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.
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Castaway
Chasen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I see redemption rushing my way
My victories are bittersweet and now I can tell
The only place my plans have lead me is right where I fell
I'm overboard, too far from shore, castaway trying to make it home
I catch my breath to save myself but I can't
In my sight You were just in time, I feel You now, You're by my side
I had a dream of a life of my own
And I had a place that I thought was my home
But now I see I just can't have it any other way
It's all or nothing, do or die and I'm the price I pay because
I'm overboard, too far from shore, castaway trying to make it home
I catch my breath to save myself but I can't
In my sight You were just in time, I feel You now, You're by my side
And I know You gave me a gift of a second chance
A second chance
A second chance I won't forget, a second life I won't regret
A second wind to brave this night, a second more to make it right
A second chance I won't forget, a second life I won't regret
A second wind to brave this night, a second more to make it right
I'm overboard, too far from shore, castaway trying to make it home
I catch my breath to save myself but I can't
In my sight You were just in time, I feel You now, You're by my side
And I know You gave me a gift of a second chance
A gift of a second chance
I'm a castaway
With a gift of a second chance
The lyrics of Chasen’s song Castaway appear to be about someone who is facing the consequences of their past actions. They feel the destruction of their past running through their veins, but they also see hope for redemption. However, they realize that their victories are bittersweet as they have led them right back to the place where they fell. The person in the song then refers to themselves as a ‘castaway trying to make it home’, perhaps implying that they are lost and need help to find their way back to where they belong.
In the second verse, the person reflects on their past dreams and home. They realise that they cannot have things their own way, and it’s an all or nothing situation. They acknowledge that they are the price that must be paid to make things right, and they need a second chance to make things better. The chorus then repeats, emphasizing the person’s sense of being lost and alone, but also the hope and gift they have been given of a second chance.
Overall, the lyrics seem to convey a sense of struggle and redemption. The person is faced with the consequences of their past actions, but they are also given a second chance to make things better. The lyrics suggest that this second chance is a valuable gift that the person is grateful for, as they try to find their way home.
Line by Line Meaning
I feel destruction running hard through my veins
I'm overwhelmed by negative thoughts and emotions
But I see redemption rushing my way
However, I have hope for change and improvement in my life
My victories are bittersweet and now I can tell
Although I have achieved some success, it hasn't brought me complete happiness
The only place my plans have lead me is right where I fell
Despite my best efforts, I have failed to reach my goals and am now in a difficult place
I'm overboard, too far from shore, castaway trying to make it home
I feel lost and alone, struggling to find my way back to safety and stability
I catch my breath to save myself but I can't
I try to stay calm and resilient, but it's a struggle
In my sight You were just in time, I feel You now, You're by my side
But then I find comfort and support in my faith, feeling that God is with me
And I know You gave me a gift of a second chance
I believe that I have been given an opportunity to turn my life around
I had a dream of a life of my own
I had personal aspirations and goals that I was striving towards
And I had a place that I thought was my home
I felt settled and secure in a particular place or situation
But now I see I just can't have it any other way
However, I realize that my circumstances have changed and I need to adapt and move forward
It's all or nothing, do or die and I'm the price I pay because
I understand that I have to take risks and face challenges in order to succeed, even if that means making sacrifices
A second chance
I believe in the power of redemption and the opportunity to start over
A second chance I won't forget, a second life I won't regret
This second chance is so important to me that I will make the most of it and not let it go to waste
A second wind to brave this night, a second more to make it right
I am determined to persevere through difficult times and make positive changes to my life
A gift of a second chance
I see this as a precious opportunity and feel grateful for it
I'm a castaway
Although I feel lost and alone, I know that I am not truly alone and have faith to guide me
With a gift of a second chance
And with this newfound hope, I am ready to make the most of this opportunity and start anew
Contributed by Lily A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
TruFaithDigg
Thank God for Chasen. This song is so very awe inspiring!
JayNine1209
Just heard them for the first time on Spotify today and thought wow, nice rock/alternative christian band. I love this song...especially the piano parts/theme. Awesome!!
Flo Sung
Loved this song when it came out! Chasen's finally getting the credit they deserve
Captillon
Found them randomly on spotify amazing band I wish I could have seen them while they were active
Momo
Right? I discovered them through an old ZipIt commercial back in the late 2000s. Had no idea they were a Christian band.
Bessie Blackstone
Momo hes my student pastor !🤣🤣
Captillon
Bessie Blackstone your comment brought me back to a band I hadn’t listened to in years so many thanks haha
Captillon
Bessie Blackstone also really cool that he is your student pastor
Aaron Talmage
GREAT JOB CHRIS!!! GREAT JOB CHASEN!!! YOU GUYS MAKE A GREAT TEAM!!!
Tiara Brinton
This song is amazing!! I'm so glad I heard it on the radio so I could find it later. : D