The artist AŸA (Avia Shoshani) is an independent creator based in Berlin for the last 4 years. Half Maroccan, half Yemen, she moved from a little town in the desert of Israel/Palestine to the huge and colorful city of Berlin to find her voice as a Jewish-Arab woman in modern society. “I had many different reasons and complications to move away but always had the need to get to know more and more artists, to keep creating meaningful and honest content that maybe one day will influence or touched others, will give hope or inspiration.”, the female singer says.
And that’s exactly what her music art is expressing. It touches, gives hope and is healing when hearing AŸA’s soft, yet so powerful voice. We talked about her inspiration in becoming an artist, what fuels her creativity, her biggest challenge and how we can support her as an artist in these days. Check out her beautiful music and videos!
FEMPRENEUR Interview with artist AŸA
What inspired you to become an artist?
Trying to get back to the first strong memory that inspired me, I remember me as the youngest child in 5 siblings family.
Watching my older sister sing and perform in front of people anywhere we would go, it would make you feel fascinated by what she has to say using her voice to transport feelings.
My tool to translate what’s on my mind is definitely art – and the more I do it, the more it makes me happy.
Another inspiration was my father. He wasn’t a good father to me, but he sang like an oriental flute player, traveling in between notes so easily, in his taxi with one hand holding a cigarette and the wheel and the other one is out of the window catching some wind.
Over the years I feel that my tool to communicate and influence, to translate what’s on my mind is definitely art, and the more I do it, the more it makes me happy.
What is your art about and what fuels your creativity?
My art is about my journey. Since I was very young I was struggling with the whole concept of feeling at home, I’m still looking for one, physically and mentally.
Sometimes I feel I’m very close to the feeling but then I betray and convince myself I don’t need one, cuz I’m actually a nomad.
My art is about me seeking a home in relationships, in different beds, and on roads.
It’s about my own perspective and how I see situations with my own eyes, I understand that the only way for me to win the right people’s hearts, the right people for me if I will open up, tell my truth, and won’t try to satisfy any ear.
I’m inspired by landscapes, the rain smell, and other people’s stories.
I’m inspired by landscapes, the rain smell, and other people’s stories.
Driving and moving, in general, make me go look directly for a piece of paper.
And honestly, although I’ve spent so much time with myself for so many years, I’m still never prepared for the moment the muse is appearing, just like my period.
What was your biggest challenge?
Since my life and my creation are very connected to each other and I really can’t see a single day in my life pass without me planning or creating or thinking loudly, I feel like my biggest challenge was and still is to learn how to separate life and work, and how to enjoy moments of silence.
Especially now, during this hard time, I find myself running around like crazy, trying to bring some meaning to my existence.
I feel like my biggest challenge is to learn how to separate life and work, and how to enjoy moments of silence.
It’s very hard for me to chill, to relax, to take a day off, to treat myself better, sometimes my body gives me so many signs but I’m still distracted with work.
And when I say work, it doesn’t mean that money is involved, it’s just me doing something, anything.
Just so I won’t confront with myself, with my fears and thoughts.
I still didn’t manage to go through this challenge but I do push myself to get help, to speak about it out loud, and reflect outside the situation I’m in.
It’s very hard and frustrating, sometimes I feel not understood, but when you find this one person to talk to, everything already seems brighter.
How can we support you?
Every little attention these days feels likes a whole new world for me.
I started to release my debut album in Aug 2020 and if you feel like it, you can check my music out on Spotify or watch my videos on Youtube.
Every little attention these days feels likes a whole new world for me.
Much more to come: At the beginning of next month, I will release a lullaby I made for my Mother, that I didn’t meet for the last 18 months.
Right after 20-21/03 I will stream an online festival I created for Females and Femme identity with my partner Kristine Bogan.
And right after my performance with Tim Kriegler at “Cirque de Demain” by “Arte” France will be launched.
So I’m definitely super excited and I can’t wait to share it with the world.
If you found it interesting, Just follow me on Instagram: @aya.loveu
I’m updating everything there on daily basis, DM me and we will keep you updated!
Title photo by Elisa Daniel | other photos by Ryan Tandaya
