“Mash-Up!”

From B

As many of you know, Y and I have been working on a recording for “Rescue Me Ministries.” The songs that we have chosen will prayerfully encourage and challenge couples and families. We have also chosen songs that have inspired us and have strengthened our relationship.

We even did a “Mash-Up.” That’s where we take 2 or more songs (or parts of) and combine them to make one full song. We chose two songs that were instrumental in our healing process. The two songs had the same theme, but were remarkably different in style.

Both songs had different tempos and were originally in different keys. But after some arranging, the songs came together to make ONE song. We had to relearn how to sing one of the songs because we were so accustomed to it being sung in a different tempo.

Marriage is like that.

Ephesians 5:31 As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” Two becomes one. When 2 people come together, no matter the age or experience, they bring with them strengths, weaknesses, life experiences, hurts, successes and goals for the future. The couple may have different personalities, religious views, politics, parenting styles, work ethic and much more.

However, just like with the “Mash-Up” of a song, a good “Arranger” is essential. God Almighty takes the pieces of our past and blends them together to form a bond to make the Song of Your Lives complete. We must give Him full control. Our part is to learn and even re-learn how to “dance” with our partner, leverage your strengths so that your marriage can succeed.

From Y:

Our children are probably the way I was first introduced to a “mashup” song. In our home, they love to watch TV shows or movies that contain a lot of music. Often times, in the car traveling, Jake will find a YouTube channel or a Pandora station that primarily plays mashup songs. These songs tend to be more interesting and unique to me. Iconic songs are always compared to the original UNLESS you find a completely different and unique way to arrange the song. One particular road trip the idea came to me that we HAD to do a mashup for our album. Bryan was a bit leery about it in the beginning, I think. He humored me though and helped think of two songs that would go together well.

Ideally, the two songs should have similar tempos, song structure and in the same key. The two songs we picked were ones that tremendously helped our own emotional states at some point of our journey. One song, I believe, we actually had intended to cut on this project from the beginning. I did some research on doing “mashups”. There is even an App you can use to fly songs together. We were fortunate though, because James Rainey (Co-owner of Declaration 212 Productions) was game to help with the process. Secretly, he probably wanted to strangle me when he had to re-chart and redo the entire song because I wanted to change of some of the lyrics and order that Bryan and I had laid the song out. James was gracious enough to redo the song. The finished arrangement and vocals are incredible and truly unique.

Our hope is that you folks love it as much as we do. The “mashup” process started us thinking how it is the same process in marriage. We both come from different ways/ paces in life; much like the tempo of two songs.  We both are equally different with what upsets us in a quick way; much like the different key each song is sung in. We both have a past that has shaped our lives and it is these filters that can be a guiding force in our emotional state; much like the progression or story line of a song.

From Both:

The key to a great “mashup” is:

1) Finding a tempo in which both songs can be comfortably sung. You both have needs and desires. Finding that balance is essential.

Romans 12:9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good

2) Letting go of the way the song has been sung previously. This requires an open and creative mind & spirit.

3) Taking a step back every now and then to listen and deciding if it works or it needs changed. That requires being completely humble and open to admitting the original way you thought the pieces would fit together had flaws. You cannot get defensive or take it personal. You have to focus on what you want the end result to be.

1 Peter 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

4) Collaboration. Seeking out friends who have strength in music, poetry or a related field that can contribute to the overall success of the project.

5) Clearly deciding which pieces of each song are very important to you. Whether its a verse, chorus, line or musical run that you can’t sacrifice. You must share this with everyone working on the project. That way they clearly understand the direction the song should be moving toward. This also keeps everyone focused and grounded.

Colossians 3:14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unit

The end result should be a complete song..the song of your lives together.

The Hutson’s 2014