If you’ve been around the modern worship scene for any amount of time, you’ve probably heard her voice and sung some of her songs. Though Brooke Fraser’s new CD, Albertine, debutes today (May 27) in the United States, Fraser’s music has been available for a long time, especially in her New Zealand homeland.
Up until now, Brooke Fraser’s been best known in America as a singer/songwriter for the band Hillsong United. However, Fraser’s solo albums have gone platinum seven times in New Zealand, rocketing her to the top of her game. And, if you’re not aware, music in New Zealand is not separated into genres like it is here. So Fraser is not a “Christian musician” in New Zealand. Instead, she’s a rock star that just so happens to sing about Jesus.
“My whole life changed when I met Jesus,” says Fraser. “I just try to share what’s in my heart.”
The title track of Albertine is taken from a trip Fraser made to Africa. In Rwanda, she made a special connection with a young girl named Albertine.
“The remarkable people I have met along the way have driven home to me the reality of the difference that an individual can make,” remarks Fraser. “I believe that every one of us has a part to play in addressing and alleviating the need and injustice in our world.”
The lyrics of “Albertine” describe: “Now that I have seen/I am responsible/Faith without deeds is dead.” Juggling two full-time music ministries, Fraser’s faith is anything but dead. When she’s not in Africa or pursuing her solo career, Fraser is touring with Aussie band Hillsong United.
“I really do have two full-time jobs and am probably (definitely) not the easiest ‘artist’ to manage because of this,” she offers. “I am absolutely committed to building the Kingdom of God both inside the walls of the church and out. All of it is about leading people into worship…whether that is corporate worship in the context of the church or stirring up questions in the atheist at a dirty little club.”
Although Fraser now leads thousands in corporate worship, she did not grow up in the church. “I basically met Jesus alone in my bedroom,” she said. “I’m the only Christian in my family…still. Same as my husband, actually. We’ve been the only Christians in our family for a long time.”
Music is not new to Brooke’s life, however. She started playing the piano when she was just 2-years-old. “Music has been the way that I express myself, but certainly when I became a Christian, and Jesus basically started speaking to me about my purpose and my life, I knew that music was going to be a part of it. But I didn’t understand it for a long time, because coming from being completely un-churched, all the musicians I knew of were in the world, and I didn’t see any of them doing what I wanted to do. I felt [what] God was calling me to do, and I thought ‘Music? That can’t possibly be useful.’ Finally, He wouldn’t get off my back about it,” Fraser continues, “so I said, ‘Fine. And if this is You moving, then You’ve got to make the effort, I’m not going to lift a finger.’”
