Here’s another raw, 1-take performance of a song from the upcoming Falling Back Together album! It’s a sad song called “Broken Record”.

Oh by the way, the album is almost done! Keep your eyes peeled for an important announcement! :)

Howdy frans! Years ago, I did a “Song Stories” series for the Stages EP and thought it’d be fun to revisit that idea for the upcoming Falling Back Together album! Maybe “fun” isn’t the right word… cause the album is a wee bit melancholy... It’s a depiction of where I am in life right now. It may be sad, but there is a smattering of hope and nostalgia as well. And I hope others going through a similar season might see themselves in the music.

Track #1: Me I Used To Be
Written: August 24, 2025

Because of the needs of my family, I stepped away from being a full-time musician (after 15+ years) to take a desk job. It has not been my favorite. It’s hard work, the hours are long, and it’s not what I‘m passionate about by any stretch… but it’s what we needed at the time. Because of the busy-ness and the difficulty of my role there, for several years it has made it very hard to find the time or the headspace to do music in any meaningful way. And being on the phone for hours a day quite literally made it difficult to sing because my voice was so raspy!

Last year on my birthday my sweet wife got me an Airbnb out at Canyon Lake. The sole purpose of that time away was to write new music. It was truly one of the most thoughtful and kind gifts I’ve ever received. One of the songs to come out of that writing session was “Me I Used To Be”.

The pic below is literally of me on a hammock at the Airbnb with the original lyric sheet handwritten on the legal pad I brought.

“Me I Used To Be” is an acknowledgement that the season of life I’m in is hard. And that I have really missed the old me. I miss music. I miss my attitudes and my personality. I’m keenly aware that things are different, and not necessarily in a good way… or at least in the way that I’d prefer.

But you know what? My struggles don’t define me, unless I let them. And I do have some degree of control over what I do with my life - even if it can be hard to find the bandwidth or motivation. So I’m making the choice to do something about it. Not to continue falling apart… But to start falling back together.

”Me I Used To Be” will be the first single released from the album. Keep your eyes peeled for the official release announcement!

Lyrics:

I can’t believe that I’m still here
Been waiting on another year
Another time, where I might be alright
I’m nothing that I chose to be
I’m taking what’s in front of me
I’m doing all I need to make a life

I’m not gone, I’m just away
I still believe I’m the me I used to be

I’ve left it all behind for now
I need to get it back somehow
The same old story, but a different page
I’m praying for a second chance
A pivot to my circumstance
I’m begging for a means to make things right

I’m not gone, I’m just away
I still believe I’m the me I used to be

I wanna breathe again
Be me again, for good this time
I choose to be free again
Not falling apart
But falling back together

I’m alright
I’m in there somewhere
I still believe I’m the me I used to be
I’m not gone
I’m just away
I still believe I’m the me I used to be

I’m just waiting on another year
Another time, where I might be alright

About the “Falling Back Together” album:

Falling Back Together takes Matt back to his singer / songwriter roots. It will be a collection of 6 brand new tracks, featuring the Matt Adler Band’s first recordings in 10 years! The songs are authentic and raw, with themes of love, regret, nostalgia, hurt, hope, and everything in between. They are a time capsule of where he is right now.

“I’m excited and nervous to share these songs with the world. They’re more real and vulnerable than anything I’ve ever released up to now. But I am so happy with how the songs are shaping up! I hope that others can see themselves in the lyrics and know that they’re not alone - and that they’ll be okay.”

- Matt Adler

Throw back to the band’s time at Stone Creek Sound where we officially started recording the upcoming “Falling Back Together” album! Always fun to go behind the scenes and see how annoying I am when I’m producing stuff. How does this incredible band put up with me after all these years?!

Our upcoming EP is titled "Falling Back Together". The title itself comes from a lyric in the song "Me I Used To Be", which will be the first track on the album. Here's a raw, one-take acoustic performance from the Pavilion!

Something's brewing...

Coming soon: a brand new EP called "Falling Back Together" by the Matt Adler Band... our first album together in 10 years!

There is still a lot left to do, but before too long six brand new songs will be available on all streaming platforms. We could not be more excited to share this with you!

