Christian pop collective WE ARE ONE is stepping into an exciting new season with the release of their energetic live single, "20/20 (Live)," a song inspired by a remarkable story of redemption and the life-changing power of Jesus. Blending worship, alternative pop, EDM, and rock, the band continues its mission of creating music that is both sonically engaging and deeply rooted in faith. In this exclusive interview, songwriter Luke Krist shares how a youth group's testimony sparked the song, explains the surprising origin of its multilingual chorus, reflects on the band's passion for serving the local church, and hints at even more new music on the horizon.
Listen to "20/20 (Live)" here.
Q: For readers meeting WE ARE ONE for the first time, tell us about the band's journey. How did a group of small-town musicians-many of whom are brothers-come together to build this unique ministry and musical vision?
We all grew up together at the same church where we still have the privilege of serving today. There are two sets of brothers in the band, so family has always been a huge part of who we are. We really are one big family that gets to make music and minister together.
The special part is that everything happened through the local church. That's where we met, became friends, discovered our love for music, and ultimately found our calling. That journey has given us a deep love for the local church and a passion to champion it wherever we go. Our hope has always been that our music points people to Jesus and reminds people of the incredible impact the local church can have on someone's life.
Q: Your new live single, "20/20," is all about leaving the past behind and embracing a fresh perspective. What inspired the song, and what does the title "20/20" represent to you?
The song was inspired by the story of one of the students in our youth group. He found himself caught up in the party scene, chasing a rush in all the wrong places. That's where lyrics like, "Woke up with a red cup... Oh God, is this the real me?" came from.
But that's only half the story.
After he gave his life to Jesus, everything changed. He walked into school one day, stood on a lunch table, and started telling everyone what Jesus had done in his life. He boldly declared that the same freedom he had found was available to them too. Watching that kind of transformation firsthand was incredibly inspiring.
To us, "20/20" represents seeing life clearly for the first time. It's about leaving behind the lies, the old identity, and the things that never truly satisfied, then fixing your eyes on Jesus instead. That's why the chorus starts so softly and reflectively before ending with that desperate cry, "Now that I'm with You!" It's our way of echoing the heart of the old hymn, "You can have all this world, give me Jesus."
Q: One of the song's most memorable moments is the multilingual chorus saying "adiós" and "sayōnara" to the past. How did that creative idea come about, and what message were you hoping listeners would take from it?
Honestly, it started because I really wanted to say "sayōnara." It has this bold, sassy attitude to it, and I wanted that section of the song to feel like there was absolutely no chance we were going back to verse one. This wasn't a hesitant goodbye. It was a confident decision to move forward.
From there, the idea grew into using different ways of saying goodbye, like "adiós" and "sayōnara." At one point I even tried to work "auf Wiedersehen" into the lyrics until I realised it basically means "see you later." That definitely wasn't the message we were going for.
At its core, that moment is about making a clean break with your old life. When Jesus changes your heart, you don't have to keep revisiting the person you used to be. You can say goodbye to your past with confidence because He's leading you into something better.
Q: Your music blends worship, alternative pop, EDM, and rock in a way that feels fresh and energetic. How do you balance creating songs that are fun and engaging while still communicating a meaningful spiritual message?
This is probably the cliché answer every artist gives, but we really believe good production is supposed to embellish good lyrics, not give bad lyrics somewhere to hide.
We do our best to be all things to all people, so we're not afraid to step into different genres or musical spaces if it helps us connect with someone who may never have pressed play otherwise.
We like to think of production as the bait on a fishing hook. It might be the melody, the beat, or the energy that catches someone's attention, but that's never the destination. Our hope is that what keeps people listening is the message of Jesus. If the production gets someone through the door, we want the lyrics to give them a reason to stay.
Q: Your ministry extends beyond music into conferences, media, and serving your local church. How has your faith shaped your mission as a band, and what do you hope people encounter spiritually when they experience your music?
When we write songs, we always look at them through the same lens. They are first an offering to God, next a gift to the local church, and finally an invitation for everyone else.
We have the privilege of leading these songs with our favourite people in the world every single week-our church family. Whether it's on a Sunday morning or at a conference, we've seen people genuinely encounter the love and presence of Jesus through worship. Our hope is that when someone listens to our music somewhere else, they experience that same invitation.
Q: With "20/20 (Live)" launching this new chapter, what's next for WE ARE ONE? Can fans expect more live recordings, new music, touring, or other ministry projects in the months ahead?
I'm not sure how much I'm allowed to say yet, but maybe I'll just ask for forgiveness later.
"20/20" is really the beginning of a new chapter for us. In just a few short weeks, we'll be releasing a project that we're incredibly excited about. Later this year, we've also got a new EP on the way. We've been working on a lot behind the scenes, and we're excited that people finally get to hear these songs.
