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.
# # #
Love in Your Name
Chasen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What am I doing here?
This place is not my home
This place is not my home
So desperate for this feeling
To some how disappear
Afraid and filled with doubt
So long misery
By grace I've been redeemed
There is love in Your name
Love in Your name
There's one thing that I know
For every searching soul
There's love in Your name
Love in Your name, Jesus
There is a power like no other
And it's stronger than all fear
Your name is wonderful
Your name is wonderful
Now there is nothing sweeter
Like music to my ears
Your name is beautiful
Something so beautiful
So long misery
By grace I've been redeemed
There is love in Your name
Love in Your name
There's one thing that I know
For every searching soul
There's love in Your name
Love in Your name, Jesus
So wherever You take me
I know I'm not alone
Your love has made a way for me
So long misery
By grace I've been redeemed
There is love in Your name
Love in Your name
There's one thing that I know
For every searching soul
There's love in Your name
Love in Your name, Jesus
The lyrics of Chasen's "Love in Your Name" highlight the power of faith and redemption. The song begins with the singer feeling lost and questioning their purpose in life. They scream out in frustration, feeling like they don't belong in this place. But as the song progresses, the singer realizes that there is love to be found in their faith. They dispel their previous feelings of fear and doubt, and find solace in the knowledge that they are redeemed by grace.
The song's chorus celebrates the unifying power of faith. The singer notes that for every soul searching for something, there is love to be found in the name of Jesus. The lyrics are a reminder that our faith can offer us a sense of purpose and belonging, even in our toughest moments. The final verse reaffirms this sentiment, with the singer declaring that no matter where life takes them, they know that they are guided by love and never truly alone.
Overall, the lyrics of "Love in Your Name" speak to the transformative power of faith and the sense of belonging it can offer us. In a world where we often feel lost and disconnected, the song reminds us that there is love and hope to be found in our faith.
Line by Line Meaning
I was screaming at the ceiling
I was expressing my frustrations and difficulties, looking for answers above.
What am I doing here?
I was questioning my purpose and presence in this specific situation.
This place is not my home
I realized that this environment was not suitable for me, it did not resonate with my true self.
This place is not my home
I couldn't find comfort and belonging in this location, it wasn't where I belong.
So desperate for this feeling
I was in great need of a specific emotion or state of being, I had a strong urge for it.
To some how disappear
I wished for the feeling to vanish or fade away somehow, to be replaced with something else.
Afraid and filled with doubt
I was scared of what might happen and I lacked confidence in myself and the situation.
That was then and this is now
I acknowledged that the past has passed and things might have changed in the present moment.
So long misery
I am saying goodbye to my previous state of sadness, pain and suffering.
By grace I've been redeemed
My deliverance from my previous condition was a result of a divine favor or unmerited act of kindness.
There is love in Your name
I find comfort and a sense of belonging in the character and actions of Jesus Christ.
Love in Your name
There is a profound sense of compassion and warmth associated with the mention of Jesus.
There's one thing that I know
There is a single truth that I am aware of and certain about.
For every searching soul
This truth extends to everyone that is seeking answers, purpose or meaning in their life.
Your name is wonderful
Jesus name is worthy of admiration, delight and full of wonder and amazement.
Your name is wonderful
Your name is pleasant and full of joy and it resonates with who I am and who I want to be.
Now there is nothing sweeter
There is nothing more pleasant, delightful or satisfying than what I am experiencing at this moment.
Like music to my ears
My experience with Jesus is like listening to a well-crafted and melodious piece of music that resonates with my soul.
Something so beautiful
The nature, characteristics and actions of Jesus are profoundly stunning and pleasing.
So wherever You take me
Regardless of where life might take me, I am confident that Jesus is with me and will guide me.
I know I'm not alone
I have a profound sense of companionship and assuredness that Jesus is always with me, by my side.
Your love has made a way for me
The love of Jesus has enabled me to overcome difficulties or challenges that I might have faced in my life.
Love in Your name
There is a profound sense of compassion and warmth associated with the mention of Jesus.
There's one thing that I know
There is a single truth that I am aware of and certain about.
For every searching soul
This truth extends to everyone that is seeking answers, purpose or meaning in their life.
There's love in Your name
The mention of Jesus' name is associated with compassion, warmth, kindness and the love of God.
Love in Your name, Jesus
The name of Jesus is powerfully associated with the characteristics of love, grace, and salvation.
Writer(s): Ian Ashley Eskelin Copyright: Designer Music, Honest And Popular Songs
Contributed by Gavin A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.