ETR:Can you
give us a brief background on you and your music?
Finchley: I was born and raised in the UK and taught how to play by my dad,
a Baptist minister and a massive country music fan. I started playing in
church
and
joined my first band at 16. after playing in various bands I joined
www.supervisiontheband,com
when I moved to Liverpool at aged 19. We stayed together for ten years
initially leading worship, going through an indie phase in the pubs and
clubs before going to a full on rock monster sound and releasing various
records in the UK primarily serving the church through youth work at
various festival events. We called it a day last year and I launched my own
solo project drawing on all the different experiences and influences
received over the last few years. The new record has country moments, pop,
rock, even folk all with my own spin / focus on big tones, textures and
melody. Lyrically, everything I write is influenced by my relationship with
God and Christian world but still very accessible for non-believers. Lately
I have moved back into worship leading at my church and different events -
it seems like God is opening up a new season for me.
ETR: Your words and
music are powerful what kind of response have you had to your music?
Finchley: It's been quite incredible - non-Christians and Christian
can all relate to the stories I sing about and everyone has a different
favourite song which is awesome - exactly as I would have wished for it.
Through my myspace.com/finchleymusic page I've had various people comment
that my music has
been an encouragement when they're where down, Walking with Angels has made
then think spiritually and one person came back to God through listening to
in the Wind. Huge numbers of people have commented about Contraflow
too - it feels like a special track and I hope it to be my first single.
ETR: Do you plan on
coming to the USA in the future to perform?
Finchley: Man, I'd love to - doing my best to make contacts in
Nashville and other places to do at least a 2-3 week taster tour some time
next year
ETR: In the
music industry it is mostly about making money. You have amazing talent and
could easy cross over into the secular world of music, how do you resist
that temptation?
Finchley: I feel very definitely that I'm called to both business and
music for the time being and so I still spend 50 hours / week running my web
company
www.mandogroup.com
and my music ministry is an evening / weekend affair. If God opens up a
door for me to go full time or even 'more' part time with my music then I'm
open to it but, as you say it won't be about the money it will be about
doing what God's got for me.
ETR: What is
your favorite scripture and why?
Finchley:
Oh man - one favourite?
erm.. I probably dwell most on 'my peace I leave you' which Jesus promised
towards the end of his time on earth - I'm very busy and a driven person and
this scripture reminds me it's not about my works or effort, it's about the
holy spirit and anointing and resting in God.
ETR:
Do you have any other ministry work that you do or support?
Finchley: I consider my company to my mission field - loving my 34
staff, supporting them, mentoring them.
ETR: What do
you think is the greatest issue facing young Christians in today’s world?
Finchley: Culturally there's less and less desire for truth or focus
on personal study. You can't be on fire for God or pray effectively and in
faith without knowing what you believe. We need to be relevant and
connected without being comprised and this will come through being real but
being bold and clear about where you stand and what your values are.
ETR: Do you
have any other testimony or other words that you would like to share with
our readers?
Finchley: Just simply that God
is utterly, completely, totally trustworthy. never ever entertain the idea
that he doesn't care, doesn't listen, is a spoilsport. he only ever wants
what is best for you - he is the perfect dad.
Embracing the
Rain's Review of Finchley's music:
Finchley’s music is so
beautiful and peaceful. This is the first Christian rock artist (and rock
music in general) that I have ever listened to, and I have to say (once I
became more open minded and listened to the messages) that I genuinely like
his songs. Lyrically, he does a great job expressing the love of the Savior,
encouraging the believer to come back to the Heavenly Father, let go of the
past, and move forward in Christ. Furthermore, the songs that I enjoy the
most are Contraflow, Walking with Angels, In the Wind, and Struggle On. So,
check out Finchley’s CD because his music is so uplifting and inspires the
believer to hold on and keep the faith. I hope continued success for
Finchley.
Review by
Tina Ashford
writer/co-creator
Embracing the Rain
Detroit, MI
and
joined my first band at 16. after playing in various bands I joined
www.supervisiontheband,com
when I moved to Liverpool at aged 19. We stayed together for ten years
initially leading worship, going through an indie phase in the pubs and
clubs before going to a full on rock monster sound and releasing various
records in the UK primarily serving the church through youth work at
various festival events. We called it a day last year and I launched my own
solo project drawing on all the different experiences and influences
received over the last few years. The new record has country moments, pop,
rock, even folk all with my own spin / focus on big tones, textures and
melody. Lyrically, everything I write is influenced by my relationship with
God and Christian world but still very accessible for non-believers. Lately
I have moved back into worship leading at my church and different events -
it seems like God is opening up a new season for me.
been an encouragement when they're where down, Walking with Angels has made
then think spiritually and one person came back to God through listening to
in the Wind. Huge numbers of people have commented about Contraflow
too - it feels like a special track and I hope it to be my first single.
ETR:
Do you have any other ministry work that you do or support?