Chris August released his first new music in more than three years with Seasons, and, just as important, his first music without a record label in more than ten years. The new perspective and freedom have Chris writing and recording from a different place. Lyrically creative as anything Chris has ever recorded, Seasons is full of meaningful lines (read our staff's album review). 

We caught up with Chris August recently to talk about his new music and how he approaches songwriting in this new season.
 
Tell me about the spiritual concepts that helped to shape your vision for Seasons during the writing process. 

I didn't really have a specific overall concept for this project when I started it. I was just digging into each song and seeing where that took me. I ended up titling it Seasons because of the season I was/am in. As I got closer, the concept grew more and more clear. I wanted songs that could speak toward that. 

Who or what inspired your change in musical style?

Well, the style for this record is what my original style was. I used to be signed to Geffen Records and was working on Pop/R&B music. That's always been me. When I wrote "Starry Night," I ended up getting signed because of it. At the time, I didn't have any songs similar to "Starry Night," so I had to change up my style a good bit to fit that. I always included some soulful songs on the record, but those were never the featured ones. For this record, I wanted it to be the exact record I wanted to make. 

How do you know when it's time to reinvent yourself musically?

That's not really something I plan out/think through. I tend to just write songs, get my favorite ones together and then I just try to get them to sound as good as I can on the record.

What's your favorite song on Seasons and why?

"Moonlight." It took me about two months to produce that one. I based it on Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata." Every single piece had to be so intricately thought out. I wanted the lyrics to be poetic and the music to get pretty crazy. It was an awesome experience to work on that song.
 
What's your favorite story behind one of your songs?

That would be the story behind "Nothing's Beyond Broken." In 2010, I wrote and released a song called "7x70" about coming from a broken home. It was a song about forgiveness and healing. After my dad heard it he told me that God can take something that's broken and make it better than it was. I loved what he said so much that I would say it every night before I sang that song. I knew at some point I would take that idea and turn it into a new song. Nothing's beyond broken. First John 3:8 says, "The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil." The original Greek is also translated as "undo the works of the devil." The goal of God undoing the works of the devil is to change me from a sinner to a son of God.

Do you have a favorite place or region to perform live shows?

My favorite place is wherever people want to hear me! Also, Tampa. I've had some of my most memorable shows there.

I have to ask--do you ever perform "The Candy Wrap" or "The Discount Song" at any shows?

I never have those on the setlist, but every once in a while, someone will holler them out and I'll make it happen.