HIGHER CALLING
Christian musician Aaron Shust aims to ‘spread the word’
Aaron Shust is like many other songwriters.
When inspiration hits, they have to use their resources. “When writing, I’ve used Skype and the voice recorder on my phone,” he says during a recent interview from Virginia. “There’s usually not much time to capture the inspiration.”
Shust is a contemporary Christian musician. Since beginning his career, he has released seven albums and two EPs. He was named songwriter of the year and received the song of the year award for “My Savior My God” at the 2007 Dove Awards.
He is now touring in support of his current EP, “Ever Be.”
His last full-length album is 2015’s “Doxology,” released in August.
“There are 10 songs on this record,” he says. “And nine of them are expressing ideas that could be sung at the after-party to the coronation of the King of Kings. Throughout the writing and recording process for ‘Doxology,’ I’ve had that image in mind: ‘Bring forth the royal diadem.’ The summation of history when Jesus is crowned eternally and His people respond in worship and praise.”
Shust says writing for the project was serious and he had to travel through tough times to tell these stories.
He sees the album as a testament of his faith.
“Songs really become time capsules of the seasons of life you’re in when you write them,” he says. “They capture the thoughts, the feelings, the prayers, the passions of that part of your journey. ‘Doxology’ isn’t a project I really could have easily written before now.”
When he’s not on tour, Shust resides in Pittsburgh with his wife and three sons. He also leads worship at his church.
“Being able to help spread the word is what I’m interested in,” he says. “The current tour is inspired by the series ‘The Bible.’ I hope people will enjoy what we have to offer.”