Worship with a Little Attitude: Amanda Ashby on Rock Worship & Her New EP "Screamin'"

With a voice as pure as her love for God, Amanda Ashby's passion surfaces through her sincere lyrics and vibrant melodies. Her music is a transparent window to the soul. She writes honestly and from the heart, hoping to offer audiences a platform from which they, too, may approach the throne of God. Simply put, she connects with her audiences, leading them into authentic and true worship.

She has just released her new EP "Screamin'" and we are so honored to chat with her.

Hallels:  Congratulations on the release of your EP "Screamin'."  I like the sound of your EP which has a rock worship sound to it.  Is this an apt way to describe your sound?  And which artists would you say influence your style of music? 

Thank you! Rock worship is a perfect way to describe the sound of "Screamin'." It definitely portrays a heart of worship with a little attitude. I really love the sound and style of the group Fireflight. Plus I'm always looking for new inspiration from the great worship entities such as Hillsong and Bethel.

Hallels:  You have also written 4 songs on the EP, when and how did you start writing songs?

I actually started writing little songs here and there as a young girl; maybe 8 or 9 years old. I mostly just wrote for fun or because I loved singing. I began delving into true songwriting in my late teens and continued into my college years. 

Hallels:  Let's talk about your new single from the EP, "Don't Let Me Down."  For our readers who may not have heard it, what's the song about?

Don't Let Me Down is really a plea to myself to fight as hard as you can for the call God has placed on your life. It's sort of a play of words because I say "don't let me down," but I am actually speaking to myself. It's a cry of my heart to pursue His call no matter the cost because one day I will stand before God and give an account for how I used my abilities and gifts. I am seeking to revive my spirit and thought process as I am going through the thoughts and feelings of giving up and giving in.

Hallels:  I love the line on the song "Through It All" that says:  "Desperately seeking more of You, more of You/Watching my tears fall on You, fall on You/Come and break these chains that overwhelm/With me always I believe."  It's so heartfelt and so touching.  What's the inspiration or story behind the penning of this song? 

I think sometimes we all come to a point of just being overwhelmed and literally having nothing left to fight with. These are the times when our tears just fall on Jesus because we don't even have the strength to wipe them away. I love how King David went through so many hard times and struggles, yet "through it all", he lifted up the name of Jesus. The heart of this song is just that. "Even though I fail" and fall, even though I'm at a place of desperation, you've been there "through it all" and I will praise you no matter what.

Hallels:  You have also covered a Planetshaker song on the EP, tell us why did you choose to tackle a Planetshaker cover?

First of all, I love Planetshakers! Secondly. my I have such a heart of worship and try to portray that in my songwriting and performance. The Anthem, is such a great song of victory in what our Lord Jesus has done for us. No matter how many times I hear that song, it resounds truth and excitement within my spirit. And so, I wanted to share that with everyone who heard my album.

Hallels:  When you are not recording or promoting your own music, do you lead worship in a local church?  Besides your own music, what other songs from other worship artists do you normally include?

Leading worship is one of my absolute favorite things in the world. I do help lead worship with NewSpring Church in my home city, Greenville, SC. NewSpring writes a lot of their own worship songs that we incorporate into the worship sets as well as other popular praise/worship music at the time. I love my church!

Hallels:  For our readers who would like to purchase your new EP and/or find out more about you, where can they go?

All my music is currently on the iTunes store. Bio information and upcoming performances, as well as music can be found on my website, http://AmandaAshbyMusic.com. 

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