From the opening salvo of Stellar Kart’s third album Expect the Impossible,… Read Full Bio ↴From the opening salvo of Stellar Kart’s third album Expect the Impossible, it’s evident that the Dove Award-winning band is revolutionizing its sound with this adventurous, spirited, and totally unexpected pop ‘n’ roll project.

Returning to helm the project is producer Ian Eskelin (All Star United), who also shepherded Stellar Kart’s breakthrough sophomore album, We Can’t Stand Sitting Down. That CD yielded the No. 1 hit, “Me And Jesus,” which also earned the band its first Dove Award for Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year. “Content, content, content,” Eskelin declares. “The music is awesome, the energy is off the charts, but what sets Stellar Kart head and shoulders above the vast majority of its contemporaries is content. These guys are not afraid to say what they believe, straight up, without trying to couch it in some namby-pamby metaphor.”

“We are all fans of different kinds of music, and a lot of times we find ourselves listening to songs that we love, but the message is just terrible,” frontman Agee explains. “We talk with kids after concerts and are always hearing from youth leaders about the issues facing teens today. We wanted to write songs that would address such topics and encourage kids to expect God to work in their daily lives. That is what we have been about from day one. That is what we are still about.”

When Adam, along with bandmates Cody Pellerin (guitar), Jordan Messer (drums), and Brian Calcara (bass) hit the studio, Eskelin’s frenetic energy ignited Stellar Kart’s powder keg of creativity. The result is an explosion of new music chock full of pop melodies, catchy choruses, and singable lyrics.

If it is true that first impressions are the most important, Stellar Kart goes for broke on its first radio single: the blazing, no-holds-barred confessional, “Jesus Loves You.” An impassioned song about conviction and redemption, it cuts through the comfortable shades of gray with an unabashed declaration that “Jesus Loves You,” whether you believe it or not.

“The reason I do what I do now is because of what I didn’t do when I was younger,” Adam explains of the song’s bold lyrics. “I grew up in church; my dad was a pastor. I accepted the Truth at an early age, but I was a kid just trying to get by. I didn’t really do anything with my faith until I got to college. That was when I started to realize there was more to life than just getting by.”

“The bottom line is, we are not doing this just to make music. We want people’s lives to be changed,” Brian interjects.

Stellar Kart proves it can thrive in a broad range of musical realms as Expect the Impossible sustains its momentum with tracks like the classic rock anthem, “Shine Like The Stars” and genre-defying, fist-pumping, “Eyes,” with its synth-laden 80’s groove and Beach Boys-esque, feel-good, summertime melody.

“‘I Give Up’ is hands down my favorite song on the album,” the band’s classically trained guitarist, Cody Pellerin adds. “It’s the kind of song that got me into playing music in the first place. It’s rock ‘n’ roll. It’s Judas Priest meets Van Halen meets Motley Crew. I got to just rip it up on the guitar, which is what I really love to do. I know some people may listen to it and think, ‘Wow, that doesn’t sound like Stellar Kart,’ But this is where we are musically. And I think it is a good progression for us and our fans.”

“Sonically, we wanted to shoot for a broader sound,” Eskelin says. “Stellar Kart has never been afraid to challenge the current trend, so we decided to incorporate some new elements. This album will please the band’s die-hard punk fans while offering something to straight-up pop and rock lovers as well. The goal is to meet listeners where they are, driving an emotional connection to the music.”

Stellar Kart puts an exclamation point on Eskelin’s statement with such diverse tunes as the tender-and-tough pop ballad, “Pray,” in which Adam encourages listeners to ‘Pray...Even if you think you are not good enough.’ The bouncy, infectious, “The Right One,” evokes strains of such pop/rock legends as The Beach Boys, The Cyrkle, and their more contemporary offspring like Weezer and Jimmy Eat World. The happy-go-lucky anthem “Sunshine” boldly asserts that Stellar Kart is as much a bona fide pop band and serious chart contender as it is a punk quartet.

Which is not to say the band has abandoned its punk roots. “Automatic” has enough head-nodding hooks and frantic drum kicks to satisfy punk purists. And frontman Adam Agee even manages a couple of authentic rawk screams on “Eyes” and “Innocent.”

But as satisfying as Stellar Kart’s expanding musical repertoire is, it’s the lyrical honesty coupled with the band’s personal growth that most radically informs Expect the Impossible. “We are a pop band,” Adam explains. “When we made our first record we were young, and it reflected who we were at the time. The next record reflected a natural progression. Expect the Impossible is the next step. It is casting a wider net. It gets more people involved.”

“I love seeing kids attach themselves to something bigger than just school or work or friends or the latest fad,” Brian adds.

Like The Sun
Stellar Kart Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I know the moon is
High tonight
And the earth
Is far below
I know you're asking
Why tonight
And the hours are
Moving slow

You can't see the reasons
You don't understand it all

Like the sun will shine
Like the rain will fall
I'll be there to pick you up
Anytime you call
Tomorrow's on it's way
Night turns into dawn
As the morning breaks
You'll see
The shadows will be gone
So hold on

You say the flame is flickering
And the fire is growing cold
Life hasn't turned out
Like you hoped
Or like you had been told
You can't see the reasons
You don't understand it all

Like the sun will shine
Like the rain will fall
I'll be there to pick you up
Anytime you call
Tomorrow's on it's way
Night turns into dawn
As the morning breaks
You'll see
The shadows will be gone
So hold on

Like the sun will shine
Like the rain will fall
I'll be there to pick you up
Anytime you call

Like the sun will shine
Like the rain will fall
I'll be there to pick you up
Anytime you call
Tomorrow's on it's way
Night turns into dawn
As the morning breaks
You'll see
The shadows will be gone
So hold on

Hold on

Overall Meaning

The song "Like the Sun" by Stellar Kart is a message of hope and assurance to those going through difficult times. The opening lines describe the moon being high while the earth is far below, setting the tone for someone feeling disconnected and distant from their life circumstances. The next verse talks about a person who feels like their flame is flickering, and they're unable to see the reasons or understand everything that's happening. The chorus serves as a repeated reminder that, much like the natural cycles of the sun and rain, there will always be new beginnings and better times ahead. The lyrics suggest that the singer of the song will be there "to pick you up anytime you call" and that "tomorrow's on its way, night turns into dawn." In essence, Stellar Kart is encouraging the listener to hold on, wait for the morning, and have faith that the shadows will be gone.

Overall, "Like the Sun" is a message of optimism and perseverance, with a catchy melody and lyrics that are sure to uplift the listener's spirit. The song also incorporates some religious themes, with references to faith and prayer. The song's message and melody are both relatable, making it an inspiring anthem for anyone going through tough times.

Line by Line Meaning

I know the moon is
I am aware that the moon is currently visible in the sky

High tonight
The moon is elevated in the sky tonight

And the earth
The planet we live on

Is far below
Is located at a distance from the moon

I know you're asking
I understand that you have questions about

Why tonight
Why things are happening the way they are tonight

And the hours are
And time seems to be

Moving slow
Passing by slowly

You can't see the reasons
You do not have a clear understanding of the motives behind

You don't understand it all
You do not comprehend everything that is going on

Like the sun will shine
Just like the sun will inevitably appear and illuminate everything