Tania G

Following God\'s call on your life can be a curious thing. The success-driven expectations of this world we live in have written the book on how to be popular, how to be noticed, how to achieve more than the person next door. How appropriate, then, that according to God\'s way of doing things, the best thing we can do is to lay it all down. \"It always begins with surrender,\" says Tania, reflecti...

Following God\'s call on your life can be a curious thing. The success-driven expectations of this world we live in have written the book on how to be popular, how to be noticed, how to achieve more than the person next door. How appropriate, then, that according to God\'s way of doing things, the best thing we can do is to lay it all down. \"It always begins with surrender,\" says Tania, reflecting on the inspiration behind the title track on her latest release, Lay It All Down . \"This song is the basis for the whole theme of the album and a significant part of my life at the moment. It was written at a time when I felt so overwhelmed by what was ahead of me that I felt as if I was carrying a load which was wearing me down. When I finally realized that I needed to let it go, I was able to sense God\'s presence in my life once again.\" Tania is no stranger to church music. Growing up literally in the church choir (\"We weren\'t allowed to miss one week!\"), Tania\'s whole family experienced a spiritual renewal when she was 17. With a voice that sits comfortably alongside Mariah and Whitney, she has since sung throughout Australia, led worship with Victoria Youth Alive for 7 years, as well as countless appearances on national television programs such as Good Morning Australia and as a session singer on Starstruck. However, it was in 2001 that Tania began to discover her voice creatively, releasing a self titled EP, and following it 2 years later with her debut album, What Really Matters. The experiences gained in these two early recordings provided a solid foundation for Tania\'s latest offering, Lay It All Down . \"On this new album, I had the opportunity to write and produce with some amazing people. It was an incredible experience, but it also forced me out of my comfort zone, both as a singer and a writer.\" Sharing the writing duties between her regular partner-in-crime Selina Mok, and Humber Records\' Jared Haschek, Tania took time to ensure that the songs chosen were a perfect fit for her. Tania also felt confident enough to bring her own songs to the table, which included the title track and lead single. Following God\'s call is one thing; turning your back on the world\'s expectations can be something else altogether. However for Tania, that was the only option there was. Trading a façade of self-styled importance for the glory of the Creator, Lay It All Down is intertwined with tangible feelings of humility and honesty. And when one is called to lay everything down at the feet of the cross, these are often all that is left.