It’s all about connections for the Ehrhart family.
Since 2009, three of the Ehrharts have participated in Beautiful Mess, a contemporary Christian band with four studio albums and one live album under its belt.
While Beautiful Mess has crafted video presentations to go with their music, it’s only in the last couple of years that the band has ventured out into live performances.
Vocalist Chris Ehrhart, who lives in Pennsylvania, and his nephew, Tim Ehrhart, who hails from Liverpool, have done a handful of shows in Central New York and Pennsylvania with a rotating roster of musicians. Chris’ brother and Tim’s dad, Mike Ehrhart, pens the lyrics, while Tim composes and arranges the music.
Tim and Mike, who are in the process of moving from Liverpool to Skaneateles, shared the origins and intent behind Beautiful Mess with The Star-Review.
“There’s a larger story,” Mike said of Beautiful Mess’ body of work. “Life is about living connected lives. We’re here together. We’re not meant to be islands living separately. Each album takes a practical slice at that.”
The band’s most recent EP, “Word’s Getting Around,” tells of how faith “flows through those connections” among people, Mike said.
Mike said the band sometimes worries about being pigeonholed as a contemporary Christian band because of the genre’s specific sound and sometimes “preachy” tone.
“The messages are very practical — not abstract, very much about real life,” he said of Beautiful Mess’ lyrics. “If you’re at a live event, what you should feel is not abstract or you don’t measure up or you’re not worthy.”
“Our goal is that you feel connected and you feel that energy,” Tim said.
In keeping with the band’s mission of promoting social and spiritual connectedness, their two upcoming shows in Central New York are for a good cause.
Beautiful Mess’ Jan. 9 concert at The ROAD, a café that supports Methodist ministry in Onondaga Hill, will raise money for the Faith Hope Community Center, which ministers to Syracuse youth through boxing and other activities.
The band’s Jan. 10 show at Casowasco Camp and Retreat Center in Moravia will raise money for summer camp scholarships. Tim said performing at Casowasco is special to him because of the time he spent there as a youth.
“It’s a perfect place for that exploration and questions [about faith] on our album,” he said.
Tim, a student at Berklee College of Music in Boston, said he doesn’t just draw inspiration from his favorite Christian bands, which include MercyMe and Big Daddy Weave. He’s a fan of the Goo Goo Dolls, Stevie Wonder and Steely Dan as well.
“It’s just so rich,” Tim said of Steely Dan’s arrangements. “You can listen to them thousands of times and you hear something new.”
Mike and Tim explained their songwriting process.
“It was a hobby to start with,” Mike said of his beginnings as a lyricist. “I liked jotting down lyrics, back-of-the-napkin kind of thing. … You write about what’s in your heart.”
Both father and son said they see themselves as “channels” for God’s vision.
“The rest kind of writes itself,” Tim said. “Any great artist … views themselves as a vehicle.”
“It’s really important to get out of the way,” Mike said. “When I find myself struggling [with a song], I condition myself to step back, listen and be a better channel for the inspiration.”
Beautiful Mess will perform at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9, at The ROAD, located at 4845 W. Seneca Turnpike in Syracuse. Tickets are $5; admission is free for those under 21.
The band will also do a show at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 10, at Casowasco Camp and Retreat Center, located at 158 Casowasco Drive in Moravia. Donations will go toward a scholarship fund.
To learn more, visit beautifulmessmusic.com.
