Artist Spotlight: Kristyn Leigh

By Stella Star Cordova  

Kristyn Leigh’s sophomore record ‘The Heavy and Holy’ is an amazing composition of youthful music and classic church hymnals, sure to be a delight to listeners of any age range. Kristyn’s love for singing the old church hymns and passion for rock n roll led her to combine the two with her sultry voice. Kristyn grew up singing hymns in her church and it was no doubt that she could sing Christian contemporary music.  But, when she started high school, a new possibility opened up for her. She loved to sing praise to the Lord, but she also had the heart to reach her peers in her generation. Being able to connect with people on relevant issues within her lyrics, Kristyn was able to combine the atmosphere of being in a church with being in a rock band.

"I know it may be hard, sometimes even loud, but in the ears of God it might be a holy sound," Kristyn states on her website. Kristyn knew that God wanted her to give him glory through her music, but she also knew that he wanted her to share his message of love to a hurting world. From an early age Kristyn loved to sing hymns, but she also loved to rock out. Finally realizing that God only wanted her praise, she was able to combine her passion for both music genres and reach the generation that was close to her heart.

‘The Heavy and Holy’ explains her sound clearly. The album is packed with rock, pop, and some punk; but is also filled with renditions of familiar hymns. ‘Bulletproof Girl,’ ‘Pent Up,’ and ‘All I Want’ has Kristyn pouring out her soul, saying how difficult it is to fit in, questioning her place in this world and releasing some of that teenage angst. Renditions of ‘The Old Rugged Cross’ and ‘I Surrender All,’ Kristyn takes old cherished hymnals and takes her own sultry edgy spin to them; giving these hymnals a face lift and making them your favorites once again.  

“There’s two sides of me, of every person every story. And while you think that they don’t agree. God made me to show the heavy and the holy;” this line stands out the most in ‘Two Sides of Me.’ The song is Kristyn explaining herself and standing up for why she sings the way she does. She sings of how she gets ridiculed by the church, because of her rock but she goes onto say; “how can I save the world, by saving all the saints?” She acknowledges the fact that people in the church know about Christ, but that people outside don’t. She explains that God made her the way she is, to be heavy and holy, to reach out to the people who don’t come to church.

Kristyn shows much growth through these compositions, taking a stand that none of us are the same. God has made us all different, but perfect in His vision and that He has a special purpose for us all. Kristyn gives hope, that two worlds so different from each other: church hymns and rock n roll, can mix and be right – not wrong.

Kristyn’s story through ‘The Heavy and Holy’ is one of self-discovery and fills her desire of wanting to reach her peers. Keeping her lyrics pure and vulnerable, not only will young girls be able to relate to Kristyn’s songs but also older men and women.

To learn more about this artist, visit: KristynLeigh.com

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