Aja

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Aja is a vocal songstylist/actress born and still residing in the small Minnesota town of Cottage Grove.  Despite the small-town vibe, she was emmersed in music growing up, as her father was a bassist, and she has loved to dance, sing, act, write and make poetry ever since she can remember.  Aja got her start singing at Minnesota sporting events at age 5, and since then, music has taken her on a journey across America; She has performed for everyone from the First Lady and Colin Powell to Elizabeth Dole. With five jobs (yes, that’s right! 5 jobs), as well as her artistic endeavors, she is arguably the hardest working lady in the Twin Cities!  She is classically trained from the University of Minnesota and can sing Opera in three different languages.  Aja says that classical music has played a big role in her life, but she doesn’t like to limit herself to that one genre, enjoying Jazz, Pop, R&B and Blues, as well. We sat down with Aja after a photoshoot to ask her some questions about her art, inspiration and love for Orbit gum.

B FRESH: How long have you lived in the Twin Cities?
Aja: I was born and raised here. I grew up in the ‘burbs so I had a quiet childhood. I think all those squirrels and birds and ability to see the stars at night kind of stuff let me really tune into my inner artist throughout the years.

BF: Aja Interesting Facts?:

I love shoes! My mother taught me and my older sisters to always match your purse with your shoes and to have matching undergarments, just in case. I love reading psychology books and adore the color Orange.
I am obsessed with Orbit gum. I always have a minimum of 5 packs of Orbit gum in my purse. I think it’s the commercials.

BF: Can you describe to readers what you do? It sounds like you do so much.
A: I’m predominantly a singer, or song stylist rather . I sing, act, write poetry, dance an occasional dance, and Facepaint in the summer. I also teach voice lessons.

BF: When you were little, what did you dream of? How has your journey to where you are currently connected with these dreams?
A: Since I was little, I’ve wanted to do nothing more than music. To learn things in school I would often put them to music such as colors, days of the week, etc. to learn them faster. I was a goofy kid, but I think I am finally coming into myself. I have always done music but God didn’t give me the go-ahead until I was absolutely ready…

BF: How would you describe your work, what you do, and your musical sound?
A: I see the art in everything around it and put it in my music that I write and covers that I seek to sing. I do a lot of covers because I am inspired by music from the 50s, 60s, and 70s. Now since I have started really recording my own stuff, I have noticed how much those have influenced me. Music is my vehicle for emotion. I don’t think I will ever be put in just one category of music. I draw from the people I meet, the food I eat, the love I feel sometimes fake and sometimes real.

BF:  How do you balance all of these things you do?
A: I try to find things that all contain music or involve music somehow.

BF: What inspires you?
A: The things that inspire me are the random music I hear, sounds around me, and the people I encounter. I often find myself expressing myself through music more easily than I can with regular conversation. I may feel something for one person that opens up the door to my creative mind and one emotion can turn into a four minute song…

BF: Are there any places you frequent, or things that you do that you can ONLY do in the Twin Cities?
A: I frequently go to the Blue Nile. I love that place. I don’t much travel as much as I used to but I haven’t seen many open mics with a live band and such popularity. I love working with Des and Kevin. We are the only place aside from New York that has some kind of arts everywhere you turn.

BF: What are some bragging points for you while living in the Twin Cities?
A: I was recently in the TOO BIG FOR MY SKIN video, a video laid over a piece Desdamona wrote. In 2002, I got to sing the National Anthem for a very well populated Monster truck Rally, I’ve performed at some festivals during the summer with my Fathers band, Urban Cadence, and have been on cable access I think for the past 9 months or so [laughs]. I was also in two operas with the Minnesota Opera chorus and that’s probably it.

BF: That’s fantastic! So, what are your plans for 2010? Any new projects? What should we expect from Aja?
A: Right now my life is one big music project. I am collaborating with Carnage on some music, both for myself and for an album he has coming up. My website is being built and I had a photoshoot with one of the best photographers in the twin Cities, B Fresh. I have about 12 songs and 25 pieces written and want to copyright them all and get them out this summer. Stay tuned!

BF: What piece of advice do you have for people?
A: My advice to anyone is love and be happy. Just open your heart to new experiences. One of the things that has kept me sane through years of trials is keeping a smile on my face and always laughing. You never know when someone might be gone so share your joy and love with everyone you encounter. I’ve always taken one thing from each person I’ve met so that would be another piece of advice I would give as well. Learn from others and appreciate, don’t block out their wisdom and try to hate. Love, laugh, smile, eat Orbit Gum [laughs].

BF: Anything else you would like to say?
A: I love collab-ing with various artists so if anyone out there wants a little something different on their project, hit me up! I read music and have a really good ear so I’m a good addition to projects!

BF: Any shout outs?
A: I need to give a shout out to Carnage because he taught me a lot and helped me come out of my classical music shell. He helped me get immersed into the hip-hop scene and learn more about it. Desdamona is my lyrical idol! She is amazing! My mother and father, for their support and for allowing me to be creative. I want to shout out everyone who supports me in what I do or has been touched by my music! Thanks!

Contact Aja here aja.darrah@gmail.com and listen to more of Aja’s musical stylings here: Myspace, YouTube, Facebook