More details forthcoming.

Friends! I can't even begin to express how pumped I am to share this...

You may or may not know, but the Scattered EP was the last album that the Matt Adler Band released. This happened back in 2016. It is now 2026 (WAT??).

One week from today, my best friends (Dave, other Dave, Tony Dave, and Katie) and I will be gathering at Stone Creek Sound to do pre-production and initial recording for a BRAND NEW EP. This will be our first record together in TEN YEARS!

To say I am excited is an understatement. But I'm also incredibly nervous. There are four songs that are solidified for the project so far -

• Me I Used To Be
• Hard To Say Goodbye
• Broken Record
• Okay

These songs are the most personal, most vulnerable that I've ever written. And it's scary to share them with the world. But also, they're very real and indicative of where I am in life right now. I hope they are impactful to anyone who chooses to listen. I'll be sharing snippets and tidbits from time to time, so keep an eye out.

From a stylistic perspective, I think the songs will be dreamy. And I think they will groove. They will be vibe-y but also very "us" as well.

Last week, the Daves came to my home studio to start figuring these songs out.

More coming.

- Matt

Holy smokes. We're halfway through 2023! How did that happen??! Life is looking very different right now... but I couldn't be more excited.

I met producer and friend Mack Damon at the end of 2010. He produced my Rearranged album, and has used me as a session player on literally hundreds of tracks for various artists across different styles. Fun fact: when I was 11 I learned about the Wrecking Crew from the 60s (a legendary group of studio musicians that played on SO many of the best songs of the era) and thought "MAN! I want to be a session musician when I grow up!" Who'da thunk?? I couldn't be more thankful.

Mack is one of my favorite humans, and working with him over the years has been a primary contributor to who I am as a producer. Even though we've technically been "competitors", all he's ever done is support and encourage me - even showing me things that would allow me to become better at my craft.

As of May, we've officially partnered at his RIDONK studio space in Helotes at Stone Creek Sound. It's beautiful, and it just has a vibe that encourages creativity. It's only been about six weeks but I'm already excited at what's going down - and what I know is coming down the pike!

I've been lucky enough to work on so many amazing projects already, across a bunch of genres -

• Raelyn Mercedes
• Robbie Vee
• Wes Taylor
• Justin Gallegos
• JR Herrera Band
• Chuck Wimer
• Jackson Wendell
• Emily Monsen
• Bobby Gossett
• Brad Jenschke
• Thomas Buley
• Lee Towell

Dang just writing out that list is nuts! 12 artists in just 6 weeks. I'm excited to see what's in store!

I'm currently scheduling for July/August. Are you looking to record a full band song? An acoustic demo? A podcast (assembling a traveling/remote rig so I can come to YOU if needed)? Hit me up!

You may or may not know, but I'm a singer/songwriter and used to play about a bajillion shows all over the place. It's been a little while since I've played a true "Matt Adler Concert". Well on July 15 Austin Ausley is having an album release party @ 502 Bar. I played guitar and bass on his forthcoming record (which is FANTASTIC), and he asked that I join him on electric guitar. He ALSO asked me to open the show! So I'll be playing original tunes alongside cellist extraordinaire, Katie Boyd! Just like old times.

I can't wait!

Matt

(Scroll down to see some pics!!)

Friends, I couldn’t be more excited. After loads of discussion and planning with my good friend Mack Damon, I’m announcing that I am partnering with Stone Creek Sound as a producer!

I have known Mack for 13 years now. He produced my Rearranged record back in the day, and we’ve worked together on countless other projects over the years - for artists across all sorts of genres. He’s one of my favorite people ever and he’s amazing at what he does, producing and recording tracks at an insanely high level. He pays attention to the little things and he helps artists grow in the process. Working with him over the years is a primary contributor to who I am as a producer.

Stone Creek is a gorgeous cabin in the hills and trees of Helotes near NW San Antonio. I can’t say enough about the beauty of this space. It just FEELS good to be there, and is a phenomenal place to “get away” near the city and be creative. There are so many modern and vintage instruments, insane class A hardware, and all the tools we will ever need to make the best sounding record possible. Check out the new digs!  -Matt

Good day friends! Big changes are a-comin'! And I wanted to keep you in the loop.

