»music has always really moved me deeply«

Interview with singer-songwriter Jill Phillips about her new record

(Deutsche Übersetzung hier...)

US singer-songwriter Jill Phillips recently released her fifth record, Nobody's Got It All Together. CCM-Rezis asked her to tell more about this record and its comforting message against the myth of perfection ...

Monica Seidler: Jill Phillips, what does music mean in your life? And when/how did you realize that you wanted to go into it?

Jill Phillips: I think music has always really moved me deeply. I remember being very young and wanting to hear certain songs over and over and over again. It wasn’t until I was in high school and college that I realized you could do this as your job ... It was pretty surreal. I am so thankful to be doing something I love.

Monica: Your new songs on Nobody's Got It All Together tell about the myth of perfection in many ways. You sing about our trying to fit into a scheme and therefore often hiding our shortcomings and failings; about learning to trust God's leading and providing when there's no clarity about our next step, when our hearts are broken, even when we feel "a fraction of His suffering" (Never Let Me Down). How can one find comfort in an "ungrateful world" (Rise Above) and at the thought of never really fitting in – of being "like a square peg in a round hole" (Square Peg)?

Jill: I think we find comfort in God as well as comfort in community. I think if we ever feel as though we don’t fit in, we look at Christ and how he was always on the outside. The Bible says we will be on the narrow road and that is not always easy. I think for me it is therapeutic to talk about it and wrestle with it, but ultimately I take a lot of comfort in the fact that He understands exactly how I am feeling.

Monica: The album cover shows portraits of you, the musicians and some friends. And the song Square Peg refers to your recently founded Square Peg Alliance also mentioned in the CD booklet. Can you tell us more about this alliance?

Jill: The song actually came before the alliance name, it was how we came up with the name for the community. We struggled with names for a while and ultimately decided on that one because it expresses the fact that we may not fit in the mainstream of what is going on in music, but we all love each other’s music and want to support each other any way we can. In some ways this community has always existed and we have always played shows together, played on each other’s records, etc. but it was just a way to put a name to something that was already happening. If we can bring more attention to each other’s music and give each other support then we have accomplished our goal.

Monica: The Middle is such a fine, thought-provoking song. I can fully relate to it. You released your debut with Word Records when you were 21, then you took a leap of faith and got into independency with all its insecurities and freedom (as you honestly describe in the book "The Art of Being"). You're not only a gifted singer-songwriter, but also a wife and mother now. What’s it like to be "here somewhere in the middle"?

Jill: I think I always feel a little torn between being old and young ... when I am with college kids I am reminded that I am very old! I still think of myself as out of college but it has been years now. Then I am with some of the older people from my church who have years and years of wisdom and experience and I feel such a respect for them. It reminds me that I have a long way to go. There is something about that being in the middle that I hope a lot of people can relate to, I know I find it at about every turn of my life.

Monica: Your favorite bible verse at the moment?

Jill: I have always loved John, especially John 15. It just really makes the stories of Jesus come alive for me.

Monica: Is there something special you want to tell your European friends?

Jill: I am so thankful to my European friends and supporters, Andy [her husband] and I have spent time in England and Denmark and look forward to getting back soon. The people are so amazing and thoughtful and really appreciate singer-songwriter style music. Thank you for your support !

Monica: Jill Phillips, thank you so much for doing this interview!

For more information about Jill Phillips please visit www.jillphillips.com