You’ve uttered the music of Benjamin William Hastings, even if you didn’t know it. He co-wrote and is featured on songs like UNITED’s, “So Will I (100 Billion X),” Hillsong’s “Seasons,” and he helped Cory Asbury and Brandon Lake write “The Father’s House” and “Gratitude” (respectfully). These are powerful songs that resonate deeply within our hearts, so Hastings’ self-titled solo debut is overwhelmingly beautiful.
The Beginning of Benjamin William Hastings
Benjamin William Hastings loves connecting with other songwriters to craft amazing music that leads Christians into intimate worship, but he sensed God was expanding his offering. Hastings describes his journey to his solo album by saying, “I’ve been really quite fortunate that in the various things I’m connected to that I’ve always had the ability to write freely and be myself, say the things I’ve needed to say and say it in a way that sounded like me. Things with my accent, my lilt, and between that and occasionally writing songs for friends, I have felt really quite content with my life and contribution to the world. However, a number of years ago now, songs started coming out of me that didn’t feel like they belonged anywhere but they didn’t feel like they should die either. I felt like there were things that needed to be said and I felt like I needed to be the one to say them. They were too personal to me to just put through any other voice and I’m so so grateful for everyone who embarked on this very long journey with me, and I’m so proud of where it landed.”
Growing up in Belfast, Ireland, singing and songwriting was deeply intertwined into Benjamin’s life. During his early twenties, Hastings moved to Sydney, Australia where he met the love of his life who was friends with the Hillsong United crew, which helped him launch his songwriting career. Now, an LA, CA resident, Hastings is exploring what it means to be a solo artist.
Benjamin William Hastings on Humanity
Benjamin William Hastings is honest and dynamic in his debut release. He’s able to communicate human vulnerability through intimate and personal storytelling. His songwriting is an artistic self-expression that captivates the listener’s soul. There’s great authenticity and honesty that will make him a favorite artist of many. His self-titled album explores the ongoing wrestling of exercising faith. Benjamin claims that it may be a little more honest than we’re used to hearing. Through the raw honesty, Hastings is able to connect the human to the divine.
When Benjamin William Hastings started to express his own thoughts through story and song, there was a plethora of beauty to be expressed. Though a debut album of 25 songs may seem long, Hastings self-titled solo project carries listeners on a fruitful journey. “It’s 25 songs each showing a different side of myself,” Hastings states. When describing the purpose behind the album, Benjamin elaborates by saying, “There are songs about worship, faith, doubt, imposter syndrome, being a dad/husband, and ultimately a human. I hope it makes you feel a little less alone.”
The Ways of Benjamin William Hastings
There’s a lot that Benjamin William Hastings puts into his songs. He doesn’t just sit down for a session. There’s a lot of research involved. Hastings looks at history and theology to turn God’s truth into an amazing application that is totally relatable. Hastings describes his approach when sharing about his song Eden. “The story of Eden has always been an incredibly fascinating story to me, perhaps my favorite biblical narrative,” shares Benjamin William Hastings. “The more I look the more I see, especially as I study it and the historical backdrop. There’s so much happening that I couldn’t even begin to unpack in a song. However, I did attempt (with a great deal of amazing co-writers) to show one thread of the meta-narrative and that is this song. The story of a God who takes even the worst and redeems it till it’s better than before. A tale of three trees, two Adams, and a whole new Eden in the end.” By digging into more than just lyrical pros, Hastings reminds listeners of the vast wealth and abundant love of God the Father.
There is much to be expected from Benjamin William Hastings album. “If I could summarise what you should expect from this album in a sentence or two it would be precisely this lyric from the first track ‘Hold onto your hats, hold onto your hearts. We’re gonna lie in the dirt but we’ll stare at the stars’.”
Check out the feature on Ellie Holcomb.
