Hillsong Young & Free
Aodhán King of Hillsong Young & Free speaks on the urgency of their latest release Out Here On A Friday Where It Began and why he believes “Phenomena (DA DA)” is connecting so strongly with young believers.
Congrats on the release of Out Here On A Friday Where It Began! Can you give us a peek into what that Friday where it all began looked and felt like? Would you say this EP encapsulates the energy of the inception of Young & Free?
Thank you so much! I genuinely wish everyone could have been there to experience it! The atmosphere during the recording was like nothing we’ve experienced before, yet at the same time it felt everything we’ve known our Friday night youth programs to look. I would definitely say that this EP encapsulates the energy and spirit of young and free, and I pray that others would sense that as the listen to it.
These songs were written over the course of a week and y’all recorded them live on a Friday night barely three weeks later. Why was there such an urgency with this release in particular?
Ha! Yep it was a crazy crazy time but it was what made the most sense in every way.
There was a natural synergy amongst the team and an eagerness to sing new songs for our youth group. Having run our Friday Night Youth Programs online for most of the year, the moment the opportunity arose to sing new songs with people became an option, we threw ourselves at it.
Laura Toggs has said about the record: “'Out Here On A Friday Where It Began’ is our youth gathered together and declaring the name of Jesus and making a statement that the church is alive and we’re here.” Did you all feel like writing songs that were particularly alive and vibrant was crucial after the season of stillness we all went through?
Absolutely! We have always felt strongly that our mandate with Y&F is to sing songs of joy and hope.
It’s been such a difficult and confusing time for everyone around the world and we just pray that this collection of songs would allow people to experience the freedom of Jesus and the life that is found in His presence.
The single “Phenomena (DA DA)” was hugely successful: the song has already amassed 1M+ global streams and has surpassed a half million YouTube views. It is also currently #4 on our top songs! Why do you think this song connected with young believers so much?
To be honest, I don’t completely know (we never do!), but I believe that young people are drawn to what is new, different and sometimes chaotic (haha). And this song undoubtedly is 100% all of those things for us.
I also believe the message of the song speaks a lot to our identity as young believers, knowing who we are in Christ and following the road He leads us on.
Young people are being pulled in a million different directions, so having a song that allows them to express “the new life” they have found in Christ is super important.
What is Young & Free’s greatest hope with releasing this project?
Our greatest hope and prayer has always been that our songs would bring people closer to Jesus and compel those that don’t know him to start the journey of discovering who He is.
Hillsong Young & Free | Out Here On A Friday Where It Began
Lead Out Here On A Friday Where It Began with your congregation. Resources available at MultiTracks.com.