Luke Spehar: Catholic Music Spotlight

Luke Spehar, image used with permission of artist

Thank you for sharing your beautiful talents for the glory of our Lord! Would you please briefly introduce yourself to our readers?

Hello everyone, my name is Luke Spehar. I was born and raised in Minnesota with my two brother and two sisters. We grew up in a small town north of the Twin Cities. I am the middle child of five kids, which means I was the “peace-keeper” between my two warring brothers and my two sister’s who were the graceful bookends of our parent’s offspring.

Could you please describe your own faith journey?

Luke Spehar, image used with permission of artist

Along with my siblings, I was raised Roman Catholic. My uncle was ordained a priest when I was very young and he was always very involved with our family. Along with my siblings, I was home schooled until I was in 7^th grade and I remember my mom making time to teach us from the catechism and from the lives of the saints.  Although faith was always a major part of my life, it wasn’t until I was a junior in high school that I really started exploring the many questions I had about the Church and Christianity. After a couple years digging deeper into my own heart and growing in my spiritual life, I felt the Lord call me to pursue the possibly of becoming a priest. I joined St. John Vianney College Seminary right after high school and discerned for four years. Following my 4 years in minor Seminary, I discerned out of seminary to share what Christ had done in my life through music.

How did you come to the decision to share your creative talents for spiritual purposes?

As most people do, when I first started learning music I sang and played mostly other people’s music. This drastically changed, however, when I was a junior in high school. I was about to play for a talent show and I was struggling to find any good reason to step out on the stage. I asked the Lord to help me get through the fear of performing and from that point on I wanted to acknowledge the power of God’s love in whatever I played or sang.

Tell us about your CDs. What led to the inspiration for this project and the songs you wrote? Do you have a favorite track on the record?

I currently have three albums: Be still, No Other Way and All Is Gift. Be Still is a collection of the first seven songs I wrote in high school. I numbered the tracks on the album in the same order I wrote them. I felt the song order really told my story during this time of my life. No Other Way is a ten-song album comprised of the songs I wrote during my first year in college and seminary. There were a lot of challenges during that time of my life and I always thought if there were another way to go, I would have gone there. But there really was “No Other Way” except with the Lord, no matter how difficult it was. My latest album, “All Is Gift” was a very special project for me. Ben Harper, a three-time Grammy winner, and Sheldon Gomberg,  also a Grammy winner, helped to produce this album. For the first time I recorded with other instruments such as the cello, upright bass, piano, steel guitar and a few other amazing sounds. After really reflecting on the songs of the album I realized that the songs were examples of the many gifts we have been given such as family, faith, our country and music.

https://youtu.be/Sv1ZDaV9J8s

Who are some of your musical influences and your favorite musicians?

Amazingly, some of the first songs I ever learned were songs written by Ben Harper, the artist that eventually helped to produce my third album, All Is Gift. I grew up loving the oldies stations. I still love artists like, Simon and Garfunkel, Bob Dylan, Cat Stephens and Nick Drake. Recently I have loved Andy Mckee’s incredible acoustic guitar playing and Josh Garells, a more contemporary Christian artist.  I also really like Ben Harper’s new album, Get Up. Bon Iver is another favorite of mine.

For those looking to tap into their own creative energies, what words of encouragement and advice would you offer?

For anyone who has the desire to create art, I say just go for it. Release what the Lord has put on your heart! I think it’s important to remember that creating something new can be really messy and imperfect, and that’s just fine. A crucial part of creating art is knowing what you like, and that can take a lot of trial and error. I pray for humility and patience often. I try to use prudence when I’m writing music and try to pray through every step. The Lord will guide it if you want Him to.

Thank you for sharing your inspiring talents! Are there any additional thoughts or comments you'd like to share with our readers?

I just want to say a word of thanks to all you mothers out there. My sister just had her second baby and watching the incredible work she is doing with her husband to raise their family is so inspiring. It is such a witness to the beauty of life to my wife and I as newlyweds. So, thank you so much!

For more information on Luke Sephar and his music visit:

• www.lukespehar.com or www.lukespehar.com/blog
• Facebook, Twitter, Youtube
• CD Baby