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Artist Description | Natalie Grant
In music, many artists are quick to embrace the “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mentality after a particularly successful project. While not the most adventurous move, it virtually guarantees repeat success because the formula is already proven.
From time to time, however, there are artists like Natalie Grant who aren’t content with pursuing the predictable route. They’re eager to push the boundaries, sonically, lyrically and otherwise, which is exactly what Grant has done with Relentless, the follow-up to her 2005 breakthrough album, Awaken.
While it would’ve been easy for Grant, the GMA’s reigning Female Vocalist of the Year for two years running, to rest on her laurels, she was determined to keep people guessing. Instead of serving up more signature ballads, Grant was eager to showcase her more progressive rock/pop side replete with live horns, grittier guitar licks and the R&B flair of her voice that’s often been toned down in the past.
“This time, I wanted to take it old school with lots of live instrumentation,” Grant says. “I love how horns have made a resurgence in pop music. So I wanted Relentless to be more raw and edgy—more authentic and less pristine.”
Vocally, Grant was also determined to push herself. And the new richness and robustness that shines through in tracks like the soulful “I Will Not Be Moved” and the country-tinged “In Better Hands” even (gasp!) surprised Grant a little.
“I was two weeks from my delivery date, my belly was literally down to my knees,” Grant remembers. “It wasn’t always comfortable, but yet I felt empowered. Sometimes I think people assume that women are supposed to always sing the introspective, soft songs, which they do beautifully. But I wanted moments where I could be bold and strong and to show there’s a powerful, passionate message that a woman could deliver. So that’s what I set out to do on Relentless.”
With expectations running high after the success of Awaken, Grant was also intentional about creating music from a pure place. Rather than focusing on what would make her fans or record company happy, Grant prayed “like she never had before” and chose her collaborators carefully, favouring the trusted crew she’d worked with in the past including producers Bernie Herms and Shaun Shankel and songwriters like Christa Wells and Matthew West. And in the process, Grant wrote or co-wrote the bulk of the project, something she’d never done before.
Of course, artistic fervour comes from a variety of places, but Grant’s resulted from a deep desire to live a life that matters—one that has eternal significance. That desire has manifested itself in a variety of ways. As a popular speaker/performer for the “Revolve” weekend events for teen girls, Grant’s relatable presence provides encouragement during such a pivotal season of life. As someone who overcame a struggle with bulimia as a young adult, Grant’s message of self-worth from God’s perspective has yielded life-changing results, something affirmed by the thousands of letters and e-mails she receives regularly.
“I’ve seen how music and ministry has the power to change someone’s life. Teenage girls come to the arena, screaming and having fun, but underneath it all, they are one straw away from breaking into a million little pieces,” Grant says. “They are carrying such a heavy load. Their families have fallen apart. Some don’t have anyone that believes in him/her. Others lost their virginity, thinking that was somehow going to fill the void, but it didn’t. Culture is telling them they have to wear a certain brand of designer jeans to fit in. And then with my own eyes, it’s like I could see baggage dropping from them. Their lives were changed through what’s happening with Revolve.
“And that makes me feel like I’m not only a part of something meant to change the lives of these girls, but of something that will impact generations to come. It seems big, but we’re seeing it every weekend.”
Another way Grant is seeing lives dramatically changed is through the continued efforts of “The Home Foundation.” As one of the first artists to rally against the social injustice of human trafficking, Grant’s experiences in India have continued to shape her and give her enduring hope that the situation will improve with each passing day.
“My work with ‘The Home Foundation’ is shaping everything I do,” Grant says. “I was the girl who fell for the American dream hardcore. I fell for all these ideas that if I worked hard enough I could pursue my dreams. My life was all about me. But then when I met girls like Auscha, who was raped 40 to 50 times a day for seven years of her life, I tried to make sense of this loving God I’ve always told everyone about. How could He allow that to happen to the most innocent among us?
“As I begin to explore that after my trip to India and resolved to give my life away, it really began to shape a belief that regardless of circumstances, hope still endures. And that’s why the work of ‘The Home Foundation’ is so life-changing for me. Lives are being changed for eternity.”
In fact, to encourage the fight, three scholarships are being awarded to college students going abroad to work with anti-trafficking agencies through “The Home Foundation.” In addition, one woman, who’d been a victim of these crimes in the past, is coming to the States to begin her undergraduate studies at Northwestern University through a scholarship provided by “The Home Foundation,” something Grant couldn’t be more excited about.
Personally, Grant’s new favourite role as Mom to two gorgeous twin daughters, Grace and Isabella, has also shaped her career. In motherhood, she’s found fulfillment she never could’ve imagines, which is precisely why she won’t make an album without being intentional about its purpose.
“Now that I’m a mother to two little girls, it’s all the more reason to stay involved because of what it’s like for people, particularly teenagers, living in the world these days,” Grant says. “Now I can’t help but thinking ‘What’s it going to be like when my Bella or my Gracie is 15?’ It would be irresponsible of me not try and shape the world they live in.”
And that adventurous nature is exactly what separates Grant from the pack, making her music far more interesting than just your run-of-the-mill radio hit. She lives a life that’s relentless, and her music can’t help but reflect that vivacious spirit, too.
The Band (As describe by Natalie):
Trevor Morgan (Guitar): A fierce singer/songwriter in his own right.
Adrian Walther* (Bass): One cool, Canadian who sports a rockstar mohawk and calls Chicago home
Richie Pena (Drums/Percussion): My favorite Puerta Rican New Yorker who I like to call the Groove Dr.
Donnie Lewis (BGVs): When I’m lucky enough to have her out, this fab singer joins me. She is fierce and will be a STAR one day (she already is to me)
Bernie Herms** (Keys/Producer): it’s okay that this tall, blonde German can’t dance, because his playing is totally groovacious! He’s also my hubby! :- ) Lucky, lucky me......
* Walther is originally from Scarborough, Ontario has been part of the Craig Douglas Band, Carolyn Arends’ band, All Star United and most recently Sarah Kelly’s band.
** Herms is from Alberta, Canada.
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