INTERVIEW: Ashley J

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How would you classify your music?

My music would be classified as Top 40 pop. Very punchy, honest and upbeat, with topics that are relatable and true to life events.

Who are some of your top 5 musical influences?  

1. Dolly Parton

2. Celine Dion

3. Michael Jackson

4. Johnny Cash

5. Whitney Houston

What do you want fans to take from your music?

I want my fans to feel like they have someone whose been through what they’re experiencing. I want to relate to them, and I want their experience listening to my music or being at a show to be magical, upbeat, and fun. Just knowing that my lyrics are based off true events and situations in my life, and hoping that they can relate to me and my experiences will be my main focus and motive. They have a friend in me, and I in them.

Tell us about your latest single release, “Dare Ya?”  

“Dare Ya”, was inspired to me by a series of text messages sent to me by someone special to me. When I get down or low, I like to reread them because they motivate me and inspire me. So I wrote a song based around these messages and gave it the “get up and go” (no pun intended) that it needed to capture the meaning and emotions behind the words.

What do you like and dislike about the Music Business in your opinion?

I have been having a blast just being apart of the music business thus far. I love to create and envision new things. So being able to express myself in my writing and look has been an absolute blast and dream turned reality.

I would have to say my least favorite thing about it so far is waiting. Waiting for new music to be released or videos to be released, songs mixed, etc is so stressful for a person like me with very little patience. I’m always on speed 100, and I need to remember that not everyone else is. It’s something I’m working on.

What is the best concert you have been to? What do you like most about playing live?

The best concert I have been to would have to be a Dolly Parton show. Oh my goodness that woman can make you laugh, tell a story, have you cry, and sing on top of it all. She is a one-woman show, and incredibly personable with her audience.

I like the pressure and the thrill to do your best right before a big show. Its an amazing adrenaline rush thinking that all of those people out there are there—for you and the people with you. It’s a humbling experience and insanely motivating. Its incredible being able to share who you are with people, and with your lyrics as if you were reading a page out of your own journal to them.

How have you evolved as an artist over the last year?

In this last year, as an artist, I have evolved not only in my genre, but in my being. I have experienced extreme emotions, with stuff going on currently in my private life (happy, sad, excitement) and put them into my music. And although I have always written about my life in my lyrics, I somehow managed to let my guard down a bit and really push my self. I’ve left no rules on the table, and no situation/ person is or has been off limits. Being proud of myself and for myself has been extremely rewarding. It took me becoming my own best friend to realize that!

If you could meet, play a gig, co-write a song, have dinner, get drinks with any band or artist (dead or alive) who would it be?  

Dolly Parton or Johnny Cash.

Dolly has this way about her that draws you into innocence. She is a woman who has experienced all boards of the spectrum and knows a thing or too. She would be one of my life’s greatest mentors.

Johnny Cash, however is such a deep and dark soul, that I can relate to on some levels. Learning his story and falling in love with the emptions in his music has had a tremendous impact on me as a person and artist. He can write a mean play on words, and I’m all about it.

What lies ahead for you this year?

This year has already been so magical! For this year I plan on doing some touring and to play some events/ radio shows. I’m the best when I’m on stage, so my goal is get on one as soon as possible.