Amid a world longing for authenticity and hope, singer-songwriter Cheri Farina stands out with her heartfelt and faith-filled debut EP, Remember. Blending the personal with the eternal, Cheri draws listeners into a musical journey rooted in memory, worship, and everyday miracles. In this candid interview, she shares the stories behind her songs, reflects on God's faithfulness, and discusses the joys and struggles of creating music that resonates with both the heart and the spirit.
Your upcoming seven‑song EP, Remember, is built around themes of memory, faith, and personal stories, including triumphs and pain. How did you decide which life chapters to include, and what made Remember the perfect title for this project?
I didn’t decide ahead of time which life chapters to include—I just wrote as inspiration came. Interestingly, the idea to title the project Remember came to me before I even knew I’d be officially releasing an EP. The first couple of songs I wrote were both centered around remembering my past and what God had done in my life, so the word ‘remember’ kept coming to mind.
Later, when I decided to release a full EP of professionally produced songs, the title still felt right. Each new song I wrote kept following that same thread—reflecting on God’s goodness, nearness, and faithfulness. Whether I was writing through personal pain and struggle, or about witnessing the suffering of others, I kept coming back to the truth that God is always good and always loving.
Remember isn’t just about me looking back at what He’s done in my life—it’s about remembering His work throughout all of history, even before we existed. I believe God calls us to remember who He is and what He has done, because when we recall these things, we remain grounded in our faith and gratitude. And that shapes us. It strengthens us. It enables us to pass on His goodness to future generations.
You’ve mentioned that your husband, Mark, and your sons, Ethan (13) and Charlie (9), are among your biggest supporters. How have they influenced your creative process or inspired specific lyrics on this record?
Mark plays an important role in my creative process. He’s my husband, so I deeply value his opinion. I often run lyrics by him when I’m finishing a song, not just for grammar, but also because I’ll sometimes be torn between two ways of expressing something. I like to hear what resonates more with him. I’ll even ask my kids the same question. I always make the final call, but I value their input.
Both of my boys are incredible supporters. They’ve memorized all my songs, and it touches my heart every time. They love to tell me what they like best about each song—and what they don’t, which I appreciate, too. Their feedback has impacted my decisions. One time, I made a small lyrical change, and Charlie was so upset—he loved the original line so much. I felt good about the lyrics either way, so I ended up reverting to the original for him.
Your music touches on deeply personal experiences—from faith at age thirteen (“New Creation”) to miscarriage (“Little Baby of Mine”). Can you walk us through the emotional journey of writing “Little Baby of Mine” and how you balanced honesty with hope?
“Little Baby of Mine” is, at its core, a sad song. I started with what should have been but never came to be. I wanted the lyrics to reflect my grief honestly, while also making room for the hope I have in God’s promises.
Writing it was a deeply emotional process. I poured out my heart—the sorrow of losing a child I never got to hold—but I also shared what I know to be true: my baby is in heaven, and one day, we’ll be reunited. There’s pain in that waiting, but there’s also deep comfort in the promise of eternity.
Near the end of the song, I sing about holding my child in my heart and smiling. That line is a reminder that even here on earth, I can still find joy, simply in knowing my child existed, and that their soul is safe with Jesus. The song is a balance of lament and faith, grief and gratitude.
You wrote “Press Pause” as a motivational anthem to help you overcome doubt. When you revisit “Press Pause” now, what does it say to you, and how do you think it resonates with listeners in 2025?
I love “Press Pause”—and many people I know personally tell me it’s one of their favorites. I think new listeners will also connect with it. It’s upbeat, and the lyrics are both relatable and encouraging.
The heart of the song is about believing in yourself, trusting the desires God placed in you, and finding the courage to go after them, without letting others bring you down. We all have dreams, but stepping into them takes faith and boldness. Sometimes it means pausing the noise around you and focusing on God’s voice and His plans.
When I listen to it now or play it on my own, it still reminds me to keep going, to quiet my doubts and be, knowing that God is with me. In 2025, people feel more overwhelmed than ever, so this message of slowing down, tuning in, and moving forward with purpose feels especially timely.
