Caspar McCloud
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The Caspar McCloud Band are back with their new album, 'Stay Awake America', and Louder Than The Music chatted with the whole band to find out more about the album and why they decided to record it live on tour. We also look at their future plans for a Rockumentary and a new Studio Album, plus the band enter the on-trend debate about the use of AI in music.
Hi, tell us about your new album 'Stay Awake America' and why you decided to record a live album?
Renae Truex - We all thought that it would be cool to catch the...
Read More The Caspar McCloud Band are back with their new album, 'Stay Awake America', and Louder Than The Music chatted with the whole band to find out more about the album and why they decided to record it live on tour. We also look at their future plans for a Rockumentary and a new Studio Album, plus the band enter the on-trend debate about the use of AI in music.
Hi, tell us about your new album 'Stay Awake America' and why you decided to record a live album?
Renae Truex - We all thought that it would be cool to catch the vibe of a live performance, as the mindset is completely different in a live situation compared to a studio situation, as you only have one chance to play it right, so you must make it really good!
Kenneth Bentley - I think recording a live album is the only way to really capture our true sound. I mean you can go in the studio and do a lot of things with multi tracks and do this, that and the other, but when you do a live album it is just raw energy. It is also capturing the pleasure and dynamics of playing together, and where you can actually help articulate your ideas on stage as there is an exchange of energy between the audiences that doesn’t happen in a recording studio. Concerts should not just be music, going bam, bam, bam, but I believe there should be a philosophy and a theme in every concert that we need to do.
Michael Adams - Fortunately for this particular show we actually had a sound team that gave us multi tracks afterward of what we were playing, so it was much easier to take those multi tracks into a studio, and mix them so they sound as good as possible for being able to balance out all the sounds so that we could present what was captured in our live performance.
Pastor Caspar - We also discovered that Michael could engineer the mix. He is quite a clever lad.
Michael Adams - Well I didn’t discover that, you discovered that I can mix the tracks by myself. I know that I can mix them myself. (laughs)
Pastor Caspar - It was really a band decision to record a live album; if anything I was a wee bit resistant to the idea at first, even though I think most times I rather like the spontaneous interchanges that happen in our live performances best and would think how lovely it be if we could capture those moments, which I believe we have now.
The new 'Stay Awake America' album is designed to be an observation of what we see unfolding from a biblical perspective in contemporary American society as well as world wide, with lyrical themes revolving around how the only real solution is always simply to trust the Lord Jesus for every detail of our life. Besides we don’t go by how things look at any given moment we are to go in faith.
2 Corinthians 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
I personally think our Song Stay Awake America encompasses the essence of the entire message we are presenting on the tour for our generation. My friend General Flynn had called me up after we had played at the Reawaken event and told me that we really needed to do some more concerts together as he felt our band played music that truly inspired and encouraged people today. We all need some encouragement as we journey through this fallen world.
As General Flynn and I talked about things unfolding before us on the world stage I recall that we spoke about how after 9/11 most churches were packed out but as the dust settled the people soon went back to sleep. We talked about how the Lord Jesus asked those disciples closest to him to pray and stay awake, and every time he came to check on them he found they were sleeping. The third time he found them asleep on their assignment he just told them to keep on sleeping that it was over and he went to the cross to die for the sins of our world as the only one who qualified to be the sacrificial Lamb of God. (Matthew 26:40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?)
Keeping in mind how the Fabian’s original logo was a wolf in sheep’s clothing in the late 1800s when they formed to bring Marxism in small increments so no one take much notice they were taking over the nation.
These are the days of chaos and most of the churches in UK and America appear to keep avoiding the inevitable so they don’t address the issue that could help resolve things.
For example, how members of the Royal family have been connected with Epstein files and the world is observing how some are considered above the law, only they aren’t. Nevertheless, they will be held accountable at some point in their crimes against humanity.
Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
The discreet protection of the wealthy elite and powerful has exposed more than just their horrid crimes against humanity. They have exposed a culture that elevated privilege over principle and secrecy over accountability. They serve the kingdom of darkness and they mock ordinary hard working citizens who are told to live by rules the elite never intended to follow.