My wife and I are officially moving to San Antonio this Saturday! We are excited to be purchasing a home and digging in roots together. I'll still be working a couple days a week at MANUP, but I'll also be accepting recording/production clients again. Huzzah! Got some new gear and learned some new tricks... I'm excited to bring it back permanently to my hometown of SA!

I currently charge $500 to produce/record/mix a full-band tune (up to 14 hours), and $40 an hour for simpler arrangements. However, for the first THREE people to submit a deposit and book a calendar date, I'll do a reduced rate of $400/$30-an-hour. LET'S GOOO!

I'll also be available to gig, play at churches, mix/master projects, and all the things. Hit me up if you hear of any opportunities!

Excited to see what's next!
- Matt

PS: to hear samples of my production work, click here.

Hello humans! I can't believe I've been in Austin almost a year! As a result of COVID, I suppose I haven't connected with as many people locally as I'd have liked to... but I've been blessed to have had some pretty cool opportunities since I've been here; opportunities to produce artists, play a few shows, lead worship, and meet some very cool people along the way.

Madler Music Matters

• NEW SONG
  Back in 2020 I wrote a song called “Worth the Wait” about my now-wife Bonnie. And last month on her birthday, I released it as a surprise for her -- without telling a soul! I remember when I was writing the song, it took a couple hours (and a failed first attempt) to get going. Then I came up with the lyric “you make me smile, but I’d rather look at yours”... I also started strumming a sort of country shuffle, and then the rest of the melody and lyric came within 20-30 minutes! It’s the closest thing I’ve ever written to a country song. I really leaned into that, featuring mandolin and pedal steel - along with my acoustic guitar. Check it out on Spotify and let me know what you think!

Studio Stuff
It's kind of crazy to think that I've been in Austin for nearly a year. And I've been able to produce tracks for several artists from across the state (and country!)!

• Madelin Mae (San Angelo, TX)
• David Aghado (Galveston, TX)
• John Anthony (Austin, TX)
• Emily Taylor (Montana)
• The No/Jack Project (San Antonio, TX)
• the MANUP podcast (Austin, TX)

I've been blessed to have had the opportunity to do media/technology/communications for a men's group called MANUP since I've been in town. We meet in-person in neighborhoods throughout the city. At our gathering at Austin Baptist Church, I film and record audio. This allows us to create and publish free video/audio content for men, churches, and men's ministries each week! Check out the MANUP web site, your podcast provider of choice, and/or the MANUP app.

Show Shenanigans
COVID has really limited show opportunities the last couple of years. But still, there have been some super cool events that I've been able to be a part of!

• Hymns and Hops
• MANUP events
• Brazoria County Revival (Angleton, TX) with Justin Gambino
• Christmas Candlelight Service @ 5 Stones Artisan Brewery

Worship Whatchamacallits (my alliteration proficiency ends with "W")
For the first time in my adult life, I'm not on staff at a church as worship leader/pastor. It's pretty dang weird! I do believe that I'm equipped for that and that I'll find myself connected to a church home where I can serve again. For now, I've been incredibly blessed and excited to lead worship all over Texas during the last year!

• St. Andrew UMC (Plano, TX)
• Lake Travis UMC (Lakeway, TX)
• Surfside Church (Surfside, TX)
• PromiseLand Church (San Marcos, TX)
• CBCB (Bulverde, TX)
• Wimberley FBC (Wimberley, TX)
• Resonate Church (Dripping Springs, TX)

I am super excited for this next season! I'm hoping to have a lot more musicness in my life - new songs, new albums, new production opportunities, new shows, live streams, all the things. Stay tuned!

Matt

Hi friends! It's been awhile since I've updated the interwebs on the world of @mattadlermusic. Here's the 4-1-1 on all the things!

• You may or may not know, but I moved to Austin, TX in February 2021 (incidentally, that same day I proposed to the love of my life. We got married this summer and it's been more beautiful than I could've ever imagined!). As we've settled in, I've been working AVL, social media, and technology part-time for a men's ministry out here called MANUP. It's been such a blessing!
  