You worked with songwriter Max Anliker on several singles and tapped producer Dean Miller for the Remember EP. How did those collaborations shape the sonic direction of your music, especially on tracks like “Disillusion” and “Never Alone”?
When I first started working with Max, he asked me what style I was going for and encouraged me to send over reference tracks so he could understand the sound I had in mind. I spent a lot of time listening to music and reflecting on what I wanted my sound to be, and I landed on pop.
“Disillusion” was the first song I ever had produced. I gave Max the melody on piano, shared some of my ideas, and he helped bring the vision to life. There was a lot of back and forth as we refined the track together. One moment that stands out was hearing the bass drop for the first time—it honestly made me laugh. I debated removing it, but the more I listened, the more I realized it gave the song unexpected personality. So, we kept it.
As I continued writing, I found myself gravitating toward the sweet and familiar sounds of contemporary Christian music. We began weaving that influence into the production, especially in “Life is Beautiful,” which caught the attention of Dean Miller on Instagram.
When I connected with Dean, I sent him a “work tape” of the following three songs. Like Max, he also asked for reference tracks. For “Never Alone,” I didn’t have a clear vision for the production—just a sense that it would lean towards a contemporary style. However, when the studio musicians began playing, it emerged with a slight country feel. It felt fresh, different, and I loved it.
Now that I’ve worked on several tracks in Nashville with Dean and spent time creating with Max, I’ve realized I don’t want to be tied to just one genre. I want to write and create with freedom. I’ve always loved a variety of music, and that’s starting to shape what I’m making. While most of my songs will likely reside in the pop and contemporary Christian genres, I’m excited to explore and blend in other influences as well.
Recording three tracks at Ocean Way Nashville was a dream come true. You described taking a moment to soak it all in—what was the most striking thing you felt in that studio environment?
I love this question, though it’s hard to put into words. Being at Ocean Way was incredibly emotional for me. The most striking feeling was this deep awareness that I was good enough—and that God had led me to that moment.
I felt completely honored, humbled, and overwhelmed with gratitude. These were my songs—songs I had only recently begun writing—and yet I was surrounded by some of the best musicians in the world. Knowing they were pouring their talent and heart into my music was surreal.
Working with Dean Miller, Rory Rositas (his sound engineer), and the studio musicians was one of the most exciting and nerve-wracking experiences of my life. I’ll never forget it.
Your first-ever music video for “You’re the One” premiered just recently. What was the most rewarding or surprising part of that visual storytelling experience—and how does the video deepen the song’s message?
One of the most rewarding moments was during filming, when the natural light turned out to be stunning. It had been raining intermittently throughout the day, and we were hoping the weather would clear in time. Amazingly, it did. The skies opened up right when we needed them to, and the lighting was incredible. The director, Will Gawley, told me that to recreate that kind of light artificially would cost over $30,000—but then he looked at me and said, “But God gave it to you for free.” I remember putting my hand over my heart, just overwhelmed by God’s love and provision in that moment.
Later, Will shared that he felt the Holy Spirit guiding him as he edited the video, especially when combining the clips of God’s creation with the footage of me singing. That was so affirming to hear. It reminded me that God wasn’t just working in and through me as I wrote and recorded the song—He was working through every person involved in bringing the visual side to life. It made the entire process feel even more sacred. Knowing His hand was in every part of it continues to give me confidence in what I’m doing as a recording artist.
As for how the video deepens the message, it invites people to engage with the song on a more emotional and personal level. It’s one thing to hear lyrics about God’s faithfulness, but when you see the joy on my face and the beauty of His creation, it opens up another layer of connection. The images of nature highlight God’s power and majesty, and the lyrics remind us that the same God who created all of that also loves us, knows us, and is mindful of us.
“You’re the One” landed in the Top 100 of the 2025 USA Christian Songwriting Competition. What did that recognition mean to you, and did it impact how you view your growth as a songwriter?
I was thrilled to be included in the Top 100. That recognition was both affirming and deeply encouraging. It reminded me that my songwriting is connecting with people, and that means a great deal. It also gave me confidence to keep stretching myself creatively and to trust that what I’m sharing matters. Recognition like that doesn’t define my worth, but it’s showing me how far I’ve come and how I’m continuing to grow as a songwriter.
