an interview with Deb Fung

Can you share with us the challenges you face as a
a. woman in the music industry?

Navigating through the changing stages of life as a woman in the music industry, from being single, to married, to now a mother, continues to challenge me to understand what my role and purpose is through the music and being a performing artiste. I’ve gone from an arranger of Psalms to a rock chick, to a demure singer-songwriter, and back full circle with my newest release. I’m always moving within that tension of giving people a consistent perception of my “product” or “brand,” and just wanting to be free to be who I am, express it how I want, in whatever stage of life I’m in.

Temptations throughout the development of my artiste career is another big one which I think a lot of young women face in the industry. The artiste’s journey involves meeting so many like-minded and often, very cool and attractive people. I was often confronted with situations which if not kept in check and with open accountability with my husband and trusted friends, could take me into very dangerous territory. Also, often traveling apart from my husband for tours of two to six weeks at a time meant that there was the challenge of establishing trust and honesty very early in our relationship, as well as setting very definitive boundaries to protect the greatest relationship in my life.

b. Christian artiste

For me, there is a difference between being a Christian artiste and a Christian in the arts. Each has its challenges, as each has a perception attached to it. A “Christian artiste” depicts a specific genre to some, alienation through religiosity for others, and a limited “market” for industry prospects. A “Christian in the arts,” and to be publicly known as one, brings an entirely different set of challenges. To me, this is the real identity I take on, as I am first a Christian, and being an artiste is, well, just one part of what I do. My music is malleable, and not defined by a genre or definitive content within my songs. As evident through the albums I’ve released, I write as the inspiration comes, whether it be about my faith, about life, about love, about a cause, or about random nothings. The challenge I face is similar to any Christian; it is the challenge of Matthew 5 – being salt and light to the world. Living this calling in the music industry with godly principles and the Holy Spirit as my ultimate guide and “manager(!)” often means I pass up certain opportunities, and pursue others that don’t necessarily make financial or branding sense. It also means I’ve chosen to retain a level of control over the direction of my career, possibly at the expense of a bigger name or achievement. I am daily challenged by what it means to die to self, when as an artiste, the recognized pursuit and definition of “success” is the promotion of self.

As an artiste, how can you be a role model or positive influence to young girls today, especially with so many dominant females like Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, and Miley Cyrus in the music and entertainment scene today?

I think what people admire and look up to is courage and conviction. I know I do. We are wowed when people make a stand, whether it is for attention, for themselves or for others. I feel that the greatest and most long-lasting impact is made when we make a stand and have conviction on issues that positively affect others. Music in that sense, can be hugely powerful, and as a performing and recording artiste, I feel that this is a very natural way to communicate a message. The music I write helps to provide a blueprint not only to convey a message to others, but also to myself! When I write about making a positive difference in this world (“Do So Much” in the album Whoever You Are), or desperately desiring for my friends to know Jesus as their Savior (“Eternity” in the album Innermost Being), or how much I need to just be still (“Be Still” in the album Selah), I am gently reminding myself of how I need to live! Being accountable to what I say or sing from the platform is very important for me, as I’d only be comfortable being a role model in what I’m genuinely living out!

We got wind that you have a newborn baby! Congratulations! What has changed since you gave birth? How do you manage being a mum and an artiste at the same time?

Well, having little Zac has definitely stretched me in a whole new way, and not just physically! I feel God’s grace every day, realizing that he is probably what every new mother dreams of – an incredibly “easy” baby. As well as continuing to write, perform and tour with the music both throughout pregnancy as well as from three months after he was born, I found myself taking on a business partner and scaling up Monsoon Productions throughout Asia Pacific in the midst of Zac’s arrival, rather than putting everything on hold (which is what I was preparing to do). It’s like God, through Zac, is teaching me every day to entrust my capacity to Him, not my own judgment or what the world thinks. Every day I am quietly amazed and so thankful to God for a baby who eats, sleeps, plays, and grows so well, seeming to take everything in his stride. Adrian and I both work from home, so it makes what I do possible as we share the primary care-giving for Zac. I’m so thankful that Zac is as excited to be around dad as he is around me. We bargain with each other with nappy changes, tag team meetings to look after Zac, and through it all, Zac gets to meet so many interesting people and places. Just yesterday he sat in the studio with me recording an artiste’s vocals for a new song. Somehow he was miraculously silent whenever we’d be recording, and then he’d let out a good gurgle in between sessions! Things like that just wow me! So to be honest, my life hasn’t changed all that much! Seizing the day is one of my mottos, and I guess I see this season’s unexpected blessings as a green light from God to be doing what I’m doing as an artiste and director as an extension to my newly appointed role of motherhood.

Do you feel that there is a difference in the way men and women songwriters compose their songs?

Hmm. To be honest, not specifically. I think everyone has their own way of creating songs, and it is more to do with personality and life experience, than gender! It would be interesting to conduct a study though. Perhaps it might show that women write better lyrics and men write better instrumentals? LOL!

Lastly, do you have any words of encouragement for aspiring female singers and songwriters?

I would say, be diligent, be courageous, know what you stand for, and know your identity before you step out and open yourself out for others to try to determine it for you. Any goal or aspiration that is worth fighting for involves work and fighting for it! Be savvy about the season you are in, seek the counsel of God and trusted friends around you, and… what did I say before? Seize the day!

Deb’s new album will be available in most Christian bookstores from the end of July.

You can also check out her website at: www.debfung.com