Interview: Daniel Richter
Canadian Christian pop artist and worship leader Daniel Richter has just released his powerful new single 'Motivation' and Louder Than The Music caught up with him to find out more about his story from secular success to church worship leader.
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 grew up singing and playing piano in the church and now lead worship every Sunday. I started writing music when I was about 16. Started off writing Christian pop and worship back then. It progressed into writing for the mainstream top 40 pop world when I began my journey with my old band Eleven Past One. That started at about the age of 20 or so, while I was still in University. I started classical piano lessons at the age of 6 and graduated from the University of Toronto with a Comprehensive Bachelors Degree in Music. Eleven Past One later went on to sign a record deal with Warner Music Canada and even gained a gold certified song called The World Is Ours.
Tell us about your new single 'Motivation' and what the inspiration behind it was?
Have you ever felt like you’re unmotivated to seek after God? Well, you’re not alone. The heart of this song is about how I prayed for the motivation to pursue God more deeply; to follow Him more closely and to live according to His will. I asked God to give me a greater desire for Him, and He answered that prayer. He gave me the motivation to earnestly seek Him and to make Him the center of my life. “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” - Philippians 2:13 NLT This song also touches on the fact that I use to believe in the lies of the enemy, falling for it all, falling for his lies and schemes. But thank that Lord, I am a new creation in Christ and I affirm it in the name of Jesus.
Do you have any plans to release more music in the near future?
Absolutely. I’m planning on releasing an EP by beginning of fall. Let’s hope it stays on track for that timeline!
What message would you like people to take from your music?
One word… JESUS. I just want to point people to Jesus through my music. My hope and prayer is that people can take away something from my music that is real. Something that is going to have a long lasting affect on their lives with Jesus Christ being the centre.
How would you describe your style of music and what are your influences?
My style of music is probably in the genre of Christian pop. My EP is actually a little bit eclectic. There will be straight pop on their, contemporary pop, you could say, dark pop with a bit of trap elements, worship, R&B with trap elements and possibly country pop, but I’m not promising that. I’m still trying to figure out if I’m going to put this one song on the EP or not. But if I do, it will have a country feel to it.
If you could work with any songwriter, who would it be and why?
Oh there are many, but off the top, I would say Brandon Lake and Leeland.
How would you define success in your career as an artist?
I used to define it as how famous I was and how famous I could get. Now, I define it as how many people am I reaching with the messages my songs portray about Jesus. Am I making Jesus famous, not me.
What is your favorite album of all time?
I don’t think I have one. Lately, I’m going to have to say Brandon Lake’s ‘King of Hearts’ album or Son’s of Sunday’s album ‘Son’s of Sunday’. But, back in the day, I had a couple favourite albums. ‘Confessions Part 1’ and ‘Confession Part 2’ by Usher, ‘FutureSex/LoveSounds’ by Justin Timberlake and ‘Back To Basics’ by Christina Aquilera.
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?
Oh that is way too hard of a question. Goodness of God by Bethel is the first thing that pops in my head.
What does the next year hold for you?
Well, I will release an EP by the 3rd quarter of this year. There have been talks about hopping on a Christmas tour and maybe doing a Christmas song. Next year is an open slate. Make more music and release it, hopefully tour more, keep leading worship and just knowing where God wants me to go and following that!
