Sometimes the most unexpected combinations end up being the best ones. This is certainly the case when worship band Caves collides with the work of the legendary singer-songwriter Johnny Cash.

Caves, a duo formed by Josh McCabe and Matt Shaban, released their debut self-titled album in 2015, following it up with a deluxe rerelease in 2016. Time playing the songs around their native Ontario, Canada would eventually lead them to a unique passion project: an EP featuring covers of four of Johnny Cash's most iconic hits. I talked with Josh McCabe about how the project came into being and how it aligns perfectly with their mission as a whole.

What sparked the idea to create this unique set of covers?

Last summer we were playing some shows in some more public spaces. It was actually a really cool opportunity where we got to play in Times Square in NYC, and the Canadian equivalent in Toronto, so we were wanting to add a cover to our set. After thinking through some stuff that fit our vibe a bit, I listened to a Best of Johnny Cash playlist, and this one song just stood out to me. It was a song from his American Recordings he did later in his career called "God's Gonna Cut You Down." We played it live a few times, and people seemed to love it. 

We planned to record it but figured one Cash song wasn't nearly enough, so we did three more! 

The intersection between worship music and Johnny Cash songs isn't one that would immediately occur to most people. How are they connected for you?

On the surface it doesn't really match at all, but lyrically, it does. Cash wrote some songs that could have doubled for modern day Psalms. They were petitions, cries for mercy, rebukes and much more. 

For Caves, Worship has always been a huge part of who we are; I'm a pastor, a worship leader, so that will always be present in Caves. But I wanted Caves to be a project that didn't really fit in any box. Cash never fit in anybody's box, and I loved that.

What are the core elements of Johnny Cash's work that you feel have made them enduring, both for our culture as a whole and for you individually as an artist and a person of faith?

Honesty! I think our culture and generation craves honesty. Don't show me what God is like on the mountaintop, show me what He's like in the valley. Show me honesty, and then I'll respect you. I think Johnny Cash was just that: brutally honest. It didn't always fit the mold for everyone, but it was him.

I think this generation loves the underdog story. The guy who makes it in business without college, the athlete who succeeds after being underrated and the musician who had a rough life, lost his brother, served his country and then wrote some songs from the heart. That's Johnny Cash. 

On a broader scale, how do you feel that traditionally classified "mainstream" music fits into our lives as Christians, and even into our churches and worship services? Does it have a place there, and if so, what do you think that place is?

As I was preparing for this record, reflecting on lyrics, there are songs by Cash that I think you could just call music. Songs about life, love and whatever else was on his mind. But then he's got these songs that are deeper spiritually than some of the Christian Music we hear on radio today. Notice I said some (I don't need any angry texts from my CCM buds!). 

A song like "The Man In Black" reminds me a lot of something John Mark McMillan would write, whereas "What On Earth Will You Do" reminds me of something that Crowder might write. I think you have to look at the lyrics. I remember when that song "Healer" was met with tons of controversy years ago because of some truth that came out about the writer. My opinion? Truth is truth. 

For me, I hope this project will shine a light on some things Cash had to say about faith, morality and the heart of Christ.
 
The last Caves release featured some pretty strong collaborations. Can we expect that again this time around?

I love collaborating on Caves stuff, mostly because it's something I do for fun and not a job. Making music with Caves feels like inviting my friends over for a grill-out and making some music in the process. This project was no different.

When I was 14 years old, this local band grabbed my attention. They were pretty new on the scene and had one rap/rock album out independently. They played this rock show for maybe 50 people in a school gym. The lead singer took time to talk to me after and treated me like a peer. Year after year through my teen years, my dad would drive me to see this band play across the province of Ontario. The singer kept taking time for me after every show, remembered me and hung out with me (despite me probably being an annoying fan). 

That band was Thousand Foot Krutch, and that singer is Trevor McNevan. I used to say that if I were ever able to open up for TFK, that would be the greatest thing God could do in my life. I supposed having Trevor sing on my record works too!

What does the Caves schedule look like for 2017? Are there more shows on the horizon? 

We're doing a couple of fun shows this summer including Niagara Falls (right outside by the falls), Belize, LA, Florida and a few other fun spots. With my life as a husband, father and pastor, travel stays fairly limited, but there's some fun stuff coming. Our heart is to partner with churches and ministries who want to have a night where there can be worship, stories, songs and testimony. We've never been the band to drop jaws, but the band who wants to see hearts broken and mended.

Whether it's worship songs or a unique project like this, what are the core aspects that you want to characterize all of Caves' work?

Honesty. I want to encompass the heart of David, a man after God's heart. A broken, honest man who sought to see God's Kingdom come on earth. I believe the best is yet to come for people, and regardless of whatever season people are in, I want them to see God in the process. Your present situation is not your permanent home. Whatever your situation is, God is right in it with you.

You can get the Cash EP on iTunes here.