Shine Through the Stars
Ever try to talk about God at a ba… Read Full Bio ↴Chasen
Shine Through the Stars
Ever try to talk about God at a bar? Faith and clubs may seem unlikely companions, but powerhouse pop/rock trio Chasen sees no need to divide the two. Whether playing for crowds on Sunday at their hometown church, or on weekdays at clubs like House of Blues and Ashville’s own Orange Peel, this new band’s refreshingly unaffected honesty and hook-heavy rock sound right at home.
The band got its start in the church, writing praise and worship choruses for Sunday services and youth group events. Lead singer/songwriter and namesake Chasen Callahan pulled together fellow bandmates — guitarist Silver and drummer Aaron Lord — to help him compile an independent CD of songs Callahan had played at summer youth camps. The music was so good, the disc soon found its way into the hands of upstart label OMG, a small new entertainment enterprise in the historic West End of Greenville, South Carolina. Drawing inspiration from its location — well outside the modern music hubs of L.A., New York, and Nashville — OMG sought to find fresh talent in unexpected places, and saw the young band as a perfect debut for its roster.
OMG’s hunch was correct. Since signing, Chasen has already tasted extensive success, despite not yet having a project in the marketplace. The band has toured heavily, opening for the likes of Relient K, NEEDTOBREATHE, and mainstream rockers Sister Hazel. They’ve already seen an early single, “Crazy Beautiful,” climb to a Top-5 position on Christian radio charts. Leveraging its forward-thinking predilection, OMG also orchestrated a cross-promotion with the Zipit Wireless Messenger 2, or “Z2,” whereby national advertising for the hot new teen-targeted portable device prominently features Chasen’s music.
These accomplishments provide an impressive segue to the band’s national debut, Shine Through the Stars. Showcasing their inspirational brand of rootsy pop, the 13-song collection is set to release in April 2008 for OMG Music and distribution partner EMI CMG. Chasen recorded the project at OMG Studios under the direction of award-winning producer Noel Golden, whose earlier credits include Matchbox Twenty, Edwin McCain, and Lee Ann Womack.
Sole songwriter and lead singer Callahan also contributed guitar and piano on the project. A prolific, self-taught musician, Callahan says his ability runs in the family. “When I was 13, I played drums for my dad’s band” – an ensemble facetiously dubbed ‘Potter Zye.’ Dad next encouraged him to lead worship songs for the youth group at church, and Callahan’s talent grew from there.
The songs on Shine Through the Stars center around trying to live a life of conscience and conviction amid a society where that pursuit can be polarizing. Writing candidly from his own experience, Callahan manages to provide a positive voice in his music without proselytizing, creating a project that is easily accessible to a wide variety of listeners.
Case in point is the radio single “Crazy Beautiful.” In jangly, melodically-driven rock, the song offers an up-beat, healthy perspective on the pressure we all feel to maintain a camera-perfect image. “This song is for the ones who think they’re not pretty enough or cool enough,” Callahan explains. “The next time you look at yourself in the mirror, remember that God looks at us all the same. He’s capable of making you exactly how you were intended to be.” The song’s sympathetic reminder that it’s what is on the inside that counts has propelled it up radio charts and connected Chasen with a host of teenage fans.
The project also dips into more plaintive subject matter at points. “Drown” — a song about overcoming lust — was written several years ago when Callahan was struggling with making responsible choices about dating and sex. Then a hot-blooded American teenager himself, he penned the gentle ballad while sitting alone at South Carolina’s venerable Folly Beach in the early hours of the morning. The waves mirrored the thoughts he felt would overwhelm him.
“God has a way of teaching us through everyday life,” he recalls. “Drowning in those circumstances I was dealing with at the time was not an option, and this song is about finding redemption from that situation.”
Throughout the project, Callahan’s songs reveal his close relationship with God. Following Christ is a singular passion of his that adds an earnest depth to his songwriting. Not complicated or religious, Callahan’s songs manage to remain a simple, humble, and grateful acknowledgement of the Divine at work in his life.
“Waking up to a sunrise or watching a sunset over the ocean makes me thankful,” he admits. He often sees God reflected in nature, from the mountains in his hometown of Pickens, South Carolina, to the Pacific Northwest wilderness surrounding his extended family in Oregon. Stars have a particular significance for Callahan, thanks to a cherished memory of his grandfather that forms the foundation of the album’s title, and closing, song.
