For Dana Miller, the artist behind Hillside Recording, this Christmas collaboration began with music that had already carried him through personal loss: he played Addy Prado's arrangement of "In the Garden" at both of his grandfathers' funerals this year. Now, the two artists are preparing to release Come and See on November 6, bringing together acoustic guitars, gentle harmonies, and live cello in a collection of Christmas hymns and original worship music. In this conversation, Miller and Prado discuss the personal connection behind their partnership, the challenge of refreshing beloved hymns, and their hope that these songs will offer comfort to listeners facing a difficult Christmas.
Explore Hillside Recording's music and listen to Addy Prado's "In the Garden (Acoustic)".
Q: For readers meeting you for the first time, who are the people behind Hillside Recording and Addy Prado, and how did you come together as a team?
Dana Miller: My name is Dana Miller (Hillside Recording). I've been writing and releasing devotional worship songs for the past six years. I find myself writing songs that wrestle with grief, loss, and finding peace through Christ through it all.
I first heard Addy's music and voice and truly felt this peaceful anointing. She is so gifted, and her love for Jesus is apparent through her music and social media presence. Her version of "In the Garden" was so meaningful to me. I actually played her arrangement at both of my grandfathers' funerals this year.
I reached out to Addy with the idea of doing a Christmas hymns project, and we've been working on it since the beginning of this year!
Addy Prado: My name is Addy Prado. I've been a songwriter in Nashville for several years now but have recently solidified my own artistry in the Spiritual Americana genre with the release of a 15-song acoustic hymns album. I am a worship leader at my local church, and I love to write faith-based songs about the joys and trials of the human experience.
I have been a fan of Dana's music for a few years now, so needless to say, I was so excited when he reached out to collaborate. His heart for the Lord flows so clearly through his music, and coming right off the heels of my hymns album release, a peaceful Christmas hymns EP felt like the perfect next project.
Q: How would you describe your individual musical styles, and what does each of you contribute to the sound and vision of this collaboration?
Dana & Addy: We both tend to lean toward an acoustic and peaceful sound. I think this EP really is a beautiful marriage of our styles. We both love arranging acoustic guitars, filling our songs with gentle background vocals, and we had our friend Brett Anthony Shaw track live cello throughout every song of the EP as well.
Dana carried the big-picture vision for production and the project as a whole, while Addy brought in some special and unique details, like melody or chord changes, that really made it her own as well.
Q: Your new EP, Come and See, arrives November 6. What is the record about, and what connects its songs beyond the Christmas theme?
Dana & Addy: Our EP, Come and See, is an invitation to draw closer to Jesus and celebrate the joy of Christ during the Advent season. If we had to describe this EP in one word, it would be "peace."
So often the holiday season can become busy and chaotic. We want our listeners to engage with these Christmas hymns and worship songs as a reminder of the peace of Christ and the reason we celebrate.
Q: Take us inside the making of the EP. How did you choose the songs and develop the arrangements, and what was the biggest creative challenge you faced?
Dana & Addy: When we started this project, we wanted the majority of the EP to feature some of our favorite Christmas hymns that tell the story of Christ's birth. We decided to choose a couple that are a little less known to give them new life and show listeners that these beautiful songs still carry such profound truth.
The biggest creative challenge was the balance of making these Christmas hymns feel like "our sound and vibe" while still keeping them recognizable.
Q: Christmas music carries so many memories and expectations. How did you bring a fresh perspective to familiar hymns while preserving what makes them meaningful?
Dana & Addy: We definitely wanted to find that balance of staying true to these Christmas hymns and also creatively sharing our take and style throughout. I believe the sound of the EP is super unique. There's a peaceful orchestral-folky vibe throughout the whole project.
One song on the EP, "In the Bleak Midwinter," is entirely live cellos and vocals. Another track, "Joyful Joyful," has a bit more production and an additional original bridge that we felt made it our own.
Q: For someone approaching Christmas with grief, loneliness, or uncertainty, which song on Come and See would you share with them first, and why?
Dana Miller: This is something I think about a lot. As someone who has walked through loss and feels that grief "extra" during the Christmas season, I remember the songs that have walked with me and pointed me to Christ in those low moments.
I think there's no greater honor, as a songwriter and artist, than to hear that a song you've shared has helped someone in that way. I would share our original song "Come and See." I believe it has such beautifully rich lyrics that share the joy of Christ and why we should draw close to Him.
Addy Prado: Like Dana, I think I would also share "Come and See." I've had my share of uncertain Christmases, and for me, remembering the "why" behind the reason we celebrate helps me keep my eyes on what is most important.
"Come and See" is an invitation to find comfort in the gift of Jesus Christ. My hope is that these songs offer a moment of stillness to anyone who needs it, wherever they are in their faith journey.
