It’s a rarity these days to find raw artistic talent paired with passion and authenticity. Jeremy Vanderloop is one such anomaly, in a league all his own. His calling to minister and reach those that others might not see or even notice is evident in his music. “I want to love the unlovable, reach the unreachable, and touch the untouchable,” Vanderloop says. That desire to love others and share the heart of God is apparent on every song off his new album, All Creation Sings, Vanderloop’s third studio record to date.
His inspiration for All Creation Sings stemmed from, as he explains, “wanting to write a deeply poetic album that reflected God’s heart.” Vanderloop elaborates, “This album does just that in a relatable, unique way. Listeners will hear a different aspect of the Gospel in every song.”
For example, album opener “Illuminate the Sky” uses lyrical imagery: the chains of shame they are now lies/Falling down, beneath the earth to portray a believer’s sins being buried with Christ. Similarly, the song “Beautiful” likens a flower which “blossoms in the sun” to a Christian who derives his sustenance and strength from Jesus. Equally powerful is “Deep Calls Out,” painting the picture of a romantic couple who longs to be one flesh just as we desire to be one with our Creator. In all 12 tracks, Vanderloop commands an ability to communicate effortlessly while simultaneously entertaining his audience so they hear the heart of Jesus.
Sonically, All Creation Sings is a melodic rock album with orchestral influences. Vanderloop enlisted the talent of a who’s who of musicians including Jared Evans (Ricky Skaggs) on drums, bassist Jaryd Davis (Aaron Gillespie), and Chris Gladden (Tye Tribbett), who played electric guitar, keys, organ and violin.
He comments on how the project came together musically, “The creative process was quite fun. We would start with a song, discuss it as a group and begin giving form to the parts. I always enjoy creating with an understanding that ‘majority rules.’ If we came across a part that one of us felt could be better, that person would create another part, and then we would vote which version should be used. This really allowed everyone to have a creative say in the making of All Creation Sings.”
Not only has Vanderloop filled a void musically with his creative outlook, but he seeks to impact others on a personal level as well. This desire led him to join up with the non-profit organization Mission of Mercy, a international program that helps to provide children in need with clothing, education, and, most importantly, the love of Jesus.
“Recently, I was able to take a trip with Mission of Mercy to Mozambique,” he recalls. “We spent time with the locals, and I saw the need there firsthand. It was life-changing and made me realize that I want to serve and not just be served.”
In addition to working with Mission of Mercy, Vanderloop devotes much of his time to touring, playing more than 230 shows in 2010-2011 alone. He will support All Creation Sings with a national tour in 2013. His excitement about the upcoming tour is evident, but his heart remains in the same reflective state: “whether I play for a couple people or a couple thousand, I just want to build a platform to unite the body of Christ. It’s all about how we can love each other.”
