Queen’s Belfast graduate Nathan Jess is a new name to some, but his debut single – I Am Redeemed – is full of ancient, eternal truth.
With a sound that echoes the strongest singer-songwriters of recent years – like David Gray, Damien Rice and even a little Jeff Buckley – Nathan pulls back the curtain on a powerful new expression of sung worship.
“My approach doesn’t sit within the established worship mold,” explains Nathan – correctly. The ‘approach’ as he calls it is powerfully eclectic.
“Not only are there the lessons learnt from the names listed above, but as a lyricist Nathan is one of the most efficient around.”
In just 115 words ‘I Am Redeemed’ takes the worshipper on a journey from the garden of Gethsemane, through the agony of the cross all the way up to the fullness of life today.
“It was originally written to appear on a film in France as the closing sequence. It is a song that proclaims our redemption boldly and confidently: that we can know our King who came and gave Himself up.”
With seemingly endless Hallelujah’s empowered by intriguing harmonies, ‘I Am Redeemed’ has become an instant favourite among early listeners, but it comes on the back of years of study, practice and worship.
“I honed my craft starting off as a singer/songwriter who was also leading worship,” says Nathan of his roots.
“Then the light came on in my head and I found that the fusion of the two – writing congregational worship songs – was what I was really passionate about.”
Having studied music (with a particular emphasis on composition) at his local university, Queens in Belfast, Nathan emerged from graduation in July 2010 as a full time worship leader and songwriter.
That November some of the Kingsway staff heard him play ‘I Am Redeemed’ in a support slot for Casting Crowns, and by the time July 2011 came around Nathan signed with Kingsway.
Nathan’s story spills out beyond a single page of a press release – there are travels to East Africa to relate as well as clear, deliberate thinking about instrumentation and arrangements to consider.
But, for now, the power of the song alone is enough to spark interest. There will be plenty of time to get to know him.