Carolyn Arends (born February 26, 1968[1]) is a Canadian singer-songwriter, who has been active since the 1990s and has released 15 albums.[2]
Career[]
Arends began her career at age 19, when she visited the Christian Music Artist Seminar, resulting in her signed to Benson as a staff writer. During this time, she wrote music for Susan Ashton, 4Him, Lisa Bevill and Michael James.[3]
Arends released her debut album, I Can Hear You, in 1995.[3] Between 1997 and 2004, Arends released four more albums,[4] before releasing Under the Gaze, her first independent album, in late 2004. At the Shai Awards, a Canadian Christian awards ceremony, the album was named both Folk Album Of The Year and Inspirational Album Of The Year.[5]
Arends took a break from releasing music in 2009, taking the time to embark on touring, teaching, writing and studying at Regent College. In 2014, she returned with a Christmas album, Christmas: Story of Stories, after launching a Kickstarter funding campaign.[6]
In 2020, Arends released a song entitled 'After This', to encourage people during the COVID-19 pandemic.[7] Her album Recognition was released in 2021, and included a collaboration with American singer Amy Grant.[8] In 2022, she released an acoustic worship album, In The Morning.[2]
Faith[]
When Arends was releasing her first album, she spoke about how God influenced her choice of songs: 'I think it's simply what God has been teaching me in the last few years which is that God is in every moment. Every detail of our lives is very precious and very sacred because God is making himself known to us in those moments'.[3]
Arends serves as the director of education for Renovaré, an organization supporting personal and spiritual renewal.[2]
Albums[]
- I Can Hear You -- 1995
- Feel Free -- 1997
- This Much I Understand -- 1999
- Seize the Day and Other Stories -- 2000
- Travelers -- 2001
- We've Been Waiting For You -- 2002
- Under the Gaze -- 2004
- Christmas: An Irrational Season -- 2004
- Simply Carolyn Arends -- 2005
- Pollyanna's Attic -- 2006
- Love Was Here First -- 2009
- Christmas: The Story of Stories -- 2014
- Just Getting Started -- 2018
- Recognition -- 2021
- In the Morning -- 2022
Notable Songs Over the Years[]
- 1995
- Seize the Day
- Altar of Ego
- Reaching
- What I Wouldn't Give
- 1997
- Do What You Do
- New Year's Day
- Feel Free
- Good Thing Going
References[]
- ↑ Musician Guide - Carolyn Arends Biography
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Jubilee Cast - Carolyn Arends' "Psalm 5" Expresses Our Hearts' Cries in This Current Russian-Ukraine Crisis
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Cross Rhythms - Carolyn Arends: The Canadian singer/songwriter touring with Rich Mullins and Ashley Cleveland
- ↑ Spotify - Carolyn Arends Albums
- ↑ Cross Rhythms - Carolyn's Comeback: Carolyn Arends picks up awards in her Canadian homeland.
- ↑ Cross Rhythms – Story of Stories: Carolyn Arends set to record her first album in five years
- ↑ Aldergrove Star - Award-winning gospel singer Carolyn Arends releases COVID-inspired song
- ↑ New Release Today - In Recognition: An Interview with Carolyn Arends