Chasen
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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Here I Am
Chasen Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I want the satisfaction
Of knowing that my heart beats after You
Burning with devotion
To give it up in all I do
I want to take the notion
When regret is all I find
And even if it breaks me
To leave it all behind

For You
Here I am, again
This is the last place that I thought You'd take me
All I see is falling
In a world where everything
Is striving for attention
What you wear is what you'll be
There's such a lack of compassion
With the time we throw around
File under lack of action
With our face straight to the ground
For You
Here I am, again
This is the last place that I thought You'd take me
And I
Hear the sound begin
I'll never fall away I know you'll find me
And our eyes they'll meet again

That's where we'll begin
Our love will never end

Overall Meaning

In "Here I Am" by Chasen, the artist expresses his desire to be completely devoted to God, even when it requires leaving behind regrets and sacrificing everything he has. He wants to feel the satisfaction of knowing that his heart beats for God and to give up everything for Him. The song speaks about the struggles of living in a world that is constantly striving for attention and lacking compassion, and how easy it is to get caught up in that way of life. However, the artist is determined to stay true to his faith and continue on his path toward God.

The lyrics in this song are incredibly powerful and emotive. The artist highlights the importance of staying devoted to one's faith, even when it seems difficult to do so. He acknowledges the challenges of living in a world that values materialism and superficial things, but he remains steadfast in his belief that true love never ends. The chorus of the song is particularly moving, with the artist singing about how he knows that God will always find him and their love will never die.

Overall, "Here I Am" is a beautiful expression of devotion and faith. It's a reminder that we should always strive to stay true to our beliefs, even when it's hard. The song's emotional lyrics and powerful message make it a standout in the Christian music genre.

Line by Line Meaning

I want the satisfaction
I desire to feel contentment

Of knowing that my heart beats after You
To be aware that my heart beats with love for You

Burning with devotion
My fervent dedication

To give it up in all I do
To offer it freely in all my actions

I want to take the notion
I desire to embrace the idea

When regret is all I find
In those moments when I only feel remorse

And even if it breaks me
Even if it causes me to suffer

To leave it all behind
To relinquish everything for You

For You
All for You

Here I am, again
Once more, I am present before You

This is the last place that I thought You'd take me
I never expected to end up here