SongLab recently released their new EP titled Simplicity. The 4-song collection was produced by co-founder Meredith Mauldin. Simplicity features a worship collective of emerging leaders. Seph Schlueter (Damascus Worship), David Porcheddu, Brittany Rivera, and Meredith Mauldin (SongLab) all contributed new features to the EP. In this TCB exclusive, SongLab’s Meredith Mauldin talks about the collaborative effort that produced these new songs, the sound authentic of the EP and its hope for all who listen to the record.
You just released SongLab’s new EP ‘Simplicity’. How was collaborating with Seph Schlueter, David Porcheddu and Brittany Rivera on the collection?
Honestly, it is such a gift to be able to work with such beautiful people, with so much humility, talent, and passion for Jesus. They all live in different states and lead worship in different churches and even different denominationsbut when we got together it was like family!
This is the second EP you’ve released recently. The album Live From South Eden also came out not too long ago. Between the two albums, how would you describe your sound to new listeners?
I would probably describe our sound as authentic. It’s not overproduced, but it has a lot of heart. It’s a collaboration with so many different people from different places… but the one thing that SongLab puts so much emphasis on is that we value authenticity over perfection. We’re human and sometimes when we overproduce, we miss reality and sometimes reality is so beautiful.
How long does it take to make an album with everyone and is it difficult to write with many writers?
Well, the registration process really only takes about 2 days.
Each song that has been recorded was written at a SongLab event, then my team chooses a song or 2 from each SongLab and invites leaders to come and record their song at a live worship night.
We spend the day before recording creating, rehearsing, and arranging, then the next day we worship together and record. Many of my favorite moments aren’t even on the project but were sweet moments in between where we just hung out! As hard as it is to write with a lot of writers, we think that’s the fun part! That’s what SongLab is all about: collaborating and celebrating!
SongLab isn’t just a music collective, right? You do writers’ retreats under the same banner. Tell us more about those?
Yes, SongLab is also a 2 1/2 day retreat where worshipers come together to grow in worship and songwriting! My team teaches, we worship together and then we write songs. Everyone leaves with at least 2 songs written. After doing a few of these events and seeing the beautiful songs and leaders of that time, I felt like I was meant to highlight the songs that highlighted Jesus! And that is how the recordings were born.
Tell me how you got to this point in your career? Did you discover music at a young age?
I have always been around music and grew up in a family that loved and supported the arts. I started singing in a 16 piece orchestra at the age of 16 and sang in jazz bands for 8 years. I have done many genres from pop to showbands but when I had an encounter with the Lord all I wanted to do was worship Him and that continues to be my passion today!
What are your musical inspirations? Tell our audience what genres of music inspire you.
I love writing songs…so I enjoy a lot of styles, especially when it can take me on a journey, or even bring me to a new place with the Lord. Honestly, I just have some super talented friends that inspire me. Elyssa Smith (of UPPERROOM), Remy Shuck and Steffany Gretzinger are so authentic, they are some of my musical inspirations.
What message do you hope listeners take away from this record?
Life gets complicated but our worship doesn’t have to be. Our worship doesn’t have to be flashy or perfect to be beautiful, but our hearts simply devoted to Jesus are enough. “Simplicity” is simple instrumentation with open hearts and authentic heart cries.
How would you define the success of these versions?
For me it’s all about stewardship. When we are faithful in stewarding what the Lord has given us and when we read our songs in honor of the Lord it takes the pressure off of what we think the outcome should be. I also think it allows us to tap into the heart and honest place where the songs come from. These 4 songs all have stories and meaning behind them and it’s beautiful if they resonate with others and honor the heart of the Lord.
So what’s next for Meredith Mauldin and the SongLab team?
We have a lot going on and new things on the horizon! We have a SongLab coming up in Illinois in September and Louisiana in October. If you’d like to join us, check out our website, songlabmsc.com or keep an eye on our Instagram for future SongLabs @songlabmsc. We are currently working on another release for SongLab and I am also personally working on a new worship project!
The post office Exclusive: SongLab’s Meredith Mauldin on the Authentic Sound of ‘Simplicity’ first appeared on TCB.
Author: Jessie Clarks
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