SB: What was your favorite aspect of the process in recording and releasing the Perfect EP?
A: My favorite part would probably be getting in the studio. Writing can be very tedious. It can be a process. Like “Perfect” came to me in five minutes -- the whole song -- but then some songs can take a day or more. But once you get in the studio after the song has been put together well and its format is done and you understand your message and the passion behind it, you can get in that studio and really go in and sing and deliver it the way you dreamed and imagined it to be. It’s such a powerful moment.
SB: How do you feel about the response thus far? How does it feel to receive so much love from listeners from around the world on social media?
A: It’s so funny! I’m a new artist. It’s so scary to put out music. To hear people sing along and to see Instagram posts and bloggers, people who have a million other artists that they can be talking about or talking to, I’m so humbled. I worked hard on it, so I believed that the music was great. We all do when we write and sing and record and everything. But it is definitely a blessing to have that kind of love after the loss that I experienced and the fear that I had. I feel the love. It feels like hundreds of hugs I’m getting every day. Kisses and pats on the back. It really is a blessing.
SB: Now “Dear Dream” was a favorite from first listen around here at SBHQ. Can you go into detail a bit about what that song means to you and what led you to writing it?
A: Well it’s about that little place that all of us know very well. Whatever your dream or goal is and it’s far away from your 9-5 or far away from the default template that we have as Americans to pursue. You have this dream, but it just seems so far away and you’re so angry because you’re just like “why don’t you just leave me alone?” And “why do I want it so bad?” It just seems like it’s so hard to get and like it’ll never happen. And “why did I even have to have a voice if it wasn’t meant for the world to hear it?” or “why did I have these hands if my writing wasn’t meant for the big screen to catch along” or whatever! Whatever your dream is! It’s a fight that every human deals with if they ever decide to face their inner self and what really makes them happy and what they’re passionate about. So, that song is pretty much the love affair and war between yourself and your dream.
- Advertisement -SB: I noticed that this project was all about you. There were no features at all. If you could collaborate with anyone for your next release, who would it be and why?
A: That is a big question. There are so many. I probably would have to say Babyface. He’s one of my favorite writers and producers. He’s also an Aries so I believe that we have the same language and understanding on love. I feel like he’s my long lost uncle or big brother. I would love to meet him, write and record with him because I think that he has a way of honesty in his songwriting and in the chords he uses. His identity is just really really deep and heartfelt and true. He is definitely someone that I admire strongly.
- Advertisement -SB: What is next for ASH.? What are you looking to conquer next as you continue on your musical journey?
A: Conquer! I’m still conquering with this EP! I’m indie, so you know it takes time. Little by little, every day it’s someone new hearing it. So my goal is to just begin performing and to open up for different artists, to be able to travel and share the music. If I have the opportunity this summer and fall to travel and go a couple of places to perform, I’m going to be super excited about that. I’m crossing my fingers and hoping that that happens!
- Advertisement -SB: And finally, as a member of the SoulBounce staff I must ask. What makes your soul bounce?
A: Love makes my soul bounce! It really does. It makes the world go ‘round. We have a lot of things going on in the world and in our country, in Baltimore. Everywhere there are some issues that hurt all of us and cause a lot of pain. I read and I study and I watch and I hurt, too. I think most people know that at the root of all of this what we need is just more love. It makes my soul bounce when we do a little more of that.
