pop |

by Maegan Carroll

Marcus Oliver Johnstone Mumford is the lead singer and founder of Mumford & Sons, a folk–influenced indie rock band originating out of England and formed in 2007. Other members of the band include Ben Lovett, Winston Marshall, and Ted Dwane.

Their first album, “Sigh No More,” was released in the UK late 2009, and would later be released early 2010 in the USA. “Sigh No More” received triple platinum.

Their second album, “Babel,” was welcomed, with 600,000 sales within the first week of it’s release in the USA “Babel,” received a Grammy Award for best album of the year in 2012.

Whether interested in pop, punk, or country, not many people dislike Mumford & Sons. The use of instruments like banjos and mandolins, the folk lyrics, and the blue grass undertones found in their music create a sound that is very unique.

Mumford & Sons’ lyrics tell stories that are uplifting and moving. Their songs often have complex messages, sometimes inspired from books such as “Grapes of Wrath” by John Steinbeck, the play “Much Ado About Nothing” by William Shakespeare, and even the Bible.

One interesting aspect of the band is that the songs found on their albums are full of hope and grace, often taken by listeners as Christian messages.

Marcus Mumford was born to John and Eleanor Mumford, devout Christians and national leaders of the Vineyard Church in the U.K. and Ireland. In 2011 Mumford married actress Carrey Mulligan, who he met at a Christian youth camp when they were children. Although Marcus Mumford grew up in a Christian home and as part of the church, he, along with his wife Carey, keep their personal and religious life extremely private.

Other members of the band also keep their religious life private, but according to interviews Marcus is the only member who has stated his belief in God.

In an interview with Rolling Stone, Marcus says that he met Winston Marshall at a church where Winston was a member of a worship band.

Although Marcus states he believes in God, he doesn’t call himself a Christian, he mentions that he is a strong believer in “faith not religion.” Which confuses many listeners as to whether or not the lyrics in his songs are intentionally religious.

After being questioned about his religious views, Marcus gives this reply, “I don’t really like that word,” he says. “It comes with so much baggage. So, no, I wouldn’t call myself a Christian. I think the word just conjures up all these religious images that I don’t really like. I have my personal views about the person of Jesus and who he was. Like, you ask a Muslim and they’ll say, ‘Jesus was awesome’ – they’re not Christians, but they still love Jesus. I’ve kind of separated myself from the culture of Christianity.”

Whether or not members of Mumford & Sons truly are members of the Christian faith, it is great to see a band that sings songs of grace, hope, and fervor to all audiences, both Christian and secular.