Maryanne J. George
Not Just Stories is Maryanne “MJ” George’s very first EP release. It captures the essence of Maryanne’s journey with the Lord, featuring a collection of deep-felt worship, uplifting praise songs and extended/spontaneous versions. The project features Maverick City Music artists, Dante Bowe, Aaron Moses, and Naomi Raine, and the Maverick City Choir.
How does it feel to have your debut EP out in the world?
It’s a pretty surreal feeling! I’m also in my 3rd trimester of my first pregnancy, so it feels like I’m birthing two babies at the same time. It all feels so intentional.
This has been a God dream of mine that I truly did not expect to be living out so early in my life. I’m so grateful for the timing of it. Couldn’t have planned it better.
How do these songs reflect and embody your faith journey?
I’ve said before that this album feels very grounding to me. It captures my heart’s cry for the last 11 years, when Mav City didn’t exist, and the most important thing to me was serving in my local Indian church as best as I could.
I really took that responsibility seriously. God was doing things in me then, cultivating in me a heart of devotion and a spirit of longing. I think this whole album attests to those years.
It’s focused on surrender, devotion, and sacrifice: tenants of worship. My prayer is that this album brings us back to the heart of worship.
When we interviewed Chandler Moore, he described Mav City as his family. Tell us about their role as a unit and individually (Dante, Naomi, etc.) on this record?
He’s right - it really is like a family. We love each other, pray for each other, correct each other, and laugh (SO HARD) with each other… I would not be here without my Mav City family. They champion me, and believe in me time and time again, even when I don’t always believe in myself.
I think it’s so important to have a family that sees potential in you, and calls out the fruit in you. There was a time in my life where I struggled to find acceptance. I longed for a community of people that truly cared about me, and challenged me in my spiritual walk. In this family, the Lord gave me just that. I feel welcomed. I feel challenged. I feel truly loved; divinely loved.
Dante, Naomi, and Aaron are featured on this album with me. They have personally offered so much encouragement to me even before this album was created. They, as well as the rest of the Mav City family, have made space for me, as a South Asian woman. They saw value in who I was, and recognized that I am an important part of the family of God.
I think this is why Mav City has taken the world by storm. People see themselves in us. They feel represented. We are a beautiful picture of imago dei: The image of God.
In the arrangement and production of “Altar,” the song builds continuously, personifying the journey of approaching God’s table. Was this intentional or a natural “side effect” of creating this song?
Honestly, we did not plan for that to happen before the recording. But upon hearing what we captured, it was a beautiful side effect of the song.
I think as we continue to sing the bridge, “be glorified,” it builds in a beautiful way that melodically captures the awe and wonder of beholding Jesus. I think as the song progresses, you hear the desperation in our voices as well… All we truly want is for the Lord to be glorified through our lives. That’s it. That’s the heart of everything we do.
I think it was really sweet to have my childhood friend and fellow worship leader, Justus Tams, featured on the song with me too. We grew up together, and learned so many things about Jesus together. I know that this is his heart as well, and to lead this song together just felt so right.
“Prayer” is not a song but rather a captured moment - a raw, emotional prayer for ensuring these songs are only for Him. Tell us about recording this message to and for God and how it felt in that room.
I think that first track, the prayer, was probably the most raw thing that I have ever recorded. It was just me and Jesus in that room. I felt like a little girl again. It was one of my most sacred moments, yet it felt so familiar. It was my way of personally thanking Jesus for the opportunity to do this.
I think moments like that need to be captured more: the vulnerability, the rawness, the beauty, and the sweetness. It felt very natural to say those words, and I’m so glad it made its way on this album.
Maryanne J. George | Not Just Stories
Lead Not Just Stories with your congregation. Resources available at MultiTracks.com.