  
• As I moved to the Austin area, so did Splendid Studio! I've produced tracks for four clients over the last couple of months during the "soft-opening". I'm finally ready to announce to the world that my studio is open once again, and I'm taking a limited number of clients! Hit me up ASAP to secure your spot. (To read a bit about the studio and hear some sample production work, click here.)
  
  
• Speaking of recent production work, it's really run the gamut as far as styles go. I've produced a country two-step song, an electro-pop Christian song, a worship rock song, and a 90s R&B ballad-type song! It's been fun working with such different artists!
  • Madelin Mae - Empty Handed
  • Emily Taylor - Darkness is Light
  • John Anthony - Out of the Waters (coming soon)
  • The No/Jack Project - Searchin' 4 A Star
    
    
• Pretty soon Imma start booking a few shows here and there. That'll kick into high gear as we get through this current COVID surge.
  
  
• I'm in the super early stages of planning my next album (NEW MUSIC?! GUH!!!). Stay tuned!! 

Things are moving again! Expect more consistent updates moving forward. Huzzah!

- Matt

Y’all, I can’t believe it. It’s been ONE YEAR since the release of the Collective Worship album. One year since the release, and coincidentally – one year since shelter-in-place kicked in as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It’s been the weirdest possible album release cycle. Normally when an album drops, the artist at least plays ONE time in support of it (and hopefully, many more than that)! My hope was to tour on Collective Worship, lead at various churches across the country, have worship nights, play gigs, make CW t-shirts, songbooks, the whole nine. Obviously, none of these things happened.

It’s also strange because this is the most COMMUNAL album I’ve ever done. 57 worshipers and creatives from across the country contributed their talents and skills to this project (thank you so much friends). And then… BOOM! Social distancing. My world went from the GREATEST amount of social interaction/collaboration ever to the LEAST!

And yet, God has used this album beyond anything I could’ve ever imagined. I’ve heard such sweet things from people about how these songs have blessed them through this crazy season. I know they’ve blessed me. People have been listening. Worship bands have played some of the songs at their churches. Glory to God!!

God willing, more and more people will be vaccinated soon and we will reach herd immunity. This will allow the world to open back up. I can’t wait to hug all of my people again! A year with no hugs… “no sir, I don’t like it” (quoth Mr. Horse from Ren & Stimpy).

As you may know, I’ve moved to Austin. I’m just about to re-open my recording studio and I already have some clients coming down to record. I’ve also begun to think about Collective Worship vol. 2! I’m thinking it’ll be an EP. I’m also thinking of doing a Collective Worship vol. 1 & 2 tour… Maybe getting some vinyl pressed of the live tunes… Maybe creating that songbook I’d been thinking about. Printing some CW shirts. More videos…

But these are all ideas. I’m going to be spending time in prayer to figure out next steps. I may not know where that’ll all end up. But what I DO know is that I’ve missed music like crazy. I’ve missed YOU like crazy. And I cannot wait to have both of you back in my life. I hope to see you soon!

– Matt

P.S. – click here to listen to Collective Worship on Spotify!

Very excited to announce that Milo Deering, Mark Herrera (of Jesus Painter Ministries), and I have collaborated to create a video for my new song “Peace Prayer”! Mark did a live painting while Milo and I played through this acoustic song, and I’m so moved by the final video (beautifully assembled by Kyle Isenhower of Isenhower Productions). The video and song itself with both go live on 9/4/2020, so keep your eyes peeled!

It’s hard to believe this song is 9 months old already! “Holy Spirit of God” was the first single off of the #CollectiveWorship project, and it features Stu Garrard on electric guitars (I am still blown away by his arrangement/performance every time I listen!). Check out the new lyric video by Sean Gutierrez, he has done an amazing job on these!

The song itself is about the… um… Holy Spirit of God. It talks about the beauty of the God of the universe desiring relationship with each of us. And that we can come freely before the throne of grace and know Him, hear from Him, and commune with Him. It’s a prayer that I – and everyone – will not remain stagnant, but that He would stir revival in our hearts. And renewed vigor to pursue Him and walk in the Spirit. God can move in amazing ways if we would be obedient, so let that be the desire of our hearts.

