Interview: Risa Kopp
Risa Kopp talks to Louder Than The Music about her new single 'Isn't He Good' and the forthcoming new album 'Songs of Joy'.
For those who haven't heard of you before, can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got involved in making music?
I began by singing in my teen group, which grew to the church worship team and worship leading. Our church had services on both Sunday morning and night. When I was a teenager I would spend all the hours in-between the services writing songs and worshipping them on my mom's autoharp. I've always loved to worship.
Tell us about your new single 'Isn't He Good' and what the inspiration behind it was?
Our family had been through some very gut-wrenching times. God was using it to teach and train us, but oftentimes it was hard to find hope and joy because the pressure was very great. In early 2023, we began writing some Gospel songs. "Isn't He Good" was one of the first ones we wrote. My oldest daughter and I wrote this one together. For many years, I personally struggled to write joyful songs. Things had been really hard for an unreasonable amount of time and I just couldn't create those upbeat ones. This song is pretty much my testimony about how God brought me out of mourning and captivity and into dancing and freedom. Once that perspective changes in you, you can't help, but exclaim "Isn't He Good"?!?!?!
That song is taken from your forthcoming album, what more can you tell us about the album?
Like I mentioned before, we started getting these Gospel songs. As a family, we began to write them. And after we wrote them, we praised and worshipped with them. God used them to bring CHANGE to our lives. This album coming up is going to be called "Songs of Joy". It is an amalgam of my own songs, three of my daughters songs, one co-write with a friend from Canada and the rest are songs that the girls and I wrote together. Since we experienced healing and breakthrough with these songs, I felt it right that the girls sing on it too. They each have solos or songs they take lead on, although it is definitely a "Risa" album, in that I am definitely the one who leans towards that Gospel sound and love for it. Lilly plays the piano for all of the songs. The album will definitely be released within the next year and probably sooner.
What message would you like people to take from your music?
I have been in the darkest of night seasons where I felt NO hope. I have clung to Jesus, sometimes by a thread, as we experienced betrayal and rejection from those that should have loved us the most. It got DARK, friends. However, a bruised reed He will not break and time and time again just as I was at the very edge of that breaking point, God would send relief. The prayers I prayed were heard! He brought us songs of joy that we wrote and experienced in His presence. My prayer and message in this song is that things may seem bleak, but if we repent of unbelief and TRUST Him, He turns things around. Times in His presence, trusting Him, brought us joy. I hope that the song helps other people become strengthened in their faith too.
How would you describe your style of music and what are your influences?
I'd say that this song, and forthcoming album, are old-school, soulful-sounding Gospel, praise and worship songs. Ever since I was a teenager, an influence of mine was Lindell Cooley. I love Aretha Frankin's Gospel album. I spent a lot of my younger years listening to Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir and the Mississippi Mass Choir too. Yolanda Adams is a favorite too. David Ruis as well. I also love Crystal Lewis' Hymns: My Life.
If you could work with any songwriter, who would it be and why?
I wouldn't mind writing with anyone who actually would want to write with me. As I mentioned above, I think that Lindell would be nice to write with, but that seems like a pretty slim chance. I also think Sarah Kelly and I would write well together.
How would you define success in your career as an artist?
A harvest of souls. Truly. Hearts healed. Lives changed. People delivered. God's "well-done".
What is your favorite album of all time?
I probably listened to Morning Star's Worship Album a gazillion times. Love it. I also love the old Vineyard albums like "Hallelujah Glory". That is my favorite of those. I listened to all the Brownsville albums on repeat as a kid. Then when I was going through a hard time, Sarah Kelly's "Where the Past Meets Today" really helped me.
You're stuck on an island, it's hot, you only have enough battery life left to listen to one song on your phone. What track is it?
"Creator of the Universe" by Morning Star. My husband and I used that song in our wedding ceremony.
What does the next year hold for you?
Releasing another single or two and the album, seeking God for the next steps and executing!
