We caught up with Chicago-based gospel artist, Aasha Marie below, following her recent EP “Signs of Life”. Notable for songs include ‘For Everything’, ‘Nobody Greater’ and ‘Without You’. Aasha Marie says her EP “Is a breath of fresh air in the music industry”.
Tell us a little bit about your new EP and what was the inspiration behind it?
The title itself, “Signs of Life” was born out of adversity during the pandemic. My main producer Runtrell Skinner was sick and spent 8 days in the hospital due to covid and it was really scary. Simultaneously, I had planned a big album release that was put on pause due to the pandemic and people all around us were either sick, going to get sick and/or dying. In the midst of all that uncertainty I needed “Signs of Life,” strength to endure the challenges and assurance that God was with me and these songs were birthed out of that experience to breathe again and find life/hope again in the gospel.
Is there a track on the EP that is your favourite, why?
I love ‘For Everything’ it’s a ballad that makes me cry and reflect on when people go through Job-like experiences, where you experience so much loss and pain, God is with you in those valleys as much as He is with you on the mountaintops and everywhere in between. He has purpose for it all even when we cannot comprehend it, it’s all for His glory and according to His will, He has us in His grasp always.
What would you say are some of the main messages in the EP?
God’s character can be trusted, His Grace is sufficient for us. It also speaks to the supremacy of His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus said in John 15 that “apart from me you can do nothing,” our own works, merits, are useless compared to the finished work of Christ on the cross and His resurrection. Overall “Signs of Life” is restorative, reminding us the LORD gives us life in His Son Jesus and hope for ages to come.
If you could work with any artist, who would it be and why?
I would love to write a song with DOE, she is a very skilled musician and her songwriting is so beautiful, I’d love to just songwrite and create with her.
What has been one of your proudest moments in your journey so far?
I got my first placement in a docuseries called “Gutsy” on Apple TV+ recently and I feel like it’s the beginning of others to come.
Can you tell us anything about future plans for music/events?
I’m performing at So Far Chicago during black history month in February and am looking forward to releasing a series of EPs following “Signs of Life” that will expand and build upon how God’s character impacts our present and eternity. I love to explore and expound upon those themes in my music and look forward to pushing my pen in that direction too.
