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Audrey Assad

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Audrey Assad
Audrey Assad in 2013
Audrey Assad in 2013
Background information
OriginSecaucus, New Jersey, U.S.[1]
GenresContemporary Christian music
Instrument(s)Vocals, piano
Years active2002–present
LabelsSparrow Records, Fortunate Fall
Websiteaudreyassad.com

Audrey Assad is an American singer-songwriter and contemporary Christian music artist. She has released six studio albums and four EPs.

Early life

Audrey Assad's mother was from Virginia and her father is an Arab-American of Syrian descent.[2][3] She was raised Protestant, as part of the Plymouth Brethren denomination.[4][5]

Assad started playing the piano at age two, and spent her youth moving around New Jersey before settling in Scotch Plains from ages 7 to 18.[5][6][7]

Music career

Her debut album, The House You're Building, was released through Sparrow Records in July 2010 and went on to be named on Amazon.com's list of Best Christian Music of 2010,[8][9] as well as the Christian and Gospel Breakthrough Album of the Year on iTunes.[10] She has worked and toured with other CCM artists such as Chris Tomlin,[11] Tenth Avenue North, Matt Maher and Jars of Clay.[12][13] In 2018, she released Evergreen.

Early career in Florida

In 2002, when Assad was 18, her family moved to Florida and she spent the next six years there.[14][15][16] At 19, she briefly attended college and supported herself with odd jobs while beginning her musical career, writing and composing songs for the first time. Assad spent the next five years playing at various venues, performing original songs and covers. Venues ranged from restaurants, weddings, and coffee shops to leading and organizing worship concerts at church.[5][17] In 2003, Assad recorded a four-song demo[14] with Drew Middleton, a member of the CCM band Tenth Avenue North at the time. Assad toured with the band occasionally during that time.[16][17]

Nashville and the Firefly EP

In 2008 when Assad was 24, she decided to move to Nashville, Tennessee to continue and focus on her music career. She raised $7,000 from friends and fans to support her move from Florida.[5][18] In Nashville, she worked with producers Paul Moak and Phillip LaRue and recorded a five-song EP, Firefly, which sold at shows and featured a handwritten cover made of a brown paper bag.[14][17] She supported herself by working as a nanny before meeting fellow Catholic musician Matt Maher. Maher took Assad under his wing and brought her to various gigs, where she sang back-up vocals and played sets during his shows. The time they spent together around Maher's home base of Phoenix, Arizona, would later prompt Assad to move there from Nashville.[14] During this time, Assad also signed on to work as a staff writer for EMI Christian Music Group Publishing, doing songwriting work with other artists.[5][19]

Sparrow Records

In 2009, Assad signed with Sparrow Records, who had been talking to Assad after the release of her EP.[15] For her first album, Assad then met and played for producer Marshall Altman, who eventually agreed to produce what would become The House You're Building. Altman and Assad recorded the album at the Galt Line Studio in Los Angeles.[14] The House You're Building was released on July 13, 2010, and the title track was featured as a free download on iTunes Discovery Download. The album performed well commercially and critically, going on to become the Amazon.com's "Best Album of 2010" in the Christian Music category, as well as being the best selling new artist in the Christian Music category of 2010 according to SoundScan. The album reached No. 12 on the Billboard Christian Albums chart and No. 6 on its Heatseekers chart.[20]

Her second album, Heart, was released on February 14, 2012.[21] The album sold 7,300 units in its debut week, an increase of 185 percent over her previous album, and reached No. 18 on the overall iTunes chart.[22][23] For the most part, the new album was a further development of the ″piano-driven style and lyrical depth″ that The House You're Building had shown.[24] The track "Sparrow", was released as a single, and similarly did well.[citation needed] "Sparrow" was based on the classic gospel hymn, "His Eye Is on the Sparrow", which Assad said she loved seeing and hearing in Sister Act 2 when she was young.[25]

Fortunate Fall Records

Wanting to steer her music closer to liturgical and worship music and attracted by the economic advantages of independent production, Audrey Assad parted ways with Sparrow Records "on good terms".[26] Assad ran a Kickstarter campaign with the help of her husband that reached double its goal by its finish on April 15, 2013.[27] The proceeds paid for Assad's third studio album, Fortunate Fall, which Assad produced herself under the name "Fortunate Fall Records", as well as a live concert EP, O Happy Fault, and a film of the concert.

