Fans were introduced to this band with the anthem, "Life is good, eternal life is better." I first saw Stellar Kart in concert in 2005 opening for Kutless, and I love how I've heard the maturation of this band over the past eight years. As they've grown as a band and in their faith journeys, this new album, All In, represents where they are as Christians, not apologizing or being ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

The song address the Truth of Romans 1:16: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek."

 

Stellar Kart's current lineup is Adam Agee (Lead Vocals, Guitars), Nick Baumhardt (Guitars), Aliegh Shields (Bass, Vocals), and Jeremi Hough (Drums). I had the opportunity to interview lead singer Adam Agee about their great new song "All In (Apologize)." 

 

Please tell me the story behind this song and about the band lineup.
 

Nick's been playing with us for about three years, and Jeremi's been with us a couple of years. Aliegh, Nick's sister, has been playing with us for about a year, and she's all over this new project. She also helped us out singing on our Disney song EP a couple of years ago. Some of the other band members got married, and had kids and decided to get off the road. Our current lineup is killer, and they are all such good people. We have a great time on the road and the sound is something unique that Stellar Kart fans haven't heard yet. 

 

The song "All In" encapsulates the theme of the record as a whole, which is that we're not apologetic for what we believe or what we stand for. That's what our music is about. One of my favorite Bible verses which is at the core of who we are and what is our purpose in life is found in Luke 10:27. God wants us to love Him with all of our heart, soul, strength and mind. God doesn't just want us on Sundays. Sometimes we just talk with God when we need something and we are desperate. I've been in that spot where I'm completely connected to God. And I've been in that spot when I'm not connected. I hate it when I'm not. God loves us and loves me. He wants me to be all in and completely connected to Him. That's when He starts blessing what I'm doing and starts to walk side by side with me.

 

Luke 10:27 (NKJV): "So he answered and said, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.'"
 

2 Corinthians 4:5-6 (NIV): "For it is God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."

 

My life verse is tattooed on my back, Philippians 4:13 (NKJV): "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

 

What is the takeaway message for listeners about the song and album?
 

This album is the next step in the Christian walk for me personally. It is a very transparent album lyrically and the songs are about my journey over the past three years and what I've been through and what I've learned about God and myself. It's a Stellar Kart record because it is encouraging. It's a new Stellar Kart record because it goes to the next step which is challenging you to live out your faith, 100%. We're not just here to encourage you, but there's that iron sharpens iron idea that we also want to challenge listeners to really live their lives.

 

Lyrically, this is far and away a lot deeper than our previous work. I wrote over 100 songs for this record, and we chose 10. It was an incredible process, very tough, but I got to write with some of the best writers in New York, LA, and Nashville and really got to dig deep and come up with the best possible songs. Musically, it's the next step in the maturation steps of me as a writer and as a band. We wanted to keep to the roots with a couple of tracks, and get tougher and stronger with some of the rock tracks. I'm really proud of this project. It's easily our best and a great look into the future of Stellar Kart. As a band, our mission has always been to create amazing fun music with a positive message. And even more with this album. There are pairs of songs that are connected on the album. The song "Never Left Your Side" is how I've been feeling with God. He's been there the whole time, and He wants us to be all in. It's tough for us as imperfect humans. The song "Nowhere to go but Up" is about latching on and connecting to God. I hope that people walk away knowing that they are not alone. As Christians we have a shared experience of struggle, but also a faithful, loving God.

 

 

The definition of the word "holy" according to Webster's Dictionary is: "exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousness."  Holiness is a lifelong journey. As Christians, we are all running the race that Paul describes in the Bible. This is what our calling is from God. To be set apart from the world in which we live in order to commune with Him. 

 

There are many challenges to believers in the lyrics of the song, including "I am not ashamed won't walk away, I cannot deny." There are many passages in the Bible that command us to "let our light shine before men." I find Paul's exhortation in 2nd Corinthians 4:5-6 very relevant to us as believers today and a strong reminder of why we all need to live for Jesus.

 

This has quickly become my favorite song by Stellar Kart and I'm excited about the direction that the band is going as I've always enjoyed their sound and now I'm really connecting to their worshipful lyrics. As the song says, "I am not ashamed, won't walk away, Not trying to disguise, or ever hide the reason that I choose to be a fool for the One who saved my life, I won't apologize!" Amen to that!

 

(You can watch the music video here.)