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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There Is Love
Chasen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What's on your mind, I can tell it hurts
Tears don't fall if nothing is wrong
So come close, tonight is still young
Ooh, there is love for you
There is love for you in my arms
Ooh, you are everything
And don't be afraid
To tell me what's on your heart
Ooh, there is love
For you here in my arms
Pictures they paint, the memories of my home
Even in a crowd without you I am alone
God I know you made an angel for me
Somewhere close that's my destiny
Ooh, there is love for you
There is love for you in my arms
Ooh, you are everything
Everything that I'm living for
And don't be afraid
To tell me what's on your heart
Ooh, there is love
For you here in my arms
Come close hear my breath breathing
Whispering the words I love you
Come close see your future
And know that there is hope and there is love for you
Ooh, there is love for you
There is love for you in my arms
Ooh, you are everything
Everything that I'm living for
And don't be afraid
To tell me what's on your heart
Ooh, there is love
For you here in my arms
The song "There Is Love" by Chasen is a comforting ballad that centers on the theme of love and support. The opening lines of the song describe the singer looking through a burning fire, suggesting that they are facing some kind of difficulty or pain. The following line - "Tears don't fall if nothing is wrong" - implies that something is amiss and that the singer is struggling with their emotions. However, the singer offers them comfort by assuring that there is love to be found in their arms. This assurance is repeated in the chorus, with the message that the singer is everything that the singer is living for.
The second verse of the song uses vivid imagery to emphasize the pain and loneliness that the singer is feeling. The lines "Even in a crowd without you, I am alone" paint a picture of a person who feels isolated even in the midst of others. However, the singer offers hope by saying that they know that an angel has been made for the singer and that their destiny is somewhere close. In the second chorus, the singer once again repeats the message that there is love to be found in their arms, encouraging the singer not to be afraid to open up to them.
The bridge of the song is particularly poignant, with the singer urging the singer to come close and listen to their words of love and support. The repeated use of the word "hope" emphasizes the power of love to overcome adversity and offer comfort to those who are struggling. The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the message that love can be found in the arms of the singer.
Overall, the song offers a hopeful and compassionate message to those who are facing difficulties. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the message of love and support, and the vivid imagery used throughout the lyrics helps to emphasize the emotional depth of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
You're looking through the fire that burns
You seem lost in your thoughts, staring aimlessly at the fire
What's on your mind, I can tell it hurts
I can sense that you're troubled and in emotional pain
Tears don't fall if nothing is wrong
You're crying, so there must be something bothering you
So come close, tonight is still young
Take comfort in the fact that there's still time to talk and be together
Ooh, there is love for you
You are loved and cared for deeply
There is love for you in my arms
I am here to provide comfort and support to you
Ooh, you are everything
You are the most important thing in my life
Everything that I'm living for
Without you, my life would lack meaning
And don't be afraid
Feel free to open up and share your feelings with me
To tell me what's on your heart
I am here to listen and offer my support without judgement
Pictures they paint, the memories of my home
When I think of my past, memories of my home come to mind
Even in a crowd without you I am alone
Being without you makes me feel lonely, even when surrounded by people
God I know you made an angel for me
I believe that destiny has brought us together and you are my angel
Somewhere close that's my destiny
I am certain that we were meant to be together
Come close hear my breath breathing
Let me hold you close and make you feel safe
Whispering the words I love you
I want to express my love for you in a soft, comforting way
Come close see your future
Together we can create a bright and happy future
And know that there is hope and there is love for you
No matter what, there will always be hope and love for you
Contributed by Ryan S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.