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10 Questions with ... Ayiesha Woods
July 27, 2020
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Grammy nominated artist-songwriter -musician, Ayiesha Woods, has returned to the recording studio and just released the new single, “Family.” The song is from her upcoming EP, “Full Circle,” that releases September 2020. All Access caught up with Ayiesha recently to update everyone about her new music.
1. Congratulations on your new single, “Family,” as this is such a timely song with the disruptions in our lives at the moment. Thank You! Did this environment lead you to write the song?
As a matter of fact, an environment SIMILAR this one three years ago was actually what birthed the song. When hurricane Irma ripped through the Caribbean and southeast region of our nation, we were on “stay at home” orders of a sort - due to downed power lines and debris from the hurricane. We were without power for nearly a week and we spent QUALITY TIME together as a family and during that week, when I started writing the song #Family. Then, during THIS quarantine season, we felt the need to revisit it and just before the “stay at home” orders went into effect, we finished it and recorded it so that it’ll be part of the project!
2. With your new EP releasing this fall, can you share some of the behind the scenes experiences in recording the EP?
I suppose one of the memories that will stick with me for the rest of my life is being in Phase 3 of the reopening process of our state and going to the studio to record. My husband couldn’t even accompany me as usual. I arrived at the studio and had to enter through a side entrance, masked up and everything. The producer and I had a giggle because when I came in, the vocal booth smelled like a doctor’s office. There was hand sanitizer readily available, cleaning products nearby and we communicated through the mic and headphones only. These have indeed been interesting times for us all!
3. You took a hiatus for a few years to be a wife and mother, what led you to get back into the recording business?
I came off the label I was on in 2010 to get married and start a family, but when something is part of who you are, you never get away from it completely. I never stopped writing. I never stopped singing. I never stopped recording. Everything was produced, recorded and released independently. Being a wife and mother brought about a new and different inspiration.
4. You were signed to Gotee Records as a new artist and a protégé of TobyMac’s. What are the biggest differences for you between being an indie artist and one who is signed to a label?
I feel like the biggest differences of being on a label and being an independent artist is the amount of resources, or the lack thereof. Being on a label at that time was exactly what I needed because it provided a platform and a reach that I would not have gained otherwise.
5. Now that you have a family, is it more difficult to juggle between being a recording artist and a mother/wife?
New coined phrase: “The JUGGLE is REAL!” My son asked me the other day if I am famous. I was like “NO!” Our boys know that mommy is a recording artist, though. They’ve been with us on the road, playing venues, churches, festivals, etc. We’ve even had them join us in singing onstage at several events. The thing is, who I am onstage is who I am at home as well - the challenge is the balancing act. Between lots of laundry, little boy homework help, quality time with the hubby and creating set lists for upcoming engagements! In it all, God gives us exactly what we need, and I’m beyond blessed to have help with an understanding husband.
6. You and your husband, Joseph, have been long time collaborators with songwriting and recording. How did this partnership begin and was the bond immediate?
I love our history! Most people don’t know that it was because of my husband that I further pursued my artistry back in 2001. We met at a music workshop - he was part of a singing group and I was a dreamer, waiting on God for a magic moment in my music. He heard me sing at the workshop and reached out a few weeks later and introduced me to a producer their group worked with. Long story short, he helped me get my very first independent project produced and recorded. It was that project that got the attention of TobyMac and landed me a record deal at Gotee. So, he has been there from the very beginning of this journey and very instrumental from that day to this one. We’ve been collaborators for almost two decades now. An almost immediate bond that God welded.
7. With “Full Circle” releasing in two months, what do you hope your fans will be able to take away from the new record?
I hope that fans will gain a renewed appreciation for authenticity and a restored hope in the things that really matter most in this life.
8. What is your favorite guilty food pleasure that you can’t live without?
TACOS!!!
9. What is one of your most memorable and funniest road stories while on tour?
I’ll have to say a certain church we played in New England in recent years, apparently the church had a rodent problem. *INSERT RAISED BROWS HERE!!!* Anyway, we were in the middle of soundcheck and a NOT SO LITTLE critter went shooting across the right side of the stage! Most of us jumped and stood in chairs in fear for our lives. Thankfully, he never reemerged during the concert. I’m not too sure what I would’ve done!
10. You have a really cool motto for your family. Can you share that with us?
Our family motto is “Love God, Love People. Serve God, Serve People.” That simple.
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