With the release of new singles “You Are I Am,” “The Difference” and “On The Mend” this year, the ever-popular band Sanctus Real is still going strong. Band members Dustin Lolli, Chris Rohmann, and Mark Graalman met with “The War Cry” to discuss their nearly 30-year careers and the future of their music.

The War Cry: You’ve released two major singles this year, “On the Mend” and “The Difference.” Can you tell me a bit about where these songs come from?

Chris Rohmann: We wrote “On the Mend” last year, and from the minute we got it back from our producer, I felt like it had a message that was a little different for us. It’s a personal message because I based the lyrics on my own experience of a season of my life where I was dealing with really bad anxiety. And I had never dealt with it before. I was completely unfamiliar with what was happening. And through the midst of it, through counseling, diet, and all kinds of other things to help tame it down, I realized that at the heart of it all, what I could stand on to help me through every day was my faith in Jesus. 

I grew up in church, and it’s really easy to get complacent about your faith, especially as you get older. You experience more life. You experience more troubles. I think some of the ways we deal with those things is to bury them and not actually figure out what’s going on beneath the surface. And if you don’t deal with some of the stress that happens in life, it’s going to manifest in ways it hasn’t before. So that’s what that song’s about. It’s about finding that faith again.

Dustin Lolli: “The Difference” and “On the Mend” go together. One’s a song about the idea of being in process. And the other is about how we get through that process with the foundation. We write a lot of songs about hope. We encounter many scenarios while out on the road. We have a lot of conversations with people who tell us about the stuff going on in their lives. And sometimes we hear words like “hopeless” or “I don’t feel like I have any hope.” That got to us. We thought we really needed to write songs of hope to just remind people. I believe that Jesus Christ doesn’t bring us hope; He is our hope. It’s our belief system that offers us the hope to get through even the darkest of times, even the most difficult of scenarios.

So “The Difference” is a declaration of what we believe in. It’s the thing that allows us to have the foundation to get through so much of what we would classify as hopeless situations. We wrote “The Difference” as an idea that there really is only one difference between us and people who are hopeless, and that is our belief. So, these lines, “If I show any love, it’s only because you first loved me; If I show any kindness, it’s only your kindness that they see.” We’re trying to reach people who feel outcast or hopeless. We want to remind them to put their belief in something greater than themselves, and they will have hope.

WC: Dustin, you said the group is “in a season of writing songs about hope.” How does that concept change the way you approach your work as musicians?

Dustin: We take the lyrical message very seriously. It’s very important to us. It’s more important than even the coolness of a vibe or something like that. There’s a lot of responsibility for any band that gets to speak to a lot of people. We don’t think about that enough. “God, what are you trying to say?” And so, it doesn’t just frame our music. It frames how we speak, live, and approach being a band. And I feel like it’s a season where this is our message because of what we’ve seen. 

When the school shooting happened in Nashville, just like everybody in town, we were pretty close to it. And there was just a lot of hopelessness. And then you look at politics and all this stuff, you feel like people are struggling for this idea. But it’s just a constant reminder of who Jesus is and what we believe in. And it forms everything. It informs everything we do, especially our message. And honestly, nowadays, even if we wrote about something else, it probably would still come down to this idea that there is hope when we claim to be Christians and when we claim Jesus.

WC: When you have writer’s block, where do you turn for song ideas?

Dustin: We’re not really allowed to have writer’s block—that’s why I often write with others. If one of us is stuck, usually someone else sparks an idea. Chris is great at coming up with musical moments we can build from.

When I’m really blocked, I write something in a totally different genre, just for fun. It gets me thinking creatively again. Writer’s block usually hits when I’m trying too hard to write something specific. So I switch it up to reset.

But honestly, when you’re writing with people who share the same heart and purpose, it’s easier to get inspired. We’ve got a lot of hope to sing about—and that keeps us going.

Chris: For me, it’s not about lacking ideas—it’s about finding something I actually like. A lot of great songs start from something simple. You just have to start.

If nothing clicks right away, that’s okay. Don’t get discouraged. Put in the effort, and trust that the right idea will come—if not today, then maybe tomorrow.

WC: Who are some of your musical inspirations?

Mark Graalman: I didn’t grow up in a Christian home, so a lot of what I heard early on was whatever my dad had on the radio—mostly classic rock from the ’70s and ’80s. That music really shaped how I learned to play drums when I started at 12. It wasn’t until I gave my life to the Lord at 16 that I was introduced to Christian music. I didn’t even know that world existed before then—maybe I’d heard of Stryper, but that was about it.

