Worship Teams

Cowriting and CXMMXNS w/Reuben Morgan & Ben Fielding 

Reuben Morgan & Ben Fielding join Loop Community Founder Matt McCoy to talk about their latest project CXMMXNS and their cowriting process.  

CXMMXNS 

[Matt] What is CXMMXNS (pronounced Commons) and why did you start it?  

[Ben] It’s a collaboration. We see it well beyond Reuben and I. It’s an extension of what we’ve been doing for a long time. It’s a new space where we want to collaborate with friends and also new songwriters and worship leaders. 

[Reuben] The heart behind it is songs for the church. We started talking about it and writing a lot the last couple of years and trying to figure out where the best place to put those out was, and this made the most sense. 

Chapter 1 

[Matt] You just released the first project Chapter 1. Tell us about it! 

[Ben] We called it Chapter 1 and that’s how we see it. We don’t want to be bound by a theme or schedule, but keep collaborating and out of those collaborations we’ll put out more songs. I think back to when we were leading worship in a little church in Melbourne, it was such a gift to get new music and have songs that would help my service. So we didn’t want to overwhelm people by putting out 12 songs, but release them in small installments that you can plug into what you’re doing. I see the songs that we’re writing  as being the best friend of the worship leader and help you do what you do.  

[Reuben] My church context the last couple of years has been congregations of under 200 people. You’re really aware of what you can and can’t do. How songs are written, the instrumentation, everything can limit what you can do. Even my own church, we need songs that are easy to play and sing. That’s what we’re trying to do.  

The Cowriting Process 

[Matt] What is your cowriting process with other songwriters? 

[Reuben] It’s always a little bit different, but usually organizing to have 2-4 writers in a room. We’ll talk for an hour and connect. Some of those times are the best and how I’ve gotten to know some of my best friends. Then usually there’s something that comes out of it, something on someone’s heart, a theme or a Scriputre and then you go with that from there.  

[Ben] Collaboration is not always the easiest thing to get used to. The creative process is such a vulnerable thing and you’re bringing a part of yourself to the table. I have to continue to learn to be vulnerable. To have the boldness to throw out something, and not to be ruled by what’s “cool”. “Cool” can be a real enemy to creativity.  
 
I think as writers when we get together, it’s great to trust your instinct. If something is moving you, offer it with open hands and have that spirit of if people don’t jump on board with it, believe that there will be something else. And also become a good listener. I think if we’re good collaborators we can champion other ideas wherever they’re happening in the room for what is the moment of inspiration.  

Watch the full interview below.

You can get the Master Tracks for Chapter 1 by CXMMXNS on LoopCommunity.com to lead the songs at your church!