BREATHEcast caught up with popular worship trio Phillips, Craig & Dean to talk about their recent album Above it All, how they have evolved into the modern day worship scene, and what their plans are for the future.

Above It All was a significant departure from what the popular trio is accustom to, and group member Dan Dean detailed their journey and how they embraced a newer hipper sound. Above It All features new production for the trio with all the songs except for one being produced by Nashville's Seth Mosely.

"We have operated in a little cocoon of comfort with Nathan knuckles and Bernie Herm," Dean said speaking highly of his former producers but explaining why they changed gears for this album. Dean described their new producer Mosely as someone in his late twenties but "young, cutting edge."

The singer admitted that some of the songs on this record were a stretch for them. Their newer songs such as, "If Not For Grace," "Join The Song" and "Let It Be Known," have a very upbeat/dance vibe, a departure from the staple Phillips, Craig & Dean slower worshipful style.

"He pushed us musically into places we are not totally comfortable with," he said, "We really like what Seth did with us. It was fun..." Dean says what keeps them musically fresh is listening to current music styles and music trends.

"It's always a fine line that you walk of alienating people who have followed your music for a few years and [then] making your music still relevant," he continued, "I hope we succeeded to push ourselves and people still like the sounds of the new project."

The trio did not completely change gears though, they returned to recording more original tunes. Dean confessed that the upbeat track, "What Hope Feel Like" is probably his favorite on the album. "I love the beat of the song, the feel of the song, and I love the message," he said.

He explained that the song was created after the writers were inspired by a woman whose engagement was broken off but decided to keep her wedding dress anyway, claiming she wanted to know what hope felt like.

Phillips, Craig & Dean have had a healthy career of many years and now. Now 15 albums in, Dean said a theme they never get tired of singing about is grace. "If you look back at our albums is a recurring theme," he said, "Some of the themes are just recurring themes that we enjoy talking about and speaking about."

All three members of the group are also pastors - Dean said their church work often spills over to inspire their music. "I have a song that I wrote with Scott Krippayne called, 'Come As You Are'. When Scott and I sat down to write it I told him, 'this title and hook could be the theme song for our church.' Once all said and done this is what our church is about, who ever you are, come in."

"Voices From the Other Side" was a BC favorite and written by Randy of the group and artist Matthew West. Dean explained that the touching song was written after Randy attended Dean's father's funeral. Dean's dad was a well-loved and a respected man and the memorial service was proof of that. "I think the song would be an encouragement to anyone who lost someone very special," he noted.

Dean offered advice to aspiring artists, "Bloom where you're planted." Phillips, Craig & Dean started as a group while they were all in their 30s. Before the trio's inception they were all just writing and singing songs for their own congregations, singing any and everywhere they could Dean explained. He revealed that he himself was not looking for a career in Christian music but after Randy invited him to sing as part of the group just for fun they were offered a record deal and the rest is history.

"It was a total God thing, and If God wants you to succeed and have a voice it will happen, if you are just diligent in presenting your voice to him and doing what you're called to do," he advised, "it'll happen that's just the way it works"

As for Phillips, Craig & Dean's future plans the singer said, "I think the group will continue to sing as long as God gives us strength to do that, we're all healthy. Every time we think we are about through with the touring and the record thing, God shows up in some really crazy way."

Dean explained that their Breathe in album featuring their version of "Revelation Song" taught them that lesson. "Revelation Song" gave them their longest No.1 single of their career up to this point. "That song was just certified as a gold single, and was 17 weeks at No.1, it totally revived everything we were doing at the time," he said, "So you know, we make our plans and God comes along and adjust our steps, and it's been an amazing journey."

For more information on Phillips, Craig & Dean's visit their website phillipscraiganddean.com. Get your copy of Above it All on iTunes now, HERE and to join them on a tour of Israel on May 3-13 of 2016, click HERE.