Earth Angel: UK’s Vicky Beeching Soul Sista Number One
This month’s artist profile spotlights a British import who has burst onto the Christian music scene, first in the UK and more recently, here in the States. You may know Vicky Beeching for her original music, including the popular, “Yesterday, Today and Forever” or though UK releases on which she appears, Vineyard albums ‘Hungry’ and ‘Holy’” and “Soul Survivor” or “Soul Sista”. If you don’t know Vicky, we think you’ll be hearing a lot more about her soon. Consider this your introduction.
We talked to Vicky via long distance telephone from her home in Canterbury, England.
First of all, there aren’t many Christian artists, or recording artists of any type, who have Divinity degrees from Oxford University. How did faith, music and scholarship come together for you?
I think as I was growing up, the three became inseparably linked. I’ve had a strong Christian faith since I was about 7, and that was the same time that I began learning piano - and getting into reading every book I could find in the house!
By the time I got to the end of High School and had to choose a degree subject I decided on Theology/Divinity. I knew it would provide a challenging look at my faith and also make me a better lyric writer for worship songs. It’s important to me that my songs are theologically accurate, not just a ‘catchy’ tune! Many suggested I
You’re so young and you’re already on your way to a pretty impressive recording career. Did you ever want to be a pastor, in the more traditional sense?
I’m 24 right now. I’m so excited and humbled by the way things have opened up for me in music over the past few years. I’d always hoped I could be full-time in writing and playing music and serving the church.
I knew that my ‘calling’ was to travel around and reach many people with music. Extensive travelling doesn’t mix well with being a pastor who has high local commitments. So I knew from early on that I would probably never be on the staff of a local church. But I get as involved as I can in serving and volunteering at my local church.
You’ve been a musician since childhood, first playing the piano, and then the guitar. Who were your musical influences growing up? And who do you listen to now?
My first musical influence was my Mother. She taught me piano at the age of 8, and then showed me a few guitar chords when I was 13. So I owe her a great deal! My Mum also played a lot of Christian music in the house, so I grew up on Larry Norman, Chuck Girard and Don Francisco. My Dad has always loved 60s music, so he played The Beatles and The Searchers every day. So I had a big mixture!
Now I try to keep listening to a real variety of music. I listen to a lot of Alanis Morisette, Sheryl Crow, Avril Lavigne – mainly girls with guitars. I’m a big U2 fan and love Coldplay. But I aim to expose myself to plenty of classical, jazz, R&B, pop…. it all helps prevent you from getting stuck inside one genre of writing and singing. Actually, it’s more songwriting that attracts me to music these days, and if I love a song I don’t mind so much what the genre is.
Now, let’s talk about being a woman in a field that seems pretty much dominated by males. Tell us something about the opportunities that presents – and the challenges.
I don’t find it much of a problem, as I have always got on well with guy musicians – talking with them for hours about guitars, pedals and amps. I imagine girls in this field would struggle if they couldn’t relate to the guys around them … you know, bands are usually all male. As a girl it’s a great opportunity to show other females that they can lead worship, play electric guitar and enjoy working in a band with guys. A lot of young girls have said they’ve seen me playing and it made them realize they could do it too. That’s encouraging to think that girls who previously had discounted their dreams, now see it as possible and are going for it!
I find a real mix of people attend the events I play at. And a mix of people write to me via my website. But it is mainly girls who come and speak to me or write, wanting advice on being a female musician and worship leader. I have lots of girls that I’m in touch with as they’ve asked me to mentor them and encourage them in their musical gifts. Often, as they live far away, it just means e-mailing, but even a small e-mail every few weeks seems to really encourage them and make a difference. That’s really exciting and rewarding for me. If guys come and speak to me after events, they usually want to see what electric guitar pedals I use, and we swap advice on tone and effects.
Soul Sista is a compilation of music by contemporary female artists. How did that come about?
Soul Sista is the girl’s ministry wing of the charity “Soul Survivor”. We had various Soul Sista conferences/events and music played a big part in them. We realized there were lots of girls who were writing great songs and felt we’d love to record them and make them available on an album. We wanted to make a great quality CD that girls could enjoy and play to their friends. I love how diverse the musical styles are – acoustic pop to beat-driven R&B.
You recently visited Nashville. Was that your first time in the US? What was that experience like?
Actually, my first time to the US was when I was 18 and on a Vineyard Music Songwriter’s retreat. I spent one week in California and fell in love with it! I’ve re-visited California a few times since then and most recently went to Nashville for a couple of months. I feel very at home in the States and love the warmth and friendliness of the people. I also love Nashville’s focus on Christian music, and that there is a guitar store on every single street!
In this issue of Shure Notes, we’re offering miking tips for praise bands. You’re an artist, and not a sound engineer. But what mishaps have you encountered as a performer that might have been avoided by following some basic audio rules?
I think the positioning of mics is crucial, to avoid feedback. And the placing of monitors, so they don’t cause feedback from an acoustic guitar. In worship sets, feedback can really spoil the atmosphere, as it’s a time when people are being vulnerable before God in their words and songs.
Also, the placing of front of house speakers makes a real difference to praise bands…if the volume is too high it can distract people from focusing on God. If it is too quiet, sometimes the less vocally confident people feel too shy to join in and sing. Sound engineers are just as crucial to a praise band as the musicians are – so band members, treat your engineer with love and respect!!
I’ve seen lots of engineers trying to get great sound out of a bad system and it never works. So buying good gear is a great way of preventing audio disasters!
Where do you go from here? What’s next for you? When are you coming back to the States so we can see you?
Right now I’m concentrating on songwriting for a forthcoming album. I’ll be back in the US this Fall to play at various events though. Check my website for dates. I’m also the host of an interview show called “New Song Café” that’s on the website www.worshiptogether.com. We’ll be filming more of those in the next month, so see the website for those!
We thank Vicky for taking the time to talk with Shure. Visit her website at www.vickybeeching.co.uk for background information, tour dates, music downloads, song lyrics and CD purchases.
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