Once I got into church, I started listening to bands like Audio Adrenaline, DC Talk, and later, Switchfoot. That era of Christian music—late ’90s to early 2000s—had a big impact on me, especially as we were forming Sanctus Real.

Dustin: I grew up in a Pentecostal church, so I had a mix of Gospel music from church and the same classic rock at home that Mark talked about—thanks to my dad. But when it comes to musical influence, I’ve always been drawn to melody and harmony. Simon & Garfunkel were huge for me. I loved how their harmonies worked, and that still influences how I write today.

I also grew up listening to a lot of Gospel artists, which added to the diversity of sounds that shaped me. One artist who really stood out was Ray Charles. I had one of his records as a kid and was just drawn to the soul and Gospel feel in his voice. Those kinds of sounds have stayed with me—they remind me how powerful and emotional music can be when it carries a message.

Chris: For me, I always say the reason why I started playing guitar was because of Tom Petty, so I’ll just stick to that.

WC: What does it take for a band to keep going strong for so long in a constantly changing industry like music?

Chris: I’d say it takes a willingness to adapt to whatever season you’re in. That’s been true for us over the years. The music industry has changed a lot—and we’ve changed stylistically, too. As we’ve grown older, our songs reflect more of the wisdom and perspective we’ve gained. Looking back over nearly 30 years, there have been so many factors that have helped us stay the course.

A big one is relationships—working with people who are more than just business partners, who are actual friends. That makes a huge difference. Honestly, it’s a blessing that we get to do what we do. Making a living in music, in any form, is rare. So the fact that we’re still here? We don’t take that lightly.

There’s still the challenge of figuring out, “What’s next?” every year. But there’s freedom in that, too. We technically operate our own label now, so a lot of what we do is independent. That gives us the freedom to create and to follow where God leads. We see it as a responsibility—being good stewards of this platform He’s given us. Music is powerful, and we want to use it to share the Gospel and bring hope. That’s something we always try to keep front and center.

Dustin: Yeah, I think Chris said it really well. There are times this feels like a job, but we always try to hold it with open hands. You can’t go into this expecting to have all the answers. I think a lot of bands fall apart within 10 years because everyone has their own idea of how it’s “supposed” to go. But for us, the key has been unity—seeing the bigger picture and being willing to grow together.

I honestly believe we’re one of the healthiest bands out there, especially in our relationships with each other. And that’s because we’ve built it on trust, grace and integrity. Everything around you can change—the trends, the industry, the expectations—but those core values don’t. When you keep your integrity and your commitment to each other intact, that’s when the fruit of your work really starts to show. In a band or any team, integrity and mutual trust go a long way.

WC: You guys have been in the contemporary Christian music scene for a long time. How has it changed? Where do you see it going?

Mark: The very first Sanctus Real music was released on a cassette tape. So yeah, the reality of all the change that we’ve seen is nuts. 

I can remember when we were signed to Sparrow Records, sitting in a meeting, probably in 2003. And the president of the label, at that time, I remember him talking about the changes that he was seeing. He would take trips overseas and meet with some of the big [music tech] executives and talk about things. And I remember him saying in the meeting, “Yeah, where everything is going, pretty soon you’re going to have a device in your car that’s going to have all your music on it. And when you pull up in the driveway, it’s going to sync to your computer in your house.” And I just remember hearing him say that stuff and thinking like, “Oh, come on. How is that remotely possible?” And yet, here we are. 

Those are the changes we’ve seen and have gone through as a band. The technology has literally changed everything about what we do and how we do it. And it’s changed the priorities. Obviously, social media, unfortunately, continues to be just a really big part of what we do. But we started when that was not a thing. It didn’t even really exist. It’s wild, the changes that we’ve seen. And what’s even wilder is how it just seems to change faster and faster. There is always something new every year. So it’s a little hard to keep up with. I hope the other guys prophesy where this is all heading. I don’t know.

Dustin: There are multiple layers here—technology and business, sure, but there’s also the spiritual element: how worship and CCM have merged. Christian music used to be more entertainment-focused—kid-friendly shows where you could hear about Jesus with your family. Now, nearly everything is labeled “worship.” People even call our concerts “nights of worship,” which wasn’t the case before. That shift has demanded adaptability, especially for us in our mid-40s—we don’t scroll TikTok or chase algorithms. Still, we’re told we need that following, and it’s hard to wrap our minds around.

Spiritually, I believe there’s going to be a push back to simplicity and authenticity. My wife says people are longing for purity over production—real connections, not silver-screened lives. I hope our churches lean into that. I crave that. I’m hopeful we’ll return to simplicity—honest lyrics, real messages that resonate deeply—rather than everything filtered through glossy social media.

