We were lucky to catch up with Ashlyn Marie recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ashlyn, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I learned by watching the people I looked up to. Growing up in a family of musicians I had a lot of exposure to all kinds of instruments, musical genres, and different sounds that made me who I am as an artist and a musician today. Beyond that I always surrounded myself with like minded professional people who wanted the same thing I did. At the end of the day you learn the most by doing. You can watch a hundred youtube videos or take the highest level of courses in any field but the real learning happens with experience. As far as singing in particular, I’ve always learned better technique by singing and working a little bit each day. Studying Voice at Clemson University has opened so many doors for me as a singer and as an artist but the key is showing up and doing the work, just being present in a room full of other artists you are presented with so many different opportunities. In any field networking is crucial, especially in today’s climate.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I am a singer/songwriter as well as Vocal Performance major at Clemson University. I study classical voice, musical theater, choral music, acting, etc. at Clemson while simultaneously working on my independent music career as a pop crossover artist. I love to write and sing about my life and the things I’ve experienced- relating to people at a musical level is something I have always resonated with. It means a lot more to me than words and always has. After all it is the universal language. I think that it why I chose it as my art and my path. I have always communicated with life on a spiritual level, and I think art is the most human way to do that. I grew up in a very conservative Christian household, cutting me off from a good bit of the “secular” music that the world had to offer. Still, though, I at least had Disney Channel. That opened up my ears to a world of pop music that literally set my soul on fire as a kid. I watched child stars like Hillary Duff and Hannah Montana shine on stage in my childhood and wanted to be just like them. But I was surrounded by all kinds of music. My Dad gave me the classics- r&b. My Papa, his dad, gave me the oldies- especially Elvis Presley. In fact he was, and still is, a killer Elvis impersonator. My grandmother, or Mimi, who is my Mom’s mom, gave me the classical music. She is a fabulous piano teacher and Greenville County music legend! On top of that most of my family was involved with the music in our church throughout my childhood. My weeks were spent at school and church, during band practices while my Dad played the drums. My weekends usually consisted of going to my Papa’s shows, sometimes performing at them, and of course going to church. Needless to say I was fully submerged into a world of music. I began writing songs as a little girl and noticed that I had a real gift for songwriting at about 13 years old. I went on to study Voice at the Fine Arts Center in my early high school years, later deciding to do the “practical” thing and major in Education when I got to Clemson. Two years later, I felt like I was going nowhere. I did not even see graduation as a goal anymore. We were hit with Covid during my 2nd year of school, and I took advantage of the lockdown. I made my mind up to go back to what made me happiest. Sure I never stopped singing but I had to get back to the center of my soul that was only found when I was doing what I was sent here to do. I began working on my voice and my craft every single day – not just doing vocal warm ups and writing hooks – I mean doing the dirty work. That year over Zoom I auditioned to be a Voice major at Clemson and I have grown a lifetime since then. What a lot of people don’t think about is that music and singing in particular are 100% mental. It is very physical but even more spiritual. If your head and heart ain’t in it, then you ain’t either. These last 2 years have been the most enlightening years of my life. I’ve learned so much about myself, my art, and how we go hand in hand. I released my first solo single “Blindhorse Blues” in January of this year, a song that I wrote exactly a year before that, to the day. It was a song I wrote about a fight I had with my sweetheart, Wes, who doubles as my guitar player (more on him, later). The song was based on a honky tonk bar in our hometown of Greenville, SC – The Blindhorse Saloon. The song created a pretty crazy buzz for a first single with broke-college-kid-slash-starving-artist marketing budget. Since then, I’ve released 2 more songs this year, “Domino Effect” and “So High”, both very different parts of me but all real! It has truly been a blast and I have never felt happier and more in tune with myself. I continue writing independently and in occasional cowrites, and travel to Nashville a few times a year to record my songs. All of my music is on all streaming platforms – Spotify, Apple Music, Youtube, etc.! You can also find me on all social media platforms as @ashlynmariemusic

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Everyone loves the applause at the end of a performance. Every artist gets so excited and over the moon when their song hits 5000 streams or even 50. And of course we all love getting paid. But the reason as to why I started creating music in the first place – was not for any of that. I think artists feel things deeper than other people. I think our minds work completely different, and it can be hard to navigate at first, but what I’ve realized in recent years is that art is communication. It truly is a window to someone’s soul and the deepest parts of them. People that are in touch with that are just… built different. I think the most rewarding part about being a creative is just being able to communicate in that way.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

A lot of people in life will ask, what is your biggest regret or what would you change about _______, but they’ve got to be missing the point. A puzzle is only complete with every piece, right? Our stories are not complete without every little bit of the big picture. In art, especially songwriting, some of our toughest, lowest moments are what draws the most inspiration. I would even say almost more than the highest, most celebrated points in life. In my journey as a songwriter I try to hone in on those tough days. I don’t sit down and start writing rhymes though. I dig in to how I feel whether that be through meditating, journalling, or sitting alone with my thoughts. Being thankful for those moments is not easy but it promotes growth in every aspect.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ashlynmariemusic.wixsite.com/website/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashlynmariemusic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashlynmariemusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnqkfqzgeDa5JyGazulas4w

Image Credits
Maryann Klaiber