Make Some Noise!
He has a famous brother for sure, but Chris Sebastian has just as much talent and passion for music as Guy. Now he’s making a name for himself in his own right, releasing his debut album late last year and taking to the road on his Runaway tour. Salvation Army writer Jessica Morris had a chat with Chris about music, faith and that famous surname.
Who inspires you musically? It’s strange, because most people would have that answer locked and loaded, but I honestly don’t have a single person—I’m inspired by so many different people. One day I’ll hear a country song, but three hours later a hip-hop song will play and I’ll find so much relevance in that too. It used to be the classic answers, like Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder, but while those guys were why I started music, the reason I am still in music comes from what I hear on a daily basis.
How does your faith influence your music? Faith plays a huge part in what I do, from the lyrics I write, to what I write about. Music is an extension of myself and I always want that to be evident. "Be grace and be love, try to love others like Jesus loves us—that should be everything." My high school chaplain once said to me, "Go and preach the gospel (message of Jesus), and if need be, use words." It was his favourite quote, and it stuck with me more than anything from school. The best way to share the gospel is to be the gospel. Be grace and be love, try to love others like Jesus loves us—that should be everything.
What has been the most challenging thing about people associating you with your brother? The toughest part was/has been developing my own identity, but not in a negative or bitter sense. More in silencing the voices I thought mattered and just being me. I have, for the most part, been told what kind of music I should do and how I should sing it, but then I just stopped.
"I love what I do and I just have to keep doing it the way I want, and eventually I’ll make enough noise so people will stop and listen."
I am so proud to be ‘Guy’s brother’. He is one of the kindest, most hardworking and loving people I have ever known, and I count it a blessing to be family. So I will never let anyone paint that in a negative light. I love what I do and I just have to keep doing it the way I want, and eventually I’ll make enough noise so people will stop and listen.
What is ahead for you? I have another record coming out, more tours, more singles and, I'm hoping, more success. I don't know what the future holds, but I know who's holding it.
Published in Kidzone Mag 4 May 2017