For example; how the Nazi raised Klaus Schwab the founder of the World Economic Gang that meets in Davos Switzerland has been saying, “Soon you will own nothing and be happy.”
Do you think he and his wealthy elite gang will also be giving up everything to live in their new concentration camp Smart 15 Cities minute cities?
If you do I have a bridge to sell you in London.
People say they want the truth, and the truth is we have a sin problem more than any political issues, because the root of it all of it is spiritual. Truth demands moral courage and it appears that most people rather entertain a spirit of fear that God did not give you and tell lies, because they are afraid of what will happen if they tell the truth. However, truth is not negotiable; the Lord Jesus sees everything going on even to the inner most thoughts of our heart. There is no place anyway where you can hide yourself or anything from the Lord Jesus God Almighty. (Romans 8:27- And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.)
Why we decided to record this new album is to help people understand the lateness of the hour.
Matthew 16:3 - And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
There's quite a mix of songs from your last few albums - is there a particular highlight that stands out for you?
Renae - Just the entire theme unto itself stands out to me! And it was awesome to cover a wide variety of the musical journey on this album.
Kenneth Bentley - Every song has its own personality and characteristic sound. What stood out to me more than anything was just being able to play live. It’s always been a desire of mine to be able to do that, just to play live and give it the raw energy, because I can go in the recording studio and sit down and nobody sees you and boom, boom, boom, you’ll play your part and it sounds great on the studio version as you know when you do it right. But when you play live you are interacting and feeding off the audience together and I dig that, but that’s just me.
Michael Adams - So one of my favorite songs is Jesus Wins and I like following Jesus wins with our song There Will Be A Time, because it’s a rocking song going into a slow song, which gives everyone a nice contrast.
Pastor Caspar - Again I personally think “Stay Awake America” captures a lot of what we’ve been saying on the last few albums, so the title track itself is a one of the standouts for me as seeing how the audience often leans into that warning-and-encouragement, as if it’s a Clarion call which it is. That said, performing songs from different studio albums—from “Stay Awake America”, “Beyond Magnificent” Higher Frequencies and Back to Back all seem to knit together into one continuous worship-and-warfare set when we play them live.
Psalm 144 - Blessed be the Lord my strength which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:
That also begs the question, how do you put together a set list for your live shows, deciding which songs to include and which to leave out?
Pastor Caspar - Everyone in our band brings their unique gifts and talents together, I tend to want to play a longer set list than we are given time to do. On this Stay Awake America Tour our drummer Michael Adams came up with arranging our current set list, which is still flexible given the occasion.
We often start out by praying over what ever we do at any events and asking the Holy Spirit to guide us so people experience His presence more than us. We pray there’s a balance of hope-filled, rocking worshipful music even if we are singing a prophetic/warning so people don’t leave weighed down but leave encouraged and strengthened. Prophecy isn’t meant to scare you but help prepare you.
We often play a number of songs that flow into the next song in a row that continue pointing to God Almighty’s protection and promises, so there’s a clear narrative that will hopefully build a musical arc rather than just a list of tunes, even if we are exposing the evil doers in the world at times. We read in places like NLT Ephesians 5:11 Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them.
Ezekiel 33:6 But if the watchman sees the enemy coming and doesn’t sound the alarm to warn the people, he is responsible for their captivity. They will die in their sins, but I will hold the watchman responsible for their deaths.’
It’s also important to be adaptable in the moment even with a prepared list; we may swap a song on the spot if we feel it’s called for as the Lord leads.
Renae - Yes indeed looking to the Lord for guidance and wisdom in what we should do and play is important. A lot of variables come into play when deciding what to play for a show. Perhaps its how one or all of us may be feeling about the performance of a particular song that we need to be solid on. Also reading the energy of the room, the feedback of previous concerts helps us choose our songs.
Kenneth Bentley - Since I didn’t make the set let I just go along with program. (Laughter)
Michael Adams - I constructed the set list so the concert would flow together from beginning to end.
What has it been like being out on this tour?
Renae - We have a lot of fun. For me, it's so nice and filling being around others who have such a beautiful love for the Lord. It's wonderful being around this family of warriors in Jesus. Love the fellowship. We meet so many people and with each one of these gatherings, we are building up more and more fond memories to look back upon and share.