Chris: I met someone yesterday who grew up on Christian music but no longer listens. He said it feels too homogenized—a common criticism across any genre. As a band, we try to blend styles and offer variety, but taste is personal. And ultimately, it’s the younger generation—the kids—who matter most now. Labels care about what they consume.

On the bright side, discovery has exploded. I love my Spotify algorithm—it introduces me to so many fresh voices across genres. There’s amazing Christian music out there now that you may never hear on the radio, but you can still find it online. I hope people keep discovering the message and the genre outside of radio. There’s still potential for a great song to break through on the airwaves, but more than that, it’s amazing how music finds its way to people these days. It’s everywhere, and that’s a good thing for those of us wanting to share hope through our songs.

WC: Out of all your discography, what are your favorites of your own songs or albums, and why?

Dustin: That’s always changing. We’re grateful for the big songs people know us for—we play them often, and we don’t take that for granted. But the one that means the most to me personally is “My Hope Is in the Lord.” I wrote it early on after joining the band, during a time when I was still trying to find my place. It was a challenging season—there was pressure to live up to expectations, and I found myself asking, “Do I really belong here?”

One night in Chris’s basement, after a tough weekend on the road, I picked up a guitar and the song just poured out in about 30 minutes. I didn’t write it for the band—I wrote it for me. It was like a spiritual reset, reminding me of my identity and hope in Christ. The fact that my wife sings on it makes it even more special. It’s not one of our big radio singles, but it’s foundational to who I am as a believer and as a member of this band. It’s more of a folk hymn—simple, honest and deeply personal. And that’s the kind of music I think a lot of people still long for.

Mark: I usually think about this in terms of the two distinct eras of Sanctus Real—before and after Dustin joined. From the early years with Matt, our original vocalist, the album “We Need Each Other” stands out. That was such a joyful time creatively. We were a five-piece, working with a producer we’d grown close with, and we were just having fun making music. It may not have had all our strongest songs, but the energy and camaraderie made it one of the most memorable experiences for me. That album had more of a classic rock feel—it was probably our most “old school” release.

In this new era, I feel like the songs keep getting better. “Confidence” was huge for us—it’s still our biggest song to date. But others like “My God Is Still the Same” and “The Difference” are right behind it. I love seeing how quickly people connect to the newer material. Songs like “On the Mend” and “The Difference” are especially fun to play live right now. They remind me that God continues to work through this band in fresh ways.

Chris: I agree—there’s something exciting about the new songs. We just started playing “The Difference” live, and I absolutely love it. The first time we played it, it was stripped down—just a couple of acoustic guitars and Mark with a shaker—and the crowd really responded. I’ll never forget that. There are only a handful of songs where I’ve had that sense right away, like, “Okay, this one’s going to be special.” I remember that moment with “Confidence,” and way back, I felt it with “We Need Each Other.” Those are moments that stay with you.

Music has always been a way for us to minister, to encourage, and to remind people of God’s faithfulness. The songs that become favorites are usually the ones that have that lasting impact—not just on our audiences, but on us, too.

WC: There’s so much in the Bible about worshipping God with music. Are there any passages of Scripture that stand out to you as musicians?

Dustin: I wouldn’t say there’s just one passage that stands out. The Psalms are full of music—every one of them is a song. But I’ll be honest: a while back, I went through a bit of disillusionment. I’d been a worship leader for many years, and at some point, I started questioning if what we were doing was really about God—or if it was just us presenting ourselves and seeking attention. It made me wrestle with the role of music in church, not in a theological way, but more in a personal sense: What are we really doing here?

Last year, I read the Old Testament all the way through. You wouldn’t think that reading those books would reignite a passion for worship music, but it did. It was incredible to see how music was woven throughout ancient traditions, like in the time of David, where professional musicians were part of the temple worship — singers, instrumentalists, all skilled and important. Music wasn’t an afterthought; it was a vital part of worship.

Then, in books like Kings and Chronicles, you see music mentioned repeatedly. And, of course, in the Psalms, David himself wrote so many songs. It was clear how central music was to him and to God’s people.

So, it’s not just one verse for me—it’s the whole concept of music woven through the Old Testament that brought clarity and renewed purpose. God delights in music. It’s always been a tool to bring people’s hearts and minds closer to Jesus. Even in the New Testament, Paul encourages singing hymns and spiritual songs. There might not be a ton of scripture on it, but it’s deeply rooted in tradition. For me, seeing that history reminded me: this is important. This has always been important. Music is needed—not just to fill space, but to lead people into worship and connection with God.

WC: How and when do you find time to be with God in the hectic life of professional musicians?

