There's no denying much of today's music has the power to move the masses physically. Inventive beats and hooky choruses are the currency of the day. Now enter Capital Kings, a talented duo that blends pop, electronic dance music, and rap into an intoxicating musical mix that makes audiences want to move, and yet there's a thought-provoking, life-affirming undercurrent. Capital Kings combine style with substance and introduce flash with a foundation, as one can discover on their self-titled debut, Capital Kings.

 

Engaging audiences seems to come naturally to Jon White and Cole Walowac, who formed Capital Kings while still living in their native Washington D.C. Jon and Cole have parlayed a long-term friendship and shared passion for music into one of the hottest careers in the industry. Despite their young age, the duo's history is a lengthy one. "We were in the nursery in the same church," Jon says.

 

"We moved away to Massachusetts for a few years, Cole and I met back up in the same middle school and we started playing in the youth group band. Cole would play drums and I would sing and that's how we started making music."

 

The duo began sharing their music and earning the respect of some of their heroes. "We were even dropping music to Toby, saying, 'Hey, check out our music,'" says Jon, recalling how they caught the attention of one of Gotee's founding fathers, Toby "tobyMac" McKeehan. "We played a bunch of shows in high school and it gave us a lot of experience. That's when we first really started getting out in front of the public. It definitely shaped us into who we are now."

 

The two relocated to Franklin, Tenn., and soon found themselves working with TobyMac. "Toby said, 'Hey, I've been telling people about you guys and how you guys can do remixes,'" says Jon. "We did one for him and then all of a sudden we just kept getting calls. It came out of nowhere. It was a blessing for sure."

 

"It's not every day I get to introduce Christian music fans to a group that exceeds all expectations, but that's exactly what Capital Kings is doing," says McKeehan, Gotee Records co-founder and CEO. "Already proven studio remixers and producers, this songwriting duo makes up a new artist that will take our industry to a new chapter and inspire listeners everywhere. I can't wait for people to hear it!"

I had the chance to interview Jon White about their single "You'll Never Be Alone" and this is what he shared with me.

 

Please describe the background message behind the song "You'll Never Be Alone." 
 

Going into making this album, we never thought about being a mainstream or Christian band, and I guess a lot of groups think about that. Our mindset is that wherever God leads us, that's where we are going.

I feel like we are in an incredible place. For this song, we got together with Telemitry, who did some remixes with TobyMac. We heard the idea for this song and we liked the happy message and feel of the song. I remember Cole was thinking about how this song would help a friend get through something when they are feeling alone. What's cool is that the song doesn't need to be about relationships, it can also be about how God helps us get through something, or a parent helps their kids. Cole likes to write the verses, and that's the message of the song.

 

Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song? Do you have a life verse?
 

Psalm 119:105: "Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path."

 

...and Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight."

 

What's the main message of the song to you personally and for listeners?
 

We love simplicity, as far as the lyrics of this song. At some point in everybody's lives, they feel alone. Especially the young teens that we've been meeting. I remember that middle school was the hardest time of my life. You're learning things you probably shouldn't be learning, and you're trying to fit in. It's a crazy time of life. We feel like everybody goes through feeling alone, but there is someone Who is always there for you, no matter what, and that's God. The song is about choices, and getting your guidance from God and from Christian community instead of from the world.

 

Matthew Henry's commentary on Proverbs 3:5-6: "We must trust in the Lord with all our hearts, believing He is able and wise to do what is best. Those who know themselves, find their own understandings a broken reed, which, if they lean upon, will fail. Do not design any thing but what is lawful, and beg God to direct you in every case, though it may seem quite plain. In all our ways that prove pleasant, in which we gain our point, we must acknowledge God with thankfulness. In all our ways that prove uncomfortable, and that are hedged up with thorns, we must acknowledge Him with submission. It is promised, He shall direct thy paths; so that thy way shall be safe and good, and happy at last."
 

In a perfect storm of entertainment and inspiration, Capital Kings create music that is definitely fun, but with an underlying current of hope that is absolutely infectious. "We're not preachers. We just love singing about real life," says Jon. "God is obviously No. 1 in our lives and we base most of our experiences on finding His hope and His love."

"We've always really like believed in what we are saying. We know the importance of everything that we do and we're cool with that," adds Cole. "That's why we were put on the planet. If we can inspire somebody to live life to the fullest and we can just be a positive influence on other people, I think we're doing our job." 
 

This song is a great celebratory anthem about what it means to have hope in Christ, and that if you know Christ, you'll never be alone. Sometimes it is hard to believe that God loves us so much He knows us intimately and wants to fill our hearts with love. I love the lyrics: "Sometimes life is an ocean / we're just tryin' to float / We get caught in slow motion from the undertow / Sometimes the path to choose is right in front of you / You just gotta let go."  

The song challenges conventional worldly wisdom that life is about selfish desires and living for yourself is good enough. The ultimate message of the song is about how the fool lives life for no one else and the slave to love finds real freedom!  That's something to celebrate and embrace as we all need to let down our guard and let God's love live in us. Then, "You'll never be alone."

 

(Here's the lyrics video.)