“My grandfather was a huge inspiration in my life,” he says. “Just before he died, when I was ten years old, he told me to find a star and never look away. By that, he meant to choose a goal and strive to achieve that goal, without ever looking back.”
With the release of Shine Through the Stars, Callahan and his eponymously-titled band are looking ahead to more than they even dared to dream. As heavy touring continues and the promise of further radio success builds, Chasen is on a path that will enable them to share their message of hope with a much larger audience.
“Christ didn’t stay within the four walls of a church,” Callahan says. “He went to the streets. That’s where I feel led to go, too. People need to know that Christ loves them no matter where they are.”
And, whether it’s Sunday, Saturday, or any day in between, Chasen is prepared to take that message to them.
# # #
Bullet
Chasen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're overtaking hearts yeah one by one
Salvation's ringing out like a bullet from a gun
So let it ring
I can hear the drums like they're beating as one
A long awaited symphony plays along
As angels celebrate with all of the redeemed
My voice rings out rings out
Louder and louder now
Victorious you'll be
'Cause we are free we are free
Together let's sing out
Like an anthem in this crowd
We are free, we are free
Louder now we are free
Miracles have found me I was lost
Hopeless and abandon but I'm called
Called to let you be my all and all
So let it ring
My voice rings out rings out
Louder and louder now
Victorious you'll be
'Cause we are free we are free
Together let's sing out
Like an anthem in this crowd
We are free, we are free
Louder now we are free
My voice rings out rings out
Louder and louder now
Victorious you'll be
'Cause we are free we are free
Together let's sing out
Like an anthem in this crowd
We are free, we are free
Louder now we are free
The song "Bullet" by Chasen is an uplifting and powerful ode to redemption and freedom. The lyrics convey a sense of hope and liberation, as if the singer has recently been released from a dark period in their life.
The opening lines, "You're breaking through the clouds like the light from the sun / You're overtaking hearts yeah one by one," depict a sort of spiritual awakening. The singer sees light where there was once darkness, and feels a renewed sense of purpose. The "salvation ringing out like a bullet from a gun" is a metaphor for the transformative power of divine intervention.
The second verse emphasizes the feelings of celebration and triumph. The drums beating as one, the symphony playing along, and the angels celebrating with the redeemed all suggest a joyous and momentous occasion. The singer's voice rings out louder and louder, proclaiming victory and freedom. The final line, "Miracles have found me I was lost," reinforces the idea that the singer has undergone a significant transformation.
Line by Line Meaning
You're breaking through the clouds like the light from the sun
Your presence is powerful and illuminating, like sunlight breaking through the darkness.
You're overtaking hearts yeah one by one
You are touching the hearts and souls of each individual, one at a time.
Salvation's ringing out like a bullet from a gun
The salvation you bring is clear and sharp, like a bullet from a gun.
So let it ring
Let the call of salvation reach all who can hear it.
I can hear the drums like they're beating as one
The sound of drums echoes in my heart, harmonizing as one with your message.
A long awaited symphony plays along
This is a long awaited, beautiful symphony of redemption and salvation.
As angels celebrate with all of the redeemed
Angels join in the celebration with all those who have found redemption.
So let it ring
Let the music and message ring out clearly and joyfully.
My voice rings out rings out
My voice echoes with the power and clarity of the message.
Louder and louder now
Growing stronger and more powerful with each moment.
Victorious you'll be
Through this message of salvation, victory and freedom will be achieved.
'Cause we are free we are free
The message of salvation means freedom for all who accept it.
Together let's sing out
Let us all join together in joyful celebration and song.
Like an anthem in this crowd
Our voices united in this music become an anthem of redemption.
We are free, we are free
This message of salvation means we are free from sin and darkness.
Louder now we are free
As we sing out together, we grow ever stronger in our newfound freedom.
Miracles have found me I was lost
I was once lost, but through this message of salvation, I have experienced true miracles.
Hopeless and abandon but I'm called
I had once lost all hope, but now I am called to this message of salvation.
Called to let you be my all and all
I am called to give my all to you and to accept your salvation completely.
Contributed by Molly P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.