Mark: It’s funny—we get asked this question, or something similar, quite a bit. I remember the last time it came up at a meet-and-greet, Dustin and I joked about it afterward. People must think what we do is so unusual. Maybe it’s just because I’ve been doing this for so long that I don’t see it as all that different. But the reality is, it’s very much the same at home as it is on the road. It really comes down to intentionality.

I think back to something a pastor told me when I was a teenager: the word “disciple” comes from “discipline.” That stuck with me. Being a disciple of Jesus means being a disciplined learner—following His ways. Scripture shows us that even Jesus, who was as connected to God as anyone ever could be, still took time to get away from the crowd, to be alone with the Father, to pray and be quiet.

For me, it’s about making myself do it. I must find the time to be still, to pray, to give thanks for what God is doing in my life, and to ask Him to lead me. Reading His Word and learning more about His promises is part of that, too. It really comes down to intentionality. Whether you’re on the road, a CEO, a stay-at-home mom, or anything else, you have to make that time happen. We’re made for this relationship. We need it.

WC: Have you had the opportunity to mentor any up-and-coming Christian artists? If so, what kind of advice do you give them?

Chris: I love the idea that we’ve been doing this for so long; we do have something to offer the next generation. And over the years, whether it’s been artists or even, probably honestly, just as much, if not more, crew that we’ve had out with us. Bringing people into this world that is so normal to us, you realize how eye-opening it is for these people who have never experienced it and the ability to explain to them how things work. That knowledge can be priceless, and it can change the trajectory of somebody’s life. 

So I don’t take it lightly when I ask somebody to come on the road with us and sell merch, or come on the road with us and run sound. It’s like these are big things that people run with. And then before you know it, they’re off, wherever God has them going, you just played a little part in it. And I think that’s just amazing. That’s the way I’ve seen it work throughout the history of Sanctus Real. We’ve had so many people come through the doors of this thing with us and walk out onto bigger things and on to things they would’ve never guessed could be possible even for them. 

And it’s neat that we have that ability because of what God’s blessed us with, and the experience and the relationships we’ve built to just be one of those stops along the way for people or the entryway for people to get somewhere, whether it’s in music or it’s in production. There are a few bands we’ve had tour with us that it was their first tour or they’re very green. And it’s really neat to have the ability to show them how we do what we do, and they learn from it.

Dustin writes with a lot of artists down in Nashville since he lives there. I just got to write with a band that’s pretty new from California. That reminds me a lot of us when we were starting. So that’s exciting to see that energy they have and that passion and kind of that fresh sound for this generation. I love being able to speak to people from our experience. They’re called “Hopeful.” Hopeful with a period at the end, because it’s very important. It’s a statement.

Dustin: I come from a pastoral background, so I do write with a lot of young artists. I don’t give a ton of advice because everyone’s different. What works for one person might not work for another. But there are two things I tend to come back to often. First, if you’re going to be in this industry—especially in Christian music—you’ve got to know why you’re doing it. A lot of people come in with insecurities, and this world can seem like a place to get validation and attention. And sure, you can get that. But you can also be torn down, criticized, and told you’re not good enough. That stuff can really hurt if your identity isn’t rooted in something deeper.

So that’s the first thing: know who you are. Know that your purpose has to be greater than your talent. God gave us these talents to express a message—to point people to Him. And too many people come into this industry, even in Christian music, for the wrong reasons. That often leads to heartbreak. The second thing is: you have to find a way to guard your heart. Because in this industry, even guys who’ve been doing it as long as we have still deal with the pressure. You’re going to be praised, and you’re going to be criticized. You need to be grounded enough in Christ to handle both.

So, for me, I always tell people to focus on their foundation. Why you do what you do—that’s the most important thing. How do you do it? We’re all different. But your “why” has to be solid. That’s where it all begins.

WC: What’s next for Sanctus Real? What can fans expect in the future?

Dustin: We write songs, man. We love Jesus. We have a message. There are things that we can control, and what we do. And then there are things completely out of our control. We’re really excited about the music we’ve been releasing, like “The Difference” and “You Are I Am.” We’re passionate about these songs because we believe they speak directly to where people are—offering encouragement and truth.

Our job is to keep writing and keep showing up. We’ll keep playing shows where we can, continue singing and creating, and trust God with the rest. That’s the most important thing: staying faithful and letting Him lead the way.

Chris: Next year marks 30 years since we’ve been a band. So, I’m hoping there are some big things coming for next year. We got some ideas brewing. 

Mark: I’m just thinking it might finally be time for our first record with a drum solo. That’s probably what’s coming next. All drums.

This article was originally titled “Faith in the Fire: Sanctus Real’s Anthems of Hope for a Wounded World” in the September 2025 issue of The War Cry.