The album became something of a collaboration among friends for the two-time Grammy nominee. Kelly enlisted several trusted friends to co-write several of the songs, including her worship leader husband Jonas Ekman, Jeremy Hunter (Taylor Swift, Jonny Lang), and Mitch Dane (Jars of Clay).
Justin Knox (Colbie Caillat), Hunter and Dane came in to share the production credits, and Steve Mason from Jars of Clay even signed on to play on four of the album’s more rock-based songs.
Justin Knox (Colbie Caillat), Hunter and Dane came in to share the production credits, and Steve Mason from Jars of Clay even signed on to play on four of the album’s more rock-based songs.
A combination of rock riffs, love letters and straight ahead worship songs colour the project, making Midnight Sun a bit tricky to truly classify in one single genre. Kelly was able to have complete freedom recording Midnight Sun, and wanted to create a true statement that life is a combination of emotions, struggles and hopes.
The album’s first single, “Day and Night,” is Kelly’s personal testimony set to music. The single is currently going for adds at Christian radio.
“I think Midnight Sun is a good representation of the real me,” Kelly says. “I’m a woman who wants to talk about life, and for me that’s rock and relationships and that love for God that I just can’t contain.”
Over the past few years, Kelly has been transformed from a broken and bruised writer who felt that her voice was no longer worthy of her calling. She admits that much of this feeling was self-induced, and she had to regain her own ability to believe in the gifts that God has given her.
After spending time in Sweden, her second home, Kelly found her voice again. There, Kelly was able to renew her spirit, her calling, and return to the states happy, healthy and healed. Newly married, Kelly now leads worship regularly at Woodlands Church in Woodlands, Texas, and spends much of her time training up a new generation of musicians and songwriters.
A percentage from each song from Midnight Sun goes to support a different charity, a concept unique to most album projects. Each charity is a favourite of Kelly, and spans a variety of projects from cancer research to human trafficking. The list of charities can be found on Kelly’s website.
“The reason I wanted to do an independent album, was so I could give the publishing money to these causes,” explains Kelly. “It seems that the fruit of ‘Christian music’ should go to things that Jesus cares about, not to my big house fund, or the label's next big artist's promotion fund. If God wants to bless this album, more kids get fed, more girls get out of the brothels, more cancer research happens. Music is for honoring God and bettering life. My prayer is that this album accomplishes this both musically and practically.”
Midnight Sun is the story of Sarah Kelly’s journey from hurt to hope, grasping to not only the knowledge, but the deep belief of God’s unique plan and passion for each of us.
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