Singer-songwriter Asher Monroe is back with his latest single Wanderlust. 

Inspired by a yearning for freedom amid the global pandemic, the track is the latest in a series of releases from the musician and offers a signal of hope for things to come.

Speaking to Retro Pop, Asher opens up on the inspiration behind his music and offers a teaser of his forthcoming album ‘Windows of Time’. 

Hey Asher! We’re loving your new single Wanderlust. What can you tell us about the track? 

Thank you! Wanderlust exemplifies my zeal for travel, which is one of my most prized tools for inspiration and creativity. It wasn’t too difficult writing a song about my love for exploring new places as all I had to do was pull from life experience. 

The single has a great vibe about it – was it important for you to put out something feel-good after the past 18 months? 

Of course – and I believe that timing is everything. I didn’t pre-plan it as one might think, but it came at a good time for people to get out of their routine and push outside of their boundaries. 

I try to keep the feel-good factor in all of my songs and I  try to write about what inspires me, and in return I hope it inspires others. 

As a singer-songwriter, how do you approach writing your material? 

I’ve used many different techniques to write a song. I find I write the best and most meaningful material when I shut the world out and connect with a higher power. 

I like to think of us as channels; we can all channel and manifest anything we want, but there needs to be a strong conscious awareness to what it is we want to achieve. Depending on the energy that’s available some days I might not catch any inspiration, while other days I find it everywhere. 

It’s like fishing; you’ve always got to have a line in the water – the catch you get depends on the bait or the time of day. There are so many factors to consider.

You co-wrote Wanderlust with Walter Afanasieff, who worked with Mariah Carey in the ‘90s. How did that collaboration come about? 

Truth be told, we had a wonderful mutual friend by the name of Lyndie Benson, who is one of my dear friends and was married and had two children with Kenny G. Lyndie told me about this incredible producer who lived close to us in Malibu,  California, and I invited him over just to chat, meet and hang out. 

Walter ended up playing on the piano in our living room and I sang next to him and the next thing you know we are writing for almost a year, creating magic for the ‘Windows of Time’ album.

Actually, you have a great list of collaborators – Ryan Tedder, Akon and Sean Kingston, amongst others… Talk to me about working with such great, high-profile musicians. 

Working with all those names you mentioned was real growth for me as an artist. When you work with high level talent you either rise to their level or you realise they are out of their league. 

I don’t mean to say this in an egotistical way but I’ve never worked with anyone I feel inferior too. I always felt like I contributed something unique in all of my collaborations. Every artist has their unique strengths and that’s the beauty of collaborations, because everyone pours in their ingredients to help shape the final outcome of a song. 

There are new techniques I’ve learned by working with different types of people. Music is all about learning growing and sharing in my opinion. 

Which artists have inspired your music and sound throughout the years?

I might have to break this question in two parts; one for the classic artists I grew up listening to and new artist that break the mould for the new generation… 

Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Freddie Mercury and Otis Redding would undoubtedly be in my top 4 of all-time. 

In terms of recent artists, I love Sam Smith, Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga, Adele and Ed Sheeran.

Your new album ‘Windows of Time’ is coming soon – what can you tell us about the project?

I can tell you that, sonically, it’s a brand new sound for me as I’ve never experimented with this theatrical, orchestral pop/rock sound before. 

Lyrically, I have never dived deeper and there are some beautiful, profound story driven lyrics that I feel very proud to have written. 

This project is opening doors for me in the sense of what is possible for my future. I truly believe that you can achieve anything that you set your mind to.