like taking a journey—some are long, some are short, but I always love leaving on one. My wife will look at me and ask, "What song are you writing?" She can see it in my face that I'm somewhere else. Whether the result is that great or not doesn't concern me too much. I just enjoy the writing.

If you could sum up an overall theme for your new album, it's … ?

Anderson Get started. The path is beautiful and frightening all at the same time, so just dive in. Engage.

Which song from the new album are you most proud of?

Anderson "I'm Coming Your Way" is hands-down the best song on the record. I wrote it in 20 minutes while driving in Nashville. It begins so harmless and smacks you across the face with resolve by the end. I just don't get sick of it.

Click here to visit our artist page for Jared Anderson, where you'll find our review of his solo effort Where to Begin. Check out Christianbook.com to listen to sound clips and purchase his music.

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