I pray often about my music career, and I had high hopes for “You’re the One.” When I received the email with the news, it felt like the Lord was affirming and encouraging me as a songwriter. The message from the competition said I had been “seen, heard, and understood,” and that the judges had worshiped my song. That part brought me so much joy.
That’s the goal for me—to draw people closer to God. So, knowing the song touched others in that way made me feel incredibly honored and fulfilled. It’s another beautiful reminder that when we offer our gifts to God, He can use them far beyond what we imagine.
Your latest single, “Never Alone,” was released June 13, 2025, on Apple Music. How does it connect with listeners going through loneliness or hardship, and what do you hope they take away from it?
“Never Alone” is available on all major streaming platforms, and it’s a song that resonates with the moments we all face—when life is challenging and we feel overwhelmed.
What I want listeners to know is that no matter what they’re facing, they’re never truly alone in their struggles or pain. God makes it clear in His Word that He is with us and for us. People may let us down—and they will, because we’re all human—but God never does. He remains faithful. He doesn’t walk away.
My prayer is that this song brings comfort, hope, and encouragement to anyone navigating a difficult season. I want it to remind them that God is right there with them. He sees, cares, and will never leave their side.
Your fans have been vocal, especially around “I Will Love You,” which received a heartfelt response on Instagram. How do these interactions fuel your creativity or shape your plans moving forward?
I was encouraged by the response to “I Will Love You.” It affirmed something I’ve been feeling—that I’m not only called to create worship and faith-based songs, but also songs that speak to other areas of life in an honest and heartfelt way.
This song is about love and commitment in marriage—something deeply rooted in biblical principles, even if the lyrics aren’t explicitly spiritual. It’s relatable, genuine, and catchy. I’ve found it resonates with a wide audience, including people who may not share my faith. When I’m talking to someone who isn’t a Christian, “I Will Love You” is often the first song I encourage them to listen to.
Moving forward, I aim to write more songs like this—songs that reflect the heart of a believer while also resonating with universal human experiences. I think music like this opens doors. It’s a way to connect, plant seeds, and reflect God’s love in everyday moments. The fan feedback on this song reminded me that there’s beauty and purpose in writing from a place of authenticity, even when the message isn’t overtly spiritual.
You’ve said the EP communicates “it’s never too late to chase your dreams,” and you’ve charmed fans with your authenticity. What one message do you most want people to remember after listening to Remember?
While Remember is, for me personally, a reminder that it’s never too late to chase your dreams, that’s not the main message I’m trying to convey through the songs themselves. The heart of this project is about remembering who God is and what He’s done—in my life, in the lives of those around me, and throughout all of history.
The theme of chasing dreams is part of my story, but the music speaks to something deeper that I hope others can connect with in their own journeys. The message I want people to walk away with is this: we are deeply loved and fully known by the God of the universe, and He is always with us.
As a Christian, that’s something I need to remember daily. And for anyone who may not yet believe—or is still seeking—I hope these songs plant a seed that opens their heart to that truth.
Looking ahead, do you have plans to tour, create more videos, or collaborate with other artists, such as Max Anliker or others in the Christian music space?
Not yet, but I’d love to tour in the future. I’m planning to perform live shows later this year, which I’m looking forward to. I’m also planning to collaborate with Max Anliker again, and I’d love the opportunity to work with another Christian artist on a song. Creating with others who share the same heart for ministry and music is something I look forward to.
How can we pray for you?
Thank you so much for asking. I’d love a prayer that gives thanks to God for all He’s already done through my music. And I’d appreciate prayers that He would continue to bless and grow this ministry, to further His kingdom and bring Him glory in everything I create and share. I also pray that the songs I write would bless and encourage many, pointing hearts toward the hope and love found in Him.
Paul Phillips is a Canadian journalist with 20 years of experience writing and editing digital and print content. He specializes in health, fitness, nutrition, and travel. He loves music, movies, and, of course, living for Jesus. OpenAI's ChatGPT provided some assistance with this article.
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