Q: You played piano for many, many years. When did you make the move toward songwriting?
Kacey Walkingstick: I began writing at 19, when I was playing keys in my first band. I never really finished anything up to use until after quitting the band. Having played classical piano from age 9, I never thought I could write music, because in my head, it had to be up to the level of classical geniuses. Once the world of chord charting opened up through playing in my first band and at church, I realized that I could do this. Lyrically, I didn't think I had much to write about — and probably didn't yet. The music has always come more naturally to me. When I listen to a new band, I always hear the music first, not the lyrics.
Q: “The Depths” is your first worship record, correct? Why are you now focusing on Christian writing versus what you'd been doing previously?
KW: This is where the lyrics come into play. Before, I felt like my songs were hollow or missing “depth.” I wasn't writing anything that had much meaning or impact on the world. I finally realized that if I wrote about what was most meaningful to me, then I would be fulfilling my purpose. For me, that was God.
Q: In the album credits, you've got a couple of Oklahoma music scene heavy-hitters on there, including Alberto Roubert of Horse Thief and Zach Zeller (The Non, Z Trio). How did you land your studio crew?
KW: I was having trouble getting the drum sound I wanted in my own home studio. My producer and friend Adam Ray suggested the best drummer for this genre that he could think of — his friend Alberto. We went to the Horse Thief space to record, and it was magic! Great open space for a nice, full sound and an amazing drummer and engineer to boot! On top of that, I was blessed to get to work with longtime friend and bassist Gregory Keithe, of Less Than Greater Than.
