Asya Gashi: The Next Lady Gaga?

International Pop-Star of Positivity comes to Florida

Heather Ainsley
ECB Publishing, Inc.

The shine of a spotlight. The roar of a crowd. The thump of loud music as it reverberates out of a stage speaker. These are things every performer strives to seek, along with the pride and exhilaration of reaching their audience with their music, and becoming well known for a specific sound. While you may not yet know her sound, get ready, because singer/songwriter Asya Gashi is making her way from her hometown in Turkey and is bringing it to the U.S.A.
Asya Gashi is a song artist from Kosovo, but she currently lives and does much of her performing in Turkey. In the industry for just 5 years, this talented singer has already released six original songs, all of which she has filmed music videos for. She worked with Turkish director, Selim Akar to create the video for her latest song, Uyumadim. Her growing popularity in Turkey has encouraged her to bring her voice and talent to America, where, it has been said, she might just become the next upcoming Lady Gaga.
Asya is currently staying in Panama City, visiting friends. She originally visited in March, and, due to the Pandemic, decided to postpone her return to Turkey for a month or two, as much of Turkey is still shut down due to COVID 19. During her stay, she has visited many states, done some sightseeing and enjoyed life as a tourist. “This country is just so beautiful, it's been so nice to be a tourist for a while and see so many places.” Says Gashi.
While Gashi is currently just visiting friends, and plans to return to her home in Turkey in a month or so, her latest work-in-progress is a song called Nirvana, and she plans to release it exclusively in America, and only in English.
When asked how she would describe her music, Gashi flashed a beautiful smile. “I feel as if music itself is universal. And my music, well... all my feelings are there. I try to create a message with my music that I can convey to others through my music. In a word- it's my soul.” She went on to describe her message to her audience as being uplifting, a way for her to help change the world with positivity and encouragement.
Asya Gashi started out her performing career with acting while still in high school. A the age of 17, she took acting classes while still living in Kosovo, and this kept her content for two years before her desire to sing brought her to Turkey, and she began her singing career. “My family was shocked, at first! This industry is so hard, and they were worried for me. But when they saw me perform, saw my heart, they knew I wanted this, and how badly I wanted this.” Gashi placed her hand over her heart. “They support me every step of the way, and they are with me, always.”
Asya Gashi gets her life inspiration from Jesus, and says that she finds great inspiration for living through prayer, and in the love of the Divine. Under Jesus, her Guru, Paramahamsa Sri Vishwananda brings her comfort and inspiration when she feels down. The ideas behind her songs come from dreams and life experience. “Sometimes I'll wake up from a dream with an idea, and the more I talk it over with my manager, it grows and grows. It slowly grows until the project is done; it's like magic the way it comes together sometimes.” Gashi said.
Some songs, like her latest piece, “Uyumadim (I Couldn't Sleep)”, were inspired by experiences Asya had that impacted her. In Uyumadim, Gashi paints the story of a pop star who was cheated on while pregnant, and then suffered a great trauma. “This is a true story that I lived.” Gashi stated bravely. Her message in this song is to women world-wide. “My message with this song is just a story of the strength and power of woman. Women are not slaves of men. All the women watching the video are crying, and sending me pictures of them crying. I take this as an indication that I have reached the right conclusion in my message.”
Gashi always had a dream of being a performer. “When I was a child, I just wanted to be on stage.” As she has built upon her singing career, she reflects on her favorite part of being a musician.
“I think the best part of being a musician is being able to reach people all around the world. For people to listen to this thing you have made and for it to touch them in the way that you hoped for and more, it's very powerful; it makes me feel good. You can connect with so many people, and uplift them if they are sad, or comfort them, and bring them some positive message. It feels so good. That's my favorite part.” Gashi says.
While most people might shy away from the spotlight, Asya doesn't have much familiarity with stage fright. When asked about what the most intimidating part of her job is, she laughed, “I can be so detailed in my job. The only thing that ever worries me is just getting the details right, and trying to be professional all the time. But even those things, they aren't that bad. If I don't have something, I just have to figure out where to get it. For the most part, I'm relaxed. This isn't my job, really- this is me. I don't have any fear in the stage itself. On stage, I cannot stay calm. I'm so energetic. It comes naturally, as I am always so full of excitement to perform.”
Asya Gashi has spent the last few months traveling all over America. In a month or so, she will be returning home to Turkey to continue her musical endeavors. While she is here, she shares with us her message to all the world, and that is: “Share love. Be yourself. Do what makes you happy. That's the meaning of life.” Gashi says.