Kenneth Bentley - Well it has its good points and bad points; every tour is never a whole lot of gravy. I mean I’ve been on the road now more over 40 years and it has its ebb and flow and it’s just part of the game. You know it’s like a ball team; you’re going to go to different stadiums, and play different things. It’s just part of our life, it is what we do.
I think the biggest thing that I like about going on the road is evangelizing. I like talking about the Lord Jesus. I like presenting His Glory, you know most everybody knows, and for those who don’t know I used to be in another band Mylon LeFevre and Broken Heart and it was wonderful to see so many people come to Jesus from our concerts.
You know that was the biggest thing for me to watch people come to Jesus after you ministered to them and still is. I see and feel that same energy with Caspar McCloud Band.
Michael Adams - So I think that going on the road is 23 hours of waiting to get your one hour on stage. (laughter)
If you can spend time with good people, that’s half the battle of touring.
Pastor Caspar - Sometimes instead of hotels we stay in an Air B&B and then it feels like were in a modern day remake of the Beatles film a Hard Days Night. My musical twin Renae will go out of her way to make us laugh. Kenneth wakes up as we’re rushing about trying to get to the venue with a song in his heart so he is singing down the hallway first thing in the morning, whilst Michael and Renae are collecting all the stuff Kenneth or I forgot to bring, like anyone see my mobile phone, or where are the keys?
Generally, as soon as we arrive, people want to interact with us, and we have met some lovely people along the way. Many of the erudite speakers are friends of mine that I have share the stage with them over the years, so its often like a family reunion for me especially seeing my friends Dr. Judy Mikovits, Dr. Sherri Tenpenny, Dr. Carrie Madej, Dr. Bryan Adris, Dr. Patrick Byrnes, Alex Newman, and General Flynn, Dr. Kathryn Camp and many others. Our friend Ohio Amy Young is the one who organises all these tours and helps keep everything flowing smoothly. Everywhere we’ve gone, we can feel both the frustration in our culture and the hunger in people’s hearts for the truth and solutions. It’s very satisfying when people tell us how much they were blessed and how they learned things they didn’t know from all the presentations. There are numerous times we end up ministering to people and praying for them, all glory to the Lord Jesus. It is so encouraging for us to hear back from some how they were divinely healed and restored in the almighty name of Jesus.
These gatherings bring together believers, and unbelievers along with patriots, and a lot of folks who are just searching for an answer, so every time it feels like a fresh mission field rather than a repeat performance.
There’s a strong sense of camaraderie with the speakers and all those working behind the scenes to make this happen, and by the end of a weekend you may feel like you’ve been in boot camp and a family campout all at once.
We’ve seen people deeply moved by our music, convicted by the Holy Spirit, then activated straightaway to get involved locally, which is exactly the heart behind the tour’s “unite, engage, activate” mission.
Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
The Lord Jesus repeatedly told us not to be deceived and most of our world leaders have all been deceived and have deceived many people - intentionally, methodically, and thoroughly.
2 Timothy 3:13-But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
However, at Stay Awake America tour most all individuals are beginning to see the truth as we present the facts. People are breaking free from the indoctrination programming that overtook the educational system from things like the Tavistock Institute and are beginning to employ critical thinking skills engaging their good decision maker in their frontal lobe.
We must acknowledge the factual evidence that uncovers reality, even when it disrupts our formerly held beliefs and causes us distress regarding any once-admired public figures and institutions. Understanding the Word of God is our strength, even when it is difficult, we must carry on… onward Christian soldiers. The Lord Jesus is the only One whom you can genuinely trust and rely on. It appears to me that most people are waiting for someone else to do something and take care of problems we are facing unfolding on the world stage when in fact the Lord Jesus calls us to do it.
There are rumours that a rockumentary film is in the works - what can people expect from that?
Renae - Caspar and our film director Barry Alsobrook have been hard at work in completing this awesome film. I don't know how they do it, definitely taking a lot of patience and persistence! It does indeed capture the essence of the Stay Awake America event. It is very eye opening and informative. If you can not make one of the events, I do encourage you to check out the rockumentary!
