Music
I compose, write, play and sing.
An interview with Ian Shen
When were the songs written?
The whole thing came about over a period of several years, starting from my freshman year in high school. The first song was “Rise and Win”. It was written right after I became a Christian. For those of you who are born again Christians, you know the sort of elation and zealousness one experiences in those early days. So, that song sort of captures that moment in time for me.
The last song written on the album was “Cross the River”, which took actually four years to write. I wasn’t finished yet with a particular chapter in my spiritual journey and had not come to a place of spiritual maturity to finish it, so that’s why it took so long.
You mentioned this was your favorite?
Yes, this is one of my favorites because it speaks to the seeming silence of God when we go through difficult times, esp. when we’re in pain, so much so that sometimes our pain numbs us and deafens us from hearing God, even though God is crying out for us. That is why I wrote it in a sort of fugue where you have two lines of melody weaving in and out of each other. God calling out for his precious child, and his child whining about God not being there. God calls us forth on the journey toward the other side, across the Jordan, to the Promised Land. Often times, God doesn’t take away the pain or prevent it. He does promise to be with us as we move through it with Him.
Why did you decide to do this album?
I was really grieving over a loss at the time and needed a project to occupy my emotions and thoughts. I had always wanted to put together a CD, so I took that “rainy day” savings and poured my time and money into this 6-month project. I had a very low budget, so this was the best I could do with what resources I had. I also had many wonderful people help me, so I am most grateful to them! Without each and every one of them, I know I couldn’t have put it all together.
Where can we get your album, “Where the Road Divides”?
Buy it directly from me and cut out the middle man! 
Just pay via PayPal. You’ll get 11 songs for $10.00. Also, the lyrics are included in these mp3 files unlike my songs you purchase on iTunes. There’s only a limited number of physical CDs, and they will have to be shipped from Japan since I don’t have a U.S. distributor (Amazon sucks) so it’s a little more expensive.
NOTE: After you buy the download option, you’ll need a password to download. Just email me at ian(at)shen.com and I’ll send it to you. You also get the download version if you purchase a physical CD copy.
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