Blog: Featured Album: A Beautiful Liturgy
The self-titled debut album 'A Beautiful Liturgy' is available now on Digital Download, CD, and special White Vinyl LP. Find out more below...
Emilie Joelle and Rich Kirkpatrick are a daughter-father worship team based out of Southern California. With influences ranging from Gungor, The Brilliance, and Matt Maher, their sound might sound similar to The Civil Wars or even All Sons and Daughters at times. Uniquely, their songs build a bridge to liturgy. Liturgy means the work of the people. Emilie and Rich desire to make the work of the people in worship something beautiful through the songs they write and the way they lead in music ministry. Unique in modern worship is this connection to the past, translating it instead of running from it. Intergenerational expression of worship is also one of their passions.
Emilie and her father have led worship in some way together for the last eight years. Both songwriters in their own right, they never thought to collaborate until Rich was stuck on a song. That moment spurred this unique duo. The extraordinary chemistry clearly shines in this five-song project. Rich, a local church ministry veteran, combines his musical and theological experience with the young Emilie’s amazing talent with storytelling and gift for the memorable melody.
Their debut project comes from songs written in the context of their local church and from years as worship leaders. Producer Blaine Stark approached the arrangements with simplicity and timelessness - familiar sounds presented in a modern way. Their songs are tied to old hymns, liturgical themes, and yet modern.
Rich is also an author and speaker, publishing The Six Hats of the Worship Leader in 2014 and teaching at the National Worship Leader Conferences for the past few years. Emilie’s debut project, My Oh My with gifted producer Ramy Anton displayed the songwriting and vocal talent Emilie had even at 17 years of age. Beginning with Grammy nominated Sarah Kelly’s tutelage as a teen, Emilie continues to grow the songwriting craft. She is also a visual artist and graphic designer by trade. Her creation of art pieces for each song brands A Beautiful Liturgy as more than a thought and sound group, but also one that speaks to the eye.