Assad released her second independent album, Inheritance, on February 12, 2016. Besides two original songs, both co-written with Matt Maher, the rest of the album contains new renditions of traditional church hymns such as "Holy, Holy, Holy" and "Be Thou My Vision," as well as a new rendition of the Latin-language hymn "Ubi caritas." "Holy, Holy, Holy" saw radio airplay after its release as a single on March 15, 2016.[28] On July 10, 2017, Assad announced via her Twitter page that she was recording her first album of original material since Fortunate Fall, indicating a release in February 2018.[29] The album, Evergreen, became available for pre-order via PledgeMusic, with 5 percent of campaign proceeds going towards Preemptive Love Coalition.[30][31]

Musical style and themes

Assad grew up in a religious household but listened to secular music through her mother's influence, including The Carpenters, James Taylor and Celine Dion, as well as to French and Middle Eastern music through her dad's influence.[16] Later, she discovered and began listening to Christian music, such as Newsboys, Nichole Nordeman and Cindy Morgan.[12][4] She began using her piano talents at 19, when she led worship[14] and began writing and performing her own music. Assad played in local Florida venues with a style she described as folky and "average girl with a guitar/piano stuff".[5] The Firefly EP that she recorded with Paul Moak was also described as folky and rootsy.

Her current style is a mix of religious and non-religious themed songs that draw from her Catholic faith as well as from her love of literature and poetry.[4][7][14] A majority of her religious songs are written in a way that emphasizes being sung to God rather than about God.[12][16][32]

Personal life

Assad was raised in a Protestant religious household; she reconfirmed her faith at the age of 19.[13][4] Assad converted to Catholicism in 2007 in Florida.[33][34]

Assad met her future partner in Arizona while on tour with Matt Maher in 2008; the couple married on February 19, 2011 in Phoenix. In October 2017, Assad gave birth to their second child, a daughter named Camila St. Clare.[35]

Assad has spoken in public about pornography and masturbation, including in her concerts,[36] and in discussing her own past addiction to these while recommending "confession, accountability and counseling" to overcome them.[37]

In July 2019, Assad announced that she and her husband had begun divorce proceedings.[38][39]

Discography

Albums

Extended plays

  • Firefly (2008)
  • For Love of You (Sparrow Records, 2010) (Digital)
  • O Happy Fault(Fortunate Fall Records, March 18, 2014) (Soundtrack of the film. 5 of these 6 live songs are from Fortunate Fall.)
  • Death Be Not Proud (Fortunate Fall Records, May 20, 2014) (5 unique songs.)

Singles

The following are peak position on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart:[40]

  • "Winter Snow", featuring Chris Tomlin, peaked at number 14, on January 8, 2010
  • "For the Love of You", peaked at number 25, on June 11, 2010; and
  • "Restless", peaked at number 31, on January 14, 2011.

In addition:

  • "Lord, I Need You" from Matt Maher, featuring Audrey Assad,[41] peaked at number 4, on October 26, 2013.[42]

