Interview: Maple Love's Music Story
Bilingual Taiwanese Canadian Gospel singer-songwriter, Maple Love’s Music Story, talks to Louder Than The Music about her latest single, 'United Forever'. Find out more about this intriguing artists ahead of her new single 'Love of Jesus', coming on July 28th.
For those who haven't heard of you before, can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got involved in making music?
I am Mera Hsu, born and raised in Taiwan, but now residing in Canada since the 90s, where I work as a full-time dentist. In 2018, I experienced a prompting from God to write Christian songs in a unique and interesting way.
The inspiration struck one day when my car's CD changer broke, and I found myself struggling to recall the lyrics of Christian songs while driving. In that moment, a simple thought turned into a prayer: "Maybe I should write my own Christian songs, then I'll remember the lyrics for sure!" To my surprise, God quickly answered my prayer, and within a couple of weeks, I had written my first song. From then on, the inspiration continued to flow, and songwriting became my passion.
My music journey encompasses both English and Chinese languages, and most of my songs are written bilingually. I sent some of my compositions to Taiwan to have them produced, and through this process, I began to learn about music production. Eventually, I started recording some of my songs in a local studio here in Canada.
In 2019, I started my Christian music ministry, "Maple Love's Music Story," on YouTube, and since then, I've released one album and over 20 bilingual singles and EPs, each reflecting the faith and inspiration God has graciously bestowed upon me.
Tell us about your new single 'United Forever' and what the inspiration behind it was?
In my life, I've experienced numerous instances where I felt God's presence so profoundly that it left me in awe. It was as if I experienced love at first sight, a warm, tingling sensation enveloping my entire being. It was those profound memorable moments which prompted me to write this love song dedicated to God. God is love! He is the source of every form of love that I have ever experienced in my life and so much more! It is these soul-stirring encounters, where I felt His love deep within my heart rather than just in my thoughts, that truly inspired the creation of this song. It is certainly one of my favorites.
Do you have any plans to release more music in the near future?
Absolutely! I have exciting plans to release more music in the near future. At the moment, I'm working on several songs, and some of them will be ready for release this summer and fall of 2023. Additionally, I'm thrilled to share that I have written a musical play “Dance with Jesus” incorporating 13 of the songs I’ve written. It's a project close to my heart, and I'm hopeful that with God's guidance, it will come to fruition in the future. Please stay tuned for the upcoming releases and updates on this exciting journey!
What message would you like people to take from your music?
God is love! He loves us immensely beyond our imagination. When He reveals Himself to us, His love becomes so intimately tangible and powerful that we are no longer the same! He eagerly seeks us and wants to unite with us, His cherished children! When He connects with us, we want to hold on to Him and put all our trust in Him! Never again do we want to run away and bear all the hurt and the burdens ourselves. God not only desires to restores us, through Jesus Christ, He also offers the assurance of eternal unity with Him, a blessing beyond measure for all who believe. God’s love is truly a marvelous gift that endures forever.
How would you describe your style of music and what are your influences?
My music style is a unique fusion of adult contemporary Christian music with distinct Asian influences. I aim to create beautiful melodies that revolve around Jesus' love, healing, and hopeful salvation, offering comfort and encouragement to my listeners. My music is characterized by its experimental nature, incorporating various styles and sounds. I draw inspiration from contemporary bands, waltz, orchestral arrangements, and I enjoy infusing Western, Chinese, and even Bollywood elements. This cultural blend brings a captivating quality to my music, making it stand out. The easy-listening nature of my songs makes them accessible and enjoyable for a wide audience. I hope you enjoy listening to my music!
If you could work with any songwriter, who would it be and why?
I am open to collaborating with any songwriter who shares the same faith as me. I believe God raises up numerous Christian songwriters worldwide, each uniquely inspired for a specific purpose. There's always so much to learn in music, life, and from God's words, and I am eager to learn from anyone God places in my path.
In fact, I am grateful that God has already connected me with several songwriters in my life, including my vocal teacher, members of my church choir and Bible study cell group, my producers, and my church pastors. They have all played a significant role in guiding and supporting me on my songwriting journey. I am excited about the prospect of more opportunities for collaboration in the future. Working alongside fellow believers and musicians brings me immense joy and fulfillment in expressing our faith through music.
How would you define success in your career as an artist?
Countless times, I've reminded myself that if my music can touch even a single soul, the entire journey becomes worthwhile. For me, that's what true success means. Throughout the process of writing music, God's inspiration not only flowed through me but also impacted my own life. His divine guidance offered healing and comfort, fostering growth in my faith and every aspect of my life. If, through the music that God
has inspired me to create, I can influence one more person the same way this music has influenced myself, it fills my heart with joy and gratitude already.
However, I recognize that the number of people touched by these melodies is in His hands alone. The ultimate significance lies in the lives He chooses to touch through this music that is divinely inspired. My goal remains to share the message of faith, hope, and love through Jesus Christ, knowing that God's purpose will prevail, touching hearts in ways I could never have imagined.
Do you have a favorite song of all time?
Actually, I do have a favorite song of all time. That is Mercy Me’s “Flawless”. In 2015, I came across the Official YouTube video of this song, and I thought that was genius! It is truly a flawless song only God can inspire. The song's uplifting melody, well-crafted arrangements, and meaningful lyrics touched my heart. The video's creativity and inspiration added to its impact. Above all, "Flawless" delivers a powerful message: Jesus's blood makes us flawless, and that's all we need. I truly love this song and find it incredibly meaningful.
You're stuck on an island, it's hot, you only have enough battery life left to listen to one song on your phone. What track is it?
If I were stuck on an island with only enough battery for one song on my phone, I'd pick "United Forever." This song is special because it reminds me of God's love and kindness. No matter what happens, if I get saved or go to be with Him forever, I know He cares for me. This song helps me stay strong and trust in God during tough times.
What does the next year hold for you?
The upcoming year is always full of surprises for me because plans can change unexpectedly. Looking back, the last three years, even with the challenges of the COVID pandemic, turned out to be a fantastic time for making music. It's incredible how God arranges things in such interesting ways! I'm eager to see what God has in store for me in the coming year. Of course, I still hope for Jesus's second coming every year. But if that doesn't happen yet, I anticipate more songwriting and recording, and maybe even starting the production of the musical I've been dreaming of. Whatever happens, I trust that God's plans will be amazing!
Check out Maple Love's Music Story new single 'Love of Jesus', coming on July 28th!
