"It's a new day and a new chapter for this band," exclaims an obviously excited Rutz. "We have a new sound, a new direction, a new feel, a new member, a new label and new management, so it felt like our old skin didn't completely contain what we do now, nor did it do this band justice anymore."
Though the players brainstormed for months before making the moniker switchover, they wanted a title that wouldn't be tied to any preconceived notions or specific music industry connotations. Originally, VOTA didn't have a meaning, instead creating a blank canvas for the listener to interpret, though a longtime listener soon pointed out an alternative meaning anchored in faith.
"One of our fans did a Google search and found out it does have a spiritual meaning, which is an interesting nod to God's sovereignty," explains Maranville. "VOTA is a Latin root word that stands for a collection of vows before God, which echoes our goals of using this music to His glory."
Outside of ministry intentions, the group's self-titled debut is loaded with artistic innovation, taking cues from the players' previous alternative dichotomy, plus additional influences ranging from dance poppers Maroon 5 to ethereal rockers Augustana. Add in a return outing with famed producer Nathan Dantzler (Relient K, Audio Adrenaline, Tree63) and VOTA brilliantly straddles the line of current and timeless.
"We really tried to throw the rule book out the window with these sessions and we tried to look at each song specifically and give them what they needed," offers Olesen. "We stretched our limits in every sense even down to the way we recorded. A lot of times a band records the drum tracks, then bass, then guitar and then vocals, but we took it one song at a time, which made the process more expensive, but artistically it was great to freshly move to each element. In the end, all the tracks have a wonderful diversity, which allows you to listen all the way through and put on a nice iPod shuffle mix."
Adding Friesen not only added an extra layer of paint to the band's dynamic, but also a brand new instrument in the form of keyboards. Though those sounds appeared on older albums and in concert, they share double billing with the guitars on this endeavor, putting a bit more groove in the step of these Nebraska natives.
"We had honestly been looking for the past three or four years for somebody to fill this part and we knew Riley was a real answer to prayer," ruminates Rutz. "He fit the profile we were looking for perfectly, we get along so well and he lives in Lincoln, NE, which just reaffirmed it for us!"
Beyond the studio, that fleshed out sound has expanded on stage, leaving VOTA a force to be reckoned with either in headlining, festival or even outreach styled environments such as on its onoing 180 Tour a public high school assembly program designed to encourage students in their character and decision making. The foursome's veteran status certainly doesn't hurt, with Olesen serving as arguably the most explosive rock n' roll front man in recent memory.
"Part of what we're tying to do is take the live show to another level, and now with four members, we're giving the audience an even more engaging show," Olesen adds. "We bring all our own sound and lighting on the road and we take the show really seriously, plus its been really encouraging to have support from our fans right from the get go of performing the new songs."
There's no doubt anyone leaving a VOTA show will be thoroughly entertained, but outside of a mere performance spectacle, there's a much more introspective thread that runs through the guys' sets. Besides showcasing a relatable message that runs the gamut of personal and spiritual relationships, plus being lights in even the darkest corners of society, members' humanitarian interests are also major components.
"We're interested in moving beyond just the music, which you can see in something like our partnership with Food For the Hungry and everything that's continuously being out on the 180 Tour, our commitment to encourage students through the 180 Tour" muses Maranville of the endeavor they started in 2006. "We want to offer students and listeners of all ages to consider how they can make a positive change in this world, whether that be by lending a helping hand or just living a life of character and integrity on a daily basis."
Olesen echoes those sentiments, also adding the gang's earned additional wisdom through experience, along with ongoing faith refinement. "We're not looking to be defined by being musicians and rock n' roll and we hold on loosely in that sense," he sums up. "Now that we're not 16-year-olds wanting to be rock stars, we're sensitive to where God wants us and I think that's given us a mature focus to kind of break the mold of going through the motions- whether that be with the way me make music, the 180 Tour and how we interact with everyone we meet along the way."
