Music Scene
St. James rocks to a spiritual beat

By Catherine E. Toth
Advertiser Staff Writer

•	Rebecca St. James and Rachael Lampa 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday Hawai'i Theatre, 1130 Bethel St. $10, $20, $29.50, $35 528-0506

So it's only appropriate that Christian music trendsetter Rebecca St. James titled her latest album "Transform."

Only 23, the vivacious Australian, in town for two concerts this weekend, has already gone through several musical incarnations, always keeping her strong faith the focus of every album, every song, every breath.

From a glossy pop sound in 1994 to an edgy 1996 follow-up to her latest techno-rock album, St. James thrives on experimentation. With diversity comes a wider audience — and more opportunities for her to share her spiritual message. Combine that with a contagious spirit, unmistakable sincerity and to-die-for wholesome looks, and Christian music has the perfect Gen-X spokeswoman.

"I think part of my edge has always been my image," said St. James in a phone interview from Calgary, Alberta. "Starting out when I was 16, I always felt the urgency to speak to young people. I'm 23 and I still feel that way. I still want to tell my peers, 'Live for God and don't mess with any other way.' I'm saying, 'Hey, let's live it together.' "

The name "Transform" not only reflects her own personal journey, but serves as an invitation for others to change their ways, thinking, lives.

She has seen a transformation in herself.

After her last tour to promote her sixth album, "Pray," St. James spent two months working in orphanages and children's homes in Romania. She taught them songs, dances, even aerobics, finding a way to lift their spirits in such a "spiritually depressed" country. She even worked in a rescue center with kids who were still living on the streets or in sewers. "It was so overwhelming," she said, her voice softening. "It was a lot to take."

The experience made her re-evaluate her purpose in life, her choices, her perspectives. It has given her a lot to appreciate and respect.

"Every mission trip challenges your selfishness, challenges you to be, hopefully, a less selfish person, to be a servant," she said. "It challenged me to let my life be motivated for the love of God and not from the good feelings I get out of it."

Success is a byproduct of her public devotion to God. Her 1998 album "Pray" earned a Grammy for Best Rock Gospel Album. She previously received a nomination for "God" and her singles consistently scorch up the Christian music charts.

Critics have called "Transform" electric, inspirational, passionate, creative and powerful. St. James sees it as an adventure.

"I'm a reasonably adventurous person," she said with a laugh, attributing her free spirit to being Australian. "It partly has to do with my heritage. And part of that has to do with my unconventional childhood."

The oldest of seven children, St. James learned the ropes of performing from her father, a former tour promoter of several Christian acts, including Stryper and Amy Grant. But her decision to pursue a music career didn't happen overnight.

"It wasn't like a lightning bolt experience," she said. "I felt God was working with me over time."

Growing up in the pop '80s, St. James, a Petra fan, couldn't ignore the decade's catchy chart-toppers. She'd dance around the house, singing "Total Eclipse of the Heart" and "Eternal Flame."

So incorporating rock and pop into her music, heavily laden with Christian themes, wasn't difficult for her. The only challenge was changing people's impressions of and reactions toward Christian music.

"The only times it's hard is when I realize Christian music is so separated (from other genres)," she said. "People don't give it a chance."

And being a hardcore Christian Gen-Xer isn't easy either. But she handles the challenge with an open heart.

"People always want to box me," said St. James, who has been understandably compared to Christian music sweetheart Grant. "But maybe now I'm coming into my own. It's kinda nice to feel like I have my own identity now."