Because of God’s work in our lives and Jesus’ finished work on the cross, we can live into the assurance of our salvation. Forgiveness. Eternal life. “And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” Hebrews 10:19-25

On April 21st I went to The Impact Guild in San Antonio, TX to record six one-take songs from the Collective Worship record! Thanks to Kyle Isenhower for recording these videos for me!

NOTE: click the icon in the top right corner of the video below to see the entire song list!

For those who are anxious in this season. For those that have fallen ill, or know someone who has. For those that have lost a loved one. For those experiencing financial hardship. For those whose businesses have been destroyed. For those who feel isolated and alone. Lord have mercy on us.

Check out this song about God’s deliverance, called “Soon”. It was performed live on November 15th, 2019, as part of the just-released Collective Worship project.

There are moments when we find ourselves in “thin spaces” where Heaven meets earth, and this was certainly one of those times. 30 worshipers from across the state gathered at Stone Creek Sound in Helotes, TX to declare the truth of God’s faithfulness in every season.

“Pray” is a duet from the Collective Worship project that features Rebekah Bichsel from Brad & Rebekah. And it quickly grew into one of my favorite songs on the Collective Worship record. In our brokenness, in our anxieties, and in our dark places – when we don’t even have the words to say, the Holy Spirit cries out on our behalf.

“But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:25-28

Read the article/full interview on Hallels.com!

Matt Adler, a singer/songwriter, worship leader, and record producer in San Antonio, TX, has just released an album called ‘Collective Worship‘. 57 people from across the country participated, helping write and perform these songs. Brian Scoggin and Chris Huffman from Casting Crowns, Stu G from Delirious, and several other artists all joined together to create the project.

Matt has released multiple albums as a solo artist over the last decade. His 2020 release, ‘Collective Worship’, is a corporate, vertical worship album for the church. This album is a collection of polished studio songs and authentic, raw, live recordings of worshipers from across the region. His songs range from adoration to lament, joy to desperation, faithfulness to faithlessness, all within the context of both original music and reimaginings of old hymns.

Q: Thanks Matt for doing this interview with us.  Let’s start with yourself: tell us a little about yourself and your ministry.

Absolutely! My name is Matt Adler, I’m a singer/songwriter, worship leader, and producer from San Antonio, TX. I’ve been leading worship for 20 years now. That’s what happens – if you’re a kid a church that sorta plays guitar, they make you lead worship! I was discipled well when I became a staff worship leader at a church plant some years later and the Lord has consistently equipped me as a worship pastor. It’s been such a cool progression, to see God orchestrate life so I would gain experience in something – only to have the next step in my path use and build upon it.

I’ve been a singer/songwriter for years. But a few years back, God made it clear that I was supposed to lay down my singer-songwriter hat in favor of corporate worship music for the church. I didn’t know what it looked like at the time, but I was – and am – convicted that my call in this season is to write worship music for the collective. For worshipers across ages, races, genders, backgrounds, and denominations.

Q:  You have just released your new worship album, which involves 57 people helping out.  Who are some of these artists who were involved in the project?

I am absolutely overwhelmed by the sheer number of people that were willing to lend their time and talents to this project. Friends and worshipers from across the country assembled to lift high the name of Jesus. Brian Scoggin and Chris Huffman from Casting Crowns played on the record. Stu Garrard from Delirious, Rebekah Bichsel from Brad + Rebekah, Ben Vela from Abandon… gosh, I am humbled just thinking about it. Worship leaders from across TX also gathered at a really cool cabin-in-the-woods recording studio in the suburbs of San Antonio to record and film 4 live songs for the project. It was one of the most special and memorable experiences of my life!

Q:  In what capacities did these artists and worship leaders help out on the album?  Did all of you congregate together in one location or was the album recorded in many locations?  

