Asha Pieper is a Toronto native with a heart of gold. Making the rounds in 2017, the upcoming year is about to be just as enchanting and exicting for the much-talked about artist. Her newest video and single "Voices," is a touching piece that brings up a lot of issues that women have to deal with day-to-day. Kurrent Music had the chance to interview Asha Pieper right before the New Year, to see what she has up her sleeve for the coming months, and what inspires her to make such noteworthy music.
1. What is the inspiration behind the latest single release, "Voices?
"Voices came about as a reflection of the power of our inner thoughts, the dialogue between our mind and ourselves, and how the voices of others can dilute that exchange. It is an acknowledgement of this conflict, the lies we tell ourselves, the safety in those lies, but also the strength and catharsis of moving beyond self-deception and into self-acceptance
2.What made you discover your passion for creating an eclectic blend of jazz infused pieces?
I was first introduced to Jazz through my Uncle, and have been a fan ever since. I love that it can be loud, and weird, and abstract, but also sweet, and consoling. I’ve also been a long fan of traditional music from around the world, dating back to when my Mum would play mixed tapes full of old Kenyan pop and folk songs. Add to that my obsession with film scores, and theatre background, and it’s easy for me to trace the mixing of genres into my writing style. 3. What places in your mind do you channel to craft your songs?
I am a very social person, but I also tend to withdraw from stimulus in order to process my thoughts. Without that period of reflection, I lose clarity, and focus. That time of quiet, which mostly includes me sitting, alone, staring at a wall, may seem unproductive, but to me, is instrumental. My most creative times come from being dis-engaged, from watching, and thinking, and imagining.
4. What are your favorite venues to perform at? and if you had to choose, do you feel more comfortable in the studio or onstage, and why?
The sound, first and foremost, is the most important to me. There’s nothing as frustrating as playing a venue where PA’s or speakers bleed onto the stage, or you can’t hear the band properly, or the mix isn’t right for the audience. I prefer smaller to mid-sized venues for this reason. Also, the ability to look out and actually see the audience, makes it all the more personal to me. There is literally nothing better than being onstage, sharing that moment with the audience, creating that perfect, singularly unique experience between listener and performer. In studio, it’s the music. Onstage, it’s the experience.
5. How do you create your songs? What is the process like? Does it take you days, weeks, even longer? How does the perfect Asha Pieper piece come together?
Mostly, it begins with myself and a keyboard. The music, the arrangements, obviously differ, depending on context, song, arrangement, etc… The closer the deadline, the longer the writing process, unfortunately. The quickest, and easiest I’ve written has literally been in minutes. The longest, months. Typically, I begin with a sense of what sort of mood I’m trying to convey. The melody and lyric are conceived simultaneously. Other times, of course, it’s more clinical. Experimental. Beginning with a certain tempo, or chord progression in mind, and creating the song with a specific end goal. Ideally, it’s those magic moments at three a.m., half between sleep and awake, that the sketches and thoughts you’ve been mulling over fall into place.
6. How did you create a sound throughout time that is so uniquely your own? What defines your sound to you?
My first forays into songwriting were exclusively piano based. Little melodies when I was goofing off, rather than practicing like I was meant to be doing. Separate to that, I wrote poetry, well, bad poetry, but it wasn’t until much later that I began experimenting. I would deconstruct songs I liked, songs I didn’t, I would learn, by ear, bits from my favourite composers, or pop music. And I should preface all this by saying, I’ve written a lot, a lot, a lot, of really bad music. In University, my writing was almost exclusively arrangement based or melody-based standards. Over time, I suppose I developed a sense of what suited me, as a person and artist, and what was an exercise, or practice, in writing. I think my sound blends a bit of everything; the depth and texture of classical, jazz-inflected vocals, heavy piano, swung melodies, and pop song structures.
7. 2017 had shaped up to be a huge year for you. What do you hope to accomplish in the new year?
Yes! Wow 2017 just slipped by... At this point, I have release my first two commercial singles, along with their accompanied videos. 2018 sees the release of the full EP, a release party, and upcoming performances. It’s both terrifying and exhilarating, and I am couldn’t be happier! Thank you.