References

  1. ^ "The Fortunate Faith of Audrey Assad". The Catholic World Report. November 5, 2013. Retrieved February 16, 2020.
  2. ^ "Audrey Assad serves as a musician and an advocate for refugees". National Catholic Reporter. April 7, 2017. Retrieved February 16, 2020.
  3. ^ "Audrey Assad: Building bridges between Catholic and Protestant – Audrey Assad". crossrhythms.co.uk. Retrieved February 16, 2020.
  4. ^ a b c d Lurwick, Bill; Assad, Audrey (November 23, 2010). "Audrey Assad: Brick by Brick". NewReleaseToday.com. Boise, ID. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Amos, Evan & Assad, Audrey (June 30, 2011). "Audrey Assad interview". Retrieved July 19, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ Flores, Raúl A. "For openers", San Antonio Express-News, September 11, 2009. Retrieved July 21, 2011. "Audrey Assad Young new artist from Scotch Plains NJ weaves her melodic voice with keyboard acoustics and lyrics that explore faith through music."
  7. ^ a b Griffith, Wendy (July 7, 2010). "Audrey Assad Explores Faith Walk in New Album". CBN. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  8. ^ Amazon Staff (2010). "Best Music of 2010: The Best Christian Music... [List]". Seattle, WA. Retrieved January 7, 2020. 27. The House You're Building—Audrey Assad
  9. ^ The following source cites this same Amazon list, but misstates it as an apparent award rather than an entry on a list. See Atwell, Billy (January 17, 2011). "iTunes and Amazon recognize Catholic musician, Audrey Assad". Catholic Online. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  10. ^ See Atwell, Billy (January 17, 2011), op. cit.
  11. ^ MWN Staff & Assad, Audrey (March 3, 2010). "Interview with Audrey Assad". MeninWorshipNetwork.com. Retrieved July 19, 2011.[permanent dead link]
  12. ^ a b c Carter, R.J. (June 25, 2010). "Audrey Assad: Heaven is Breaking Through". The Trades. Archived from the original on April 4, 2012. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  13. ^ a b Rea, Rose. "Audrey Assad interview". Radiant. Archived from the original on August 11, 2011. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g NRTeam Admin (November 11, 2011). "Audrey Assad Artist Profile". NewReleaseToday.com. Boise, ID. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  15. ^ a b Monger, James Christopher. "Allmusic profile". AllMusic. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  16. ^ a b c d Rose, Jen & Assad, Audrey (July 10, 2010). "Audrey Assad: Building Something Special". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved July 19, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  17. ^ a b c Moore, C.E. & Assad, A. (July 8, 2010). "Talkback with C. E. Moore: Sparrow Records recording artist Audrey Assad". TCM. Retrieved July 19, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)[permanent dead link]
  18. ^ Murphy, Jenna (August 24, 2010). "A Songstress for the Soul: Part II". Salt + Light. Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  19. ^ "Angst, Art, and Songwriting With the Incredibly Talented Audrey Assad". Nashville Christian Songwriters. June 3, 2017. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
  20. ^ "The House You're Building – Audrey Assad | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic.
  21. ^ "Ahead of the Curve: Weekly Pop Culture Calendar". CNN. February 13, 2012. Retrieved January 7, 2020. Tuesday... 'Heart' by Audrey Assad.
  22. ^ Van Pelt, Doug. "Audrey Assad gets five-star reviews". HM. Archived from the original on January 25, 2013. Retrieved February 25, 2012.
  23. ^ UCN Staff (February 23, 2012). "Audrey Assad's Heart Receives Rave Reviews, Highest Sales". Urban Christian News. Archived from the original on June 25, 2012. Retrieved February 25, 2012.
  24. ^ Carpenter, Chris (February 14, 2012). "Heart by Audrey Assad". Christian Broadcasting Network. Retrieved January 21, 2013.
  25. ^ Goodwin, Hannah (October 16, 2013). "Audrey Assad speaks to the Heart". Christian Broadcasting Network. Retrieved March 3, 2015.
  26. ^ Stafford, Patrick (April 2, 2013). "Audrey Assad Shifts Gears". Christianity Today. Retrieved March 3, 2015.
  27. ^ "Audrey Assad's First Indie Record". Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  28. ^ Hoganson Media Relations (March 15, 2016). "Audrey Assad's "Holy, Holy, Holy" Hits Radio Today". NewReleaseToday.com. Boise, ID. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  29. ^ Assad, Audrey (July 10, 2017). "Evergreen will be my first full record of all original material in four years, coming to you in Feb. 2018 :)".[non-primary source needed]
  30. ^ "Audrey Assad: Evergreen: New Album From Audrey Assad on PledgeMusic". January 20, 2018. Archived from the original on January 20, 2018.
  31. ^ Morris, Jessica (December 16, 2018). "Audrey Assad talks about her deconstruction of faith". JesusWired.com.
  32. ^ "StackPath". ccmmagazine.com. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
  33. ^ Rossi, Toni (July 28, 2010). "God Has Been a Relentless Pursuer of My Heart". Patheos. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  34. ^ "Interview with Audrey Assad: Deconverting from Certainty". Pete Enns. April 30, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
  35. ^ [1], October 20, 2017. Retrieved October 26, 2017.
  36. ^ Schmitt, Brad (December 11, 2016). "Christian artist talks about her porn addiction at her shows". USA Today. Retrieved June 5, 2017.
  37. ^ Gould, Sarah (November 30, 2014). "Women's Pornography, Really?". Dynamic Women of Faith. Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. Retrieved January 7, 2020.. This article first appeared in the author's blog, in November 2013. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  38. ^ [2], July 29, 2019. Retrieved July 29, 2019.
  39. ^ "Audrey Assad: Building bridges between Catholic and Protestant – Audrey Assad". crossrhythms.co.uk. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
  40. ^ Billboard Staff (January 20, 2020). "Chart History—Audrey Assad, Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved January 7, 2020. Billboard 200... 0 No. 1 Hits |0 Top 10 Hit |3 Songs... Winter Snow/Audrey Assad Featuring Chris Tomlin—Peaked at No. 14 on August 1, 2010 / 5 weeks on Chart; For Love of You/Audrey Assad—Peaked at No. 25 on November 6, 2010 / 9 weeks on Chart; Restless/Audrey Assad—Peaked at No. 31 on January 14, 2011 / 17 weeks on Chart.
  41. ^ "Lord I Need You (feat. Audrey Assad) by Matt Maher". K-Love. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
  42. ^ "Matt Maher Lord, I Need You Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved February 26, 2019.

Further reading

  • Billboard Staff (January 20, 2020). "Chart History—Audrey Assad, Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved January 7, 2020. Billboard 200... 0 No. 1 Hits |0 Top 10 Hit |4 Songs... Inheritance/Audrey Assad—Peaked at No. 81 on April 3, 2016 / 1 weeks on Chart; Heart/Audrey Assad—Peaked at No. 86 on February 3, 2012 / 1 weeks on Chart; The House You're Building/Audrey Assad—Peaked at No. 154 on April 2, 2011 / 1 weeks on Chart; Fortunate Fall/Audrey Assad—Peaked at No. 190 on August 30, 2013 / 1 weeks on Chart. As quoted, notes four songs to break Billboard 200 as of January 2020.
  • Fradd, Matt & Assad, Audrey (November 15, 2013). "My Interview with Audrey Assad on Female Porn Addiction". MattFrad.com.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) Interview by a Catholic apologist that is referenced in the subject-related sources appearing.
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