INTERVIEW: Ashe releases her debut album 'Ashlyn'
America’s Ashe (full name Ashlyn Rae Willson) started her music career in 2015 with a string of featured vocalist appearances on dance tracks before beginning her solo career proper in 2017 with the single ‘Used to It’. Her breakthrough moment came in 2019 when the single ‘Moral of the Story’ became a global hit after featuring in the Netflix film To All The Boys: PS I Love You. The song has since racked up over 750 million streams making her one of the hottest new talents in the world in the process.
On May 7 Ashe released her debut album Ashlyn. It is an accomplished collection of music taking inspiration from the 1970s art-pop-rock sound of artists such as Carole King, The Beatles and The Beach Boys while still remain completely contemporary. Ashe has a remarkable talent at creating music that is full of drama, emotions and sonic excitement without ever going over the top, as well as creating some of the most pure pop melodies you are likely to hear this year. On the strength of this album, her musical career is going to be enthralling to follow.
We recently sat down with Ashe to find out more about her career and the creation of the album.
Hey Ashe! Great to chat with you. How is life in your world right now?
Hiiiii! Happy to be here. Life in my world right now is a little chaotic and exciting and honestly, I'm grateful for both.
Congratulations on the release of your debut album Ashlyn, it is brilliant. How does it feel to have it out into the world?
Thank you so much! Feels like I am running around naked in public, it's also incredibly liberating.
What was the theme or message you wanted to project with the album?
I don't really think there was a specific theme I was trying to convey, the album really is the story of my life. Themes ended up coming through- our lack of time and not taking the time we're given for granted.
You worked with Leroy Clampitt, Jason Evigan, Noah Conrad and FINNEAS on the album. What was the creative process like for you?
Each of those writers/producers are very open minded and are good listeners; they let me lead which is incredibly important to me, so the process with each of them was pretty seamless.
The track ‘Taylor’ is a gorgeous ode to both the birth and end of young love and has lyrics we can all relate to. Can you tell us about the inspiration behind this song?
Well there was once a boy named Taylor. I have been a serial monogamist my whole life - from the age of 8. I fell in love very young, like 15, and young love doesn't last. It falls apart because you're too young and you grow up and grow apart…the song says it better! (laughs)
‘Not Mad Anymore’ takes us on such a thrilling sonic journey, it starts off very gentle before diving into a thumping, almost funky chorus. How did this song come together?
’Not Mad Anymore’ was actually written over Zoom with Sean Douglas early on in the pandemic. I was just trying to express how I had held onto a lot of anger with my ex-husband and through writing ‘Moral of the Story’ and other records, I was slowly letting that anger go. I woke up one day and realised I wasn't so mad anymore. Sonically, ‘Not Mad Anymore’ is heavily inspired by Queen and the harmonies of the Beach Boys - we just wanted to have fun with the sonic landscape of that record.
Your lyrical subject matter is intimate and very personal. Is there ever any anxiety or nervousness when it comes to releasing it into the world and have everyone listen to and pick over your innermost thoughts?
I would feel more anxious and nervous if I was putting out records that weren't vulnerable. It frightens me to put out a record that is fluffy, vague and not exposing.
When did you know you wanted to make music your career? Was it a desire that was always there, or did it develop organically?
It developed very organically, I lacked a lot of the confidence for most of my life and didn't even consider being an artist. Honestly, I've lacked confidence for most of my career and even when I became an artist, I underestimated myself, up until now when I really feel like I know who I am. I knew I always wanted to be a part of the music industry in some capacity, but I didn't know what it would look like.
You have spoken about your love of artists such as Carole King, Joni Mitchell and Brian Wilson. Who are the artists of today you find inspirational?
Arlo Parks, Billie Eilish, FINNEAS, Cautious Clay, St. Vincent, Phoebe Bridgers, Harry Styles.
The music industry has long been a difficult space for women to exist in, partly because it has been run for so long by older, white, straight men. What are your thoughts on gender equality and sexism in the music industry?
I think that there are certain barriers put up by a male dominated industry, but it takes women like myself, Arlo and Billie who are inspired by icons like Carole King, Ella Fitzgerald, Barbara Streisand and Peggy Lee who never let male power determine their trajectory or success.
What’s up next for Ashe?
Headlining two sold out shows in London and a full North American headline tour in 2022! And everything else, I guess we'll see...
Ashlyn is out now via Mom + Pop Music. You can buy and stream here.
To keep up with all things Ashe you can follow her on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
