The Katinas get back to basics in their latest release, addressing issues of faithfulness with their signature smooth harmonies.
By Maya Minwary
Assistant A&E Editor
To many stars in the music industry, growing older may be seen as a drawback. But for the contemporary Christian music group The Katinas, with age comes a new level of maturity in their singing and songwriting ability.
The Katinas — comprised of Samoan-born brothers Sam, Joe, Jesse, John and James — have come a long way from their childhood days singing and playing instruments as the worship team for their father’s church. Now, after spending more than a decade creating critically acclaimed music, the band is back with its fourth Goatee Record album, “Roots.”
Not only is “Roots” the first album written and co-produced by the group, but the songs, lyrics and music style reflect the brothers’ growth.
The journey to recognition, however, hasn’t always been quick and easy. Their Web site biography mentions how the band had to work day jobs instead of doing music.
“Creatively, (our growth) has been baby steps,” lead singer John said. “(‘Roots’) came at the right time and I’m thankful for learning the process of getting experience under the belt.”
Losing their mother in the spring of 1988 was also tough for the brothers who were still adolescents. Nevertheless, she still provides a huge inspiration for the band even 15 years later.
“(Our mother) was the best example of Jesus,” John said. “She was the typical mom and she also went beyond that. She always encouraged us to go beyond our dream.”
The band’s bittersweet song “Someday” shows the brothers’ hope in meeting their mother once again in heaven.
“I may never understand it/Why it ended so soon/so amazing how you lived and left a legacy/Won’t forget your memory,” the song states.
The tremendous progress the band went through is reflected in the new album.
“We’ve hit the mark with (“Roots”),” John said. “The style is alive, organic, and less programmed than some of our other albums.”
Indeed, the group has hit the bull’s eye in creating a record full of upbeat pop/rock songs, while still incorporating their signature harmonious vocals.
Songs such as “Are You Ready” and “Hey World,” feature the group’s ability to sing and play edgy rock songs, while the more mellow “Back to Love” displays the brothers’ melodious voices and various influences from soulful gospel music of Andre Crouch to the 70s pop/funk band Earth, Wind, and Fire. Fellow label-mate and rapper John Reuben also lent his voice and added an urban flare to the song “Freedom.”
The group purposely created a diversity of genres in “Roots” so that it would appeal to wide range of audience members across demographic lines.
“We want to appeal to different demographics, especially the family,” John said. “We hope our music is like the different walks of life.”
Beyond the Church Walls
Part of the process of drawing an extended number of listeners also means going beyond the church walls and into the mainstream market.
The Katinas welcome the secular media, which goes well with their effort of reaching across the demographic board, John said.
It may seem like the next big phenomenon and almost a fad in the music industry, but Christian music is finding a place in a once very narrow door through the secular market.
“God has really opened the mainstream door wide open,” John said. “The secular music industry may see Christian music as a commodity — dollar signs—and they no longer care if groups like P.O.D. or MercyMe have a blatant Christian message, as long as (their music) sells.
“We’ve got to take advantage of that,” the lead singer continued. “We’ll do business, fine, as long as we don’t have to compromise our message. We have to use wisdom and speak God’s message.”
Strong Roots = Moving On
Unlike many pop bands today that would rather stay with whatever works and sells, the Katinas are determined not to become stale and complacent as the CD’s title “Roots” suggests.
“Root is an ongoing thing, like our song ‘Moving,’ John said. “It’s about not being satisfied with where you are.”
“I feel the pressure and it’s pushing me through/I’m your soldier Lord Please tell me/Tell me what to do/I’ll keep moving,” the band sings in “Moving.”
But the key to moving is also knowing one’s background, one’s heritage…one’s roots. For the group, part of their roots lie within their strong family.
“We have a strong heritage,” John said. “You can’t get to where you’re going unless you know where you come from.”
According to John, the imagery of roots and the tree is also about having a place spiritually where the deeper the roots are, the stronger you can become and about bearing fruits.
“With strong roots, nothing can uproot you,” John said.
Basic Instinct (Going back to the basic)
For the Katinas, having tough roots means going back to the basic message of its songs as well. In the song “Come Back to Love” the band sings a simple, yet thought-provoking message about love (“By giving up life you’ll find it/You can’t deny it/If you will just believe/If you give a little love/You’ll change how the world is thinking/Come back to love”).
“My wife and I wrote ‘Come Back to Love’ and the message doesn’t get any basic than that,” John said.
The fundamental message about love includes God’s love too.
“I believe you need to be going back to the basic understanding of the life of Jesus who had unconditional love, while he was firm in the truth,” John said. “He’s not hypocritical at all. Like him, we need to balance God’s grace and truth, make up our mind and live life to the fullest.”
October 30, 2003