The “collective” aspect of this project applied to all facets honestly – musicians, songwriters, singers, graphic designers, mastering engineers;  some parts were recorded at my studio in San Antonio, some were recorded remotely. Some of the graphics and lyric videos for the project were done remotely. The album was mastered in Tennessee. And as I mentioned earlier, the 4 live songs on the album were filmed and recorded at Stone Creek Sound in Helotes, TX with worshipers from across the state. I am a member of a worship leader roundtable that gathers across TX, and we assembled in the Dallas-Fort Worth area to co-write one of the songs on this record with Jennie Lee Riddle. The logistics behind the project were definitely a little daunting, but I wouldn’t have had it any other way! The album sounds so very different – and definitely for the better – by having so many different voices contribute!

Q:  In your blog, you mentioned that there were many “thin spaces” between heaven and earth while this album was recorded.  What do you mean by that?

“Thin spaces” are those places where you feel the presence of God in a supernatural way. Perhaps in out in nature or in an old cathedral where countless worship songs have been sung, prayers have been prayed, and encounters with God have occurred. The Bible tells us that where two or more are gathered in His name, He is in their midst. When people gather collectively, bringing all manner of circumstances to the table and still choosing to praise Jesus together – to me, that feels like the closest to God we can get here on earth.

Q: On the record, you have included both hymns and original worship songs.  Why are hymns important for you?

I feel like it’s all part of the “collective” idea. There are songs that are just anointed, regardless of time or style. Regardless of generation or personal preference. My hope and prayer is that all people, from across generations, will sing songs to God together and encounter Him in a very real way.

Q:  When you were writing the original songs, what or who inspires you to create these songs of worship?

There is certainly a lot to unpack here! I had gone through a very dark, dry, desert season leading up to the writing and recording of Collective Worship. I had known for years that the next project was to be a corporate worship album for the church. But I didn’t know what it looked like, I didn’t have the songs. Within a week of moving back to my hometown of San Antonio, God woke me up in the middle of the night and gave me all the details – the album name, songs, the list of people who I was to reach out to to participate, the idea for the live event where we would film and record four songs…

Some of the songs on the album were written simply to minister to the heart of God and to declare truths. The first track, “Released”, is about freedom in Christ. That we do not have to be defined by who we once were, our anxieties, shame, and addictions, but that we are a new creation. “Holy Spirit of God” is a simple recognition of the beauty of being able to come freely before the throne of Grace and commune with God. It is a prayer for revival to stir in our own hearts, in the church, and in our communities. “What Love Did” is a modern worship song about Communion – our remembrance of Jesus’ death and resurrection as we take the Lord’s Supper.

Others were a little more emotionally based, and came out of the desert season I was coming out of. “Pray” is an acknowledgement of the truth that even in the midst of the valley, I can trust in God’s faithfulness and provision. I can expect the Spirit to cry out on my behalf in times where my words fail me. “You Are” is the last track on the record and pulls from Job and Lamentations. The verses declare truths – of God’s goodness and new mercies, and His ability to move unopposed. I mean…He’s God! My help comes from Him! Of course, right? But the pre-chorus and chorus are basically desperate pleas to the Spirit to convict me of those truths. To remind me in seasons of doubt where God’s voice feels far away. The bridge is just a corporate declaration that God is our refuge.

Q:  How do you wish these songs would impact the lives of your listeners?

My hope and prayer is that God would use these songs for His glory, to tell His story, and to bless people. I hope people sing these songs together, collectively, and have very real encounters with the Spirit. Whether one person, ten people, a hundred, or a thousand end up listening – I just hope God uses this project for His purposes, whatever they might be.

Check out this modern worship song for Communion, called “What Love Did”. It was performed live on November 15th, 2019, as part of the just-released Collective Worship project.

There are moments when we find ourselves in “thin spaces” where Heaven meets earth, and this was certainly one of those times. 30 worshipers from across the state gathered at Stone Creek Sound in Helotes, TX to declare the truth of God’s faithfulness in every season.

(Originally published on JesusFreakHideout.com on March 25th, 2020)

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)

I’m an angry person. I’m prone to impatience, jealousy, pride, and all sorts of ugliness. Heck, if I’m honest – old Matt was kind of a jerk. But I always tell people that it’s irrefutable evidence that God exists that I am no longer defined by these characteristics!

