Bethel Music is renowned for creating powerful worship experiences, and their album “Come Up Here” is no exception. This record is designed to capture a sensory, almost heavenly encounter, inviting listeners into a deeper connection with the divine. In this exploration, we delve into how this profound purpose shaped the songwriting process behind “Come Up Here” and what makes Bethel Music Songs so impactful.
Jenn Johnson, a key figure in Bethel Music, explains the foundational inspiration: Revelation 4: “Come up here and I will show you what to do.” This verse encapsulates the “mountaintop” experience the album seeks to evoke. Throughout the Bible, mountains are depicted as places of encounter with God. Jenn’s upbringing in the Redwoods, a place of natural grandeur, further fueled this vision. The Redwoods themselves inspire awe and humility, mirroring the feeling of approaching God in worship. This sense of wonder and reverence permeates the entire “Come Up Here” project.
“So, as we were choosing songs, we really chose them around that theme of who God is and his grandeur, holiness, wonder, and awe,” Jenn shares. This thematic focus guided the selection of each track, ensuring the album resonated with a unified message of God’s majesty.
Song Selection: Unearthing Gems from the Archives
Bethel Music’s song selection for “Come Up Here” wasn’t solely about crafting new material; it was also a journey through their extensive archives. Brian Johnson describes their process as digging through “long lists and folders with little song ideas going back 5-6 years.” This archival exploration led to exciting rediscoveries. “We were digging in the archives and it’s just kind of like, wait, we forgot this! This feels right!” Brian recounts. This process of revisiting older ideas brought a sense of freshness and serendipity to the album creation.
This revisiting of past ideas also led to special collaborations. A spontaneous call to Amanda Cook, another prominent Bethel Music artist, resulted in her re-engagement with the project. Brian explains, “And then we called Amanda (Cook) and she’s like, yeah, I can make it work and come out.” This reconnection highlights the family-like atmosphere within Bethel Music and the organic way their songs often come together. Similarly, revisiting a song idea with Daniel Bashta further enriched the album’s diverse soundscape.
Reconnecting with Amanda Cook: A Special Reunion
The collaboration with Amanda Cook on “Come Up Here” was particularly meaningful. While Jenn mentions they “stayed connected over the years,” the opportunity to “rework together is what’s been really fun.” Amanda’s return to contribute to this album added a layer of depth and history, reinforcing the long-standing relationships within Bethel Music. Jenn also hints at future projects stemming from revisiting older song ideas, mentioning a song started “20 some years ago” that is now being finalized with Gable Price. This ongoing process of revisiting and refining songs underscores Bethel Music’s commitment to releasing songs in their right season.
Capturing the Sound: Recording “Come Up Here” in the Redwoods
The production of “Come Up Here” was as unique as its inspiration. Recorded over three days on Jenn’s family property amidst the towering Redwoods, the setting itself became a crucial element of the album’s sonic landscape. However, the idyllic location presented unexpected challenges. Jenn describes the initial setup: “when we actually went up there, there was a torrential downpour. So, we’re setting up and sound checking in the rain.”
Brian adds to the story of the challenging conditions: “They had to dig a flat spot into the hillside. It was just muddy!” Despite the initial setbacks caused by the rain and muddy terrain, including requiring Jenn’s father’s machinery to prepare the site, the weather eventually cooperated. Jenn recounts, “After that, we didn’t have any rain, so we actually got to capture everything with no rain, which was awesome.” This resilience and adaptability ultimately allowed them to capture the raw and authentic worship experience they envisioned, even if it meant battling muddy conditions and damp hair along the way.
In conclusion, “Come Up Here” by Bethel Music is more than just an album; it’s an invitation to ascend to a higher place of worship. Fueled by biblical inspiration, archival discoveries, and the majestic setting of the Redwoods, these Bethel Music songs offer a sensory and spiritual journey. The album stands as a testament to Bethel Music’s dedication to creating authentic worship experiences that resonate with themes of God’s grandeur, holiness, wonder, and awe.