www.votaband.com
God of the Universe
Vota Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the skies show what Your hands have made
Without words they're telling a story
And no one can hide from what they say
And day by day, night by night
To tell the world who you are
And the stars in the sky are your fireworks
Jesus shine your light in my life
Let your glory shine
God of the universe
I do not understand it
This is far to great for me
That all this beauty and wonder
Is nothing compared to Your love for me
With all my love, with all my heart
I'll tell the world who you are
You are the God of the universe
And the stars in the sky are your fireworks
Jesus shine your light in my life
Let your glory shine
God of the universe
You are the God of the universe
You are the God of the universe
The stars in the sky are your fireworks
You are the God of the universe
And the stars in the sky are your fireworks
Jesus shine your light in my life
Let your glory shine
You are the God of the universe
You are the God of the universe
The stars in the sky are your fireworks
The song “God of the Universe” by Vota is a worship song that expresses awe and wonder towards God as the creator of the universe. The opening lines, “The heavens declare Your glory, and the skies show what Your hands have made, without words they're telling a story, and no one can hide from what they say,” speak of God’s power and majesty revealed through creation. The heavens, skies, and stars are all part of an intricate design by God, declaring His glory. This idea is further emphasized in the second verse when the songwriter says, “That all this beauty and wonder, is nothing compared to Your love for me.”
The chorus repeats the theme of the song, declaring God as the “God of the universe” and the stars in the sky as His “fireworks.” The bridge then speaks of the songwriter’s commitment to tell the world who God is. “With all my love, with all my heart, I’ll tell the world who you are” is a proclamation of the songwriter’s dedication to sharing the message of God’s love and power with others.
Overall, “God of the Universe” is a song that recognizes and worships God as the creator and sustainer of all things. It’s a call to experience and recognize God’s power and beauty in creation and to share that experience with others.
Line by Line Meaning
The heavens declare Your glory
The vast expanse of the skies exhibit the utter greatness and astounding magnificence of who You are
And the skies show what Your hands have made
The skies themselves testify to the meticulous work of Your hands in creating all things
Without words they're telling a story
The skies need no words to impress upon us the awesome narrative of Your character and power
And no one can hide from what they say
Every single person is unable to escape the staggering truth that the skies proclaim
And day by day, night by night
Each and every moment without ceasing, both day and night
To tell the world who you are
Revealing to all the world Your glorious character and nature
You are the God of the universe
You reign over all creation, being the one who crafted and governs everything
And the stars in the sky are your fireworks
The stars displayed in the heavens are nothing less than a resplendent demonstration of Your sovereignty and majesty
Jesus shine your light in my life
May Your all-consuming light shine vividly in my life, Jesus
Let your glory shine
Please allow the reflection of Your divine glory to radiate through all of me
I do not understand it
I am unable to comprehend the vast scope of Your matchless love and sovereignty
This is far to great for me
The grandeur of Your greatness is completely beyond my ability to fathom
That all this beauty and wonder
The stunning beauty and incomprehensible wonder displayed in all creation
Is nothing compared to Your love for me
Cannot even begin to compare to Your abounding affection for me
With all my love, with all my heart
With my entire soul and being, I will love and honor You
Contributed by Hannah M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
DJ Riley
Love this song! In case anyone's interested... Originally, this band's name was "Casting Pearls." Curious about the band's current name, I found this on Wikipedia: "In 2008, the band changed its name to VOTA due to confusion with similarly-named Christian artist Casting Crowns. Originally, the name VOTA was a typo in an email from VOTA's then-current management team, Chaffee Management, as the band, management and label were brainstorming new names. The name VOTA was ultimately chosen by the band as being without a specific meaning and having a bit of mystery to it, allowing their fans to individually interpret the meaning. In summer 2008, while performing at an Oklahoma summer camp, the band discovered the name does have a spiritual meaning. Vota is a Latin root word that stands for a collection of vows before God." NEAT, HUH? PROVIDENTIAL, I'D SAY! ♥
Stevo
This is on of my favorite bands. And I just recently discovered them.
Connor Nichols
I love this song!
I also love your Love Found Me album! Keep it up VOTA!
OnePrepAhead
Amen ... God is great. Glory to him
Thaddeus Miller
Come on VOTA!!!! Your songs are the best. Im a big fan but can only find a few of your songs, and none are very recent. KEEP IT UP VOTA!!!!
Banshem S pahsyntiew
Love it
Cowser_Senpai
I never thought of the Stars in the sky as His Fireworks. Awesome song Amen God.
Carlos Duarte
Muito bom legal
Thaddeus Miller
this band is super underrated
Colochini i
Hermosa Cancion Guys... God shine your light in me!