Only by the Grace of God could I ever be released from those traits. I do my best every day to allow myself to be sanctified, and now through Christ I am able to speak and respond with a spirit of gentleness, patience, and understanding. But of course, I screw up. I still say things that I shouldn’t and I respond poorly from time to time. But I am absolutely a different person since I first declared with my mouth and believed in my heart that Jesus Christ is Lord.

In John 16, Jesus says “But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment…”

Here, “the Advocate” Jesus is referring to is the Holy Spirit of God. When we come to know Jesus as Lord, the Holy Spirit indwells us. He convicts us daily, refining us, growing us, and sanctifying us. In Him we can be released from our sin, our shame, our anxieties, our hurts, our character flaws, our addictions… This is such a beautiful Truth of the Gospel, how can we not share this with the world?! We no longer have to be defined by who we once were, but rather by who God is. And by who we are in Christ.

This is the heart behind the song “Released”, the opening track on the Collective Worship album. God loved us so much that He made a way for us to be forgiven, to have relationship with him, to be made new through Him, and to be granted the reward of eternal life – even though none of us deserve it. We were dead in our sins, but have become resurrected to life again with Christ.

-Matt

Check out JesusFreakHideout.com for 2 Collective Worship album reviews and a detailed interview on the project!

Jesus freak Hideout (John Underdown): For those unfamiliar with your work, what’s an overview of your background in music?

Matt Adler: My background in music? That’s a long story! As a kid my grandpa told me he’d give me a guitar, but only if I didn’t tell my cousins. I promptly told my cousins and so it was another year – when I was 8 years old – before I got my first instrument. I started leading worship at 14, and started singing that same year. I didn’t really “grow into” my voice and gain any confidence in that skillset until maybe my early twenties. And finally, I was always a singer-songwriter, writing songs about whatever came to me. But a few years back, God told me to lay down my singer-songwriter hat in favor of corporate worship music for the church. In this season, I firmly believe that is my calling – writing and performing vertical worship music, collectively. With worshipers from across ages, races, genders, backgrounds, and denominations.

JFH (John): You went through some major life changes before writing this record. How did that inspire this project?

Matt: Absolutely I did. The last record I did came out in 2016. I knew then that the Lord was calling me into corporate worship music, though at the time I didn’t have the songs and I didn’t know what it would look like. Then I hit a very dark, very dry season of life. A season with no music, little community, spiritual stagnancy, and a lot of hurt. But there was such purpose in that season – to grow me, sanctify me, to make me a better human and worship pastor… And then God woke me up in the middle of the night and gave me the full vision for the Collective Worship album! It was such a cool thing, His voice was so clear and so direct. He gave me songs. He told me who to contact to take part in the project – and almost no one said no! He provided the idea to do 6 studio songs and 4 live songs with worshipers from across the state. And He gave me the name – “Collective Worship”!

JFH (John): Over 50 people contributed to the album, how did you coordinate so much varied input?

Matt: Not easily! 57 total people were involved, at final count – musicians, vocalists, songwriters, mastering engineers, recording engineers, and graphic designers. Working with folks from Georgia to Indiana, Arizona to Tennessee, and of course my home state of Texas – it was a logistical challenge that was so very worth it. There are sounds and words that I never could’ve made on my own. In the past I have done the vast majority of work on my albums. But God’s idea of the “collective” really shone through and made this record sound so very unique. Its creation was such a life-giving and fun process. And the event where we recorded the 4 live songs was among the most memorable experiences of my life. Some of my favorite people in the world, from all across the state, came together in a very cool cabin-in-the-woods recording studio. And we just worshiped together, with cameras rolling and audio recording. It was so very special and I’ll never forget it!

JFH (John): What kind of themes were you trying to explore with this record?