Michael Adams - You should expect to get your faces rocked off. (Laughter)
Kenneth Bentley - I’ve been in enough documentary’s to last a lifetime and again it’s all the same thing for me, it is about being able to share Jesus. If Jesus is not in the heart of it there is no point to it.
Pastor Caspar - Yes indeed, the Stay Awake America Rockumentary is happening. I was reviewing the final cut just yesterday. For those who can’t physically come to an event this is probably the next best thing. Our director Barry Alsobrook from TakenTV had numerous hours and hours of film to go through and I think he captures some of the best moments for us as a band and for all the amazing speakers who share profound great insights into what is unfolding before us in these End Times presenting the facts how Globalist, Transhumanist psychopaths are working their plans and agendas out to bring in an Orwellian controlled world, just as the Holy Bible tells us will happen before the Lord twinkles His church out of here and how we can be prepared. As well as what the Lord Jesus is doing as He promises to provide and protect us. It all somehow intersects as part of one ongoing narrative about staying awake spiritually in a tumultuous time.
I understand you also have a new studio album planned with the band later this year - what more can you reveal about that?
Pastor Caspar - The new studio album is already underway as a full set of all-new original songs that continues what we have started. You can expect the same sort of band chemistry, vocal harmonies, guitar and violin working off each other and the solid bass and drums, from Renae, Kenneth, Michael and me with songs we crafted so the whole album feels like one coherent message for 2026 and beyond.
Renae - Yes indeed another record! The Lord is good in gifting us with this continuous flow of music. I tend to lose track of which song is on what album from time to time because we have done so many. But that's a good problem to have! Yes, we will be releasing more music later this year. Keep your ears open!
Michael Adams - We’ll have some songs that we worked on for the last album included that we held back for the next one. We have a lot of new songs.
Kenneth Bentley - Nothing I can reveal presently as Pastor Caspar writes all the music. He will probably write another song as soon as we finish this interview with you.
One of the hot topics in the music industry at the moment is the use of AI in producing songs - what's your take on the subject?
Pastor Caspar - Elon Musk at the MIT Aeronautics and Astronautics Department's back in 2014 Centennial Symposium said, "With artificial intelligence, we are summoning the demon," Then he added and I quote;” You know all those stories where there's the guy with the pentagram and the holy water and he's like... yeah, he's sure he can control the demon, [but] it doesn't work out."
People send me songs performed by AI and straightaway, I discern it has no soul in it. Lyrically it is often too predictable as well as musically predictable. It may seem convenient to write a title and toss it in some AI generator waiting three minutes for it to give you a fully mixed and mastered song in any style you choose, but it doesn’t appeal to me. It wasn’t that long ago that an AI-generated Christian artist named Solomon Ray topped the gospel music world by having a hit on iTunes and Billboard charts with his album “Faithful Soul.”
There are also people attending AI churches in places where the pastor is a computer program. I believe music and lyrics especially in heartfelt worship should come from someone who actually walks closely with God Almighty, not from pattern-matching code. AI can be a clever tool in the production chain, but it can’t replace a born-again spirit-filled human heart seeking the Lord Jesus and pouring real soul and testimony into a song. Research is revealing how those who lean on AI are actually not engaging in their God given gifts and talents. Could it be a managed agenda to dumb people down? I’m just asking for a friend.
We read in 2 Thessalonians 2:3- Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
Renae - Regarding AI and music, Caspar is totally on point. This isn't creative, this isn't using your God given talents, and it’s a short cut. It's heartless. Unfortunately, I am seeing a few people around me that I work with falling prey to this trap. They were doing fine before they ever consulted an AI music app., now it's becoming their main source of creativity. I think that it is a form of dumbing down as well. Considering how they are capitalizing off of laziness and peoples tendencies to want things immediately. Press in and use the gifts and talent that the Lord gave you. It's more fulfilling being it's you!
Kenneth Bentley - I don’t like it. I don’t mind it. But I don’t like it because AI squashes your creativity; because it does it all for you and AI is not made in His Image. I am made in His image and in His likeness, so therefore I get the produce. I get to play what I feel. If the machine is going to do it for me, than you don’t need me.
Micheal Adams - So my daughter had the best quote ever about AI. She doesn’t want AI to do her art. She wants AI to do her laundry so she can do her art!
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