Life On The Inside

Looking back on Jadon Lavik's lifelong ambitions, becoming 
a full time recording artist was probably his least likely 
possibility. For starters, the one time college baseball 
star sought to be drafted into the major leagues, and if 
that didn't work out, move to "plan b" of putting his 
business finance degree to work. After not scoring a pro 
slot and realizing a day in a cubicle crunching numbers 
wasn't for him, the now twenty-seven-year-old took a stint 
in seminary (after all, his father was a pastor) and began 
playing guitar to supplement his times of worship. That 
experience soon became the catalyst for a worship 
leadership role at the prominent Saddleback Church in 
California under the tutelage of Rick Muchow and the rest, 
as they say, is history.

"I never set out to be a Christian artist because playing 
music was just a hobby," admits the Redmond, Washington 
born/ San Clemente, California transplanted troubadour. 
"The whole baseball career didn't work out, neither did my 
short 180 degree turn in commercial real estate, but after 
I fulfilled my commitment to a two year internship at 
Saddleback Church, I was approached with an opportunity I 
never anticipated- to pursue music full time. It's a path I
 never would've expected, but then again, that's how God 
works and His plan is perfect."

Performing on numerous Saddleback CDs and singing in front 
of nearly 20,000 parishioners every weekend when combining 
all the services was truly an education in praise directed 
ministry. All those goods, combined with an incredibly 
appealing voice, cozy croon and down to earth demeanor drew
 attention from BEC Recordings (known for breaking the 
likes of Jeremy Camp, Kutless and countless others) and his
 official recording career was born. After releasing Moving
 On Faith in 2004 to critical acclaim, consistent touring 
and the meteoric single "What If," the stage was set for a 

much anticipated follow-up found in Life On the Inside.

"My first record had a respectable start, and even though 
the CD had been out for awhile, 'What If' as a single began
 doing really well, sort of as a late bloomer," he recalls.
 "I feel blessed at the opportunity to do another record 
and continue to do what I love."

And indeed it has, if only on the pre-release buzz from 
faithful fans and new acquisitions on the road. Lavik is 
currently on one of the spring's most talked about tours 
with Rebecca St. James and Barlow Girl, playing to sold out
 auditoriums, colleges and churches nearly every night of 
the week. Of course there's also the vertically slanted 
pop/rock pleasantries- thirteen in all that range from the 
delightfully playful to the powerfully introspective. A 
thematic thread that also runs through the record is a 
major change in Lavik's personal life, a recent engagement 
to his girlfriend.

"This record is a little bit like a continuation from the 
last and a little bit of a departure," he notices. "I just 
got engaged, which is a monstrous life step and I'm really 
excited about this next phase in my life. Most of the 
material indirectly points to gratitude and thankfulness 
that comes from that situation, especially because I didn't
 date all that much. One song 'Father' is kind of a prayer 
telling God how thankful I am for not only is faithfulness,
 but the fact I've fallen head over heels in love with my 
fiancŽ. 'Meant To Be' talks about God using different 
courses in my life to put me exactly where he wants me to 
be. His timing and sovereignty is always right on target!"

Of course, Lavik also holds true to his acoustic roots, 
most notably in the track "Changing Happy." The joyful 
track keys into the idea of redefining happiness as a 
believer with a Scriptural perspective. "Hear Our Song" is 
a simple yet passionate plea of praise, while "His Name 
Shall Be Called" recites the different names and attributes
 of God.

"If you listen all the way through, you can trace the 
different ideas I'm touching on and even the different 
styles that I write," Lavik offers. "I'm kind of eclectic, 
even in my musical tastes, so sometimes you'll see simple 
acoustic guitar picking, some folksy James Taylor stuff and
 some times it's a bit more rockin'. I'm all over the map 
really."

Such song and stylistic explanations further lay the ground
 work for the overarching meaning of the title Life On the 
Inside. Not only does it possess a reflective and 
meditative tone, but the moniker also exposes this 
singer/songwriter as incredibly authentic and unabashedly 
honest who genuinely wants to impact listeners with his 
beliefs.

"I like an album title that leaves a little bit open to 
interpretation and that's not super specific," he sums up. 
"In one sense, this title is what life looks like on the 
inside of Jadon- what's going on in my head and my heart. 
The other angle is strictly on a spiritual level, which 
happens once we become followers of Jesus and we're truly 
given life on the inside."