Matt: Quite a few actually. The first track, “Released”, is about freedom in Christ. That we do not have to be defined by who we once were, our anxieties, shame, and addictions, but that we are a new creation. “Holy Spirit of God” is a simple recognition of the beauty of being able to come freely before the throne of Grace and commune with God. It is a prayer for revival to stir in our own hearts, in the church, and in our communities. “What Love Did” is a modern worship song about Communion – our remembrance of Jesus’ death and resurrection as we take the Lord’s Supper. There are also a few songs that are more reflective of the difficult season I was in as they were written. “Pray” is an acknowledgement of the truth that even in the midst of the valley, I can trust in God’s faithfulness and provision. I can expect the Spirit to cry out on my behalf in times where my words fail me. I’m realizing in this interview that the themes of these songs are quite varied!

JFH (John): Who wrote the “Collective” segments of the record? Were those pre-written or spontaneous?

Matt: “Collective” parts 1, 2, and 3 were both pre-written AND spontaneous in parts. They were responses to two questions 1) why do we worship? And 2) what is the value of worshiping collectively? I was intentional about the individuals who I asked to do these segments, ensuring that they were reflective of the “collective” idea of the record – across ages, races, genders, and denominations. It was so sweet to track these and to hear these special individuals’ perspectives. And logistically, these were recorded to transition us from the polished, pristine studio tracks to the authentic and raw live tracks on the album.

JFH (John): You included a song that uses Latin phrases (“Kyrie Eleison”), which isn’t a common thing to see in Protestant music. What drew you to doing that?

Matt: I was actually raised Catholic, though I now consider myself non-denominational and have for years. But it was as a young kid attending mass that I first heard the words “Kyrie/Christe eleison” As I grew in my faith and was discipled as a young worship leader many years ago, I found such beauty and value in some of the more liturgical elements that I grew up with that I hadn’t understood up until that point. Kyrie eleison/Christe eleison means “Lord have mercy” and “Christ have mercy”. It is often used within a church liturgy as a response to corporate prayer requests. The postlude of the song references Romans 2:4 directly (“Let Your kindness lead us to repentance”) and so the idea behind this song is actually that of confession. Lord, have mercy on us. We are broken but You are good. Lead us to true repentance.

JFH (John): There seems to be a good balance of Scripture and emotion woven into this project, which is a hard thing for most worship albums to manage. How did you strike that balance?

Matt: Only by God’s grace. It wasn’t necessarily something that I set out to do. God gave me the songs for this project, some of which simply declare truths and minister to the heart of God. And others came out of a place of my own personal walk and struggle. They still declare truths, but are more a time capsule of the heart space I was in when I wrote the song. “You Are” is the last track on the record and pulls from Job and Lamentations. The verses declare truths – of God’s goodness and new mercies, and His ability to move unopposed. I mean…He’s God! My help comes from Him! Of course, right? But the pre-chorus and chorus are basically desperate pleas to the Spirit to convict me of those truths. To remind me in seasons of doubt where God’s voice feels far away. The bridge is just a corporate declaration that God is our refuge.

JFH (John): How important is collective or congregational worship to you? Do you feel like it’s better to sing congregational songs in church versus more individualistic ones?

Matt: Individual worship time is important. My one-on-one time with the Lord is so special and there is incredible value in it. But the Lord has really placed the COLLECTIVE at the forefront of my heart in this season. There is this concept of “thin spaces” where Heaven meets earth. And the Bible says that “where two or more are gathered, I am with them”. I feel like when we gather to worship collectively, the Spirit moves. We encounter God in a very real way. There is such beauty when we bring all manner of circumstances – joys and sorrows, victory and defeats – and then sing in spite of those circumstances, declaring corporately that Jesus is better than all of those things. It’s freeing. I’d say collective worship is just our way of practicing for when we get to Heaven!

JFH (John): What do you hope to see God do through Collective Worship?

Matt: I just hope He uses the record for His purposes. I want His story to be told and not my own. Whether it affects 1 person, 10 people, or thousands, I just want to be obedient. I suppose my hope is that churches sing these songs together and that individuals have their own personal encounters with God as a result.

JFH (John): Finally, a silly question: Would you rather join a bunch of friends in cramming yourselves into a phone booth or be the base of a human pyramid?

Matt: You’re about to get the worst response you’ve ever received to this question! I’m claustrophobic so both sound equally stressful to me! I suppose with that said, I’d say the phonebooth – on account’a you probably couldn’t even find a phone booth close enough to me to cram people into!