With a heart rooted in worship and a testimony shaped by perseverance, rising Christian artist Britt Dené brings her debut EP All I Need to life with vulnerability, joy, and unwavering faith. Recently featured by NewReleaseToday, she discusses her journey—from personal trials and divine breakthroughs to the creative process behind her powerful new music. In this honest conversation, she shares how God orchestrated every detail, the lessons she's learned as an indie artist, and her prayer for listeners as they connect with her music.
What does it feel like to be part of the NRT family, and what has the journey been like leading up to the release of All I Need?
It’s incredible to be part of the NRT family. The Lord has blessed me in so many ways with music and worship, and to be a new featured artist is beyond anything I ever could have imagined, and I give all the glory to Him. The journey leading up to the release of All I Need has generated immense excitement, joy, and anticipation. I have witnessed the Lord weave every intricate detail together from the timing of the songs in my life to how He placed the right people at the right time, who have now become some of my best friends. He had answers to needs and prayers in place before I could think to worry. All I Need is something I am so proud of and excited to share with the world.
What was your vision for the sound and message of the EP?
For the EP itself, I wanted a sound that you can play at any time of day, anywhere, and feel any way you think. There are messages in each song that remind us of God's faithfulness in revealing Himself in and through every situation we encounter. Along with amazing lyrics, the music in this EP is a powerhouse, which will also minister to other listeners. The acoustic single “Getaway” is more subtle and airy than the rest of the album, which I think sets it apart in a unique way.
Getaway takes me to a place of rest. We read and are taught that our God is majestic, powerful, and even a glimpse of his garment we would not bear to see. However, personally, it is easy for me to often focus so much on his power and might that I lose sight of his loving, comforting, fathering nature.
He calls himself our father, so in turn, we are his children. He wants that relationship with us, one in which he calls us to stop, rest, and come to Him with anything we are facing. He already knows everything we experience — everything that we think or feel. Even then, he wants us to take a moment and come to him, release whatever it is we’re holding on to, and rest, so I wanted the music to reflect that.
How did the title track, “All I Need,” come into your life, and what does it mean to you personally?
The title track, “All I Need,” entered my life when I had no option but to rely on the Lord for everything I needed. I had a husband out of town for work for months due to a new job, an 11-month-old, and another due in a few short weeks, and I had no idea how I was going to take care of what we would need. Two weeks after our youngest son was born, we had to move. My husband faced several medical issues that put him in several different hospitals in two other states and forced him to change jobs. Three months after that, our new home caught fire, and we had to live in a hotel for six and a half months.
There were too many moments when my flesh took over and I questioned God and His love for me. Why did he let this happen to me? I had been doing everything I could to serve Him faithfully while trying to make ends meet, and He continued to let these things happen to my family. That’s when the song took over. God pointed every situation we went through back to him. He is strong enough for my heavy heart. He satisfies anything that I could ever need or want. I need Him more than I need my comforts and more than I need the security of my future. He is truly all that I need.
What was the recording process like for this project?
I experienced a great deal of freedom during the recording process. It was 100 percent up to me what I wanted it to sound like and how I wanted this experience to be. I was able to use my band to record, and that was important to me for this project. I have different personal relationships with each of my band members and players, and having their talents and musical abilities shine through on this EP is one of the reasons I am so proud of it.
A few weeks before recording, I sat down with them all and we mapped out my vision for these songs. I also gave them every liberty to be themselves and add any parts they felt necessary. I am so confident in their abilities, and they delivered as promised.
Can you describe a typical recording session for the EP?
A typical recording session for the EP was a lot more relaxed than I had experienced in the past. Thanks to one of the many details the Lord worked out for us, through my drummer, I was introduced to our producer, Jonathan Crowell, who made this process so smooth and fun for me. We started with the instrument tracking, and once that was completed, it was my turn for vocals, and I would be lying if I said I wasn’t shaking the entire vocal booth in nervousness the first time.
Before every session, I would sit down with Jon, and we would talk about something random for a good hour or so. He became one of those best friends I was talking about. He always made sure I had hot tea and honey on hand and made me do funny warmups even if I didn’t want to.
We recorded each song section by section, and along the way, he would throw out some ideas and a couple of “try this out” moments. Even when I physically stated, “I can’t do that,” he would look at me and say, “Yes, you can,” and did it again and again until I got it right. After that, I would look at him, and he would say, “Told ya, now moving on.”
Who contributed to the songwriting on the EP, and how did those collaborations come about?
Two of the songs on the EP were written by a good friend of mine, Seth Brasher. He wrote "All I Need" and co-wrote "Holy (Throne Room)" with his good friend and talented writer, Blake Walker. I have known Seth for approximately 10 years. He is not just a great songwriter but also a great worship leader. I was blessed to be under his musical leadership for years, and when he approached me about recording some of the songs he had written, I said yes immediately.
First and foremost, I look to him as an example of a godly leader. He is so sensitive to the voice of Jesus and His presence. He heeds the guidance of the Most High, and it is evident in the words he puts on paper. He was and is so gracious to offer his songs to me. I love working with Seth and look forward to a future of furthering the kingdom through music.
What song was the most difficult to record, and how did it end up becoming your favorite?
Honestly, “Come Into The Light” was the hardest song for me to record, and even though I told everyone it would be my least favorite, it is now my favorite. It is such a powerful song that I believe the enemy tried everything he could to break me down mentally, emotionally, and physically during this recording. I dreaded hearing it when Jon sent the demo, but when I finally heard it all together in post-production, I was in tears. What the enemy thought he was taking from me, the Lord turned it into something I am in awe of.
What is the biggest lesson you've learned as an indie artist?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned as an indie artist is to, one, of course, love Jesus and follow His guidance, but two, to trust myself. If I am in the Word and sensitive to His voice, then I can trust in the musical decisions that I make, not second-guess myself, and I can trust those that He has placed in my life to help along the way.
How does your walk with Jesus and the people around you influence your performances?
Your personal life, your walk with Jesus, and especially the company you keep are a massive part in shaping the way that you perform. For me, every performance is personal. My performance is my worship of Jesus. It is not only a time to share music and worship with others, but it is a time for me to be in the presence of the Lord and to give back to him the gifts that he has given to me through music. Therefore, to the best of my ability, I strive to stay in the Word daily, live my life in a manner worthy of the Gospel, and have friends and family who keep me accountable and encourage me in the same way.
What advice would you give to other artists just starting?
If I could give any advice to other artists who are just beginning like myself, one, of course, heed the promptings of the Lord, but also two, stay true to yourself no matter what. This is not an easy industry, and the devil doesn’t want you in it. Period. So do not get discouraged if you don’t see any “fruit” from your labor right away. It’s okay. If you desire to further the kingdom through music and are aligned with God’s will for your life, then keep going. Don’t give up. There may only be one life changed through your worship, but that one life is the greatest reward.
How can listeners be praying for you moving forward?
I would ask that you pray that God will open doors for us to create more music, to continue sharing the gospel through song, and that I will remain a vessel to be used by Him, however that may look. I have travelled many places I never thought possible and shared the love of Jesus through song, and I am so grateful. He has done exceedingly abundantly more than I could have ever asked or imagined. All glory to God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul Phillips is a Canadian journalist with 20 years of experience writing and editing digital and print content. He specializes in health, fitness, nutrition, and travel. He loves music, movies, and, of course, living for Jesus. OpenAI's ChatGPT assisted with the creation of this article.
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