If you're familiar with Christian radio, you've heard Hillsong UNITED. They're the band worship behind songs like "Oceans," "Touch The Sky," and "Another In The Fire." You might know their songs, but perhaps you don't know the voice who sings them. Beloved singer/songwriter Taya Gaukrodger is the incredible voice behind many of Hillsong UNITED's songs.
Although Taya is still making music and touring with UNITED, she knew that it was time to start writing music of her own. So this year, she launched what she's calling, "the TAYA project." On May 27, she released her debut self-titled 14-track album, which features her new radio single, "For All My Life."
I know that this project is going to bless so many. Whether you're new to the faith or have been following Jesus for years, Taya's collection of songs will certainly inspire you. I recently interviewed Taya about her new project. (If you want to watch the video version of our conversation, click here.)
Recently, you branched out from Hillsong UNITED to release a solo project under your own name. What has this journey been like for you?
For the first six months of 2020, we decided to focus on the TAYA project. During that time, I said to God, "I need you to give me a word for this project because I have no idea what I'm doing. I don't even know how to finish a song with other people. I'm going to need a God word."
And He was so kind. During our last gathering as a church before COVID hit--our women's conference--I had a few of my closest friends pray for me because they knew that this project was coming up, and they knew that I wanted a word from God.
During the conference, there was a moment when fellow artist Brooke Ligertwood played the keys. It was a beautiful moment where I could feel the presence of God. We gave out gifts at the conference, and one of the gifts was an eye mask. I wore it (and I probably looked like an idiot because I wore it for 20 minutes), because I said to God, "I don't want to be distracted. I really need a word. Please speak to me. I'm not going to take this off until you do. I'm just going to wait here." I wish what He spoke to me was audible. But instead, His response was more like an impression.
I felt like God said that this project was to be like honey: sweet, palatable, and easy to digest. Meaning it's not to be confusing. I'm not really a wordsmith. I'm simple. It'd be weird if I tried for me to do something that I'm not good at. In the same way, as this album is listened to and digested, perhaps it would heal things on the inside. Maybe even wounds that people didn't know about or wounds that need attention.
I knew this metaphor with honey wasn't a song title or the name of the album. We called the project TAYA because it felt like the easiest way to make a clear cut that this isn't a UNITED album. This is TAYA, my own expression and melodies of who Jesus is to me. The metaphor of honey was just for me to keep going back to.
What's the takeaway message that you hope people will gain from the TAYA project?
This has been one of the most stretching things that I've ever been a part of. The process of "stretching" is not a one-time thing once you come to Jesus. It's an everyday thing, laying down your life and saying, "God, have your way. What do you want from me today? I'm here to respond to you." I liken it to Romans 12:1 (in The Message translation), which is my life verse. It says, "Take your everyday, ordinary life--your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life--and place it before God as an offering."
That's what this whole project is about. I felt like it was a God thing, and I'm being obedient to what He's saying. I pray that this project would encourage other people. If God could use a donkey, He can use me. If we ask God to speak and give us direction, He will if we make the space to listen. The Bible says that when we seek God with all our hearts, we will find Him. He's not hiding, so I pray that this album would be like honey for people.
Your album's first single, "For All My Life," has caught the attention of radio stations across the country. What's the story behind that song?
"For All My Life" is a song of joy. I'm thankful for God's timing with that song because it's been a heavy time in our local church community. But I'm grateful for a song of joy that says, "I'm not going to lean on my own understanding, but in all my ways, I'm going to trust in You, God, and I'm going to believe that Your yoke is easy and Your burden is light."
The song came to me on the last day of writing for this album. I wrote most of the record on Zoom. But then I had the opportunity to visit America and finish the project in person. We went to Nashville for a month. And, for the first three weeks, we wrote. Then the last week was production, which means we tried to record everything we had.
Then--classic Jesus, at the eleventh hour--God gives us "For All My Life." I wrote it with my producer Jon Guerra and Hank Bentley, who also co-produced the track. We had an honest conversation about how following Jesus had brought me up to this moment.
Jon brought the initial idea of basing the song on Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV), which is where Jesus gives us the invitation, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
A yoke is an instrument--a collar--that you put on cows or horses to plow the fields and make them ready for harvest. A yoke was something that would bring two animals together, which would mean that it wouldn't be as heavy for them. They would walk side-by-side, and carry the load together.
This is a great illustration because that's what God says to us. We don't have a God that says, "Good luck. Figure this life out yourself." Instead--as it says in The Message translation of that verse--Jesus says, "Walk with me and work with me--watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." It's an invitation to come together.
After we wrote the chorus, we realized that this is my testimony put to song. It's all based on scripture, including Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight." That has been my testimony.
My testimony has been placing my life before God, even if it looks like--at various times--pieces of my life. I've watched, and I know that God is a God who redeems. He's the one who restores, and when I place my life before Him, He does far more than I could ever ask, think, or imagine.
I'm stoked that this song is based on scripture. We believe that the Word of God is powerful, active, and living. I pray that as people sing this song, they would find encouragement for the season that they're in. I also pray that this song would be an encouragement to people who are new to walking with Jesus, and maybe they could borrow my faith if they're waning in theirs.
The last two years have been taxing for many people, so I pray that this song would blast joy and hope into people's homes and cars or wherever it is that they're listening.
What's next for you? After you release this album, do you have plans to release more music under your solo project in the future?
Absolutely. I feel it's such a gift to be able to pen songs in my own words and with my own melodies that reflect who Jesus is to me. I've stood in other people's songs for many years, so it's a delight to try and remember my own lyrics. I'm grateful for that.
I'm just here to be obedient. The Lord has surprised me in every moment of my life, so who am I to doubt Him or listen to my fears? God has been so kind. He's never led me astray. I just need to continue being obedient. If He says to make another album, I will say yes.
I'm sure I'll still have fear and trembling and say, "Lord, you know me and everything that it cost to get to this moment, but I'm going to trust you again." Who knows? Maybe I'll be listening to "For All My Life" as I head into that season, and God will be saying, "Remember when you sang this?"
How can we be praying for you during this new season of your life?
Pray that I would continue to see Jesus and that I will continue to look to Him. Because when I see Him, everything else that doesn't matter fades. It's like that old hymn, "Turn your eyes upon Jesus/Look full in His wonderful face/And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace." It's going to be a wild time when we finally get to see Jesus eye-to-eye--when we get to see the eyes that have seen everything, and yet He still loves us and calls us His own.
We have so much noise and chaos in our lives. And if we're all distracted and not looking at Jesus, the things that don't matter will creep into our lives. I just want to be obedient, and I just want to do what He wants me to be doing. I want to be about my Father's business.
There are moments when I think, "Take us home, God. We suck, we need you." But we're meant to bring as many people as possible onto this journey of walking with Jesus until we get to behold Him and see His face. I pray that I would be able to see Him, and the things that don't matter would fall away.
Grace Chaves has been a fan of all things Christian music since 2016. She is NRT's news editor, and one of NRT's youngest writers. Homeschooled, Grace is an author, loves Jesus, concerts, and road trips.
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